Housing allocation scheme

Our Allocation Scheme sets out the criteria and procedures that Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council use when applicants apply to join our housing register. As in all areas, demand for social housing is greater than the supply, and our scheme aims to ensure that those who have the most housing need are given access to available housing.

The scheme sits within a legal framework, primarily part VI of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended).

It also complies with the requirements of the following legislation, Statutory Instruments, and guidance:

• The Equality Act 2010 and the Specific Duties and Public Authorities Regulations 2017;
• The Localism Act 2011;
• Providing social housing for local people – December 2013;
• Right to move and social housing allocations – March 2015;
• The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017;
• Improving access to social housing for members of the Armed Forces – June 2020;
• Improving access to social housing for victims of domestic abuse – January 2022; and
• Allocation of accommodation: guidance for local authorities – June 2022

In formulating the scheme, we have also had regard to the Councils Corporate Strategy, our Housing Strategy, and our Tenancy Strategy 2022 - 2027.

Statement of choice(1)

We are committed to providing excellent services to ensure applicants can play an active role in choosing where they live by giving them the opportunity to express preferences about their accommodation whenever possible, within the constraints imposed by the limited supply of affordable housing. Choice Based Lettings (CBL) allows qualifying applicants to bid for properties which they are interested in and receive feedback from the bidding process to assist them to make informed choices about where they want to live, the type of property they would prefer and their likelihood of being housed.

Summary and aims

This scheme explains how to apply to rent affordable housing in the borough of Tonbridge and Malling. It also explains who is entitled to apply for affordable housing and the way that we prioritise applicants, bearing in mind that demand far exceeds supply.

Affordable housing is also known as social housing and includes social rented and affordable rented tenures provided by housing associations to eligible households. In 1991 we transferred our housing stock to a Tonbridge & Malling Housing Association, now known as Clarion Housing Group. The Council does not own or manage any of its own housing stock, so we work in close partnership with housing associations who supply affordable housing in our borough. These are: Clarion Housing Group, Golding Homes, Hanover, Housing & Care 21, The Hyde Group, L & Q, Moat, Orbit, Riverside, Sanctuary Housing, Southern Housing, Town & Country Housing, MHS Homes and West Kent Housing Association.

The types and sizes of affordable homes, and the areas that they are in, vary considerably. Within Section (property size guidelines) we set out a guide to the size and type of homes that you can be considered for.

To be considered for affordable housing, applicants must first be accepted onto our housing register.

The scheme sets out:

• who qualifies to be included on the register;
• how to apply to get on the register;
• how we determine an applicant’s priority on the register;
• how we keep the register up to date;
• how to bid for available properties; and
• how available properties are allocated.

It aims to ensure that we:

• allocate affordable housing in a fair and clear way;
• determine the priority of applicants in a consistent way;
• provide accurate and timely advice to those in need;
• work effectively with housing associations;
• make the best use of the affordable housing stock; and
• comply with the law(2)

Getting more information

There are several ways to get your own copy of this scheme. You can:

• print a copy from our website: www.tmbc.gov.uk; or
• email housing.services@tmbc.gov.uk, and we will email a copy back to you.

A summary of the scheme is also available and our Housing Solutions Service on 01732 844522, can advise on a wide range of housing matters, including accessing the housing register, the prevention of homelessness and finding a home in the private rented sector. This service is free and confidential. There is also information available on our website.

Direct allocations

The following allocations are outside the scope of this scheme:

• provision of temporary accommodation for homeless people(3);
• direct offers - see section 9.3
• Housing association tenants for urgent management move purposes;
• tenancies offered on succession or by way of assignment, for example where a parent dies, and the tenancy passes to a descendent in their household; and
• transfers of a tenancy by a court order(4)

Notes

1 - S166A(2) Housing Act 1996 requires the housing allocation scheme to include a statement of the Council’s policy on offering people who are to be allocated housing accommodation: a choice of housing accommodation; or the opportunity to express preferences about the housing accommodation to be allocated to them.

2 - This scheme aims to ensure the Council meets its legal obligations set out in Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996, as amended by the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and the Localism Act 2011. Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996 covers the allocation of housing association homes and sets out the circumstances of applicants to whom we should give reasonable preference. The scheme also has regard to the 2012 Allocation of Accommodation: Guidance for local housing authorities in England, (which replaces all previous guidance), the Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council Housing and Tenancy Strategy 2022 -2027. The last of these gives details of the types of tenancies that may be offered by housing association landlords.

3 - In accordance with part 7 of the Housing Act 1996.

4 -  A secure tenancy vests or is otherwise disposed of in pursuance of a Court order made under the legislation cited in s.160(2)(e)(i)-(iii) of the Housing Act 1996”.

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