Choice-based lettings: how social housing is allocated

Homeless, or living in unsuitable housing? A council waiting list may follow. In most areas, social housing gets handed out through a system called choice-based lettings. Here is how it works.

Key facts

• Government figures show 42,640 households in England were owed a relief duty after being assessed as homeless in October to December 2025. Statutory homelessness in England, GOV.UK
• A further 33,630 households were owed a prevention duty after being assessed as threatened with homelessness in the same quarter. Statutory homelessness in England, GOV.UK

What is choice-based lettings?

Choice-based lettings, CBL, is how many councils and housing associations hand out social housing. The council assigns nothing directly. Instead, free homes get advertised online or in local offices, and people on the register express interest in the ones they want. That is called "bidding".

Each home usually runs advertised for a set period, often a week. At its end the council weighs all bids and offers the home to the bidder holding the highest priority.

Do I have to bid?

In most CBL areas, yes. Skipping bids on homes you want can cost you offers, even with high priority. Some councils make direct offers in set cases, say medical or access needs only certain homes can meet. But most offers come through bidding.

How is priority decided?

Priority is never first come, first served. Councils run a banding or points system tracking housing need. The factors:

• Homelessness, or the threat of it
• How serious and urgent the housing need runs
• Medical or disability needs demanding adapted housing
• Overcrowding where you live now
• Children in the household
• Safeguarding or safety worries

Banding and points vary council to council. Your band, or points, usually comes with registration.

How long will I wait?

Waits vary enormously, with where you live, the size and type of home needed, and your band all feeding in. High-demand areas like London can hold family-sized waits very long. Lower-priority applicants in some areas wait years without an offer.

Your council should be able to give average waits for your area and home type.

What if I am homeless?

Owed the main housing duty while homeless? Temporary housing may come while you wait for a social offer. It is no long-term home: a bridge while something permanent gets found.

A temporary placement usually touches neither your list place nor your bidding.

Can I request a review of my banding or priority?

Yes. Think the band or priority is wrong, medical needs poorly assessed, or circumstances changed? Ask the council to review.

Review windows run short, so act fast on a decision that looks wrong.

What if I am in a privately rented home with disrepair?

Serious disrepair in a private rented home may back a bid for higher register priority. Tell the council and send evidence: photos, letters both ways with the landlord, any council inspection reports.

A housing disrepair claim can also run beside the social housing hunt. The two routes work together.

When should I contact Support for Tenants?

In a private rented home with disrepair, and wondering about a claim? Call us.

Call us on 0800 030 4669. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.

Sources

• Housing Act 1996, Part 6 (allocation of housing accommodation) (legislation.gov.uk)