Tutorials

Welcome to Choice Based Letting. To help you understand the scheme and the website that you are about to log in, please see the following tutorials:
 

  Disclaimer

Disclaimer

Even though care has been taken in the preparation and publication of the contents of the Wexford County Council’s Choice Based Letting website, Wexford County Council does not assume legal or other liability for any inaccuracy, mistake, mis-statement or any other error of whatsoever nature contained herein. Wexford County Council hereby formally disclaims liability in respect of such aforesaid matters. The information contained within Wexford County Council’s Choice Based Letting website is of a condensed and general information nature only and can change from time to time. It should not, by itself, be relied upon in determining legal rights or other decisions. Readers / users are advised to verify, by direct and live contact with Wexford County Council, any information on which they may wish to rely. Wexford County Council has endeavoured to attribute copyright or other intellectual right to the rightful owners where such course has been appropriate. Where any attribution has been missed or overlooked Wexford County Council, on being informed, will correct and otherwise make good. Wexford County Council has not reviewed any or all of the sites linked to its website. Wexford County Council is not responsible for the content of any site linked to its website or any off-site pages. These links where they are inserted, if any, are provided solely as a convenience.

Wexford County Council shall have no liability to the user either in contract or in tort for any loss suffered by the user resulting from the use of the Choice Based Letting website. The user shall have sole responsibility for maintaining and keeping safe their user name and password details.

Due to the nature of interactive services and the Internet generally, Wexford County Council gives no warranty or commitment that the use of the sites will be free from interruptions or errors and Wexford County Council shall have no responsibility or liability in respect of or arising out of any communication or network defects, breakdown, malfunction, error, delays or failures (whether temporary or otherwise) encountered by users while using the sites.

Clicking on certain links within Wexford County Council’s websites may take the user to other websites and Wexford County Council shall have no responsibility or liability of any kind for the accuracy or content of any information or any other aspect of any other websites.

Wexford County Council has no responsibility to the user in respect of services supplied by third parties and gives no warranty as to satisfactory quality, fitness for purpose or compliance with any description in relation to such services. The terms implied by Section 39 of the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980 of Ireland are hereby excluded from these terms and conditions in respect of any services supplied by third parties.

These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of Ireland (excluding laws governing the conflict of laws) and the parties submit to the jurisdiction of the Irish Courts. This will not prevent Wexford County Council from pursuing a claim for breach of contract, copyright infringement or otherwise in respect of these terms and conditions in any other jurisdiction.

Copyright Notice

Unless otherwise stated or appearing, the copyright and other intellectual rights attaching to information or data contained within the Choice Based Letting website are held by Wexford County Council. Reproduction of all or any of the contents of the Wexford County Council websites, in any form, is prohibited save with the prior written authorisation of Wexford County Council. Wexford County Council hereby gives a general consent to the use of such information for bona fide personal use and also for the recopying of all or any of the contents of the Wexford County Council websites for genuine and bona fide information dissemination purposes where the source of the information is properly acknowledged and where such acknowledgment contains and refers to the web address of Wexford County Council. However, this general consent does not extend to the use or copying of Ordnance Survey data/maps as copyright over such data is vested in Ordnance Survey of Ireland.

Wexford County Council Coat of Arms/Crest/Logo Notice

Any downloading, copying, use or reuse of Wexford County Council's Coat of Arms, Crest or Logo, shall be unauthorised unless downloaded, copied, used or reused in accordance with the prior written permission of Wexford County Council (to which conditions may attach). The purpose of this restriction is to protect the Coat of Arms, the City Council and the City and its people from an inappropriate use of the Coat of Arms/Crest/Logo or from any use which might reflect badly on the City, its citizens or its City Council. Application for such permission should be made prior to downloading, copying, use or reuse to the Director of Corporate Affairs at corporateaffairs@Wexford County Council.ie. Generally there will be no charge or cost implications attaching to the permission.

  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • 1. What is Choice Based Letting (CBL)?
     

    Choice Based Letting (CBL) is a way that social housing supports applicants can express their interest in available and suitable Social Housing properties.   

    A ‘suitable’ dwelling is one that has been chosen to express interest in and that matches their housing needs.  The current allocations process can be lengthy due to applicants refusing offers of accommodation.  CBL aims for quicker turnarounds of vacant properties as only people who register an interest in a property are considered for same.   

    It offers applicants a greater choice in where they want to live and provides details about the properties to allow them to make informed decisions.  It reduces the refusal rates and the length of time that properties are empty.

     
  • 2. Am I eligible for CBL?
     

    To be eligible for Choice Based letting, you must be included on Wexford County Council’s social housing supports list.

     
  • 3. Why is Wexford County Council bringing in this new system?
     

    Choice Based Letting is being introduced to streamline the allocation process.  It will show you available properties for letting.  It has worked well in other Local Authorities.  We believe it will work well here too.

     
  • 4. What is the difference between CBL and the current housing list?
     

    Applicants on the Social Housing Support list can express interest online in CBL dwellings advertised. If applicants do not express an interest in a property advertised, they will not be considered for them.

     
  • 5. Who can access the CBL system?
     

    Everyone on social housing supports list, including existing tenants who are approved for transfer, will be eligible to access the CBL system.  Applicants in receipt of RAS and Long-term Leasing prior to 1st April 2011may also access the CBL system.

     
  • 6. How do I access the CBL system?
     

    You access the CBL system through the internet on cbl.wexfordcoco.ie.  You can log into the CBL system on the internet via a phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer.

     
  • 7. I don’t have access to the Internet – what should I do?
     

    You can go to your local library to use the internet if you are a member of the library. Library membership is free and open to all. The staff will be able to assist you. You can also use a Smartphone or a tablet to access the CBL website.  

     You are welcome to come into the Council offices at County Hall, Carricklawn, Wexford or any of the district offices in Enniscorthy, Gorey, and New Ross and the staff can assist you.

     
  • 8. I am not able to work a computer, what should I do?
     

    A demo can be shown to you by a member of the housing staff in County Hall, Carricklawn, Wexford or any of the district offices in Enniscorthy, Gorey or New Ross during the initial rollout period.

     
  • 9. What do I need to log into the CBL system?
     

    To access CBL for the first time you need:

    • Your username
    • Your Temporary Password (provided in letter from WCC)
    • A contact telephone (mobile) number
    When logging in for the first time, the system will prompt you to change your password. Please see the "How to Login" video tutorial on  cbl.wexfordcoco.ie for more information.

     
  • 10. What do I do if I’ve forgotten my Password?
     

    Click on the “Forgotten your password” link on the CBL login page.  

    You will be prompted to answer the two security questions that you selected on your first login. When you answer the two questions, you will be prompted to enter a new password and then you will be able to access the CBL system.



     
  • 11. How do I express an interest on a property?
     

    Properties will be displayed on the CBL website at cbl.wexfordcoco.ie.  You will need to log in to check whether you wish to express an interest in the properties advertised.  

     Expressing an interest in a property is a two-stage process (similar to online shopping), the first stage requires you to place the property in a basket

    Once you have a property in your basket you must click on the shopping trolley icon and "Proceed to Checkout" which will mean your expression of interest will be recorded for the property.  

    If you do not complete this step your expression of interest WILL NOT be recorded and you will not be considered for the property.  Please see the “How to Express an Interest in a Property” video tutorial on cbl.wexfordcoco.ie for more information.

     
  • 12. How do I know if I have correctly “checked out” a property on the CBL system?
     

    Before the CBL period ends you can check your Submitted Properties tab.  If the property appears here then you have successfully checked out the property and will be included for consideration when the property is being allocated.  Once the period ends you can view the Properties Update tab to see at what stage of the allocation process the property is at.

    If the property does not appear in your submitted properties tab during the CBL period then you may not have “checked out” the property fully.  You should check your basket and see if the property is there.  If it is, then it needs to be checked out fully. If it is not there, then you have not selected this property at all.  You must go to the list of available properties tab and begin the selection process again.

     
  • 13. Can I view the property in person before I express an interest?
     

    Wexford County Council do not arrange viewings of properties.  There will be photos of the property and a detailed description on the CBL website which you can view prior to expressing an interest.

     
  • 14. What happens after I express an interest in a property? Will it be allocated to me?
     

    There may be many expressions of interest in a property so it may not be allocated to you.  The expressions of interest will be assessed in line with Wexford County Council’s Allocation Scheme. A decision on the allocation of a tenancy for the property will be based on:

    • Areas of choice
    • An applicant’s time on the social housing supports list
    • Basis of need under the Allocation Scheme
    • Type of property required
    • Good Estate Management.

     
  • 15. Is it first come first served as to when I place my expression of interest online on a property in a given week?
     

    No. Allocations are made in accordance with the Allocation Scheme for Social Housing.

     
  • 16. How many houses can I submit an expression of interest for?
     

    You can place one expression of interest per property advertised.  You can express an interest in as many properties as you like.

     
  • 17. If I submit an expression of interest for a house that was taken down from the website a few months ago, and is now back online, will my previous expression of interest be taken into account?
     

    No. You will have to express interest online again if you are still an approved applicant for social housing supports.

     Please note that Wexford County Council reserves the right not to allocate a dwelling under Choice Based Letting to applicant households in a given week and reserves the right tore-advertise the dwelling again in another time period.

     
  • 18. If I get a property through this system, will I be taken off the housing list?
     

    Yes, as you will be adequately housed.

     
  • 19. What will happen my time on the list with CBL? Will I still have the same time?
     

    Your time will remain the same. However, if you do not express interest in a property or in properties online, you will not be considered for them.  As most properties will be on Choice Based Letting going forward, you will miss out on being considered for them if you do not place your interest online.

     
  • 20. What properties will be available using CBL?
     

    Most properties will be advertised on CBL, there will be a wide range of residential properties available.  They will be advertised on the CBL website cbl.wexfordcoco.ie  Wexford County Council will keep the list of available properties up to date, but you will need to check the website every week.

     
  • 21. What types of properties will not be considered for CBL?
     

    The following classes of dwelling may not be advertised on CBL:

    • Older persons dwellings
    • Specially adapted housing
    • Traveller group scheme housing

     These above types of dwellings may be allocated in line with Wexford County Council’s Allocation Scheme.  Wexford Co Council reserves the right from time to time to set aside a property in a particular scheme and allocate it outside the CBL to a particular category or categories of applicant.

     
  • 22. Does it cost money to express an interest on a property?
     

    There is no charge for expressing an interest in a property.  You just need to express your interest during the period of time that the property is available.  

     
  • 23. How long is the period of for expressing an interest?
     

    Properties will be placed on the Wexford County Council’s CBL website on Wednesdays.  It will be possible to express your interest for a period of one week until the following Tuesday.  Please note that properties may not be displayed every week due to availability.

     
  • 24. What if I miss the deadline for expressing interest in a property?
     

    You will not be considered for the allocation of that dwelling if you have not expressed an interest in it by the deadline.  Wexford County Council does not accept responsibility for applicant households who miss the deadline to express their interest in a property under CBL.

     
  • 25. What happens to my areas of choice with CBL?
     

    Applicants will be able to view all suitable properties, however the area of choice will be taken into account at allocation stage.

     
  • 26. How will I know if I am being allocated the property for which I expressed an interest?
     

    You will receive a letter of offer in the post from the Senior Executive Officer, Housing Section.

     
  • 27. Does Wexford County Council contact the unsuccessful applicants?
     

    No, Wexford County Council will not contact the unsuccessful applicants.  If you are not contacted about a property, then you are not being made an offer for that property.

     
  • 28. How do I know if a property that I expressed an interest in has been allocated?
     

    After the period for expressing an interest elapses, the status of the property can be viewed by logging in to the CBL website and clicking on the “Properties Update” tab.  Properties may be listed as “Allocated” or “Allocation in Progress”.  Allocation times will vary.

     
  • 29. What happens after Wexford County Council choose the successful applicant?
     

    Any offer of a tenancy is subject to a vetting procedure by Wexford County Council.  This procedure requires submission of re-assessment of an applicant’s file to ensure they are eligible for social housing support under the Housing Assessment Regulation.  Any offer of a tenancy for the property will be in accordance with the Housing Allocation Scheme.

     
  • 30. What happens if I refuse an offer of a property for which I expressed an interest?
     

    In the event of an applicant expressing an interest in a CBL property, but subsequently refusing the offer of the dwelling, the applicant shall not for the period of 1 year be entitled to make a further application under CBL to any housing authority for the allocation of a dwelling.

     
  • 31. Can I still make a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) application?
     

    If you are an applicant included on the social housing supports list, you can apply for HAP.

     
  • 32. Can I obtain a list of those that expressed an interest in the dwelling?
     

    Details of individual household applicants for a CBL dwelling under Choice Based Letting will not be available for public release in accordance with Data Protection requirements.

     
  • 33. What are Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs)?
     

    There will be some properties listed on CBL which are from Approved Housing Bodies.  Approved Housing Bodies (AHB’s), also called housing associations or voluntary housing associations, are independent, not-for-profit organisations.  AHB’s provide housing in response to a range of different needs including families on low incomes.  AHB’s work in partnership with Local Authorities and take nominations from the Local Authority to tenant available accommodation provided by an AHB.

     
  • 34. What happens if I have a problem using the Choice Based Letting system?
     

    Please contact a member of our Customer Services Unit in Wexford County Council on (053) 919 6000 should you have any difficulty or need assistance in using the CBL site.  Should you have a query that is not covered in the FAQs you may email cbl@wexfordcoco.ie.

     
  • 35. Where will I find out information on the use/or sharing of my data?
     

    For information on the use and/or sharing of your data for CBL, you can view Wexford County Council’s Privacy Notice for Social Housing Supports on the WCC’s website www.wexfordcoco.ie/housing