Step 6: Shortlisting

Once bidding has closed, a shortlist will be produced that lists applicants in order of the highest band followed by banding date.

If you are shortlisted, you will receive a letter from us to confirm and any successful bidder will be unable to place any further bids. 

At the shortlisting stage, the council or relevant housing association will contact the shortlisted applicants for each property. They may also arrange a home visit as necessary to complete a pre-tenancy assessment. If applicable, they will offer the applicant a viewing date and time. The offer of a viewing does not constitute an offer of accommodation.

If a council property is accepted and the keys are available, the tenancy will normally commence on a Monday. This can vary with other housing associations. 

Applicants who advise the council or housing association that they no longer wish to be considered for a property and who would potentially have been made an offer, should be aware that this will be classed as a refusal. 

If the offer of accommodation is refused by the applicant, the next eligible bidder will be shortlisted.

Affordability assessment

Any formal offer of accommodation will be subject to an affordability assessment carried out by the landlord. If the assessment indicates that you are not able to afford the tenancy, the offer will not proceed. 

If an affordability assessment is not passed, applicants will be referred to our Green light to housing programme. Applications will be suspended whilst you engage on the programme until they are reassessed as being able to afford a tenancy.

If the applicant engages with the programme, once they are assessed as being able to afford a tenancy, their application will be reinstated with their original banding date if your housing circumstances and need remains the same. If you fail to engage within a three month timescale from being referred to the programme, the application will be reviewed and maybe cancelled.