Bid for social housing

After bidding closes we draw up a shortlist. We invite the highest priority bidder to view the property. Sometimes we invite the top three successful bidders and the property is offered to the one with the highest priority who accepts it at the viewing.

The property may go to the next person on the shortlist if for some reason, it can’t be offered to the one with the highest priority, for example, because they’re behind with their rent.

Details of the successful applicant’s band and priority date are published on the Home Connections website.

Priority for disabled people

If your household has a disabled person, and a suitably adapted property becomes available, your bid may be successful even if there are other applicants (without a disability) in higher bands or with an earlier priority date.

Improve your chances of success

Most of the properties that become vacant are flats and maisonettes without gardens. Bidding on these kinds of properties and homes on higher floors can improve your chances of being offered a home.

As there is a shortage of bigger homes, families can bid for properties that have one bedroom less than they require. If you are offered a property in these circumstances and accept it you cannot apply for a transfer to a larger property for a year. 

Accepting and refusing a property offer

You normally have 24 hours to accept a property offer.

Refusing a property offer

If you turn down an offer of housing, we’ll ask you why, look at any relevant information available and decide if it was reasonable or unreasonable for you to refuse it.

Reasonable refusal

Examples of reasonable refusal:

• the property is not suitable for someone in your household with a medical condition
• it is in inappropriate for children to change school due to special needs or imminent exams for children aged 15 or over
• someone in your household would be at a risk

Unreasonable refusal

Examples of unreasonable refusal:

• the property does not have a garden
• you have a dog and pets are not allowed at the property
• you do not want to live in a flat or on an estate
• you bid in error

Decision letter

We will write and tell you if your decision was reasonable or unreasonable. If it was unreasonable, we will tell you how or if this will affect your position for housing.

Penalties for unreasonable refusal

Households that refuse one reasonable offer of housing are usually removed from the Housing Register for a minimum of 12 months. They may apply to have their application re-assessed after a year.

If you’re a homeless household that has refused one reasonable permanent offer of housing, we will no longer house you.  Your temporary housing will be cancelled and you’ll have to make your own housing arrangements.

Appeals

If you do not agree that you refused a property offer unreasonably, you can appeal. We tell you how to do this when we write to you.