Frequently Asked Questions about Choice Based Lettings

The following are a list of the most frequently asked questions - select a question to move to the answer.

• What is Linx Homechoice?
  
• Can anyone apply for an affordable home to rent?
• How can I apply to join the Housing Register?
• How will I know about properties that are available for rent?
• How do I make a bid for an advertised property?
• When can I bid for a property?
• How long will I have to wait?
• What if I have an urgent need for housing?
• I am already a tenant of a housing association in the area,can I bid for properties that I wish to transfer to?
• If I am successful in my bid for a property, what happens next?
• Is extra help available for those who need it?

What is Linx Homechoice?

Linx Homechoice is the name of a new way of renting New Linx Housing Trust homes in the area. Registered customers can choose from properties available each fortnight.

Can anyone apply for an affordable home to rent?

You must be accepted on to the New Linx Housing Register first.

How can I apply to join the Housing Register?

By contacting the Linx Homechoice office at Keily House, Gresley Road, Louth, Lincolnshire, LN11 8FG Tel: 01507 355020. Or download the PDF version of the Application Form.

We will write to you confirming your registration date and telling you which type of properties you can apply for.

How will I know about properties that are available for rent?

Each fortnight Linx Homechoice will advertise the properties that are available to rent. The advertisements will appear in the property section of Local Newspapers and on this website under Search Properties .

Computer access points are available at our offices and in Libraries and Internet Cafe's across the county where you can use our Website to see the advertised properties and make your bids.

How do I make a bid for an advertised property?

You can bid in four different ways.

When you bid you will need to know your application number and reference number of the property (or properties) you wish to bid for.

When can I bid for a property?

You can bid from 9am on a Wednesday to 11:15 on the Monday (excluding the maintenance hours listed below) following the date of the advertisement. This means that you must act quickly in order to ensure that your bid is received in time.

PLEASE NOTE: Bids cannot be made via the website between the hours of 11:15 PM and 2:00 AM due to regular system maintenance although telephone bids are still accepted during this time.

You can only bid for properties advertised that week. If you use the phone or the Website or visit the offices you will be told which properties you can make a bid for.

ALL BIDS MUST BE IN BY MIDNIGHT ON THE MONDAY AFTER THE ADVERTISEMENT OR THEY WILL NOT COUNT.

How long will I have to wait?

The longer you have been registered and the higher your banding will increase your chance of being selected for an offer. We will print this information in the newspaper and on the Website for each property let to give you an idea. The more popular a type of property or area is with customers then the longer the time you are likely to have to wait.

What if I have an urgent need for housing?

High levels of medical/special hardship points etc. will place applications in the higher bands. Local Authorities will continue to deal with homelessness and nominations can be made for urgent cases.

I am already a tenant of New Linx Housing Trust in the area, can I bid for properties that I wish to transfer to?

If you are a tenant of New Linx Housing Trust you may be able to register for a transfer.

You must have a genuine reason for wishing to move to another home in the area. This may be because your family size has changed since moving to your present home or you may wish to move for medical reasons or to be nearer to relatives.

You must complete a Linx Homechoice Registration form available from The New Linx Housing Trust office. You should have a clear rent account and your home well maintained. You will be issued with a registration number and advised of which type of properties you may bid for.

If I am successful in my bid for a property, what happens next?

If you have registered a bid for a property and have the earliest registration date within the relevant band of all the applicants who have chosen the property your details will be considered.

We must have a daytime telephone number we can contact you on. If we cannot contact you that day, you will be overlooked.

Once New Linx has carried out some checks, which may include a home visit, and is happy with your application, you will be able to view the property and sign the tenancy agreement.

How will I know what my chances are of successfully bidding for a property?

The results for each property will be advertised in the newspaper, on the Website and in leaflets available from our offices. You will be able to see the number of people who applied and the registration date of the successful applicant.

This will help you to judge how close you came with your own registration date and what your chances of success would be if a similar property came up again.

Is extra help available for those who need it?

Some customers may need help with getting to see advertisements or making a bid for a property. They may be housebound or have difficulty with languages etc. and what they need to do to bid.

Arrangements can be made for friends or relatives to bid on behalf of a customer or staff can make occasional checks by phone. Contact the office for more information.

© 2007 New Linx Housing Trust