1. No category

Choice Based Lettings (CBL)
How to ‘bid’ and
How Bands are
Calculated
Tel: 0300 123 22 00
www.b-with-us.com
Welcome to B-with-us
B-with-us CBL scheme is a complete housing allocations service offered by reputable housing providers who have
teamed up to provide the biggest selection of rented homes across Pennine Lancashire.
The scheme is designed to give you better access to housing services by advertising details of available homes. This
allows you to choose homes that you wish to be considered for based on your housing need.
B-with-us CBL scheme is a new way of looking for rented homes. Rather than us deciding which homes to offer
you, you can now choose which homes interest you.
How to register with B-with-us
You will need to register with B-with-us. You will be allocated your unique registration number and band before
you can begin to make your selections. In order to make this process as easy and convenient as possible we have
developed several ways in which you can do this. These are listed below:
• You can go to our website at www.b-with-us.com and complete an online registration form.
• You can download an application form from the B-with-us website.
• You can collect an application form from any of the partners and complete it then or take it home to
complete it and send it back to us
• You can request an application form during office hours by calling the b-with-us general enquiries line: 0300 123 22 00
You can bid for homes once you have registered and are on the housing register or if you are an existing member
of B-with-us or one of the partner organisations –listed on the back page of this booklet.
Once you have found the home(s) you are interested in, you can bid in a number of ways:
•
•
•
•
•
Online – www.b-with-us.com
Automated 24 hour telephone service on 03000 112360
By sending a text : 07781 486811
Digital TV (Looking Local)
In person at your local housing or council office listed on the back page of this booklet.
Choose
All available homes are advertised on the b-with-us website (www.b-with-us.com) Council Offices, Housing
Offices and various locations throughout your area.
Homes appear on the website at 12am on Thursday morning and are available for bidding until just before
midnight the following Tuesday. The allocation process starts on Wednesday and we will aim to contact the
successful customer within 5 working days.
Adverts
The advert tells you the landlord, location, size, rent and other features of the property to help you decide which
homes are right for you.
The advert also tells you if there are any special requirements that the customer must meet, such as age and
which band will be given preference.
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How to ‘bid’ and How Bands are Calculated
Which homes can I bid for ?
You are only able to bid on homes that meet your eligibility criteria. For example, if you require only one bedroom
you will not be able to bid for a two bedroom home.
The symbols that appear on the adverts indicate any restrictions about who is able to bid for a home.
Number of bids
There are no limits to the number of bids you can make in each advertising period. However, it is advisable that
you bid only on the homes that closely match your current housing needs and in which you would wish to live.
Minimum Age
The minimum age for registering on the scheme is 16 years. However, applicants aged 16 to 18 years of age
have to have a support package in place before they can bid. Please contact your nearest housing office for more
information.
Offer
All bids received will be put in order to produce a list of eligible applicants for each home advertised. If your name
is at the top of the list you will normally be invited to view the home unless there are reasons why we are unable
to do this, for example, you have rent arrears or legal action is being taken against you for breach of tenancy
conditions. If we are unable to offer a home to the customer at the top of the list then we will move to the next
customer and so on.
If you decide to refuse the home offered it will be offered to the next person on the list.
If you are offered a home you will not be short-listed for other homes until you have decided to either accept or
refuse the offer.
How Applications are Prioritised (Bands)
Application received for rented accommodation will be assessed and placed in one of the four bands below. Within
each band applications will be placed in date order, with the application with the oldest date having the highest
priority. The date that is normally used is the date your application was accepted with the B-with-us scheme.
However, all applicants on the housing register or ‘waiting list’ prior to the start of the B-with-us CBL scheme will
carry their existing date of registration.
Band1: Urgent Need / Homeless Prevention
–
–
–
–
–
–
Statutorily homeless
High medical need
Leaving care
Decanting – for improvements or demolition
People subject to clearance / closing order
Occupants served with a prohibition order by Environmental Health
Band 2: Cumulative Need
– Applicants who qualify for two or more categories from Band 3
– People under occupying an Registered Social Landlord (RSL) tenancy by two or more bedrooms
How to ‘bid’ and How Bands are Calculated
3
Band 3: Reasonable Preference
–
–
–
–
Households found to be intentionally homeless or non-priority need
Standard medical cases
People moving from supported accommodation – assessed as ready to live independently
People living in unsatisfactory, overcrowded housing or unsanitary housing (assessed by Environmental
Health)
– People who need to move to a particular locality in the area for welfare, employment or training reasons
to avoid hardship
– People who are going to lose their own accommodation within 8 weeks
Band 4: Standard Need / All other categories
– All other applicants
– Applicants who are adequately housed
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How to ‘bid’ and How Bands are Calculated
Website
Bidding on the website
Through the B-with-us website (www.b-with-us.com) you can find full details of the scheme including this
document. You can search for homes that meet your needs and see the details of those homes. You can also place
bids, withdraw bids and find out if you are eligible and what your current queue position is.
You can only bid for homes where your housing need matches the criteria on the advert. For example, if the advert
states ‘suitable for a couple and two children only’ – regardless of your banding /priority – only couples with two
children will be considered for that home.
Don’t be worried about the word ‘bid’; you won’t be parting with any money. All this means is that you are
actively interested and wish to be considered for the home or homes you are applying for.
Type www.b-with-us.com into the address bar of your internet browser.
Click on My Homepage option then enter you housing register reference number and date of birth.
As shown figure 1
FIGURE 1
How to ‘bid’ and How Bands are Calculated
5
At this stage your login will be confirmed and details of homes you are eligible for will be shown.
As shown in figure 2.
Figure 2
Alternatively click the Property Search option. Select any search criteria that you require (for example you may
wish to search for a particular type of home) and click search - As shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3
6
How to ‘bid’ and How Bands are Calculated
To select more than one item from a list hold down the CTRL key (or Apple key on a Mac) on your keyboard whilst
clicking on the items required with your mouse.
To deselect an item hold down the CTRL key (or Apple key on a Mac) on your keyboard whilst clicking on the item
no longer required with your mouse.
A list of homes matching your search criteria will be displayed. If you are eligible for a home then an Apply Now
button will be displayed - As shown in Figure 4. Your current queue position should you bid for this home will
also be shown but note that this can change as other people bid. If you are not eligible then the reason will be
displayed.
FIGURE 4
For a home that you are eligible for click the Apply Now button. You will be shown the home details and asked to
confirm your bid. When you confirm you will be told that your bid has been successfully placed. As shown in Figure 5
Figure 5
How to ‘bid’ and How Bands are Calculated
7
Telephone
Bidding on the 24/7 automated telephone line
The number to call when placing a bid is: 03000 112360
You will be charged the local rate for this call but note that this rate will vary depending on your telephone service
provider.
Using this telephone service you can place a bid, withdraw a bid, find out if you are eligible and what your current
queue position is.
You can only bid for homes where your housing need matches the criteria on the advert. For example, if the advert
states ‘suitable for a couple and two children only’ –regardless of your banding /priority – only couples with two
children will be considered for that home.
Don’t be worried about the word ‘bid’; you won’t be parting with any money. All this means is that you are
actively interested and wish to be considered for the home or homes you are applying for.
What you need to bid
• Your unique housing registration number
• The date of birth of the ‘main applicant’ for your housing application
• The property reference number(s) that you want to bid for.
Bidding using the telephone system is done using the number keypad and the hash key on your telephone.
Start by call the Bidding line on: 03000 112360
What you will hear
“Welcome to B-with-us please select your language from the following list: press 1 for English, press 2 for etc…”
“You have selected English. Press 1 to confirm, 2 to reselect your language.”
“Please enter your housing registration number, followed by the hash key”
“You have entered the following housing registration reference (the reference number you entered will be read back
to you)
“Press 1 to confirm your housing registration reference, or press 2 to re enter”
“Your housing register reference has been accepted”
“Please enter the day of the month you were born, followed by the hash key”
“Please enter the number of the month, followed by the hash key”
“Please enter the year of your birth using all four numbers, followed by the hash key. For example 1 9 6 5 to
represent 1965.”
“Thank you; your details match our records.”
“Press 1 to make an application, press 2 to review your application or press 3 to exit.”
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How to ‘bid’ and How Bands are Calculated
Example
Dial the automated line number: 03000 112360
Press the number on the keypad to choose the language that you want.
e.g. press
1
for English on the key pad.
Enter the housing registration number. For example, if your housing reference number is 1245 you would enter:
1
ABC
2
GHI
JKL
4
5
#
Then
Press
1
on the key pad to confirm
If your memorable date was 15th May 1952
you would enter:
And
1
JKL
1
WXYZ
9
To make a bid press
5
JKL
5
ABC
2
#
#
JKL
for the 15th.
5
#
for May.
for the year 1952.
1
ABC
To review and / or cancel bids that you have already made press
2
DEF
To exit press
3
Making a bid
What you will hear
“Please enter the property reference number of the property you wish to make a bid for followed by the hash key.”
“You have entered the following property reference number”
(The property reference number will be read back to you. If you are not eligible you will be told why, if you are
eligible you will be told your current queue position. Note that this will change as other people bid)
“Press 1 to confirm, 2 to change the property reference number”
“Your bid has been accepted”
How to ‘bid’ and How Bands are Calculated
9
Review / Cancel your bids
“You have bid on these properties.”
(If you have already bid for the properties you will be read a list of the properties with the number for example
property one number 9591)
“Press the number of the property that you wish to cancel the bid for followed by the hash key.”
The property reference number and current queue position will be read out to you. You will be told: “Subsequent
bids may affect your queue position, and some properties may be offered to the most suitable candidate.”
“Press 1 if you are sure you want to cancel your bid otherwise press 2 to exit.”
Exit
“Thank you for using the system – goodbye.”
Example
Enter the property that you want to bid for. For example, if you wanted to bid for property 9591 you would enter:
WXYZ
9
Press
JKL
5
1
WXYZ
9
1
#
to on the key pad to confirm.
You can make further bids by repeating the same process, review your bids or exit.
If you wish to cancel or review the bid for property number one then enter:
10
1
#
Press
1
ABC
on the keypad to cancel your bid. Press
How to ‘bid’ and How Bands are Calculated
2
on the keypad to exit.
Text (SMS)
Bidding by Text
Text Number: 07781 486811
You can place a bid for properties using SMS (Text) messages using a mobile phone.
You can only bid for homes where you match what the advert asks for. For example, if the homes advert states
‘suitable for a couple and two children only’ –regardless of your banding /priority – only couples with two children
will be considered for that home.
Don’t be worried about the word ‘bid’; you won’t be parting with any money. All this means is that you are
actively interested and wish to be considered for the home or homes you are applying for.
Charges
SMS charges do vary depending on your network provider.
What you need to bid:
• Your unique housing registration reference number
• The date of birth of the ‘main applicant’ for your housing application
• The property reference number(s) that you want to bid for.
How to bid using a text message
In this example the registration number is 12345, the date of birth is 16th March 1975, the first property reference
number is 336699 and the second property reference number is 445566 – see figure 6.
Step 1 - Start a new text message on a mobile phone.
Step 2 - Type: Your housing register reference number (e.g. 12345) followed by a space.
Step 3 - Type: Your date of birth (using all four digits) followed by a space.
Step 4 - Type: The first property reference number followed by a space (if you have finished bidding go to step 6)
Step 5 - Type: The second property reference number followed by a space
Step 6 - Send the SMS (text) message to 07781 486811
Figure 6
12345
12345
16/03/
1975
12345
16/03/
1975
336699
12345
16/03/
1975
336699
445566
You will receive a text message confirming that your bid(s) have been made or if they have not been made
why they have not been made.
How to ‘bid’ and How Bands are Calculated
11
Digital TV (Looking Local)
Step 1
You can only access TVTV or HPTV if you have either of the following platforms:
Sky, Virgin, Internet enabled phone (e.g. iPhone), A PC attached to the internet or a Nintendo Wii with a broadband
wifi internet connection.
Current Freeview boxes will not work, as there is no way to attach a phone line.
Step 2
If you are using Sky or Virgin, check that the phone line is attached - the service is interactive so a phone line is
essential for communication.
Step 3
If you have any of the platforms that can work and you are ‘wired up’ you will need to follow the following
instructions for each of the platforms:
a) Press the Interactive button
b) Select TV Keys
c) For Twin Valley Homes (TVTV) enter 8888 from your remote control – this number is the TV key and is
advertised to customers in this format:
d) For Housing Pendle (HPTV) enter 4788 from your remote control – this number is the TV key and is
advertised to customers in this format:
a) Press the Interactive button
a) Select Your Community
c) Select Looking Local
d) For Twin Valley Homes (TVTV) enter 8888 from your remote control – this number is the TV key and is
advertised to customers in this format:
e) For Housing Pendle (HPTV) enter 4788 from your remote control –this number is the TV key and is advertised
to customers in this format:
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How to ‘bid’ and How Bands are Calculated
&
a)
b)
c)
d)
Insert the following website address into your browser: www.lookinglocal.gov.uk
Look for Northern England IOM on the menu and then select it
Look for North West on the menu and then select it
Look for Lancashire on the menu and then select either Twin Valley Homes or Housing Pendle
a)
b)
c)
d)
Insert the following website address into your browser: www.lookinglocal.gov.uk
Look for Northern England IOM on the menu and then select it
Look for North West on the menu and then select it
Look for Lancashire on the menu and then select either Twin Valley Homes or Housing Pendle
Step 4
You should now be on HPTV or TVTV you can navigate by using your remote control.
To input text, you will need to use your remote control… just like you would text a
message to someone i.e. to input the letter ‘h’ you would press the number 4 on your
remote twice.
For a detailed guide on using Looking Local (Digital TV) please request / see
“CBL user guide for Looking Local “ leaflet.
Types of Property
Choice based lettings property
Rented poperty for eligible customers on the register
Mutual Exchange Property
Mutual exchange property for eligible current housing association or council tenants
Shared ownership property
A property for customers who may be able to buy part share in a property
Private sector property
An approved property avaiable form a private landlord
How to ‘bid’ and How Bands are Calculated
13
What do the symbols mean?
Logo
Meaning
0
4
MAX
MAX
MIN
MIN
16
16
75
75
Bedrooms
Max age
Min age
Off street parking
Wheelchair adapted
Has Garden
SUP
Supported Housing
Sheltered Housing
Pets allowed / not allowed
Key
Worker
14
Key worker only
How to ‘bid’ and How Bands are Calculated
Tel: 0300 123 22 00
www.b-with-us.com
Green Vale Homes
Green Vale Court
New Hall Hey Road
Rawtenstall
Rossendale
BB4 6HR
Housing Pendle
Town Hall Buildings
Albert Road
Colne
BB8 0AQ
Hyndburn Homes
First floor
Globe TMC Building
The Globe Centre
St James Square
Accrington
BB5 0RE
Twin Valley Homes
Prospect House
Wharf Street
Blackburn
BB1 1JD
Tel: 0300 123 22 00
www.b-with-us.com