Things to think about before you bid

What homes can I bid for?
You can only bid for homes of a type and size that are suitable for your needs. The size of accommodation that you can bid for will depend on the number of people and relationships within your household, including the age and sex of the children.

What if a home has a mobility sign?
You can bid but we will give priority to those people whose needs match the adaptations that may already be in the home. Please look out for mobility signs on the property adverts. We will also say what type of adaptation is in the home.

What if a home has an age limit?
Some homes, for example sheltered housing, have an age limit of 60 and over (this means that if you are younger than 60 your bid will not be accepted). Please look out for age limits on the property adverts.

What if I have pets?
Pets are not allowed in some of the homes we advertise. Usually pets are not allowed in high storey flats or large blocks of flats that do not have a garden. Each of our housing-association partners also has different policies to do with pets. You may want to check before bidding. Please look out for pet signs on the property adverts.

What if I decide I am no longer interested in a home I have bid for?
You can decide that you are no longer interested, but time is wasted when you bid on homes that you know you aren’t really interested in. Before you bid on a home, ask yourself if you would live in it if we offered it to you. If the answer it ‘yes’, then bid, if the answer is ‘no’ please do not bid.

Please make sure that you only bid for homes that you would really like to live in. Check out the area where the home is by looking on a map or by visiting the area and make sure it has all the facilities you might need, for example schools or health-care centres.

There will be some exceptions, for example if you have medical needs and depending on what is available.

Reasons why you may not be invited to view a home
If you are a ‘transfer’ customer on the housing register, you may not be invited if:
• your property has not passed a ‘home inspection’; or
• you owe us money.

If you are a ‘Homeseeker’ on the housing register, you may not be invited if:
• you owe us or any other landlord money.
You may not be invited to view a home until the debt has been paid. For more information please phone Stoke on Call on 01782 232126.

What type of property an I eligible for?
Singles and couples
A bedsit or flat with one to three bedrooms. (If you are 60 or over you will also be eligible for bungalows and sheltered properties)

Families with one child:
Two bedrooms

Families with two children of the same sex where the age gap between the two children is less that seven years:
Two bedrooms

Families with two children of the opposite sex where the older child is seven years or over:
Three bedrooms

Families with two children of the same sex where the age gap between the children is seven years or more:
Three bedrooms

Larger families according to numbers, ages and the sex of children using the conditions explained above:
Four bedrooms and over