The banding system

When you register with Nottingham HomeLink, we will place you into a 'band'. This will depend on your circumstances.

The banding system is how we give priority to people who need it - but also give everyone a fair chance of successfully bidding for a new home. Most people are placed in band four. It's important you understand how the bands work, and what this means for you.

How does the banding system work?

Band 1 - people who are termed by law as homeless people

To be declared legally homeless you need to be assessed by the Housing Aid Team from Nottingham City Council.

If you are accepted as homeless, the council has a legal duty to re-house you.

Band 2 - urgent needs

This includes people who have:

• Experienced serious racial harassment
• Certain assessed disabilities and illnesses
• Been told they can't go back home after being discharged from hospital
• Experienced family breakdown
• Properties which have been or will be demolished
• Been picked up by the 'Rough Sleepers' initiative

Band 3 - moderate needs

This includes people who:

• Have a hostel support plan and need to move
• Are private tenants with a Notice Seeking Possession or Notice to Quit which is not their fault
• Have two children of each sex under 10 years old and sharing a bedroom
• Are tenants who have children and currently live in a flat without a garden
• Are tenants leaving a high-demand property, such as a three bedroomed house, to move to a lower-demand one (such as a flat).

Band 4 - general needs

This includes people who are:

• Private tenants with security of tenure
• Single lodgers, or a couple without dependent children.

Band 5 - low needs - people living outside the Nottingham city area

People in this band will only be considered for housing if there is no demand for properties from people in bands 1-4.

Band 6 - people waiting for housing who live outside Nottinghamshire

People in this band will only be considered for housing if there is no demand for properties from people in bands 1-4.

The above lsit gives some examples of who might fit into each band. For a full list amd more detailed explanations, please take a look at the Housing Allocations Policy summary.

Changing bands

If your circumstances change you may move from one band to another.

• If you move down a band, you will keep your waiting time from the date you applied to be on the register
• If you move up a band (so have a higher priority), your waiting time will start from when you moved to the new band. This is to make sure each person with the same need is considered in turn from the date the higher need was identified
• When you first move to a hostel we will put you in band 5. When you have developed some independent living skills and a support plan has been organised for you, you will be put in band 3. You will be able to take the waiting time you have built up with you
• If you are under 18 years old you can apply for housing and will be put in band 6. When you are 18, your circumstances will be reassessed. You will then be put into the band that best suits your circumstances. You will keep your waiting time. You will be able to take the waiting time you have built up with you.