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Bidding for properties

1. How do I bid on a property?

log in to your housing online account using the email address and password you have set up previously then click 'Log In'. The My Summary homepage will display

select the 'Choice Based Letting' tile from your homepage. The Choice Based Lettings Welcome page will display
from here select the 'Actions' menu, then select 'List of Available Properties'. This will display all the properties that are currently being advertised that you are eligible for
to view more information on any property please select the 'View Details' button. This will display all the information relating to the property being advertised such as rent and any additional charges, any adaptations and number of bedrooms etc
if you wish to place a bid or apply for the property, you will need to scroll down the page then select 'Add to Basket'. Property added to basket page will then display, confirming the property has been added to your basket
if you wish to bid or apply for other properties or view other properties you are eligible before submitting your bid, please select 'Return to List of Properties' and follow the above steps for adding the property to your basket (remember; you can only bid or apply for a maximum of three properties during this advert cycle)
if you only wish to bid on the one property or have successfully added the properties you are interested in, then select 'View Basket'. Your Basket page will then display
simply scroll down the page and select the 'Apply' button
if you have properties in your basket you no longer wish to bid on or apply for, or you have too many properties in your basket for the number of bids you have left, then please tick the box next to the properties you wish to remove from your basket then scroll down and select 'Remove'
once you have selected 'Apply' from your basket a page will display which will confirm that the bids have been successfully placed for those properties

2. How do I know what a property will look like?

Our properties are advertised displaying a photograph.

3. Can I visit a property before I bid on it?

A property can be advertised during the notice period. We do not advertise the property number, however the street and postcode are provided for you to visit and look around the street and surrounding area. If you are not familiar with an area, we highly recommend that you visit before placing your bid. Consider things such as distance to work, local schools, public transport links and local amenities. Placing a bid tells the Council that you want to be considered for rehousing to the property. If you are offered and refuse the property it can be counted as an offer. You receive two offers of accommodation before your housing application is cancelled, therefore it’s important that you carefully consider all properties before bidding to ensure it meets your needs.

4. I keep bidding, why have I not been shortlisted for a property?

our properties are in high demand and lots of people may also be placing bids on the property you have chosen. It is important to keep bidding on a wide range of properties to maximise your chances of getting a property sooner
remember to log on and look for homes regularly so that you don’t miss out on properties that you would qualify for
remember that properties are offered in date order based on how long you have been in your band
the system will let you see your position on the shortlist and you can withdraw and place bids on other properties
when bidding for flats, consider the age of the youngest person who is moving. Some flats are reserved for people over a certain age

5. What happens if I don’t bid on a property?

We operate a housing register of need and therefore applicants will be expected to place bids that meet their needs. If you fail to bid on suitable properties this can result in your application being cancelled. If you require assistance with bidding your application can be placed onto auto-bid, the system will place bids on properties that meet your housing needs.

6. If I am successful for a property, what is the next step?

You will be contacted for your application to be verified and to discuss the property you have placed a bid on to ensure it meets your housing needs. The Area Housing Officer may contact you to discuss your offer of accommodation as part of this process. An affordability assessment will be arranged to check that the property is affordable to you. You will be required to provide one month's bank statements for all accounts held (dated within the last three months). A timescale of 24 hours will be given to provide this. Failure to provide this may result in you being bypassed for the property.

7. How will I view a property?

The Council now operates a virtual viewing process. This is a pre-recorded video of the property. If you are successful, you will be contacted and sent the video to view. There may be occasions where we will conduct a physical viewing with the Housing Occupational Therapist if there are medical needs identified.