Step 5: The bidding cycle
The bidding cycle
You can bid for a council housing property after we confirm that you are eligible.
Before you bid, you must apply for council housing. Once you receive a letter or email from us confirming your eligibility, you can register your online account and start bidding.
Register your account
You need to register your account before you can bid for a property.
Register through My Housing Tenancy. This lets you sign in to your account, search for properties and place bids.
If you are bidding for the first time, use the button below.
Register and bid for a property for the first time
If you have problems registering, read how to register for bidding for the first time.
When you can bid
A bidding cycle runs from 10.00am on Thursday to 11.57pm the following Tuesday.
You cannot bid for a property after 11.57pm on Tuesday.
We use Wednesdays for administration. The next bidding cycle starts at 10.00am on Thursday, when a new set of properties becomes available.
You can bid at any time during the bidding cycle. Properties are not allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Search and bid for a property
Sign in to your account to search for properties and place a bid.
Sign in and bid for a property
You can bid for one property each week. You can move your bid to a different property during the same bidding cycle.
If you have problems with your password, read how to reset your password.
You can also make an enquiry about an application.
What the property adverts contains
Here is an example of a property advert you may see on the advertising cycle:
Adverts may include restrictions or conditions, such as:
- age restrictions
- the number of dependants or occupants allowed
- whether pets are allowed
- whether you need to work a minimum number of hours
Read the advert carefully before you bid. If you can, visit the area to make sure you would be happy to live there.
Tips for bidding
Bid every week
You are allowed to bid for one property every week.
You may not be successful straight away. There are many more people on the housing register than there are homes available.
Bidding every week may help you get a property more quickly than bidding less often.
Set aside time each week to bid. You may want to set a reminder on your phone.
Bid online
You need to go online to search for properties. We do not publish the list of properties anywhere else.
You can search and bid using a smartphone, tablet or computer.
If you do not have internet access, you can use a computer at a local library.
Check that you are eligible
You can only make one bid each week, so check that the property is right for you before you bid.
The online system will stop you from bidding for some properties you are clearly not eligible for. It does not cover every restriction.
This means you may not be eligible for every property the system lets you bid for.
If you are the successful bidder and we find that you are not eligible, we will disregard your bid. You will need to bid again in the next bidding cycle.
Be flexible
Try to be flexible about the types of property and areas you would live in.
You may be more likely to get a property sooner if you are open-minded about:
- the area
- the number of rooms
- which floor the property is on
Only bid if you would accept the property
Only bid for a property if you would be willing to live there.
If you refuse an offer that we, or the relevant housing association, believe is reasonable, you may be removed from the housing register.
If this happens, you would need to make a new housing register application. If your new application is successful, you would get a new banding date.
We do not consider it reasonable to refuse a property because you decide you do not like the area.
Check waiting list figures
Each month, we publish figures showing the number of applicants on the waiting list for council housing.
The figures are broken down by band and bedroom need. They can help you understand how long you may need to wait for housing.