1. What Is Choice Based Lettings (CBL)?
Choice Based Lettings (CBL) is a method used by Irish local authorities to allocate social housing.
Instead of waiting to be offered a property automatically, you can:
- View available homes online or via council notice boards
- Express interest (“bid”) for properties that suit your household
- Compete based on your position on the housing list
It gives applicants more involvement in choosing where they want to live.
2. What is the Main Difference between the Standard Social Housing Scheme & CBL?
CBL is not a separate scheme from the standard social housing scheme. It is simply a method of allocating homes within the social housing system.
It does not change who qualifies for social housing, only how social homes are allocated.
| Standard Social Housing Scheme | Choice Based Lettings |
|---|---|
| Council selects property for you | You select which properties you want to be considered for |
| No need to log in weekly | Must actively check and bid |
| Traditional allocation process | Advertisement + bidding process |
| More passive | More applicant involvement |
3. Who Is Eligible for Choice Based Lettings?
To qualify, you must:
- Have an active, approved Social Housing Support application
- Or be approved for a transfer from existing social housing
You are not eligible if:
- You are approved for HAP only
- You are approved for Mortgage to Rent only
- Your social housing application is inactive
Each local authority manages eligibility under its own Allocation Scheme.
4. Not every council has a CBL scheme in place, but every council has a social housing support system. Each council has its own rules on how to apply.
Some by online portal and some by email. See the CBL link for each council below:
- Carlow – https://carlow.ie/housing/housing-support/social-housing-support
- Cavan – https://www.cavancoco.ie/services/housing/choice-based-letting/
- Clare – https://cbl.clarecoco.ie/PublicPortal/Account/Login
- Cork – https://cbl.corkcity.ie/Account/Login
- Donegal – https://www.donegalcoco.ie/en/services/housing
- Dublin – https://citizenhub.dublincity.ie/service/Choice_Based_Lettings_Application
- Fingal – https://www.fingal.ie/sites/default/files/2021-12/open-sky-user-guidelines.pdf
- Galway – https://apps.galwaycoco.ie/CBL/login
- Kerry – https://cbl.kerrycoco.ie/Account/Login
- Kildare – https://online.kildarecoco.ie/CBLE/Login
- Kilkenny – https://kilkennycoco.ie/eng/services/housing/choice-based-letting/
- Laois – https://laois.ie/housing/housing-support/social-housing-support
- Leitrim – https://www.leitrim.ie/council/services/housing/choice-based-lettings/
- Limerick – https://www.limerick.ie/sites/default/files/media/documents/2019-03/Choice-Based-Letting-FAQ.pdf
- Longford – https://www.longfordcoco.ie/services/housing/choice-based-letting/
- Louth – https://cbl.louthcoco.ie/Account/Login
- Mayo – https://www.mayo.ie/housing/social-housing/apply
- Meath – https://cbl.meath.ie/Account/Login
- Monaghan – https://monaghan.ie/housing/council-housing/
- Offaly – https://www.offaly.ie/social-housing-support/
- Roscommon – https://www.roscommoncoco.ie/en/services/housing/choice-based-letting/
- Sligo – https://www.sligococo.ie/housing/Accommodation/CouncilHousing/ApplyforCouncilHousing/
- Tipperary – https://cbl.tipperarycoco.ie/Account/Login
- Waterford – https://waterfordcouncil.ie/services/housing/choice-based-lettings/
- Westmeath – https://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/ourservices/housing/
- Wexford – https://cbl.wexfordcoco.ie/Account/Login
- Wicklow – https://www.wicklow.ie/Living/Services/Housing/Social-Housing
5. What Properties Are Available Through CBL?
Most councils advertise:
- Standard council houses
- Apartments
- Approved Housing Body (AHB) properties
- Long-term leased dwellings
However, some properties are usually excluded:
- Wheelchair-adapted homes
- Elderly-specific units
- Emergency allocations
Only homes specifically designated as “bid dwellings” are advertised under CBL.
6. How Are Properties Advertised?
Typically:
- Properties are listed weekly (often Tuesday nights)
- They remain open for bidding for 1 week
- Some councils allow 2 weeks
- Listings include property size, location, eligibility class and sometimes photos or floor plans
You must check the council’s CBL website regularly.
If you do not express interest, you will not be considered.
7. Is It First Come, First Served?
No.
Allocation is not based on who bids first.
Instead, councils consider:
- Your waiting time
- Your category of need
- Household size suitability
- Urgency under the Allocation Scheme
- Good estate management
- Pre-allocation vetting
Bidding early does not improve your position.
8. What Does “Suitable Property” Mean?
A suitable property:
- Matches your approved household size
- Matches your housing need
- Fits your eligibility category
You will not be considered for properties that are too large or too small for your household.
9. Can I Apply for Homes Outside my Preferred Areas?
Yes.
Even if you selected certain preference areas originally, you can express interest in any available property advertised under CBL.
This gives you more flexibility.
10. What is the Choice Based Letting Application Process?
For most councils:
- Log into their CBL portal (See list above)
- View advertised properties
- Select “Add Property” or complete bidding
- Submit expression of interest before the deadline
Some smaller councils may allow email applications instead.
If you miss the deadline, you cannot be considered.
11. What Happens If Multiple People Apply for the Same Home?
If more than one household expresses interest:
The council applies its Allocation Scheme.
Factors include:
- Waiting time
- Category of need
- Household composition
- Estate management considerations
- Garda clearance
- Updated eligibility review
Only the successful applicant is contacted.
12. What Is the Pre-Allocation Process?
Before a final offer is made, you may undergo:
- An interview
- Garda check
- Estate management clearance
- File review to confirm continued eligibility
Contact from the council does not mean that you have been officially offered the home yet.
13. Can I View the Property Before Accepting?
Yes.
However, by bidding, you are already indicating serious interest.
If selected, you will normally be allowed to view the property before signing the tenancy agreement.
14. What Happens If I Refuse an Offer?
This is important.
If you refuse a reasonable offer:
- You may be suspended from CBL for 12 months
- You may be deferred from the housing waiting list
- You cannot apply for other CBL properties during that period
Rules vary slightly by council, but refusal has consequences. You should only bid for properties you genuinely intend to accept.
15. What Happens If I am Successful?
If you accept:
- You are removed from the social housing waiting list
- You are considered adequately housed
- Your housing application closes
16. Can Transfer Tenants Apply?
Yes.
Existing tenants approved for transfer can participate in CBL.
17. What If I Don’t Have Internet Access?
Councils provide support through:
- Local council offices
- Housing public counters
- Public libraries
- Staff assistance and demonstrations
You can also use smartphones or tablets.
18. What About Pets?
Some properties have house rules that restrict pets.
You must check property details carefully before bidding.
19. Are Details of Other Applicants Public?
No.
Under Data Protection rules, you cannot access the identities of other bidders.
Some councils confirm later that the property has been allocated.
20. What Are Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs)?
AHBs are:
- Independent not-for-profit housing organisations
- Also known as housing associations
- Partners with local authorities
They provide housing for:
- Low-income families
- Elderly households
- People with disabilities
- Homeless households
Some CBL properties may be managed by AHBs.
21. Why Was Choice Based Lettings Introduced?
CBL was introduced to:
- Reduce delays in allocation
- Speed up vacancy turnaround
- Increase transparency
- Give applicants more involvement
Instead of waiting passively, you can actively apply.
22. Does CBL Replace the Housing List?
As explained above, No.
You still remain on the social housing waiting list. However, if you do not bid, you will not be considered for most available homes.
Most allocations are moving towards CBL systems.
23. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Missing the weekly deadline
- Bidding for unsuitable property sizes
- Refusing properties casually
- Assuming first bid wins
- Forgetting to update housing file
CBL requires active participation.
Final Thoughts – Is CBL Good for Applicants?
Choice Based Lettings offers:
- More transparency
- More involvement
- Faster allocation in many cases
But it also requires:
- Regular checking
- Careful decision-making
- Serious intent when bidding
For households on social housing waiting lists, understanding CBL fully can significantly improve chances of securing suitable accommodation.
