About us

HomeOption is the name of the Choice Based Lettings scheme which enables applicants to choose where they want to live by expressing an interest in (bidding on) suitable properties in areas of their choice.

The HomeOption scheme includes the following six local authority areas: Brentwood, Broxbourne, Chelmsford, East Herts, Epping Forest and Uttlesford. This also includes the transfer applicants from the Housing association CHP (formerly Chelmer Housing Partnership).

Each of the local authority areas, together with CHP, have their own Allocations Policy which includes eligibility criteria and prioritising applicants by a banding or points-based system.

Every week HomeOption produces a property list, which advertises the available homes within the six local authority areas. Applicants should check the property adverts and the details of each property they are interested in carefully as some of the ‘terms and conditions’ (such as amount of rent and length of tenancy) could vary significantly between different properties and different housing providers (councils and housing associations).

The need for affordable housing in the areas covered by the above local authorities is greater than the supply of social housing available. This means that most applicants will not get the opportunity to rent accommodation from a council or housing association. Therefore, you should consider alternative solutions to your housing difficulties, such as looking in the private sector.

Contact details for the above partners can be found on the contact us page