Joining the Housing Register
Who can apply for properties through Epsom and Ewell HomeChoice?
How do I apply to join the Housing Needs Register?
What other documents do I need to provide?
What happens if I do not provide the required documents?
How do I know if I have been accepted onto the Housing Needs Register?
Can you refuse to accept me onto the Housing Needs Register?
What do I do if my circumstances change or I move address?
Do I need to renew my application?
What if someone in my household has a medical condition?
How often are properties advertised?
Where are properties advertised?
What information will the property adverts contain?
How do I apply for a property?
When I log in it says that I am not eligable for any properties. Why is this?
How many properties can I express an interest in?
How long will I have to bid for a property?
Will I know how many other people are interested in the same property?
How do you decide who is offered a property?
If I successfully bid for a rented property, can the landlord refuse to let it to me?
If I am offered a property, will I be able to view it before making up my mind?
What if I don’t like the property when I have seen it?
How will I know what has happened to the properties advertised?
How will this information help me?
Are carpets and appliances provided?
What is East Surrey Home Choice?
Which Housing Register do I need to join to use East Surrey Home Choice?
How do I use East Surrey Home Choice?
When are East Surrey Home Choice properties advertised?
How many bids can i make for East Surrey Home Choice?
What are the differences between East surrey Home choice and Mole Valley Home Choice?
How do you decide who is offered an East Surrey Home Choice property?
What other options are there for housing?
What Help can I get with buying a property through Homebuy or a low cost home ownership schemes?
How do I request a review of a decision?
Who can apply for properties through Epsom and Ewell HomeChoice?
You must have been accepted onto Epsom and Ewell's Housing Needs Register to be able to apply for social rented properties through HomeChoice. Anyone aged 16 years or over may apply to join the Housing Register.
How do I apply to join the Housing Needs Register?
You will need to complete an application form. This can be downloaded from our Housing Pages by clicking HERE or obtained from Housing Services. Click How to Contact Us for contact details and opening hours.
What other documents do I need to provide?
Along with your application form you will need to provide the following:
Before you are offered a property you will need to provide additional documents to support your application. We will tell you what documents to provide and when to provide them.
All documents provided must original and up to date and valid. All full list of acceptable documents is contained on the first page of the application form.
What happens if I do not provide the required documents?
If you do not fill in the application form properly or provide the required documentation your application will not be processed and will be returned to you. The date it is later received by us will be the date we use as your registration date.
How do I know if I have been accepted onto the Housing Needs Register?
You will receive a letter confirming that you have been accepted onto the Housing Needs Register. This will tell you how many points you have, the band you have been placed in for East Surrey HomeChoice properties and the date your application has been registered from. It will also tell you the size of property you are eligible for.
Can you refuse to accept me onto the Housing Needs Register?
There are some people who are not eligible to be included on the Housing Needs Register. These are:
For more detailed information contact Housing Services.
How are points awarded?
Your application will be assessed according to your level of housing need. We will also take into account whether you have a local connection and whether you are able to afford to resolve your own housing problems. Click HERE to see the full Points Scheme.
How can I get more points?
Your points are awarded according to your circumstances at the time of registration. As long as we are fully aware of all the circumstances regarding your housing there is nothing that you can do to improve your points total. You do need to inform us immediately of any changes in your circumstances that may affect your points total e.g. the birth of a new baby, a change of address or a deterioration in your health that is caused by your living conditions.
What do I do if my circumstances change or I move address?
As your priority for housing is based on an assessment of your current housing situation it is very important that you tell us of any changes in your circumstances or address. If you failed to do it will affect your chances of being housed.
If you move you will be required to complete a new Housing Needs Register form and we will then reassess your application and your points/bands may change.
It is important that the form is returned as soon as possible with the required documents. The date used to assess time points and registration date will be the date the fully completed form and documentation is received by the Council. This will not be backdated and any incomplete form will be returned you. Any delay will effect your priority for rehousing.
Do I need to renew my application?
Yes, once a year, normally on the anniversary of your application you will be sent a declaration form, which you must complete and return within 28 days. If you fail to return the form we will write and tell you that your application has been cancelled.
What if someone in my household has a medical condition?
If someone in your household has a medical condition you will be asked to provide details, which may then be considered by the Council’s Medical Advisor, who will put forward a recommendation. You can continue to choose which properties to express an interest in but must be mindful of your condition and only express interest in suitable properties such as ground floor flat or bungalow if you cannot climb stairs.
How often are properties advertised?
Properties available for rent are advertised each week. As soon as we are given formal notice that a property is due to become vacant we will advertise it. For more details click Step Two-Choosing, part of our step-by-step guide to using the service.
Where are properties advertised?
Properties are advertised in the following ways:
What information will the property adverts contain?
The adverts will tell you the landlord, location, size, rent and other features of the property. Where available a photograph of the property or a similar house type will be provided and you will be able to access information about the local area and facilities. The advert will also tell you if there are any special requirements that the applicant must meet, such as age requirements and which list may be given priority for the property. It also tells you the number of bedrooms that applicants applying for the property need to be entitled to. If your bedroom entitlement is different to this you will not be able to bid for that property.
How do I apply for a property?
You can express your interest or bid, as it is also known, in the following ways:
Online through our website, www.eebc-homechoice.org.uk
Through our 24hr automated telephone service on
This simply means that there are no properties available that suit your needs in that weeks bidding cycle. To see other properties that are advertised you can use the property search tab at the top of the page. You should check the website every week as the properties advertised change every Thursday.
How many properties can I express an interest in?
You will be able to express an interest in a maximum of three properties each time properties are advertised. However, you will only be able to express interest in properties that are suitable for your family.
How long will I have to bid for a property?
Properties will be advertised from midnight on a Thursday and you will be able to register your interest in properties up until midnight the following Wednesday.
Will I know how many other people are interested in the same property?
Yes, when you bid for a property you will be told where you are in the queue. This is likely to change frequently due to other people bidding for the same property. Using this information you may decide to withdraw your bid for one property and bid for a different property for which you are higher placed in the queue. You can do this at any time before the closing date. Please be aware that due to our local lettings plan your queue position may not be a true reflection of your chances for being offered any particular property.
How do you decide who is offered a property?
Once the closing date for bids has passed a shortlist of interested applicants is drawn up. The shortlist is in order of eligibility according to the criteria stated in the advert details for that property. The applicant at the top of the list will normally be offered the property. Click Step Three-Offer for more details.
Lettings Plans
When allocating properties through Epsom and Ewell Home Choice the person with the highest points at the top of the list will normally be shortlisted to view the property unless there are reasons why we are unable to do this. We will also take into account any special requirements for the property, such as disabled adaptations and if there is a lettings plan.
There may be situations where it will not be appropriate to offer a property to the applicant with the highest points. Examples of these exceptions may be where:
The allocation of the property would be likely to result in serious estate management difficulties
What is a Lettings Plan?
The Council operates two types of lettings plans: an annual lettings plan and local lettings plan for new build properties.
Annual Lettings Plan
Each year the Council draws up a lettings plan to be used as a guide to ensure that there is an appropriate balance of property allocation between the different categories of applicants on the Housing Needs Register. The lettings plan will be updated annually to reflect current issues and needs.
Local Lettings plan
For new build estates, the Council and the Housing Association will operate a local lettings plan. The aim of this plan is to establish additional criteria for allocation of new build homes in order to achieve a socially and economically balanced community. The criteria will clearly be displayed on the property adverts and applicants are then shortlisted according to these criteria.If an applicant bids on a property but does not meet the letting plan criteria they will be over looked
For more information on Parkviews Lettings Plan . If you have any queries or comments on this please contact Housing Services on 01372 732000.
If I successfully bid for a rented property, can the landlord refuse to let it to me?
You may not be invited to view the property for the following reasons:
1.You owe rent or have other housing related debts
2.You are a Council or Housing Association tenant and legal action has been taken against you because you have broken your tenancy conditions
3. You have sufficient resources to solve your own housing problems
4. You have not provided the required documentary evidence to support your application by the date given
5. Anti-social behaviour from you or any member of your household
5. Your circumstances have changed and this results in a reduction in your level of priority
6.You have provided incorrect or misleading information, which has resulted in your application being awarded a higher priority than it deserves
7. The property is subject to a lettings plan and your application does not meet the criteria
8. Your application does not meet the advertised property criteria
9. The property is subject to a Direct Offer
10. Anti-social behaviour from the you or any member of the household
11. You have has a conviction for Housing/ Welfare Benefit fraud.
If I am offered a property, will I be able to view it before making up my mind?
Yes. You will be given an opportunity to view the property and decide whether you would like to accept it.
What if I don’t like the property when I have seen it?
You will not normally be penalised for refusing a property that you have been offered and will still be able to express interest in properties that become available.
How will I know what has happened to the properties advertised?
Information about homes that have been successfully let or purchased through shared ownership is published. We tell you the number of applicants that expressed an interest in each property, the band or points and the registration date of each property. To see the results of properties that have been let click Recent Lets.
How will this information help me?
It will give you a better idea of how popular a particular property or area is and how long you would normally have to wait. You can then decide whether to look for other types of property or areas where you may not have to wait as long.
Are carpets and appliances provided?
No, you will have to provide your own carpets and appliances.
East Surrey HomeChoice is a sub regional choice based lettings scheme that aims to help a small number of households move within the East Surrey area. Epsom & Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate & Banstead and Tandridge Councils have agreed to advertise 10% of homes that become available as East Surrey Home Choice properties. This means housing register applicants on all four registers can apply for these homes.
To use East Surrey Home Choice you need to have been accepted onto any of the four East Surrey Council's housing registers. The four East Surrey Councils are Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, Mole Valley District Council, Reigate & Banstead Borough Council or Tandridge District Council.
Available East Surrey HomeChoice properties are advertised on each of the four East Surrey Council's HomeChoice websites. You must be registered on the housing needs register on one of the four East Surrey Councils. You can apply for suitable homes or place a bid in the following ways:
Online through Home Choice website www.eebc-homechoice.org.uk
Through our 24 hour automated telephone service
Visiting Housing Services.
East Surrey Home Choice properties will be advertised weekly alongside your local Council's Home Choice properties provided homes are available. 10% of homes that become available in each Council area will be advertised as East Surrey HomeChoice homes. This is a small number so there is no guarantee that East Surrey HomeChoice properties will be advertised every week.
Each housing register applicant can place a maximum of three bids each time properties are advertised. These bids may be placed for East Surrey HomeChoice properties and/or the local Council's Home Choice properties. You can only bid for homes that suit your household's needs.
To ensure all Housing Needs Register applicants are treated equally, an East Surrey HomeChoice Nomination Policy has been produced. This policy is different to the Housing Needs Register Policy and Nominations Policy operated by the Council whose register you have joined. A copy of the East Surrey HomeChoice will soon be available on your local Council's website, on this website or you can contact Housing Services for a copy.
The main differences relate to the way each applicant's housing needs are assessed and prioritised, and how we decide who is offered a property. Other differences include bedroom needs and how an applicant's change of circumstance is managed. Contact your local housing services for more information.
Once the closing date for bids has passed a shortlist of interested applicants will be drawn up. The shortlist is in order of East Surrey HomeChoice band starting with band 1, within each band applications are placed in priority date order.
Following checks, including a home visit or office interview, the applicant in the highest placed band who has waited the longest is nominated to the landlord advertising the property.
What other options are there for housing?
There is a severe shortage of homes in the Epsom and Ewell area. Most applicants on the Housing Register will have to wait a long time for re-housing and many of those with lower points will have little chance of re-housing in the local area. Depending on your circumstances you may wish to consider other options such as renting in the private sector. We may be able to help you with a deposit for private rented if you meet certain criteria. Interviews to discuss your housing options are available by appointment with the Housing Advice Officers.
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council work with Catalyst Housing Group, the Government appointed Homebuy Agent covering the Surrey area, to promote the HomeBuy initiative and all the available options.
HomeBuy is a Government-led initiative that enables eligible individuals and families into homeownership by offering assistance in a number of different ways. For many people, this program will provide the best chance of owning a home in the area in which they want to live and work.
There are three core parts to the HomeBuy program:
1. Shared Ownership
2. Equity Loan Schemes
3. Intermediate Rental Schemes
For information about Homebuy or the low cost home ownership schemes operating in and around the Epsom and Ewell area please visit Catalyst Housing Group website or phone 0845 601 7729.
What if I become homeless?
Households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness will be dealt with outside the scheme. You should contact the Housing Adviser to arrange an interview to discuss your circumstances. We will work with you to try to prevent you becoming homeless and will discuss your housing options with you. You may still express an interest in properties through Epsom and Ewell HomeChoice, providing your application has been accepted on the Housing Needs Register, but in most cases it is unlikely that this will be in time to resolve your homelessness, as most applicants will have to wait a long time before being successful.
How do I request a review of a decision?
If you disagree with any of the following decisions you can request a review: