Bromsgrove Home Choice

Why do we collect this information?

We need the personal information you supply so that we can check whether you are eligible to be housed. The legal basis for this processing is legal obligation as set out in Part 6 and Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 as amended by the Localism Act 2011 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.

Health information, gender and ethnicity is classed as ‘special category’ data, and is processed in accordance with Article 9(2)(h), health & social care purposes; criminal record is also classed as special category data, and is processed in accordance with Article 10, ‘processing of personal data relating to criminal convictions and offences’.

What information is collected?

• Name
•  Address
• Family details
• Financial circumstances
• Employment details
• Housing circumstances
• Health details
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Evidence of residency, i.e., birth certificate, etc.
• Supporting information for priority housing
• Special needs
• Disability
• Criminal record
• Benefit entitlement

Checking Eligibility and Verifying Information

To assess your eligibility for a housing allocation and ensure that properties are allocated in accordance with the Council's Housing Allocation Scheme and relevant housing legislation, we may need to verify the information you provide.

Information you supply may be accessed by authorised staff within Housing and Homelessness Services and, where necessary, by registered social landlords (housing associations) involved in the allocation of social housing. This enables us to assess applications, determine priority, verify eligibility, and allocate properties appropriately.

As part of this process, we may obtain information from, or share information with, other organisations where this is necessary and proportionate. These organisations may include other local authority departments, healthcare professionals and advisers, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Home Office, HM Revenue & Customs, and other government departments or agencies and landlords.

We process and share this information where it is necessary to comply with our statutory duties under housing and homelessness legislation, including the Housing Act 1996 (as amended), the Homelessness Act 2002, the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, and associated regulations.

If you wish to be considered for a housing allocation, we must be able to make enquiries with relevant organisations and obtain information necessary to verify your application. You cannot restrict or choose which organisations we may contact where such enquiries are required to assess your eligibility, housing need, or priority for housing.

Is the information sent outside the Uk?

This information will be kept within the EEA in accordance with UK GDPR requirements and appropriate safeguards.

How long is the information kept?

The information will be kept for six years from the closure of your application. An application is considered closed after:

• you have been allocated a property, or
• your application has been inactive for one year, or
• you have asked for your application to be closed

Are any automated decisions made using this information?

Bromsgrove District Housing Trust administers Bromsgrove Home Choice on behalf of Bromsgrove District Council. Their privacy notice can be found here PRIVACY-NOTICE-updated-April-2026.pdf This scheme is used to advertise and let properties that are available to rent. All housing applications are assessed by placing you in one of six bands. These bands indicate the priority you have for housing. Each band has a number of different band reasons and in accordance with the Council’s policy, your application is assessed to see which band reasons match your circumstances. The band you are placed in will reflect your current circumstances.

Your rights

Your statutory rights and other privacy information is available on the Bromsgrove District Council website:

Privacy Notice Information and your rights

Declaration

It is an offence under Section 171 of Part 6 of The Housing Act 1996 to give false statements, withhold information or fail to disclose a change of circumstances in relation to any application. Personal data can be lawfully used by the local authority to prevent or detect fraud or crime. It is an offence under the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 to hold or present any false or fraudulent documents for the purpose of obtaining any form of housing from the local authority.

The Council and partner social landlords are entitled by law, to take action to withdraw an offer of a tenancy and terminate any tenancy obtained by deception.

By signing this application you are confirming that the information given in this application is true and correct.

You can view the Bromsgrove Home Choice Housing Allocations Policy here Bromsgrove Home Choice Housing Allocations Policy