New service lets tenants take control

Home-seekers in Middleton will be able to benefit from a new lettings service giving them greater control over where they live.

This month will see Riverside joining ‘HomeChoice’, Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing’s lettings system.

Joining this new system will give customers the chance to express an interest for their choice of advertised homes rather than being offered a property directly. Allocation of accommodation will be based on housing need, local connection and how long someone has been waiting to be rehoused. The partnership will bring together a larger pool of available housing, giving home-seekers more choice and flexibility.

The service will provide access to a directory of available and affordable housing options. With a range of access points, customers will be able to view properties on the website, ring the hotline number and speak to the HomeChoice Team about their housing needs, or call into any Council Customer Service Centre to discuss available accommodation.

Jeff Allen, Neighbourhood Manager for Riverside, said: “We believe a partnership approach is the best way of meeting home-seeker's housing needs. The aim is to provide a one stop shop offering access to a series of solutions from social rented, shared ownership and sheltered accommodation.”

Councillor Jacqueline Beswick, Cabinet Member for Partnerships at Rochdale Borough Council added: “This is a great opportunity for home seekers in the Middleton area. It will mean more property choice for people, as well as access to more information about their housing options.”