Q. How do I apply for a home?
Q. Does choice based lettings mean that I no longer need to fill in long application forms?
Q. What are bands?
Q. How will I know what band I am in?
Q. What type of checks will you make?
Q. Do I need a local connection?
Q. I have been accepted as homeless, what do I do?

Q. Where can I look for homes?
Q. How often do you advertise homes?
Q. Will there be any restrictions on how many bids I can make?
Q. Do I have to bid each week?
Q. Can I bid on any property?
Q. Will you advertise adapted homes?
Q. How will I know if I have been successful?
Q. I do not have access to a computer, how can I bid for a property?
Q. How can I withdraw my bid?
Q. How will I know how many people are bidding for the same property as me?
Q. If I am the first person to bid for a property, will I get it?
Q. If I do not bid for a property will I ever get housed?
Q. Who can help me look for a property?

 Applying to Trust HomeChoice

You will need to make an application to join Trust Homechoice. However one form will allow you to register with Weaver Vale Housing Trust, Chester and District Housing Trust and Cheshire West and Chester Council.  Once we receive your fully completed application form we will assess your housing need in accordance with the Common Housing Allocation Policy.  Housing need is calculated through a banding system which takes into account marital and/or family status and current housing situation and/or social circumstances.

You will need to make an application to join Trust Homechoice. However one form will allow you to register with Weaver Vale Housing Trust, Chester and District Housing Trust and Cheshire West and Chester Council. This will therefore remove some of the duplications.

You can apply online at www.trusthomechoice.co.uk or alternatively you can contact us for an application form.

There are five bands, Band A being for the highest priority groups down to Band E for those with the lowest priority.  You can find details on how the bandings are calculated in our Common Housing Allocation Policy, click here.
We need to ensure that all applicants are eligible to join the waiting list and be considered for a vacancy with one of the partners. We will request two references and will check previous addresses for incidents of anti- social behavior/ rent arrears. We will also check any previous convictions to ensure that the applicant is eligible to receive an offer of accommodation in line with the allocation policy.

You do not need to have a local connection as we operate an open register, however you may be awarded a lower band if you do not have a connection to the Cheshire West and Chester area.
 
If your application is accepted you will receive a letter stating the priority band your application has been awarded.  You will then be able to bid for vacant properties which meet your requirements.
If you have made a homeless application, Housing Options/Solutions staff at Cheshire West and Chester Council and Chester & District Housing Trust will explain how the new system works and what you need to do if you are accepted as homeless.

If you are a statutorily homeless applicant you will be awarded extra priority for 6 weeks to enable you to bid for a suitable vacancy. If you do not bid for a property during the 6 weeks, your Housing Options/Solutions Advisor may bid for properties on your behalf. The priority may be extended for a further period if you do not secure accommodation in 6 weeks. However if there are suitable vacancies and you do not bid for them the priority status may be removed and your application will be reassessed. You will need to fully discuss your application with your Housing Options/Solutions Advisor when the homeless status is awarded.

Looking for a home

You can look for homes:-
on our website www.trusthomechoice.co.uk

in windows at all our offices:-
Chester & District Housing Trust
Centurion House, Northgate Street
Blacon Housing Office
Lache Housing Office

Weaver Vale Housing Trust
Wyvern House, Winsford
Information Centre, Northwich
Castle Park, Frodsham

in local newspapers:-
Chester Standard
Wednesday’s Chester Evening Leader
Wednesday’s Winsford, Middlewich and Northwich Guardian

Homes will be advertised weekly from 1200 noon every Thursday until 1200 noon the following Wednesday.  You do not need to be the first person to bid in order to get an offer.  The property will be advertised for a week before the shortlists are generated.
You will be able to bid for an unlimited number of properties.

We will advertise all our vacant homes and you can choose when to bid for a property.  We will try to include an external picture of the property. We will also tell you the size, type and location of the property, the weekly rent and any other charges, any special features and who is eligible to bid for the property.  We will also advertise adapted properties, priority will be given to customers who need the adaptations.

If you bid for a property which does not match your requirements you will be advised that your bid is ineligible and you will not be included on the shortlist for the property.

You do not need to be the first person to bid in order to get an offer. Every week when the advert closes we will generate shortlists for each of the homes advertised.  Successful applicants will be contacted by one of the partners by telephone or letter.

Shortlists are a list of customers who have expressed an interest in a particular home.  The list will automatically prioritise customers by band A – E the list will also place each band in date order.

We will only contact successful applicants, if your bid is not successful you will need to look at future adverts and make further bids. You will not know how many people are bidding on each property, however our website will provide information about previous property lists.  This will confirm the band and the length of time the successful applicants have been in that band, it will also tell you how many eligible bids were received against that property.  This may help you when looking at similar vacancies in the future.

If you do not have access to a computer you can bid over the telephone, or in person.  Please click here for details.

If you need any additional help or support, please contact your nearest housing office to discuss the extra help we can offer.  Please click here for details.

Remember, you need to tell us what properties you are interested in, if you do not express an interest in a property (bid) we will not contact you to offer you a property. 

Please contact us if you wish to withdraw your bid.