People applying for affordable housing across North Yorkshire could benefit from a new approach to letting council and housing association homes in the future.

The new system - known as ‘Choice Based Lettings’ - involves advertising available properties to prospective tenants. Applicants can then say which property they would like to be considered for.

Seven local authorities across North Yorkshire, and their partners, are proposing to create a joint Choice Based Lettings scheme. This will mean one single application form, whether you’re in York or Scarborough, and one single lettings policy and waiting list.

Alongside the properties available for let a whole range of other housing related services could also be promoted such as ‘Low Cost Home Ownership’, accredited private landlords and swaps between tenants. Choice Based Lettings will mean more information, more choice.

And local residents will be able to have their say on the proposals at a series of drop-in consultation sessions over the next few weeks.

If agreed, the scheme is likely to start next summer.

Ian Taylor, Project manager, said: “We believe that the proposals will create a more flexible, more transparent and more customer friendly lettings scheme. We would urge members of the public to come along to any of the consultation events and help us design the best possible lettings scheme. ”

The seven authorities involved in the choice based letting initiative are:

• City of York Council
• Craven District Council
• Hambleton District Council
• Richmondshire District Council
• Ryedale District Council
• Scarborough Borough Council
• Selby District Council

Drop-in consultation sessions will be held on the following dates:

HAMBLETON DISTRICT COUNCIL

• Tuesday 15 September: 5.30 - 7pm: Bedale Hall, North End, Bedale
• Wednesday 23 September – 5.30 – 7: Thirsk Rural Arts, The Old Courthouse, 4 Westgate, Thirsk
• Tuesday 29 September: 2 - 4pm and 6 - 7.30pm: Civic Centre, Stone Cross, Northallerton
• Tuesday 6 October – 4.30 - 6.30pm: Kurts Room, Galtres Centre, Easingwold
• Wednesday 14 October – 6 - 7.30pm: Town Hall, Market Place, Stokesley

All these meetings coincide with meetings of the Local Area Forums Contact for queries: 0845 1211 555

RICHMONDSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL

• 13 October - 3.30 - 7 pm: Swale House, Richmond
• 15 October - 3.30 - 6.30pm: Thornborough Hall, Leyburn
• 20 October - 3.30 - 6.30pm: Colburn Sports Centre, Colburn

Contact for queries - Housing Management Team on 01748-829100