Bidding on Properties Guide

What is a bid?

Placing a bid simply confirms that you are interested in an advertised property. No money is involved. Your position on the shortlist may change during the bidding cycle, and finishing at the top of the shortlist does not guarantee that you will be offered the property.

You can place a bid through your online account, by telephone, or in person at Lancaster or Morecambe Town Hall. Once you bid, you will be added to the property’s shortlist.

When can I start bidding?

You can start bidding as soon as your application has been made active. We will email you to confirm:

·       that your application is active;

·       the band you have been placed in; and

·       the number of bedrooms you are eligible to bid for.

How many bids can I make each week?

You can place up to two bids each week on properties you are eligible for. Please read the full property details before placing a bid.

When are properties advertised?

A bidding cycle is the period during which properties are advertised. Each cycle opens at midnight on Tuesday and closes at midnight on the following Monday.

Properties are not allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so there is no advantage in bidding as soon as the cycle opens at midnight.

You can bid at any point during the cycle. You may prefer to wait until Monday, when the bids already placed can give you a better indication of your likely shortlist position.

How is the shortlist ordered?

Your shortlist position depends on:

·       the band priority for the property;

·       your own band; and

·       how long you have been waiting in that band.

Example: a property prioritised to Band B
Applicants are shortlisted in this order: band B, band A, band C, band D, band E, and then band F. If more than one band B applicant bids, priority is given to the applicant who has been waiting longest in band B.

Example: a property prioritised to Band C
Applicants are shortlisted in this order: band C, band A, band B, band D, band E, and then band F. If more than one band C applicant bids, priority is given to the applicant who has been waiting longest in band C.

Can I change my bids?

You can withdraw an existing bid and place a new one at any time while the properties are still being advertised.

Auto-bidding

If you cannot bid for yourself and do not have a family member, friend or advocate who can bid on your behalf, you may be able to use our auto-bidding scheme. Bids will be placed for you at the end of each bidding cycle, based on the areas you have said you would consider.

Example: You only want properties in Branksome, Hala, and Newton. Auto-bidding will only place bids on properties in those areas.

Advertised properties

A landlord may withdraw a property if it is no longer available to let. Do not give notice on your current accommodation, end an existing tenancy or book removals until the landlord has confirmed that the property is ready for you to move into.