How to apply

NCHA provides low cost housing for people in housing need.

We have homes across the entire East Midlands region, which includes 27 local authorities. The way in which you apply for one of our available properties varies from area to area.

In order to find out how to apply for a property in your area of choice, please look at where our homes are and there will be guidance for applications depending on the local authority scheme.

You can download an application form for properties in Newark and Sherwood only, as these applications are handled by NCHA.

NCHA has a small amount of properties available to rent directly without going via a local authority - please search our homes (click the "Homes to rent" tab.)

Choice based lettings

In the majority of areas that we work in, properties are allocated via a choice based lettings system. This allows applicants more say in which property they will be offered.

1. An application form is submitted to the choice based lettings system or local authority provider for your area, either online, or through a paper application.
2. Once your application has been approved, you will receive a bidding reference and a banding priority.
3. All available properties in the area you are registered will be listed either online or in a newspaper for one or two weeks. During this time, you can bid for properties you are eligible for (no more than three at a time).
4. When a property listing ends, a list of everyone who has applied will be generated. The successful applicant will usually be the person with the highest priority, and they will be contacted to discuss the next stages of the application process.

Note: we strongly advise you when bidding on a property, to ensure it is in an area you would like to live in. Please read the advert carefully for any specific criteria for bidding, for example the size of your family, or any rules regarding pets.

The application process

If you have successfully applied for an NCHA property:

1. The local authority will pass your details to our Lettings team.
2. You will be contacted by telephone to make arrangements for a pre-offer interview (pre-tenancy assessment interview), which will take place either at the property, our office, or in your own home. (Please note, we may contact more than one applicant for a property. If this is the case you will be told where you are in order of priority.)
3. During the pre-offer interview, we will gather information regarding the household, your housing history, individual housing needs, and an affordability assessment will be carried out. This will be followed by landlord references, housing benefit assessments (where appropriate) and a credit check. You will also have the chance to view the property.
4. Once we are happy with the information collected, we will contact you to make an offer of accommodation and arrange for a date to sign the tenancy agreement.