Step 5: The bidding cycle

Number of properties you can bid for

You will be able to have only one active bid per advertising cycle. However, you can change a bid for a property as many times as you like in that cycle.

Your position after bidding

We are unable to advise you of your bidding position. Properties are not allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. If you are successful for a property, you will be informed.

If you are able to place a bid for a property in the following cycle, it is likely you have not been successful for the property.

We do not expect you to bid every week as this has no effect on your banding and you should only bid on properties you are willing to move into. 

Bidding early in the weekly bidding cycle

The time that you place your bid during the bidding cycle does not affect how you are prioritised for housing, irrespective of whether you bid in the beginning of the cycle or right at the end.

Your position in the queue when the bidding cycle ends depends first on the housing band you are in and then on your banding date. However, there may also be occasions when we need to withdraw a property from the bidding process.

Changing your mind after bidding on a property

You can move your bid from one property to another at any time during the bidding cycle. Whichever property your bid is placed on at any given time is called your 'active' bid. At midnight on Tuesday your one bid can only be active on one property. This is the bid we will take into consideration when we are allocating properties. You will not be able to move your bid after midnight on a Tuesday.

Having issues placing a bid

There are some reasons you might have a problem with bidding. 

You have not registered your account

Every applicant needs to register their account in order to bid for properties. You will need to click on ‘Register and bid for the first time’, which will follow on the registering page. If you are having issues with registering, see how to register for the first time. 

There are no properties that you can see when you click on ‘Place a bid’ 

This is because there are no properties that you are eligible for in the cycle. Just in case, it is recommended to refresh the page for good measure.  

We are having issues with the bidding site

If we do have an issue with the bidding site, we will provide an update on our council housing webpage as soon as we can. 

You don’t have a live application

You cannot bid if you have not made an application for housing. If you have made an application, your application might be cancelled or suspended. 

If you still have issues bidding, email housing@swindon.gov.uk.

If you don’t have access to a computer

We advise you to ask your family, friends or support worker to place a bid on your behalf.

Deciding who is offered a property

Once the closing date for bids has passed, a shortlist of interested applicants is drawn up. The shortlist is in order of eligibility according to the criteria stated in the advert details for that property. If you are successful for a property, you will be informed by the landlord of the property you have bid for, the council or its housing association partner's lettings team.

Further checks will be required before any offer is made to ensure you still meet the required criteria.

Giving notice on your current property if you have been shortlisted

If you are a Swindon Borough Council tenant and are offered a property in writing, you will need to give at least four weeks’ notice to end or terminate your current tenancy.

If you are a housing association tenant, you should contact your current landlord for more information.

If you are in a privately rented property, you should contact your current landlord for more information. This will be outlined in your tenancy agreement.

Bidding if you have been shortlisted

If you are shortlisted for a property, you will not be allowed to bid for other properties until an outcome has been decided.

Changing your mind about a property you have been shortlisted for

Once you are shortlisted, refusing the property you have bid for could mean you are no longer eligible to bid for other properties.

The tenancy types offered

We will offer new tenants a one-year introductory tenancy. This is followed by a secure tenancy. For more information, see our information on tenancy agreements for council homes.

A housing association typically offers a one-year starter tenancy at the beginning of your tenancy. For more information about housing association tenancies, you should visit their website or get in touch with them. You can also view the directory of Swindon housing associations.

Paying rent in advance

As well as signing a tenancy agreement, you will need to pay rent in advance to secure the property.

• If you intend to pay weekly, you will need to pay one week's rent in advance
• If you intend to pay fortnightly, you will need to pay a fortnight's rent in advance
• If you intend to pay monthly, you will need to pay a month’s rent in advance

You will also still need to pay rent in advance if you receive Universal Credit or Housing Benefit.