Basildon Choice

Downsizers

To help free up more family sized accommodation for applicants on the Homeseeker register, we have increased priority from Band B to band A for under-occupying tenants wishing to downsize into non-family sized accommodation. 

To encourage tenants no longer needing larger family properties to move to smaller accommodation, those downsizing from 4 bed plus with a housing need of 1 bed will allowed an extra bedroom if affordable, and applicants downsizing to 2 bed accommodation may now also qualify for the  Downsizing Incentive Scheme

Council Tax debt and Housing Benefit overpayments will no longer disqualify applicants from the  Downsizing Incentive Scheme

Tenants releasing a bungalow with enclosed garden 

To free up properties required by downsizers and other tenants who have a medical need for ground floor accommodation, tenants occupying a bungalow which they do not medically need, will now qualify to the Homeseeker register. To qualify the property must have an enclosed garden and at least 1 double bedroom

Transfer tenant’s quota

We have raised the current 20% quota of choice-based lettings (CBL) adverts restricted for BBC/HA transferring tenants to 50% to help to facilitate a quicker move for more tenants, providing them with the size and type of property that meets their housing needs.  

Each ‘Transfer only’ move also creates an additional vacant property for re-let to another applicant on the Homeseeker Register 

Armed Forces applicants

In line with statutory guidance, we have removed the previous timescales that current or veteran members of the Armed Forces need to have served to be considered to have a local residence connection to recognise the special position of members of the Armed Forces whose service requires them to be mobile

Care leavers

Any ‘eligible’ or ‘relevant child’ or ‘former relevant child’ will now be considered as having a local connection for the purposes of their Homeseekers application

Homeless at Home

Applicants who have had a full homeless duty accepted by Basildon Council but agree can remain at home or find their own temporary accommodation until they can be housed through the Homeseeker Register, thereby avoiding the need to be placed into temporary accommodation by Basildon Council, will be awarded new Homeless at Home banding to facilitate a quicker move to into settled accommodation

Changes to the income limit

We have amended the previous £50,000 gross limit which the household’s gross income must be below to a new tiered system more realistically aligned with applicants housing needs as below:

Property size need	Household gross income must be below
Studio/1bed	£37,000
2 beds	£50,000
3 beds	£60,000
4 beds or above	£75,000​

Housing Benefit Overpayments

Housing Benefit overpayments will no longer prevent a Homeseeker applicant from being made active, providing a payment arrangement is in place