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After our extensive research and engagement, we've identified a number of changes we can make to improve people’s experience of the Housing Register.
Application
Applications will be made more user-friendly and easier to understand by:
- reorganising the way questions are asked
- simplifying the questions
- reducing the amount of information that's required, where possible
The revised version will be tested with applicants before being implemented.
Changing the application is heavily dependent on the underlying technology and may only happen when the technology refresh takes place.
Communication
We intend to provide more communication to keep applicants informed.
This will include:
- using video and diagrams
- improving the standard of written communication
- looking at how we can make sure more communication gets to the applicant
Information and guidance
We intend to provide more information up front about the likelihood of being housed, more easy-to-understand explanations about each step of the process and more information about other ways to find housing.
We will also be making improvements to the way we advertise properties to provide more clear, consistent and complete information where possible.
Summary of the research we've done to review the way we let council and social housing across the city.
In conducting the review on the way we let council and social housing across the city we’ve consulted with a number of groups, residents and organisations.
We’ve attempted to invite and listen to the perspectives of those whose voices may not always get heard.
We sought a wide range of input from different sources to inform our understanding about what is working, what is not working, and what needs to change.
Summary of the research activities
- Report: Rethinking Allocations Summary: findings of initial desk-based research and analysis
- 2020 Survey Report: results of initial survey
- 2020 Locality Report: findings from a series of four community events
- Expert opinion paper commissioned from Andy Gale Housing Consultancy
- Opinion papers from advisory services: Shelter and Bristol Law Centre
- Focus Groups made up of people representing various special interests: people with experience of domestic violence and hate crime, Adult Social Care, young people, older people, healthcare, people living with disability, people experiencing homelessness and various staff groups
- Journey Mapping Final Report: Findings from a series of four workshops involving representatives from multiple organisations and stakeholder groups
- Conversations with other local authorities, and review of their policies: particularly those that have recently been updated, for example Manchester and Birmingham
All of the above informed the proposals for change.
If you would like to see copies of these research documents, email lettings.review@bristol.gov.uk
Listening to your views
Do you have a view about your council housing service?
How do you want your voice to be heard?
If you’re a Bristol City Council tenant or leaseholder, you can have your say on how the housing service is run and make suggestions about improvements.
Find out ways to get involved.
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The Living Rent Commission
The commission was made up of representatives from across the housing sector, including renters, to explore the issues facing people who rent and options to tackle the rent crisis in the city.
It looked at how Bristol can become a living rent city, without having a negative impact on the quality or availability of rental property.
The Living Rent Commission was launched in July 2022 following a Renters' Summit which took place in March 2022.
The main aims of the commission were to:
- improve affordability of the private rented sector
- understand the impact of regulation on rent prices, including on housing quality and maintenance
- identifying the most effective rent controls
- consider what other powers are required
- consider how to empower tenants' rights
Bristol Rent Commission report
As part of its work looking to improve the affordability, quality and tenant experience of the private rented sector in Bristol, the commission has looked at how we can improve the sector, including what the impact of rent regulation across the city could be.
A report, written by the University of Bristol has found that there is substantial popular support for rent control to help make renting more affordable.
It sets out a range of recommendations based on evidence of the challenges we face and potential solutions we could introduce.
We have made sure that a wide range of people have been heard during the process, including listening to the lived experience of tenants, residents and landlords.
In total, the final report outlines 29 recommendations. Read the full Bristol Living Rent Commission report.
Renters' Summit
On 2 March 2022, nearly 150 people who rent homes came together to share their experiences and work on solutions.
We teamed up with the Bristol Fair Renting Campaign, which is supported by Shelter, and community union ACORN Go to https://www.acorntheunion.org.uk/ (opens new window) to look at options for tackling the rent crisis in Bristol.
We agreed to look at:
- the possibility of introducing rent controls in the city
- discussing enforcement powers
- ways to tackle discrimination in renting
We will be seeking more views from people affected by the renting crisis across Bristol, through further engagement, taking place soon. We want to find a solution that works for people who feel they are being forced out of the city.
Renting in Bristol
There are over 134,000 people currently renting privately in Bristol, this represents almost one-third of the population.
Over the last decade, private rents in Bristol have increased by 52%, while wages have only risen by 24%.
On average, Bristol residents now need almost nine times their annual salary to buy a house.
The spiralling costs mean housing is becoming increasingly unaffordable, pushing many further away from their place of work, family, and support networks.
We are reviewing the city's approach to social housing allocations.
We want to deliver a service that works better for our residents by supporting more mixed, balanced and sustainable communities, housing those in the greatest need, being more efficient and user friendly, and giving realistic expectations about being housed to those who join the Home Choice Bristol (HCB) register.
We have to make sure we stick to legal requirements and regulations as well as trying to satisfy residents. This involves making some challenging choices.
Our approach
We want to involve people who are affected by the choices we have to make.
We started before the COVID-19 pandemic by holding four community events to gather input from a wide range of residents, making sure that we heard from under-represented groups.
We have now set up a Residents' Working Group Group to help us use all the research and other materials we have gathered to decide on the recommendations for change.
The Residents' Working Group is broadly reflective of the Bristol population as represented on the current Housing Register. It includes disabled people, people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and people from across the city.
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