As a housing association, we offer homes to rent that are available for social or affordable rent. We manage over 7,000 homes and have properties available in five local authorities, these are North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
To apply for one of our homes, you must register through your local authority’s Choice‑Based Lettings (CBL) system. Each council has its own system, so the way you register and bid may differ. It’s important to visit your local authority’s website to understand how to apply, check eligibility, and see what to expect.
When allocating our homes, we consider factors such as your housing need, household size, and local authority priority.
When offering a home to a vulnerable person or someone who may need additional support, we work closely with statutory and voluntary agencies, as well as our support services to make sure the right help is in place to help them manage their tenancy.
Understanding our property rent types
We have two property rent types: social rent and affordable rent.
What is social rent?
Social rent is a type of affordable housing designed to help people on lower incomes. It’s usually much cheaper than renting privately and is offered by councils or housing associations.
What is affordable rent?
Affordable rent is a type of housing that costs less than renting privately but is usually a bit more than social rent.
Regardless of the rent type, these homes are advertised through a local authority and their choice-based lettings system.
Each local authority will have eligibility criteria; you will need to meet these to quality for one of our homes.
For more information about how we let our homes you can read our Lettings Policy.
Applying for one of our homes
Homes to rent in North Somerset are advertised through HousingJigsaw, you can register for this at northsomerset.housingjigsaw.co.uk
Find out more by visiting North Somerset Council’s website.
Homes to rent in Bath and North East Somerset are advertised through Homesearch, you can register for this at www.homesearchbathnes.org.uk
Find out more by visiting Bath and North East Somerset Council’s website.
Homes to rent in Bristol are advertised through Home Choice Bristol, you can register for this at www.homechoicebristol.co.uk.
Find out more by visiting Bristol City Council’s website.
Homes to rent in Somerset are advertised through Homefinder you can register for this at www.homefindersomerset.co.uk.
Find out more by visiting Somerset Council’s website.
Homes to rent in Somerset are advertised through HomeChoice you can register for this at homechoice.southglos.gov.uk
Find out more by visiting South Gloucestershire’s website.
Four-step guide to applying for a home
Here's our simple four-step guide to applying for a home and what to expect.
1. Check your eligible and register
To apply for one of our homes, you must be eligible. Visit your local authority’s website to check.
If you qualify, you can register through their choice-based lettings system. Once registered, you’ll be given a priority band. You can then start bidding on properties.
If you need support registering with the choice-based lettings system, contact your local authority.
2. Bid for suitable properties
It’s up to you to bid for properties you’re eligible for. When bidding keep in mind:
- Can I afford the rent?
- Are there any other service charges? (Note: not all service charges are covered by Housing Benefits or Universal Credit)
- Does the property meet my needs?
- Only bid if you're ready to move.
3. When bidding closes
When a property listing ends, the successful applicant will be contacted to discuss next steps. This is usually the person with the highest priority, who is suitable for the property.
4. Complete a 'Pre-tenancy assessment'
You'll be sent a link to register with Connect, our online customer portal. Here, you'll be asked to complete a pre-tenancy assessment, this includes a few quesitons about your circumstances.
We have a helpful video to explain the process here.
Once completed, we'll then be in touch to confirm if your bid has been successful or not.
If you'd like the 'Pre-tenancy assessment' in an alternative format, please let us know.
Contact us
If you need help understanding the application process, have questions about what to do next, or are looking for more information, please contact our Lettings Team by:
- Calling us on 03000 120 120
- Emailing act@alliancehomes.org.uk
- Complete our ‘Contact us’ webform
- Send us a message using Live Chat on our website.
- Write to us at Alliance Homes, 40 Martingale Way, Portishead, BS20 7AW.
Frequently asked questions
To make your application process as easy as possible we’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions.
It is important that your application is relevant and up to date, if things change make sure you update your application as soon as possible.
Top tips to include in your application:
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Keep your contact details up to date. If we are unable to reach you when offering a property, the next applicant will be contacted.
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Make sure that any supporting evidence is uploaded to your application too. Local Authorities will review these to make sure you get the right home for you needs.
Your banding is assessed and decided on by the local authority.
If you feel that your current banding does not reflect your circumstances, please contact your local authority.
Yes. If your housing bid is declined and you don’t agree with the decision, you can appeal to your local authority. Each council has its own process, so check their website for details.
Citizens Advice have an easy‑to‑follow guide on how to ask for a review and understand the housing process, find out more here.
The first thing you should do is contact your local authority.
We cannot bid on your behalf or access the system from a customer’s perspective.
Make sure you read the property description carefully. Some listings have specific eligibility criteria that you may not meet. For example, you’re a four-person household needed two bedrooms, but the property is only suitable for three people – you won’t be able to bid of this property.
Bidding cycles last around seven days, depending on your local authority. During this time, you can express interest in available properties.
You can bid on multiple properties you’re eligible for each week. The number of bids allowed may vary depending on your local authority.
Once a property listing ends, a list of applicants is generated which is shortlisted based on priority and needs.
If your bid is successful, our Lettings Team will contact you to confirm that your application is being considered. You’ll be asked to complete a ‘Pre-Tenancy Assessment’ form along with further Affordability assessments through Connect, our online customer portal.
Alternatively, we can call or email you to go through the assessment.
For help with the Pre-Tenancy Assessment and register Connect, we've put together this helpful video:
Yes. During the process, we may decide your application isn’t suitable. If that happens, we’ll explain the reason.
Once you’ve completed the ‘Pre-Tenancy Assessment’ and ‘Affordability Assessment’ and it has been deemed a suitable offer, we’ll arrange a property viewing.
If you’re unable to attend the viewing, a family member or close friend can attend on your behalf. Alternatively, we can arrange an online viewing through video call. We would prefer that you attend to assess that the home is suitable for your needs.
In some instances, you may view an unfinished property that hasn’t completed our Empty Homes procedure. If this happens, we’ll give you as much information as possible as to what work we will do before it’s ready to let.
We decorate the property in a neutral colour, if however, you are in a position to decorate the property yourself we can offer you a paint pack to cover all essential items.
We do not offer furnished properties.
Vinyl floor is provided in the kitchen and bathroom, but we don’t supply other flooring. Occasionally, carpets left in good condition by the previous tenant may be gifted to you. We do however, work closely with West Country Savings and Loans who may be able to offer affordable, low-cost loans to cover the cost of new flooring.
If you think you’re going to struggle to fund essential items, we can refer you to our Tenancy Support Service. They’ll work with you for a short time to help source household items and set up bills and utilities.
There may also be local charities that can help with funding for essential items.
We recommend you contact your current landlord, and they will be able to confirm this. We will keep you updated as to when we expect you to sign up, but please note that any dates we give may be subject to change.
Age-restricted properties are usually intended for people aged 55 or over. In some cases, such as when a property is harder to let due to its location or property type, the age requirement might be lowered.
As the landlord, we always aim to ensure the sustainability of the whole community when making these decisions.
Our homes are advertised through the local authority’s Choice‑Based Lettings (CBL) system. However, there are times when we may offer a home directly to an existing Alliance Homes customer without using CBL. These are called an ‘exceptional transfers’, previously known as a ‘direct let’.
Exceptional transfers may be approved when:
- A customer is affected by redevelopment, major repair works, or the removal of the scheme from our housing stock.
- A customer has inherited a home that is larger than they are allowed to stay in.
- A customer is under occupying their home.
- A customer needs to move to a lower floor property in the same scheme/block/street due to medical or support needs.
- A scheme or block changes its designation, or full/partial decommissioning is approved, and the customer wants to move.
More information about exceptional transfers can be found in our Lettings Policy.
Yes, if you are unhappy with the outcome of an exceptional transfer, please contact our Lettings Team first by emailing asklettings@alliancehomes.org.uk or calling 03000 120 120.
If you remain dissatisfied, you can make a formal complaint by emailing our Contact Centre at act@alliancehomes.org.uk. More information about our complaints process is available here.
Overcrowding is when your home is too small for the number of people living in it. This usually means you don’t have enough bedrooms based on the size and needs of your household.
If you think you’re overcrowded, contact your local authority and update your housing application through their Choice-Based Lettings system.
You can also speak to your Tenancy officer if you want advice on your options.
Making sure homes are the right size for customers helps us manage our housing stock fairly. It helps ensures families and individuals are in homes that meet their needs.
If you are living in a home that’s too big for you or have more bedrooms that you need, also called under occupying, we can support you in finding somewhere more appropriate.
Having a home that’s too big for your needs can mean additional costs, such as the Bedroom Tax, which can but pressure on our expenses.
If you need to downsize, you can:
- Apply for a house through your local authority’s Choice-Based Lettings System
- Consider a mutual exchange with another social housing tenant
- Speak to us about any support available to help you downsize,
in some cases, we may be able to offer an exceptional transfer.
Our homes are advertised through the local authority’s Choice‑Based Lettings (CBL) system. However, there are times when we may offer a home directly to an existing Alliance Homes customer without using CBL. We call these an ‘exceptional transfer’, previously known as a ‘direct let’.
Exceptional transfers may be approved when:
- A customer is affected by redevelopment, major repair works, or the removal of the scheme from our housing stock.
- A customer has inherited a home that is larger than they are allowed to stay in.
- A customer is under occupying their home.occupying their home.
- A customer needs to move to a lower floor property in the same scheme/block/street due to medical or support needs.floor property in the same scheme/block/street due to medical or support needs.
- A scheme or block changes its designation, or full/partial decommissioning is approved, and the customer wants to move.
More information about exceptional transfers can be found in our Lettings Policy.
Yes, if you are unhappy with the outcome of an exceptional transfer, please contact our Lettings Team first, you can do this by:
- emailing asklettings@alliancehomes.org.uk
- calling 03000 120 120
- Write or visit us at 40 Martingale Way, Portishead, BS20 7AW.
If you remain dissatisfied, you can make a formal complaint by emailing act@alliancehomes.org.uk. More information about our complaints process is available here.
You may also be interested in
Age-restricted homes
A range of homes for those over 60. These are flats with shared communal areas and bungalows.
Extra care housing
Tamar Court is designed for older people who have care and support needs.
Rent to Buy
An affordable step towards homeownership.
Shared ownership
Homes for sale through Shared Ownership.
Useful information and related documents
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Lettings Policy