When choosing a property to bid for, you need to consider a number of things.
Is the property designated for homeseekers/transfers or both?
Your bid will not count if, for example the property is for homeseekers only and you are a tenant wishing to transfer.
Homeseekers bidding can only bid for properties that are advertised with an ‘H’ or with both ‘H’ & ‘T’ symbol.
Council and Housing Association tenants bidding can only bid for properties that are advertised with a ‘T’ or with both ’H’ & ‘T’ symbol.
Is there an age restriction on the property?
Some properties have a minimum age requirement, for example, in some cases only people over 50 can apply.
Sheltered housing properties are usually for people over 55. As well as a minimum age, your Council or Housing Association may assess you for Sheltered Housing.
If age limits apply these will be shown on the adverts.
Will I get a property in the Area I want?
Properties are advertised by Council area or by Landlord.
We encourage people to bid for any area they are interested in. However, preference will be given to applicants who have a local connection in the first instance.
Housing Association tenants registered with one of the Housing Associations taking part in the Home-Options scheme may also bid for properties.
Some properties have a mobility sign:
This is intended to provide a guide to people who have various levels of mobility needs.
This does not restrict anyone else from bidding for these properties but the advert will often say that priority will be given to household with mobility needs.
Pets:
Some landlords will not allow you to keep a dog or a cat unless the property has its own garden.
If you have a pet, please check with the landlord before bidding.
Children in one-bedroom flats:
Some landlords do not offer families with a child one-bedroom property.
Circumstances where you may not be invited to view a property:
- You are in rent arrears
- You have been involved in anti-social behaviour
- You have enough money or income to afford a property in the private sector
- Anti-social behaviour, broken tenancy conditions or have had notice of intention to seek possession served
You can ask your Local Council or Landlord if any of these circumstances apply to you. You can also ask them to review their decision to exclude you from the scheme at any time.
Before you bid
Check out the location of the property on a map to make sure it’s really a place you would consider moving to. Much landlord time is wasted trying to contact bidders who don’t
attend viewings because they don’t really want to go to that area.