Choice Based Lettings (CBL) is a government initiative designed to allow social housing tenants to have more say on where they live.

We want to offer choice to our residents who want to transfer within our portfolio or to other social housing providers. For this reason we will be operating within a choice-based lettings (CBL) scheme from April 2008 in partnership with Elmbridge Housing Trust Spelthorne Borough Council, Elmbridge Borough Council and Runnymede District Council.

The idea behind the scheme is to enable residents in the three boroughs who are in need of housing to choose where they want to live rather than being matched with a vacant property by council or housing association staff. Applicants will also have the ability to move across borough boundaries. Available properties will be advertised by the five partners initially through central newsletters and websites and applicants will be able to place 'bids' for properties they are keen to take.

Participation in this new initiative is just one outcome of our Best Value Review of the way its properties are allocated. Another recommendation highlighted by the review is the introduction of a new banding system to allocate properties. A new banding system means that applicants will be put into a band based on their individual circumstances. Applicants under each band are put in date order which prevents residents being pushed to the bottom of the list, as is sometimes the case with the current system.