Apply for housing

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

• Manchester Move

  1. How do I send documents?
     Upload photos to your Manchester Move account or post copies to: Wythenshawe Community Housing Group, 8 Poundswick Lane, M22 9TA
  2. What does ‘live application’ mean?
     It means you’re ready to start bidding! Listings update weekly, so check in regularly. You may need to do a Money Health Check to make sure it’s the right fit financially.
  3. How do I bid?
     Log into your Manchester Move account and browse all the available homes. Some might have extra rules (like age restrictions or local connection) – look out for these.
  4. Got health needs?
     Make sure you fill in the medical section of the application and include any letters from your doctor or specialist. It could get you further up the priority list.
  5. Rehousing Review List?
     This just means more information is needed. You can appeal, check Section 16 of the Allocations Policy for next steps. You may not be able to join the list if you have rent arrears, damaged your home or have been involved in anti-social behaviour.
  6. Circumstances changed?
     New baby? New job? Health update? Let Manchester Move know, it could change your priority level.
  7. Homeless or at risk?
     Speak to Manchester City Council’s Housing Solutions Team, we don’t offer emergency housing.
  8. Got an offer?
     Great! A member of our team will be in touch to go through the next steps and set up a virtual viewing and Money Health Check for you.
  9. What’s a Local Lettings Policy (LLP)?
     Some homes give priority to:

  • • People in work
    • Over 55s
    • People with local connections

  Check the listings for any special conditions.

• Cheshire Home Choice

  1. How do I know what homes are available?
     Available homes will be advertised every day. All properties will be advertised on a Saturday, Sunday and Monday. So if you are only visiting the website once a week make it on one of these days to ensure you see all our adverts. Please pay attention to the closing date on the advert, this will vary dependent on the day the property was advertised.On your account page you can set up property alerts to receive emails from the team when properties come up in areas that you would like. You may also be eligible for an auto bid function, please contact the team to discuss this process.
  2. Which properties can I bid on?
     Each week, it will show which household size is most appropriate for each home. Other factors which may be taken into account when partners shortlist for properties will be included in the advert, such as, whether the home is accessible for households with a physical disability. You can then express a bid on up to two homes suitable for your household size i.e. single people will not be able to bid on family sized properties.
  3. How do I apply?
     To apply for a home through Cheshire HomeChoice, you’ll need to fill in a housing application form. The quickest way is online at www.cheshirehomechoice.org.uk or you can call them on 0300 123 5017.
  4. Got health needs?
     If you have a medical reason for needing to move, make sure you fill in the medical section of the application and select this as the reason. They’ll get in touch if they’d like you to include any letters from your doctor or specialist.
  5. Rehousing Review List?
     This just means more information is needed. You can appeal, check Section 16 of the Allocations Policy for next steps. You may not be able to join the list if you have rent arrears, damaged your home or have been involved in ASB.
  6. Circumstances changed?
     New baby? New job? Health update? Let Cheshire Home Choice know, it could change your priority level.
  7. Homeless or at risk?
     Speak to Cheshire East’s Housing Options Team, we don’t offer emergency housing.
  8. Got an offer?
     Great! A member of our team will be in touch to go through the next steps and set up a virtual viewing and Money Health Check for you.
  9. Need support?
     Some customers will require help in applying to go on the register or in placing bids on properties. Cheshire Home Choice will offer assistance and support to these customers, if you feel that you may need help accessing the service please telephone 0300 123 5017.

• Why demand is so high

  Last year:

  • around 20,000 people were waiting for a home on Manchester Move 
  • 255,442 bids were placed on Wythenshawe Community Housing Group homes 
  • we were only able to re-let 441 homes in Wythenshawe 
  • across Manchester, only 2,131 homes became available 

• How homes are allocated

  We let a mix of flats, houses, bungalows and maisonettes. Around 50% of our homes go to people already living in Wythenshawe, helping to support established communities. 

  We are part of the Manchester Move choice-based lettings scheme, alongside 15 other housing providers. All available homes are advertised on Manchester Move, and applicants place bids on homes they are interested in. 

  We also support: 

  • Mutual exchanges 
  • Downsizing 
  • Homes in nearby areas 
  • 2-bed ground-floor flats with gardens being advertised as suitable for families, to help ease pressure on family housing 

• How housing need is assessed

  Everyone who applies through Manchester Move is assessed and placed into one of four bands, based on their housing need: 

  Band 1 – Urgent need: domestic abuse, severe overcrowding (3 or more bedrooms), severe medical needs, under-occupation 

  Band 2 – Housing need: homelessness, overcrowding (2 bedrooms), medical needs, relationship breakdown 

  Band 3 – Lower need: overcrowding (1 bedroom) 

  Band 4 – No housing need 

• Typical waiting times

  Waiting times vary depending on your band, the type of home you need, and demand in your preferred areas. Meeting the criteria for a band does not guarantee a home within a specific timeframe. 

  2- and 3-bed homes 

  • Band 1: around 6 months 
  • Band 2 (award date after 2022): around 5 -7 years 

  4-bed and larger homes 

  • Band 1: around 18 months 
  • Band 2 (award date after 2021): around 6 -12 years 

  These times are averages and can change. 

• Local connection and building more homes

  Priority is given to people who live, work or go to school in Wythenshawe. Around 20% of successful applicants already have a local connection. 

  We are also increasing supply. We have invested £40 million to build 169 new homes, with more in progress and planned. We have also let 30 new homes in Poynton and Knutsford.