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A1 Housing / Bassetlaw

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Choice Based Lettings?

Bassetlaw District Council allocates properties by a Choice Based Lettings system (CBL).

The principle is to advertise available properties and give applicants requiring accommodation the opportunity to be actively involved in getting a home in their area of choice.

2. What is HomeFinder?

HomeFinder is the name of Bassetlaw District Council’s Choice Based Lettings Scheme, which will be managed by Bassetlaw District Council.

3. What are Lettings Bands?

Applicants on the housing register are placed in one of five lettings bands depending on their housing need

Band A – Applicants with Severe/Urgent needs for re-housing

Band B – Applicants with High housing needs

Band C – Applicants with Some housing needs

Band D – Applicants with Low housing needs

Band E – Applicants that meet the local connection criteria 

Band F - All other applicants

4. What if I don’t agree with the band I’ve been awarded?

If you do not agree with the band you have been awarded you should contact Bassetlaw District Council Customer Services on 0800 590542, so we can discuss your housing application and make sure
we are aware of all your circumstances and if necessary, check that we have all the supporting documentation required

5. How will I know when properties are available?

Properties are advertised each week starting Thursday and closing the following Tuesday. The adverts will tell you about the size, type and location of the property, usually with a photograph.

The adverts will be available at various points throughout Bassetlaw and on this website

6. How can I bid (express an interest) in a property?

‘Bidding’ for a HomeFinder property means an applicant expressing an interest in an available property, it does not mean a financial bid.

There are several ways to ‘bid’ for a property, including bidding on this website, in person at one of the Bassetlaw District Council Property Shops at Retford or Worksop, or by a dedicated 24 hour phone line
08452 304365

You can express an interest in up to a maximum of 3 properties each week.

7. Does it matter when I bid?

No. You can bid at any time within each weekly letting cycle.  The time the bid is received in each cycle has no bearing on the selection process.

You cannot bid once the lettings cycle has closed

8. Am I able to monitor my position on the shortlist?

You are able to view your current position on the website or enquire at one of our Property Shops. However your position may change throughout the bidding cycle as other applicants bid.

9. How will I be allocated a property?

Once the bidding cycle has closed the HomeFinder team will offer the property to the first eligible person.

Prior to the offer of accommodation, further checks will be carried out to make sure all information on your housing application is correct and up-to-date.

10. How will I know if I have been successful?

Successful applicants will be contacted shortly after the closing date to arrange an accompanied viewing of the property.

If you like the property you will be asked to sign up for the tenancy.

If you have been given Band A or Band B priority status and refuse a property your priority status may be cancelled.

11. How will I know if I’m unsuccessful?

Unsuccessful applicants are not contacted.

However the results of allocations are published so you can see the banding and waiting time of the successful applicant and get an indication of how long you may have to wait for a
particular locality/dwelling type.

12. Do I have to be 60 years or over to qualify for a bungalow or senior citizen flat?

Yes. Bungalows or senior citizen flats will normally only be allocated to applicants 60 years or over.

13. How are properties allocated?

Properties are allocated to applicants who have expressed an interest in the property in band (Housing Need) order:-

Band A – Applicants with SEVERE/URGENT housing needs

Band B – Applicants with HIGH housing needs

Band C – Applicants with SOME housing needs

Band D – Applicants with LOW housing needs

Band E – Applicants that meet the local connection criteria 

Band F - All other applicants

14. Do I have to pay rent in advance?

New tenants, not entitled to benefits, are required to pay the first week's rent when they receive the keys at the tenancy Sign-Up interview. This will enable the rent account to be set up
without showing any arrears.

For new tenants on benefits a calculation will be made to assess Housing Benefit eligibility. If part entitlement to Housing Benefit is indicated, the new tenant will be asked to pay the
outstanding rent due, plus £2 to allow for variance, until the actual benefit amount is confirmed.

15. I have tried to Log onto the HomeFinder Website using my personal Log in details but it will not let me in. What am I doing wrong?

If you have an existing Housing Application with Bassetlaw District Council you will have been sent your own personal Login details to access and bid for properties.

Please make sure you are entering your details correctly, particularly your Pin which is the Primary Applicant’s date of birth. You must enter it as follows DD/MM/YYYY.  
For example 15/02/1938 otherwise it will not be recognised.

If your housing application is suspended for any reason the Website will tell you this and that you must have an active Housing Application in order to view and bid for properties.

16. If I am successful in my bid when will I be contacted?

You will be contacted within a few days of the closing date.

General Needs Applicants

If you are a general needs applicant we will contact you by text message to invite you to a viewing.  When you receive our text message you need to contact us on 0800 590542 to
let us know you will be attending the viewing.

Senior Citizen Applicants

If you are a senior citizen applicant we will contact you by your preferred method of contact as given on your housing application form to invite you to a viewing.

Have we got your correct contact details?

If not please contact us on 0800 590542

 

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