- If I make a successful bid, what happens next?
- If my bid is unsuccessful, what happens next?
- I’m homeless. Can I choose a home through Choice Based Lettings?
- I can’t log onto Harlow Homefinder. What does this mean and what should I do?
- What does “Shortlisting” mean in the “see what happened to my past bids” section of the website?
- How far up the list am I?
- How long have I got to wait?
- What type of property can I bid for?

If I make a successful bid, what happens next?

We will let you know of your offer by first class letter and will also try to contact you by telephone. Once you receive the offer letter it will ask you to make an arrangement to view the property. You must do this very quickly. You only have a few days to make up your mind although special arrangements can be made if you have any special needs or requirements.

If my bid is unsuccessful, what happens next?

We do not write to unsuccessful applicants. We publish feedback about
the number of bids we had for each property and what band the successful bidder was in, in the back pages of the Harlow Homefinder magazine.

I’m homeless. Can I choose a home through Choice Based Lettings?

Yes. Although people who have been accepted as homeless and places in temporary accommodation will have a time limit placed on them within which they must successfully bid for a property.

I can’t log onto Harlow Homefinder. What does this mean and what should I do?

If you have previously been able to log on to the Harlow Homefinder website but are no longer it will be because your application has been deferred.

I am an existing Council Tenant. Why am I deferred?

There are two main reasons why your application has been deferred. Firstly it could be because you are required to complete a routine inspection. You should have been sent a letter requesting that you contact the repairs centre to book one. Once this has been completed your application will be re-instated so that you can bid again.

The other reason is that you have rent arrears. You are expected to have a clear rent account before making a bid. If you do bid and your rent account is not clear, you will not be considered for the property.

I am not an existing council tenant. Why am I deferred?

The reason your housing register application is deferred is because we require some more information. Please contact the housing needs team on 01279 446644 to find out what information is required.

What does the term “Shortlisting” mean in the “see what happened to my past bids section of the website?

Shortlisting is a status used when bidding for a property has closed and an applicant is being considered for that property. Every person that has bid on the property will see the status “shortlisting” on the website. The band date and priority date found in the box next to the property number is the information of the applicant we are currently considering for that vacancy.

How far up the list am I?

The housing register contains approximately 5800 people eligible to bid for properties advertised in Harlow Homefinder. With this number of people able to bid, each shortlist will vary, depending on who decides to make a bid. We do recommend that you use the feedback report as a guide to your position and to use this information to help you decide which properties to place bids on.

How long have I got to wait?

How long you will have to wait for public sector housing will vary from band to band. Higher priority bands will get housed quicker than lower bands even if they have been on the housing register for a shorter amount of time. There is no limit to the amount of time you have to wait before you will be housed nor is there currently any way of increasing your banding through waiting time alone. You may find that bidding on properties in less popular areas you are willing to consider may increase your chance of making a successful bid.

What type of property can I bid for?

You will be able to bid for any type of property but the following conditions apply:

• Property of a size that suits your assessed needs. So, a single person with no children or dependents would not normally be able to bid for a two bedroom property
• Specially adapted properties may be offered to those households with appropriate needs.
• Sheltered accommodation will be made available only for people who meet the age requirements.