Gateway to Homechoice - How The Process Works
Assessment of Need
When we receive your application, we will assess your housing need. This is done in line with our Allocations Policy.
Your application will be placed in one of five bands - A to E, with A being the highest.
You will receive a letter advising you of your banding and the size of property you can bid on in due course.
Bidding for vacant properties
Bidding on a property simply means putting your name forward. You do this on our Gateway to Homechoice website.
You can select two properties each week. There is no cost involved in placing a bid.
Adverts include a description of the home. It also tells you:
- How much the rent is
- The size of the property
- Any adaptations or other special features the property might have.
Properties are advertised from midnight on a Wednesday to 11.59pm the following Wednesday. This is called the bidding cycle. You can remove and replace bids during this time.
Once the cycle has ended the properties will no longer be displayed, however, If you have placed a bid on the previous cycle, you can view the properties on your historic bids.
At the end of each choice-based lettings (CBL) cycle a shortlisting of applicants who have bid for the property will be taken from the CBL computer system. The shortlist will identify the order of applicants based on who is in the highest housing band (A is highest, E is the lowest) and who has the earliest effective date unless the property has been adapted or is subject to a local lettings agreement, such as a s106 agreement.
However if you do not take part, you will limit your chances of being offered a property.
How will I know if it is worth showing an interest in a property?
When you find a property you like, you will see what position you are in. This could change as other applicants place or remove bids. There is no advantage to bidding early in the bidding cycle.
If there is a little chance of being offered that property, you may wish to select another.
If you are not in a high band (A - C), you are unlikely to be successful. You may have to bid on a lower demand property. This could be sheltered accommodation or an area of less demand.
Viewings and Refusals
We may be offered a viewing on top three applicants but will be up the housing provider undertaking the shortlisting.
You will be told in advance which position you are in. If you are offered a property, you will have 24 hours to make a decision.