You will automatically be a member of Homebid if you are accepted by SCC for re-housing. We will assess your case and if you accept and if we accept you onto the housing list we will:
• Write to you to give you a unique Homebid number that enables you to bid for properties
• Tell you the date from which you qualify for the Housing List
• Tell you how many points you have
• Tell you the size and type of the properties you are able to apply for
Available properties will be advertised in the ‘Homebid Magazine’ which is published every 2 weeks. Adverts give you information about each property available for letting. You can pick up a free copy of the magazine from several places, including the Civic Centre, Local Housing Offices, local leisure centres and Public Libraries. Properties will also be advertised on SCC’s website and on the automated telephone service.
The details used to advertise properties will include:
• Rent level.
• Property type: flat, tower block, maisonette, house, older persons.
• Property size: the number of bedrooms a property has and a minimum or maximum number of people who can live in this property.
• Floor level: ground floor properties are generally reserved for applicants who have a specific need for such a property.
These details will have easy to use symbols on the adverts. We list these at the front of every Homebid magazine
We try to make the best use of our limited housing stock. Consequently there are rules in place about who is eligible for what type of property.
For example, you are only eligible for a house if you have at least 2 resident children, both under 17 years of age and at least one of whom is under 11. Similarly, we expect children of the same sex, with less than 6 years age difference to share a bedroom. Children of different sexes are entitled to their own bedrooms.
The council’s full Lettings Policy can be requested from the Allocations Advice Line. Alternatively you can visit the Gateway reception at the Civic Centre
On the website
Go to Homebid and log on with your unique Homebid number and date of birth.
By telephone
Call 0845 8398984 and follow the instructions.
By text
Send message to 07786 203243
You will be able to ‘bid’ for up to three properties in each edition of the fortnightly Homebid Magazine. The following fortnight you will be able to bid for another three properties. Keep bidding if you have not heard anything from us. We will only contact you when your bids are successful!
If you are unable to place bids yourself for whatever reason, you can nominate someone to bid on your behalf. Anyone who places a bid in this way must make sure that the applicant is aware of all properties that are bid for.
We publish Homebid Magazine every other Thursday / Friday. All bidding lines (which include internet, phone, text) open at midday (12pm) every other Thursday. Your bids must reach us by 2pm the following Wednesday.
No. We do not prioritise bids on a first come first served basis. Homebid puts all of the bids for each property in priority order with the highest number of points first. We then produce a list of eligible members for each property. In most cases the SCC Allocations team will invite the applicant at the top of the list (in terms of points) to view the property. If two or more people have the same number of points, the person with the earliest eligibility date will be put first.
No. If we offer you a property you will not be short listed for any others until you have made a decision on the first offer. However, if you appear at the top of more than one shortlist at the same time we will contact you and you will need to decide which property you prefer.
It will not be held against you if you refuse properties you have chosen, unless you have been given short-term points for a limited time.
If your arrears exceed £50 it is our policy not to consider you for properties. We will not normally consider any bids made while in arrears. You must clear both rent and repairs accounts before signing for a new tenancy.
We will contact you if you come top of the shortlist usually within a week of the closing date. You will also be able to get information on if your bid has been successful from the Homebid website, or you can contact the Allocations Advice Line.
To find out how many homes were let, the results page in echo edition of the Homebid magazine will tell you. You can also see how many points the successful bidder had.
No. If you bid successfully on a property and have received an offer for it, you cannot bid on other properties until you have made a decision. If you decide to reject the first property, then you will be able to bid again. If you do try to bid while you are under offer, your bids will be considered ineligible.
Southampton City Council
