Dartford Homeseeker

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Homeseekers requiring assistance to apply may nominate a friend, relative or advocacy worker from an appropriate agency to apply on their behalf or they can contact the Housing Options & Advice Section (01322 343814) of the Council where a Housing Advisor will be pleased to assist in making an application.

For more information:

Eligibility to join the scheme:

The applicant must be sixteen years of age or over. If an applicant is aged 16 or 17, someone else, aged 18 or over, will need to act as guarantor on the applicant’s behalf until they reach 18 years of age.
New Homeseekers can apply for a property of their choice as soon as they received their application number,re-registration card and banding information.
Existing Homeseekers (secure or assured tenants of Dartford Borough Council or a housing association) can apply to become a homeseeker after completing twelve months in their present tenancy.
Existing tenants’ home and gardens must be in an acceptable standard of decoration and cleanliness to be eligible to apply for a property. This may be verified by a Housing Officer at the time of application.
Tenants of housing associations living in Dartford will require the written approval of their landlord before they join the Choice-Based Lettings Scheme.
Applicants, or other members of their household included in the application who have a history of behaviour which affects their suitability to be a tenant may be ineligible to join the housing register.
Applicants who are subject to immigration control are ineligible to join the housing register.

How to register:

Before applicants can apply for a property of their choice they will need to register to become a Homeseeker with Dartford Borough Council. To do this they will need to complete a Choice-Based Lettings Application Form. Application forms can be obtained by:

Downloading and printing a form from the Council’s website (Adobe PDF document, 170 Kb, opens in a new window)
E-mailing housingadvice@dartford.gov.uk and requesting one be sent by email or post.
Collecting a form from Housing Options & Advice Section at the Civic Centre, during normal opening hours Monday to Thursday 8:45 - 17:15 and Friday 8:45 - 16:45.
Telephoning the Housing Options & Advice Section on 01322 343814, 01322 343082 or 01322 343813 (Monday to Thursday 8:45-17:15 and Friday 8:45 - 16:45).

Once the application form has been returned, it will be registered and an application number will be issued. The Homeseeker will also be advised of the ‘Band' in which their application has been placed.
Please note non-tenants must re-register their application annually to remain on the list.
To re-register return your registration card up to one month before the anniversary of your application date.

Click here for Banding Information.

Finding a property of your choice:

Once a Homeseeker becomes eligible to express an interest in a property, it will be their responsibility to find out te details of properties that are available.

Properties will be advertised on a two weekly basis from Thursday to Monday inclusive. View the latest available properties and express an interest

Information on available properties can be found online and also:

Looking at the ‘Available Property' board in the Civic Centre or at the cash office at the Swanscombe Leisure Centre.
Telephoning the 24 hour dedicated Homeseekers line on: 01322 343100 and listening to the property details.
At each of the Council's 14 Supported Housing Schemes.

Expressing an Interest in a property:

Once a Homeseeker has found a property of their choice an Expression of Interest will need to be made. These should be made before the “bidding cycle” closes. You will need to know your application number before expressing an interest.

This can be done completing an online form or:

Completing an Expression of Interest Form, this is available from the Civic Centre. The completed form should be posted in the Choice-Based Lettings box in the reception area.
Registering an interest by telephone by calling 01322 343114 (Lines are open from 8:45 - 17:15 Monday – Thursday and Friday 8:45 - 16:45).
Text 'CBL', your application number, the property reference numbers of the properties you are interested in and your date of birth to 07881 668 706. You will receive a text back once your expression of interest has been received.
Sending an e-mail to: housingadvice@dartford.gov.uk. The e-mail should include your application number, name, address, date of birth, bidding reference number and contact number.

Successful Expressions of Interest:

Successful Homeseekers will receive a formal written offer from the Council. If an applicant has not received a formal written offer within 10 working days from the specified closing date, it can be assumed that the expression of interest has been unsuccessful for this particular property. For housing association properties, the time taken to receive a formal written offer may vary.

In order for Homeseekers to be able to make a judgement regarding how long they may have to wait for a property of their choice, information on successful applications is regularly displayed and can be obtained by:

Logging onto your homeseeker account
Telephoning the Housing Options & Advice Section on: 01322 343813/343814 Monday to Thursday 8:45 - 17:15 and Friday 8:45-16:45
Looking at the ‘Available Property' boards.

The information contained on the boards and website will not include any personal details of the successful Homeseeker.

Opening times:

Civic Centre
Home Gardens , Dartford
8:45 to 17:15 Mon – Thurs
8:45 to 16:45 Friday

Swanscombe Leisure Centre
Crayland Lane , Swanscombe
9:00 to 13:00 Mon – Fri