Rent a home

As a housing association, we offer homes to rent that are available for social or affordable rent. We manage over 7,000 homes and have properties available in five local authorities, these are North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

What is social rent?

Social rent is a type of affordable housing designed to help people on lower incomes. It’s usually much cheaper than renting privately and is offered by councils or housing associations.

What is affordable rent?

Affordable rent is a type of housing that costs less than renting privately but is usually a bit more than social rent.

Regardless of the rent type, all our homes are advertised through a local authority and their choice-based lettings system.

Each local authority will have eligibility criteria; you will need to meet these to quality for one of our homes.

For more information about how we let our homes you can read our Lettings Policy.

Apply for one of our homes

Find out how to apply for one of our homes in your local area.

North Somerset

Homes to rent in North Somerset are advertised through HousingJigsaw, you can register for this at www.northsomerset.housingjigsaw.co.uk

Find out more by visiting North Somerset Council’s website.

Bath and North East Somerset

Homes to rent in Bath and North East Somerset are advertised through Homesearch, you can register for this at www.homesearchbathnes.org.uk

Find out more by visiting Bath and North East Somerset Council’s website.

Bristol City Council

Homes to rent in Bristol are advertised through Home Choice Bristol, you can register for this at www.homechoicebristol.co.uk.

Find out more by visiting Bristol City Council’s website.

Somerset

Homes to rent in Somerset are advertised through Homefinder you can register for this at www.homefindersomerset.co.uk.

Find out more by visiting Somerset Council’s website.

South Gloucestershire

Homes to rent in Somerset are advertised through HomeChoice you can register for this at homechoice.southglos.gov.uk

Find out more by visiting South Gloucestershire’s website.

Four-step guide to applying for a home

Here's our simple four-step guide to applying for a home and what to expect.

1. Check your eligible - To apply for one of our homes, you must be eligible. Visit your local authority’s website to check. If you qualify, you can register through their choice-based lettings system.

2. Register and start bidding - Once registered, you’ll be given a priority band. You can then start bidding on properties.

3. Bid for suitable properties - It’s up to you to bid for properties you’re eligible for. When bidding keep in mind:

Can I afford the rent?
Are there any other service charges? (Note: not all service charges are covered by Housing Benefits or Universal Credit)
Does the property meet my needs?
Only bid if you're ready to move.

4. You've been accepted - When a property listing ends, the successful applicant will be contacted to discuss next steps. This is usually the person with the highest priority, who is suitable for the property.

If you need support registering with the choice-based lettings system, contact your local authority.

Contact us

If you need help understanding the application process, have questions about what to do next, or are looking for more information, please contact our Lettings Team by:

Calling us on 03000 120 120
Emailing act@alliancehomes.org.uk
Complete our ‘Contact us’ webform
Send us a message using Live Chat on our website.
Write to us at Alliance Homes, 40 Martingale Way, Portishead, BS20 7AW.

Frequently asked questions

To make your application process as easy as possible we’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions.

How important is my housing application?

It is important that your application is relevant and up to date, if things change make sure you update your application as soon as possible.

Top tips to include in your application:

Keep your contact details up to date. If we are unable to reach you when offering a property, the next applicant will be contacted.

Make sure that any supporting evidence is uploaded to your application too. Local Authorities will review these to make sure you get the right home for you needs.

I'm not sure my band is correct - how do I check?

Your banding is assessed and decided on by the local authority.

If you feel that your current banding does not reflect your circumstances, please contact your local authority.

I am having issues with my application and unable to bid on properties

The first thing you should do is contact your local authority.

We cannot bid on your behalf or access the system from a customer’s perspective.

Make sure you read the property description carefully. Some listings have specific eligibility criteria that you may not meet. For example, you’re a four-person household needed two bedrooms, but the property is only suitable for three people – you won’t be able to bid of this property.

How long does a bidding cycle last?

Bidding cycles last around seven days, depending on your local authority. During this time, you can express interest in available properties.

How many properties can I bid on each week?

You can bid on multiple properties you’re eligible for each week. The number of bids allowed may vary depending on your local authority.

Once I have bid on a property, what will happen?

Once a property listing ends, a list of applicants is generated which is shortlisted based on priority and needs.

What happens if my bid is successful?

If your bid is successful, our Lettings Team will contact you to confirm that your application is being considered. You’ll be asked to complete a ‘Pre-Tenancy Assessment’ form along with further Affordability assessments.

Can my application be declined after bidding?

Yes. During the process, we may decide your application isn’t suitable. If that happens, we’ll explain the reason.

When can I view a property?

Once you’ve completed the ‘Pre-Tenancy Assessment’ and ‘Affordability Assessment’ and it has been deemed a suitable offer, we’ll arrange a property viewing.

If you’re unable to attend the viewing, a family member or close friend can attend on your behalf. Alternatively, we can arrange an online viewing through video call. We would prefer that you attend to assess that the home is suitable for your needs.

In some instances, you may view an unfinished property that hasn’t completed our Empty Homes procedure. If this happens, we’ll give you as much information as possible as to what work we will do before it’s ready to let.

Will the property be decorated?

We decorate the property in a neutral colour, if however, you are in a position to decorate the property yourself we can offer you a paint pack to cover all essential items.

Will the property be carpeted and furnished?

We do not offer furnished properties.

Vinyl floor is provided in the kitchen and bathroom, but we don’t supply other flooring. Occasionally, carpets left in good condition by the previous tenant may be gifted to you. We do however, work closely with West Country Savings and Loans who may be able to offer affordable, low-cost loans to cover the cost of new flooring.

What to do if you’re struggling to afford furniture?

If you think you’re going to struggle to fund essential items, we can refer you to our Tenancy Support Service. They’ll work with you for a short time to help source household items and set up bills and utilities.

There may also be local charities that can help with funding for essential items.

When should I give notice to my current landlord?

We recommend you contact your current landlord, and they will be able to confirm this. We will keep you updated as to when we expect you to sign up, but please note that any dates we give may be subject to change.

What is an age-restricted property?

Age-restricted properties are usually intended for people aged 55 or over. In some cases, such as when a property is harder to let due to its location or property type, the age requirement might be lowered.

As the landlord, we always aim to ensure the sustainability of the whole community when making these decisions.