When choosing a property to bid for, you need to consider a number of things.
Do I live in the right area to bid for a property?
In the magazine, properties are advertised by council area. To bid for a property in a specific council area, you must be registered as a homeseeker or transfer applicant on that council's housing register, unless it is advertised as a Cross Boundary property (see below). On the website you only see properties you are eligible for, so you can bid on any advert it lists for you when you log into the 'make a bid' page. Some of these properties could be in a different council area to the one you are registered in.
Can I bid for properties in different areas?
Yes, sometimes. If a council opens up a property to bids from people registered in other areas, they will advertise it as a 'Cross Boundary' property. In the magazine, these properties will appear in a separate Cross Boundary section at the back, and you can bid on these properties in the normal way, if they match your assessed need. On the website, and the My Homemove property list, they will just appear in the list of properties you are eligible for, and you can bid on them as you would for any other property.
Is the property available to homeseekers, transfers, or both?
Most properties will be available to both homeseekers and transfer applicants, and the adverts will display the 'H/T' icon. In the magazine if you do see an advert with a 'H' or a 'T' icon, this means only homeseeker ('H') or transfer applicants ('T') can bid. On the website you can bid on any property it lists for you when you go log in to the 'make a bid' page.
Is there an age restriction on some properties?
Yes. Some properties have a minimum age requirement, for example in some schemes for older people. In the magazine, if an age restriction icon appears on the advert you can only bid on these properties if you are in that age range.
Some properties have a mobility sign
This is intended to provide a guide to people who have various levels of mobility need. Priority will usually be given to those who have a need for this type of property.
Pets
Some landlords will not allow you to keep a cat or a dog unless the property has its own garden. If you have a pet, please check with the landlord.
Before you bid for a property:
Check out the location of the property on a map to make sure it's really a place you would consider moving to, and make sure you meet the criteria stated in the advert.
Circumstances where you may not be invited to view a property:
- you are in rent arrears
- you have been involved in anti-social behaviour
- in exceptional circumstances, eg: where the offer would conflict with the council’s objectives to ensure offers are sensitively made and that properties are let quickly
You can ask at your housing office or your landlord if any of these circumstances apply to you. You can also ask your council to review the decision to exclude you from the scheme at any time.
What sort of tenancy will I be granted?
If you are a homeseeker being offered a council property, your council may offer you a secure tenancy straight away, or they may offer you an introductory tenancy to start with.
An introductory tenancy is a 12-month trial period during which your council or housing association will make sure that new tenants act responsibly and follow the conditions of the tenancyu agreement. If there are no problems during the trial period, the introductory tenancy automatically becomes a secure tenancy. Introductory tenants who transfer within the introductory period will remain introductory tenants for the remainder of the 12 months. (Contact your council to find out what sort of tenancy you would be offered).
Everyone being offered a housing association property, whether a homeseeker or transfer applicant will normally be offered an assured tenancy with the association.
You can ask your local council or your landlord if any of these circumstances apply to you.