Two councils have introduced choice-based lettings systems which they hope will make allocating housing quicker and easier for tenants to understand
Tower Hamlets council in east London surveyed more than 500 tenants and found nearly nine out of 10 were unhappy with the current system, which allocated points to tenants according to their circumstances.

Many people found the points system unfair, so the town hall has simplified it to a system of just four categories that reflect housing need and council priorities. Applicants within each category will then be dealt with in order of the time they have spent waiting.

The council will also advertise empty homes so prospective tenants can choose them, rather than having a home allocated to them.

Similar moves are afoot in Nottingham, where the council has cut the number of need categories from 47 to five, with points to be allocated according to individual circumstances. Applicants will then register for areas in the city where there are suitable homes and will be held in categories based on what type of property they live in at the moment.

Housing aspiration will be taken into account, said Dave Trimble, executive member for housing.