Homechoice

We are currently experiencing high demand and it is taking approximately 3 to 4 weeks for us to begin assessing newly submitted Housing Register applications.

If you have recently applied, you can expect an initial response from us within 3 to 4 weeks of submitting your application. Once your application has been reviewed, we will contact you if any further information or supporting documents are required to complete the assessment and verification process.

To help avoid delays, please ensure you have uploaded all relevant supporting documents when submitting your application. Information about the documents usually required can be found on our website:

View document requirements

We carry out desk based verification checks as well as unannounced home visits in order to prevent and deter fraudulent housing register applications. If you have any concerns about a potentially fraudulent housing register application, such as an applicant who has provided false or misleading information, please report this to housingregister@cherwell-dc.gov.uk or anonymously using the ‘contact us’ form on the Cherwell District Council website. Please include as much information and detail as possible for us to investigate and consider leaving your contact details as we may need to make further enquiries with you.

It is an offence under the Housing Act 1996 to give false or misleading information or to withhold information in relation to a housing register application. Applicants providing fraudulent information will also be disqualified from the housing register for a period of 5 years. Any offer of housing obtained fraudulently will be withdrawn or legal action will be taken to end any tenancy that has been obtained as a result of providing false or misleading information.

The letting cycle beginning on Wednesday 25th December 2024 will run for two-weeks instead of the normal one-week cycle and will therefore end on Monday 6th January 2025. Letting cycles will return to one-week cycles as normal after this date.

Cherwell District Council is currently consulting on a new Housing Strategy and we are inviting you to have your say on shaping the housing services and priorities that the Council has for its housing over the coming 5 years. Have your say online here:

https://cherwell.citizenspace.com

Our new strategy has the following 3 priorities:

Priority 1

Prioritise the delivery of homes that people can afford and that are suitable for the needs of the community

Priority 2

Improving the existing condition of properties within Cherwell. Ensuring high property standards and properties that are fit for the future, working towards net zero

Priority 3

Promoting health and wellbeing through housing, tackling homelessness, improving support. Helping to create sustainable communities

We want to hear from you on what you think about the priorities we have chosen. Additionally, there is opportunity for you to provide your own comments and thoughts on housing in Cherwell and what the Council should prioritise.

We are seeking your views on a revised Housing Allocation Scheme. The Housing Allocation Scheme outlines how Cherwell District Council allocates social housing in Cherwell. The scheme sets out who will qualify for an allocation of social housing and who will receive the greatest level of priority.

If you would like to have your say on the proposals or any other changes you feel should be made to our Housing Allocation Scheme please complete our online survey here: https://cherwell.citizenspace.com/communications-strategy-and-insight/housing-allocation-scheme-2024

The consultation will be open until 1 October 2024.