Who can rent a Knightstone home?

Our rented homes are for people who can’t afford to buy or rent on the open market. Click the following link to view a summary of our lettings policy: Lettings policy summary. If you would like a copy of the full lettings policy please contact your Housing Officer.

What kind of homes do we have?

We have flats and houses in towns, cities and villages across the south west. We also have sheltered housing for older people and supported housing for people who need housing with extra support.

How do I apply?

We work with around 30 different local councils many of whom have slightly different ways of letting homes. However, most of our properties are let using your local council’s choice based letting scheme. Therefore to apply for a Knightstone property you must first register with your local council.

What is choice based lettings?

You join a housing register or waiting list and apply for empty properties that are advertised each week in the local paper and on websites. Properties are let to the person with the highest priority who has been waiting the longest.

If you want to rent a home from us:

• Complete a housing application form

Housing application forms are available from your local council. If you need help to fill in the form your housing officer can help you. Alternatively you could speak to your council office, local Citizens Advice Bureau or housing advice centre. The completed form should be returned to your local council.

Once you have registered you will be able to apply for housing with Knightstone, the council and other housing associations in your area.

• Fill in the form the council gives you

If you need help to fill in the form, ask at your council office, local Citizens’ Advice Bureau or housing advice centre.

What are my chances of moving?

Most councils use a banding system (1-5, A-D or Bronze, Silver and Gold) to help them decide how urgently you need to move. Your council will tell you what band you are in. Generally, the higher your band the more likely it is you will get a property but it also depends on other things like where you want to live and how long you have been waiting.

What happens next?

Most areas we work in now use choice-based lettings so you will need to bid for empty properties that are advertised each week and homes will be offered to those with the highest banding.

As we no longer hold our own transfer list up to 25% of the empty properties we advertise will be reserved for Knightstone residents only. Look out for these properties as you may have more chance of being successful.

If your local council does not use choice based lettings your information is added to the waiting list of people wanting to rent from the council and from other housing associations. If you have sufficient priority and a suitable home is vacant you will be contacted.
Contact your local council's housing office or your local Knightstone office for more information.

More information on choice based lettings and mutual exchange is available on the left of the page.