HomeChoice Bristol uses a banding scheme to prioritise applications. For a full copy of the Allocation Scheme, please click here.
All housing and transfer applications received for rented accommodation will be assessed and placed in one of five bands. The table below sets out the banding scheme and gives examples of those applicants who would be eligible to be placed in each band.
| Band | Criteria |
| Band 1 |
An applicant will be placed in Band 1 if: They need to be moved by the Council or Housing Association within three months for redevelopment or major repairs. They need to move to larger accommodation to become a foster carer (as recommended by Children and Young People's Services). They are a Council or Housing Association tenant and are under occupying accommodation by at least 2 rooms and requesting a move to accommodation with 2 rooms less then they currently occupy. They are severely overcrowded in that they are at least three bedrooms short. HN (Housing Need - see what if I have more than one need) They are a provider of the Branchout Supported Lodgings scheme as confirmed by the Childrens and Young People Service, and require a larger property in order to perform this role. They do not come within any of the categories already reflected within the scheme, but have an exceptional and urgent need to be rehoused within three months. |
| Band 2 |
An applicant will be placed in Band 2 if: They or a member of their household has a serious and/or life threatening physical or mental health problem which is directly linked to their current housing. There is an urgent need to move to a different type of housing or area in order to enable the applicant (or household member) to function independently and safely. HN They are severely overcrowded in that they are two rooms short of their bedroom entitlement. HN They qualify for the Move-On scheme. S/he qualifies under the Supported Lodgings Scheme and is ready to move to independent social housing. |
| Band 3 |
An applicant will be placed in Band 3 if: They or a member of their household requires urgent rehousing in order to avoid serious harassment or credible threat of harm. HN They or a member of their household requires urgent rehousing in order to live near a relative to give or receive support that will significantly benefit their welfare. HN S/he is owed a duty by Bristol City Council under s193(2) of the Housing Act 1996 and not in temporary accommodation (but including emergency accommodation). S/he is owed a duty by Bristol City Council Council under s193(2) of the Housing Act 1996 and has been in temporary accommodation for more than 12 months pursuant to this duty. HN They are a permanent member of a household where the main household is severely overcrowded (ie 2 bedrooms short of their requirement and requiring 4 or more bedrooms) and moving them will help alleviate the overcrowding within the main household. HN They are occupying unsanitary or unsatisfactory housing conditions that are so serious, in terms of the threat posed to health and welfare, as to require rehousing. HN They are a Bristol Housing Partnership tenant who is overcrowded in that they are one bedroom short of their entitlement and an assessment has been carried out into their housing situation which shows there to be a Category 1 Space & Crowding hazard. HN They are a young person leaving care as referred by Children and Young People's Services. |
| Band 4 |
An applicant will be placed in Band 4 if: They are a Bristol Housing Partnership tenant and are under occupying accommodation by one room, and requesting a move to accommodation with one room less than they currently occupy. They are overcrowded in that they are one bedroom short of their bedroom entitlement. HN They are homeless and owed a duty by Bristol City Council, and have been in temporary accommodation for less than 12 months. HN They or a member of their household has a physical or mental health problem that is in part related to their current housing and could be helped by rehousing into a different type of accommodation or area. The property cannot be reasonably adapted and the problem does not meet the criteria for Band 2. HN They or a member of their household, needs to move to a particular locality of the city, where failure to meet that need would cause hardship to themselves or to others. HN |
| Band 5 | If an application does not meet any of the criteria set out in bands 1 - 4 it will be placed in band 5. |
From what date will my application be considered?
Applications will be considered in date order within each band. This will be the date an application is received or priority/banding was awarded.
What if I have more than one need?
If an application falls into two or more band categories indicated by HN (Housing Need), the application will be placed in the higher of the two bands and the effective date will be backdated by six months. This is to ensure those with the greatest housing need have preference. When taking into consideration composite need, an application will only ever be backdated for a maximum of 6 months.
Can I be put down a band?
An application may be put into a lower band, 'relegated', if an applicant:
You can appeal against our decision if you feel we have unreasonably reduced your priority or if you disagree with the band you have been placed in.