Changes to Edinburgh's Common Housing Register, EdIndex, mean that customers can now expect a much simpler and transparent service.

An increase in the number of Registered Social Landlords using the Council's Choice Based Letting system means that 80% of social rented housing stock is now let through the Key to Choice scheme alone.

Following a successful pilot 12 of the 20 housing associations in EdIndex are now letting their homes using Key to Choice; a choice based letting scheme which the Council has been using to let it's own houses since May 2003.

According to the City of Edinburgh Council the harmonised system for assessing need has been established which is far less complex than the 20 different systems it replaces.

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Now customers only have to answer a maximum of 49 questions when completing the EdIndex application form compared to 111 before the changes were introduced. This greatly simplifies the routes into social rented housing in the city and makes it easier to understand for both customers and staff.

Councillor Paul Edie, Housing Convener said: "EdIndex is now not only one of the largest and most successful Common Housing Registers in the UK, but also one of the most successful in terms of innovation and the strength of its partnerships.

"It is testament to the success of Key to Choice that so many RSLs are now choosing it to let their properties as well. While these changes make the routes by which people access affordable rented housing easier to use, the shortage of affordable housing in Edinburgh is still a major issue and we will continue to work in partnership with housing associations to increase the supply of housing for rent and low cost home ownership."

(GK/JM)