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I would like to rent a home
We have rental options via our choice based letting partners. Discover all the options available to you below.
Rented Housing
Orwell provides a variety of properties for rent from studio flats to large family houses. These homes are mainly let through choice-based lettings schemes operated by local councils across East Anglia. Some councils do operate separate housing registers and it does vary depending on which area you wish to find a home in.
What are choice-based lettings schemes?
A choice-based lettings (CBL) scheme aims to give housing applicants more choice and control over where they want to live.
Properties are advertised and the council uses housing need as the basis for allocating homes. Once you are registered, you will be told what kind of properties you are able to bid for.
There are a number of different schemes operating depending on where you would like to live. Each of the CBL’s will be able to advise you on how the different schemes work.
Generally properties are listed weekly or fortnightly in newspapers or on a web page. If you are interested in a property, then you will have a certain amount of time to ‘bid’ on it. Once bidding has finished, you will be notified if you are successful. To find out more about the available schemes, please follow one of the links below.
Breckland Key Select
Breckland District Councils choice based lettings scheme.
Broadland District Council
Broadland District Council Housing Options Team.
Gateway to Homechoice
Details on the Greater Haven Gateway Choice-based leting scheme
Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s housing options team.
Home-Link
Home-Link is the Choice Based Lettings scheme for the Cambridge sub-region.
Norwich Home Options
Norwich Home Options is available for people to apply for social housing and shared ownership in the Norwich area.
South Norfolk District Council Home Options
The South Norfolk Home Options Scheme contains the Housing Allocations Policy for the Council.
Offer of a Home.
Before you receive an offer of accommodation, if you live in an Orwell property, you will be visited by one of Orwell’s housing officers. This visit will be to check your circumstances and clarify any particular needs you may have.
If you will be moving or transferring into an Orwell home, you will need to complete Orwell’s Housing application form. We will contact you to arrange an accompanied viewing with the housing officer. If you are moving to another social landlord they will usually have a similar procedure. If you are made an offer of an Orwell home, this offer will be confirmed in writing.
What happens if I wish to take up the offer?
If you wish to take up the offer:
- We will agree a tenancy start date with you, and you will be sent a written offer from your Housing Officer.
- We will arrange a time to meet you at the property to go through any questions you have and to sign your tenancy agreement, and hand you your keys to your new home.
What will happen during your sign-up meeting:
- You will learn about your rights and responsibilities.
- You will sign the tenancy agreement.
- You will pay a month’s charges in advance.
- If required, you will complete a Housing Benefit application form or discuss your Universal Credit claim.
- You will be given the keys to your new home.
- You will receive more information about your new home and the community.
- You will receive more details about Orwell’s services.
The sign-up meeting will take approximately 1 hour
During this time you will be shown a short film or provided with a link which explains some of your rights and responsibilities as the resident, and our responsibilities as your landlord.
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