How To Use The Service

 

Step 1 - Registration

Step 2 - Choosing

Step 3 - Offer

Step 4 - Feedback

 

Step 1- Registration

You will be able to apply for properties through Tandridge HomeChoice if you are a housing applicant and have registered on the housing register. To join the housing register, please complete this online registration form.

After completing your application form you will need to provide the following by uploading the documents through your account:

Proof of identity for all household members (passports, birth certificates)

Proof of current address  (such as recent utility bill)

Evidence of your right to reside in the UK if you are not a British Citizen (passport, visa & other relevant Home Office documentation)

You can do this on page 17 "Required documents" of the Social housing application or using the "Upload/Review documents" link on your my account page.

Firstly click "Select one or more files to upload" and select the relevant document or drag and drop the file into the relevant box. Following this you will need to select the document type from the dropdown box for example "Proof of ID". Finally click "Upload" to submit your documents. 

When you are accepted on to the housing register we will write to tell you:

  • Your housing application number
  • The band your application has been placed in and your priority date. 

You must update your application online if there are any changes in your circumstances so that we can reassess your application and if necessary make changes to your band and priority date.

Property size

You will only be eligible for properties that are suitable for the size of your family. This table tells you how we normally decide on the number of bedrooms that you are eligible for;


Because of the shortage of larger properties, applicants who are eligible for four bedroom properties may also be offered large three bedroom properties on occasions.

Children will not usually be expected to share a bedroom where they are of opposite sex and at least one of them is over 10 years old.

A separate bedroom is required for each member of the household over the age of 18 (except partners and same sex siblings)

Eligibility for certain vacancies.

  • Houses
    Priority for houses will be given to households with at least one dependent child under 16 years of age.
  • Ground floor flats
    Priority for ground floor flats will be given to applicants who have been awarded priority for this type of property on medical grounds unless there is no suitable applicant with medical priority.
  • Sheltered housing
    Applicants for sheltered housing must normally be aged 65 or over.  Before an applicant is offered sheltered housing, an assessment will also be undertaken to determine the applicant's suitability for sheltered housing and whether they are likely to benefit from the support available.
Step 2- Choosing

Advertising properties

Properties are advertised each week (the week begins on a Friday) under property search.

The adverts tell you the landlord, location, size, rent and other features of the property to help you decide which properties are right for you.

Where available a photograph of the property or a similar house type is provided and you can access information about the local area and facilities.

The advert also tells you if there are any special requirements that the applicant must meet, such as age requirements and which band will be given priority for the property. If you are not in the band stated you may still apply for the property providing it is suitable for your family size.

A range of symbols are used to tell you about the property;

Expressing your interest in a property

To apply for a property, you must tell us that you wish to be considered for it by bidding. You may only apply for a property that is suitable for your family size. In some circumstances it may be possible to apply for a smaller property than you are entitled to as long as this does not result in overcrowding.

You can express your interest or bid by logging on to your property search. You will be able to bid for a maximum of 3 properties during the time they are advertised (00:00 Friday Morning to 11:59 the following Wednesday night). Bids will not be accepted after midnight on a Wednesday.

 

Step 3 - Offer

All bids received will be put in priority order to produce a list of eligible applicants for each property advertised.

If your name is at the top of the list (which would mean you are in the highest band and have been waiting the longest) you will normally be invited to view the property unless there are reasons why we are unable to do this, for example, you have rent arrears or the Council is taking legal action against you for breaching a tenancy condition. You will be asked to provide documentation and information so that we can validate your application.

If we are unable to offer the property to the applicant at the top of the list we will move to the next applicant and so on.

If you decide to refuse the property it will be offered to the next person on the priority list. Your priority date will be reduced if you refuse two offers of accommodation.

If you are offered a property you will not be short listed for other properties until you have decided to either accept or refuse the offer. 

If you accept the property you will be advised when you can move in. You will also be given an appointment to view the property and you will sign a tenancy agreement.  You will normally get the keys to your property on the Friday before your tenancy starts.

If you are offered a property with one of our Housing Association partners, they will contact you directly to discuss viewing arrangements

 

Step 4 - Feedback

We publish information about homes that have been successfully let. We tell you the number of applicants that bid for the property, the band and priority date of the successful applicants under Property Search- Recent Lets.

This information will give you a better idea of how popular a particular property or area is and how long you would normally have to wait. You can then decide whether to look for other types of property or areas where you may not have to wait as long.

Unfortunately it will not be possible to give you individual feedback due to the numbers involved.

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