When you go onto the housing register we will look at your housing needs. You will be put into one of four bands. The four bands are numbered in priority order with band one being the highest and band four the lowest.

If you think that that you have been put into the wrong band, you can ask for a review by ringing Stoke on Call on 01782 232126.

When you bid for homes, the bids will be put into priority order with band one being top of the bid list, then band two, then band three, then band four.

If you bid on the same home as someone else that is in the same band as you, we will usually offer the home to the person who has been waiting the longest. If you move up to a higher band, your waiting time will change. Your waiting time will start from the day you moved up into the higher band.

If you then move back to a lower band your waiting time will go back to the same day that you were in the lower band (this is usually the date you first went onto the housing register).

Below is a brief guide on the four bands.

Band 1 – (must find a home)

You are included in band one if:
• you need a home urgently, for example you have met the statutory homeless criteria and need to move straight away;
• you are affected by prohibition orders, compulsory purchase, repairs or overcrowding;
• you have urgent circumstances that have come from harassment, domestic violence, child-protection issues, or a severe medical condition which means that you cannot stay or return to your home; or
• you have three or more types of housing needs.

Band 2 – (must move soon)

You will be put into the first group to be considered if you fall into two housing need groups.

You will be put into the next group to be considered if you are in the ‘Solutions System’ (see below) and have short-term priority.

We will make sure that if you have a limited time to stay in your property, you are given priority over the other applicants with one housing need in band two. This is called the ‘Solutions System’ and it will be strictly limited and only apply to you for three months.

You will be considered next if you:
• are ready to move on from supported accommodation and you have a support plan;
• need two extra bedrooms;
• are a council tenant and your home is too big for you (by one or more bedrooms), or you have an adapted property you no longer need;
• live in a flat, above first-floor level, with children under 16 (this includes if you are pregnant);
• have a serious health or social problem which means your current accommodation is affecting your health; or
• you are at risk of homelessness.

Band 3 – (need to move)

You will be in the first group to be considered if you:
• are a carer who needs to provide support to a relative or friend;
• have a health or social problem and need to move;
• need to move on from supported housing and do not have a move-on date;
• are one bedroom short;
• are homeless and not seen as a priority under the laws to do with homelessness; or
• have deliberately made yourself homeless and have a priority need.
You will be in the next group to be considered if you:
• need housing but your priority has been reduced because of the way you behaved in a previous tenancy; or
• need housing but have no local connection to Stoke-on-Trent.

Band 4 – (want to move)

You are included in band four if:
• you do not need housing but would like to move. We will give you help and advice.

For more information on the banding scheme please ring Stoke on Call on 01782 232126. To view the Allocation Policy please go to our 'home' page.