Re-registration on Housing Jigsaw

We are moving to a new customer portal for Choice Based Lettings (Housing Jigsaw)

The customer portal and back office system we use to manage housing register applications and to allocate available properties is changing. We believe the change will improve the experience for customers and make it easier for us to assess and manage your application.

Our new customer portal opens on the 8th of April 2024. Everyone will need to complete an application in the new portal to join or remain on the Housing Register.

We will continue to advertise properties in our current system for the time being whilst these new applications are being processed. 

Do I need to apply again?

YES. Even if you have an existing application with us you will still need to register your details on our new customer portal AND complete a fresh application if you want to continue to be able to bid for properties in the future.

This will ensure that the information we hold on your application is up to date and is available to housing providers

Do I need to supply supporting documents?

You will need to provide some new documents to confirm you still qualify for housing. You will also need to supply documents if your circumstances have changed, for example you have moved address or want to add new household members to your application. 

• You will need to provide a bank statement for each adult member of the household which confirms your current household income both from employment and from any benefits you receive. 
• Existing tenancy holders (other than NWLDC tenants) will need to provide a rent account statement or letter from landlord confirming rent account balance

If there are any other documents we need from you we will let you know when we assess your application

Can I get help to reapply?

If you are unable to complete the online application form and do not have anyone available who can help you then we can arrange a support appointment for you. Please note that there is likely to be a wait for available appointments and that our staff will not be able to support you without an appointment as this will prevent us for taking other enquires. Please call if you need an appointment.

Will my application be automatically accepted?

The Council agreed a revised Allocations Policy in December 2023. This policy determines who has access to social housing in the District and how applicants are prioritised. Social housing is in limited supply and we have seen an huge increase in demand in recent years. It is more improtant that ever that we have measures in place to ensure that social housing remains available to those who would be unable to meet their housing needs elsewhere. This is what our Allocation Policy aims to do.

The rules on who qualifies for social housing have been revised. 

• The income and savings thresholds for qualification have changed 

• The rules on local connection have changed

To remain on the housing register you will need to show you meet the new qualification rules. 

New income thresholds

New Local Connection Criteria

You will need to have lived in settled accommodation in the District for at least 12 months at the time of application (previously this was 6 months)

OR meet one of the other categories for local connecion (which have not changed).

Will my banding be the same?

We have renamed our housing bands. HIGH band has been renamed URGENT. Priority band has been renamed CRITICAL. POTENTIAL, LOW and MEDIUM bands keep the same name. 

Your banding will be reviewed when we assess your new application. There will only be a change of banding if one or more of the following applies:

• Your circumstances have changed 
• You have a homeless application with the Council
• You were in HIGH or PRIORITY band and your banding has reached it's time limit

In some circumstances we may ask you to provide supporting evidence or additional information to confirm that your banding is correct.

Review of HIGH and PRIORITY Bandings

These are time limited bands which are give priority to those who have an urgent need to move. Applicants in these bands are expected to bid on a wide range of suitable properties in a range of areas and accept any reasonable offers.

After 180 days in HIGH band or 56 days in PRIORITY band the banding is subject to review.

If your banding is due for review we will do this when you reapply. We will look at your bidding history, any offers you have received and what properties would have been available for you to bid on. This will be considered alongside the information we hold on what type of housing you need.

If you have not been placing bids, have withdrawn bids without reason or who have refused one or more reasonable offers of accommodation it is unlikely that you will be considered to still be in urgent need of housing. If you have specific needs such as the need for specific adaptations, level access or a wheelchair accessible property and suitable properties have not been available for you to bid on then your time in band is likely to be extended. 

What if I disagree with my new banding?

We will notify you of your banding when we complete assessment of your application and will tell you how to view your housing needs assessment. If you disagree with our decison you have the right to request a review. Your band will be based on the criteria in our Allocation Policy so please check the policy before requesting a review and please be prepared to supply supporting evidence.

What do I do once I have reapplied?

You do not have to do anything else unless your circumstances change. Your application will be added to a queue for assessment. You should not expect to hear from us for at least 6 weeks. We will notify you when advertising begins on the new portal.

If you circumstances change please log into the portal and update your application.