Apply to rent a Bromford home

You can apply if you:

• are aged 18 or over in most circumstances
• have the 'right to rent' in England
• do not own a home or are in the process of selling
• are not already a Bromford customer

You’ll also need to meet your local council’s housing criteria. We’ll check this when you apply.

If you need an adapted home

If you need adaptations like a walk-in shower or stairlift, make sure:

• you’ve spoken with your local authority about funding
• the property you bid on is suitable
• there’s a commitment to fund the work before you move

Before you bid, make sure you’ve saved enough to cover:

• one month’s rent in advance (typically over £500)
• removal costs (often more than £300)
• any furniture or appliances you’ll need

We’ll do a money assessment with you, either over the phone or at one of our offices. This helps us understand what support you might need.

It’s important to choose the right home for your needs, in an area where you want to live. Before you bid:

• read the advert carefully
• make sure the home is suitable for your household
• check if you need a local connection - and have evidence ready
• only bid if you’re ready to move quickly and have money saved

Our homes are advertised on the local council's housing list, using a system called choice-based lettings.

1. Visit your council’s website
2. Register with their housing team
3. Bid on available homes

If you're matched to one of our properties, your council will refer your application to us.

Find your local council or use the list on this page to find your local choice based lettings service that the council uses.

We’ll speak with you for up to 45 minutes to talk about the home, you, your family if you have one, and your requirements. You’ll need:

• a valid, accessible email address
• to complete an online survey after the call
• to be open and honest about your current situation.

Involvement from other agencies

We work with agencies like the police, social services, and health teams. You’ll be asked sensitive but important questions about:

• criminal convictions
• medical needs
• support arrangements

Have contact details ready for any agencies that help you, as we may need to speak with them to support your application.

Everyone over 18 who’ll be living in the home needs to show ID:

• UK residents: birth certificate, national insurance number and bank statement
• Non-UK residents: passport, original Home Office letters and bank statement

If you don’t have this ready at the time of your visit, we may move on to another applicant.

You may also be asked for:

• evidence of housing need
• documents to confirm your banding if your council doesn’t verify this at registration

We’ll ask for references from previous landlords for the past five years (or up to 10 years in some cases). If your current or previous landlord was a council or housing association, we’ll give you three working days to provide it.

For private landlords, we’ll need:

• their name, address, phone number and email
• a copy of your tenancy agreement

If you’ve not rented before, we may ask for character or employer references instead.

If you're in arrears with your current landlord:

• You must have made regular payments for at least six months

• If legal action was taken, you’ll need to show a 12-month history of repayments

• Clearing arrears just to get a home isn’t enough,  we look at your ongoing approach to managing your tenancy

Once your application is nearly complete, we’ll visit you at your current home. We may:

• ask to see ID and other documents
• look around your home to check how you've looked after it
• take photos for our records

Unfortunately, if we can’t visit, we’ll usually have to move on to the next applicant.

We aim to rent out homes quickly once we've made a decision, so be prepared to:

• attend viewings at short notice
• move out and pack without delay
• sign your tenancy and pay rent promptly

We won’t be able to delay the process while you sort things like removals or packing.

Your neighbourhood coach will be your main contact. They’ll take the time to get to know you and support you to thrive in your new home.

This relationship is based on mutual trust. This helps us to support you and your community over the long term. They'll deal with any tenancy related questions, as well as help you deal with any problems in your local area, or with your neighbours.

Your neighbourhood coach is more than just someone who helps with housing though, they’re a partner in your community. 

We expect you to:

• pay your rent or other charges on time, every time

• show a clear and consistent commitment to managing money

With your online account you can: 

• pay your rent or make a payment anytime
• request a repair from your smartphone or tablet
• view your rent balance
• view your appointments 
• view and amend personal details 

Our customer area will also increase payment options and cuts down wait times on the phone.