New Policy Changes

In 2023 we contacted all applicants registered on Select Move and asked their views on the proposed policy changes, we would like to thank all those who participated, the results were in favour of the changes.

We have listed the main changes to the Select Move Policy below, if you are affected by the changes you will be contacted directly. If you wish to view the full policy, you can view it here.

Local Connection – New criteria for local connection will affect all new applications after 18th September 2024. This has been changed to strengthen the Local connection criteria to qualify to join the Housing Register.
Offers - Number of accommodation offers an application can refuse. Reducing the number of offers an applicant can refuse before a penalty is imposed from 3 to 2 reasonable offers
Banding – Reducing from 5 bands A - E to 4 bands A - D. This will also include removing the Open Property Register and Global banding.

Local Connection Criteria	Current Policy	New Policy
Increasing the threshold for local connection for an applicant to be able to join the Housing Register will prioritise established local families who have a strong connection for residence, family, or employment over applicants who cannot demonstrate such a strong connection. There would be safeguards for applicants who apply to join the Register who have fled domestic abuse or extreme threats of violence from another area.
Current Resident	6 out of the last 12 months or 3 out of the last five years	2 years at the point of application
Close family (normally considered to be a mother, father, brother, sister, or adult son or daughter)	Close family who has lived in the Select move area you are applying to for more than 5 years.	Close family who has lived in the Select move area you are applying to for more than 5 years and there is need to move, either to receive support or have been assessed by the Local Authority Housing Team.
Employment in a Select Move Area	Currently employed in the specific Local Authority area. Employment is work that is not temporary or seasonal, is for at least 16 hours per week and has been continual for at least 6 months and the applicant must be working at the point an offer of a tenancy is made.	Employed in permanent employment in a Select Move Council’s area and that to travel to work by public transport would take them in excess of one hour each way.
Voluntary work in A Select Move Area	Currently making a positive community contribution or undertaken voluntary work in the specific Local Authority area for at least 10 hours per month over the last 12 months.	No changes

Refusing a Reasonable offer	Current Policy	New Policy
This will help to prevent applicants bidding for properties they are not committed to taking which has the consequence that properties take longer to let and mean a considerable loss of rent for the social housing landlord letting the property.
Number of reasonable offers an applicant can refuse.	Currently an applicant can refuse three reasonable offers before their application is closed and they cannot re-apply for 6 months.	Reduce to two reasonable offers before their application is closed and they cannot re-apply for 6 months.

Reducing number of bands	Current Policy	New Policy
The banding system will be less complicated, and it will be far clearer as to the criteria to be awarded a band A-D. This will also include removing the Open Property Register and Global banding.
Reduce the number of Bands from 5 to 4	Five bands - A - E	Reduced to four bands A - D