A Local Lettings Plan: An applicant’s guide
This provides information for applicants applying for homes with a Local Lettings Plan criteria advertised through Monmouthshire Homesearch.
What is a Local Lettings Plan?
A Local Lettings Plan (LLP) is an additional criteria (or quota) for a specific area, estate or block of apartments. It means that the LLP properties affected will be allocated in a different way to the usual approach.
Why does a social landlord use a LLP?
An LLP helps social landlords to ensure our communities are balanced and sustainable.
They can be used for:
- Existing neighbourhoods: to address specific issues that are being experienced
- New developments: to help establish a brand new community in Monmouthshire.
They are usually based around areas in the main towns of Abergavenny, Caldicot, Chepstow, Monmouth & Usk.
In order to apply for an LLP the landlord must give clear reasons to explain and justify the purpose of the plan.
The social landlord must also gain the approval of Monmouthshire County Council and all of the Monmouthshire Homesearch Partners before they can use the LLP.
Once the LLP is agreed, it is monitored by the Council to ensure it is being used properly.
Is an LLP the same as the Rural Allocations Policy?
No, the two are different.
The Rural Allocations Policy (RAP) is only applied to certain homes in some rural villages throughout Monmouthshire, usually this is as a condition of planning consent.
Further information on the Monmouthshire RAP can be found on the Homesearch here.
How does the LLP work?
The LLP will specify the criteria to be used for all of the homes included in the plan.
For example, for a large development of brand new homes the LLP might specify:
- 25% of homes in the plan will be reserved for applicants in Band 1
- 25% of homes in the plan will be reserved for applicants in Band 2
- 25% of homes in the plan will be reserved for applicants in Band 3
- 25% of homes in the plan will be reserved for applicants in Band 4
Or, in some cases the LLP may specify:
Priority to those applicants aged over 50 or who are in full time employment
Once the LLP criteria has been agreed, each Homesearch advert will display the criteria clearly so that everyone can see it. This will help applicants to decide if they meet criteria and whether they should place a bid.
What does this mean for the property that I want to bid on?
It means that the property will be shortlisted and offered first to applicants that have bid on the advert and who meet the LLP criteria specified. This is different to how properties are usually shortlisted; where the applicant in the highest band who meets the size criteria will be offered the property first.
What if no one who meets the LLP criteria as described in the advert bids on the property?
Generally the LLP will state what will happen in this situation and the Social Landlord will follow the LLP instruction for when this happens.
For example the LLP might state that if insufficient bids are received from applicants who fit the priority band stated on the advert, or if the priority bidders all refuse the offer of the property, then shortlisting will continue to the next suitable applicant(s). Therefore the successful applicant may sometimes be from outside of the band/criteria specified on the advert.
Alternatively the LLP may state that the property should be re-advertised with the same criteria, or a slightly different criteria, if no one who fits the LLP priority has bid on the first advert, or if no one with a housing need bids on the property.
Where are the current LLPs in Monmouthshire?
Added: 20/09/2021 / Updated: 09/05/2023
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