Information
Golden Gates Housing allocates most of its homes through our CHOOSEaHOME scheme.
Most homes are advertised every Thursday in the following places:
• On this website www.chooseahome.org.uk
• The Warrington Guardian
• All our local housing offices
Once you have joined CHOOSEaHOME you can bid (a bid means express an interest) for suitable homes upto midnight each Monday.
Can anyone apply to join the scheme?
Anyone over the age of 16 can apply to become a member of the scheme.
Young people under the age of 18 will have their support needs assessed.
By law, certain people subject to immigration control do not qualify for
public sector housing. You can find out if you qualify by contacting us
free on
0800 25 26 27.
How do I become a member of the scheme?
You can register online by clicking the join button on the left hand
side of this page. You can also register by telephone by calling us free
on 0800 25 26 27 Monday to Friday 8am to 6.30pm. Alternatively you can
collect a CHOOSEaHOME form from any housing office or download one here.
Once you are registered you will be sent a welcome letter containing your
CHOOSEaHOME registration number, your password, your date of registration
and your initial Banding level.
What if I need help accessing the CHOOSEaHOME scheme?
We have people available to show you how to access the scheme, complete
a form and make a bid for available homes. We can also put you in touch
with support agencies, provide a translation service, information in large
print and audio tape. Please click the contact
tab for more information on how to contact us.
What if I have social, medical or disability related needs?
Depending on your needs we will contact you for further information once you have registered with us. Your priority for housing will based on your medical/social need and the property you are currently occupying.
We will normally ask for supporting information from your or someone such as your GP so that we can correctly assess your housing priority.
What if I am homeless?
You should contact Warrington Borough Council’s Housing Advice Centre on (01925) 246868. If you are assessed as being in immediate or urgent housing need, you will be given priority status for the next 8 continuous bidding weeks. You must bid for all suitable available properties that are advertised in this 12 week period. If you do not actively bid your priority status may be removed.
What is the banding system and how does it work?
All CHOOSEaHOME applicants are placed in one of four bands (A, B, C &
D). Your band is determined by your personal and household circumstances.
Applicants with the greatest housing need will be placed in the highest
bands. A is the highest band and D is the lowest.
Band A
Applicant with urgent housing need eg accepted as homeless, urgent social
or medical need.
Band B
Applicant with multiple housing need eg family with young children living
in an overcrowded flat 1st floor flat.
Band C
Applicant with a single housing need eg family with young children living
in a 1st floor flat that is not overcrowded.
Band D
Applicant with no housing need eg applicant living in a 3 bedroom house
who wants to move to another 3 bedroom house in another area.
Where there is more than 1 member in the same Band bidding against the
same property, the member with the earliest priority date will be ranked
1st. If the priority date is the same, the earliest registration date
will be used.
Is every property advertised on CHOOSEaHOME
No, on occasion we do not advertise some of our vacant properties. For example, where a vacant property is adapted for a disabled person and we need to match it to a member of the scheme with special housing needs, or where a property is needed urgently for a homeless applicant then these properties may not be advertised.
We will shortly be advertising most homes when we receive notice of the current tenant’s intention to leave. Although the property will be advertised during the notice period, it may be removed if the tenant decides to stay in their home.
Where and how often are homes advertised?
Available homes are advertised each Thursday. Bids close at midnight on Monday on our website and 6.30pm by phone.
How will I know if I am eligible for properties?
Each property is labelled with a short description, including the property type, number of bedrooms, special features and the weekly rent. So that we make best use of housing stock, the property may be labelled to say who will be given preference. For example, a 3 bedroom house may be labelled to say preference will be given to a family with 1 or more children.
Approximately half of all houses that we advertise are restricted to Band B, C or D applicants only. This will be shown under the description of each property we advertise.
How do I make bids?
• Telephoning our automated bid line on 08000 64 8000 24 hours
a day from Thursday to Monday
• E-mailing us at –
info@goldengateshousing.org.uk
• Calling in at any GGH Office.
• Logging on to our website at www.chooseahome.org.uk
• Text message. Send to 60066 the following:
Chooseahome your registration number, the reference numbers of the homes
you are interested in
eg Chooseahome 5432 Ref 001301, Ref 0001302.
Expressions of interest must be made each Monday by 6.30 p.m.
How will I know if my bid has been successful?
If we have not contacted you within 3 working days of the bidding cycle closing you can assume your bid has not been successful. Information about properties which have been let will be publicised on this website (click the successful bids button) and in housing offices.
Offers and Viewings
Between Tuesday and Thursday the CHOOSEaHOME Team will generate a list
of members who have successfully bid against properties. Viewing arrangements
will then be made and offer letters sent out.
A ‘successful member’ is ranked at the top because of their
priority band, priority date and application date. The property will be
offered to the member who is ranked in 1st position. If it is refused,
it will be offered to the scheme member who is ranked in 2nd position
and so on.
Housing Association Homes
Most Housing Associations in Warrington let approximately half of their
homes to applicants on the CHOOSEaHOME register. Arena Housing Association
let nearly all of their homes through CHOOSEaHOME.
Housing Association homes are managed by independent organisations, often
charities. As a result they tend to allocate homes in a different way than
GGH does.
Applicants who bid for Housing Association homes and are ranked at the top
of their priority bands will be passed onto to the relevant Housing Association
who will then consider making an offer.
What kind of checks will be carried out?
Depending on the responses to the question on your application we may ask you for proof or further information.
If you are offered a home we will ask for proof of identification when you come to sign for the tenancy. We will also confirm the details you have given us on your CHOOSEaHOME application. If the details on your application are not correct the offer will be withdrawn and your application cancelled.
If you are an existing Golden Gates Housing tenant a housing officer will visit you to ensure that you have not breached your tenancy agreement and your property meets the minimum letting standard. If you have breached your tenancy or your property is in a state of disrepair which is not due to general wear and tear, you will not be offered the property and your CHOOSEaHOME membership may be suspended until the problem is resolved.
What if I do not agree with a certain decision you have made?
You have a right to request a review of certain decisions within the CHOOSEaHOME scheme. For example, you may feel you have been placed in the wrong banding. You must request a review in writing within 21 days of receiving our decision. A senior officer will review the decision and if the original decision is upheld, you have a further right of appeal. Further details can be obtained from the CHOOSEaHOME Team.
GGH Houseproud Guarantee
Complaints, Praise & Suggestions
We want you to be satisfied with our services and we would like you to
tell us if we are succeeding or if there are areas in which we can improve.
We are happy to receive your comments by any method you choose. Please
click on contact for ways of contacting
GGH.