Prioritising Applications
Sheffield City Council operates a banding system with five different banding groups. The band you are placed in will depend on your individual circumstances and level of need. The bands are detailed below.
- Band A - Very few customers will meet the criteria to be placed in this band. Customers in Band A will have a critical need to be re-housed as a result of their circumstances and therefore have a priority award. Three out of four properties advertised will be offered to customers in Band A first.
- Band B - Customers in Band B will have an urgent need to be re-housed as a result of their circumstances and therefore have a priority award. Properties will be offered to Band B customers after those in Band A.
- Band C - Customers in Band C will have circumstances that require extra consideration and therefore have a priority award. Properties will be offered to Band C customers after those in Band B.
- Band D - Band D is for customers with waiting time. The majority of customers will sit in this band. Owner Occupiers with a local connection to Sheffield will also sit in Band D however will be restricted from bidding until they have sold their property. Band D customers will be offered available properties after those in Band C.
Properties advertised with a preference to ‘Waiting Time’ will be offered directly to applicants in Band D. These properties will be one out of every four advertised.
- Band E - If a customer has caused unacceptable behaviour we may decide not to make them an offer of accommodation. Customers will be notified if this applies to them. Band E customers will be offered available properties after those in Band D. Applicants can be placed in Band E for any of the following reasons:
- They don’t have a local connection to Sheffield.
- They have refused three property offers in Band D.
- They or a member of their household have displayed unacceptable behaviour.
Advertising Properties
As Sheffield City Council has a duty to rehouse customers quickly where they have demonstrated an urgent need to move, we will consider people with a priority first for the majority of the properties we advertise. However, we recognise that you may wish to move even though there is no urgent need and therefore we also advertise some properties to applicants based on their waiting time. This will be clearly visible on the property adverts.
3 out of every 4 properties will be advertised with a preference to ‘Housing Register’. This means that applicants with a priority (Band A-C) will be considered first, starting with Band A. The remaining available properties will then filter down through the other bands: Band B, Band C, Band D and finally Band E.
1 out of every 4 properties will be advertised with a preference to ‘Waiting Time’. This means that properties will be offered directly to customers in Band D. The remaining available properties will then trickle down through the other bands: Band A, Band B, Band C and finally Band E.
What if I am Homeless?
If you are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, go to First Point at Howden House or contact us by telephone on either 0114 273 5406 or 0114 273 5142. Outside of working hours, you should ring the emergency number on 0114 244 2441 or Freephone 0800 7311689. If we can’t help we will signpost you to other services.
Staff will discuss all of your housing options with you. If necessary, a member of the Housing Solutions team will also complete a homeless assessment. They may also help you prevent yourself from becoming homeless or assist you in finding alternative accommodation.
Once we have assessed your situation, we will look at whether we can give you priority for housing ahead of other people on the register. We will then write to you explaining our decision.
If we award you a priority, we will write to you explaining why it has been awarded, what sort of property it is for and how long you have to use it. The letter will also explain how to request a review of the decision if you are unhappy with it. A Rehousing Officer will guide you through the rehousing process, including:
- Bidding, viewing and signing for a property
- Advice on obtaining identification
- Completing forms
- Advice on drop-in service
What if I Have Other Housing Needs?
If there are other circumstances which mean you need to move urgently, please contact us to discuss these by approaching your local housing office. We can give advice if you are finding it difficult to manage in your own home and will offer realistic advice on your housing options. If we can’t help we will signpost you to other services.
Once we have assessed your situation, we will look at whether we can give you priority for housing ahead of other people on the register. We will then write to you explaining our decision.
If we award you a priority, we will write to you explaining why it has been awarded and what sort of property it is for. The letter will also explain how to request a review of the decision if you are unhappy with it.
What if I Want to Downsize?
If you have a spare bedroom or want to move to a property with fewer bedrooms, you may apply for a downsizing priority. Please contact your local area office for further information.