Local Lettings Plans – what are they and why do we use them?

A Local Lettings Plan (or Policy) is used to ensure that a community is balanced and promotes community cohesion. Usually this is for new developments of 10 or more homes being let at the same time, and is covered by Partner Allocations policies.

A Local Lettings Plan will introduce particular specific criteria to be taken into account when shortlisting applicants suitable to be offered the particular accommodation covered by the Plan. Examples include the selection of a percentage of working households; ensuring a broad range of children’s ages across a development, or overall child density.

When properties are advertised and a Local Lettings Plan applies this will be clearly indicated on the advert, and the Plan will be available for applicants to read before they consider placing a bid. This also means that some applicants may be bypassed on a shortlist in order to meet the specified aims of the Plan; however the highest priority qualifying applicants will be selected.

In addition some providers may impose additional criteria for new developments which are bound into the clauses of the tenancy agreements offered – such as not to bring vehicles over a certain tonnage weight onto the development, or not to display political placards.