Dudley

Step 2 - Choosing

Advertising Properties

Properties are advertised each week. They are advertised in the following ways:

• Online at www.Dudleyathome.org.uk
• In a newsletter available from Dudley Council Plus and Libraries

• For vulnerable customers we also offer a case management service, which will be discussed at your application interview

The adverts will tell you the landlord, location, size, rent and other features of the property.

Where available a photograph of the property or similar house type will be provided, and you will be able to 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.

For some properties the advert will state which band will have preference. If no bids are received from that band the property may be offered to somebody from another band.

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

			The number of bedrooms in the property
			The property advertised is sheltered
			The minimum age that an applicant must be to apply for the property (age restriction will be displayed within the icon when viewed on the Property website or the Newsletter)
			The property has its own garden, a shared garden or a communal garden
			The property has a hardstanding or off-road parking is available
			Pets are allowed within reason or pets are not allowed
			The property has a garage
			The property advertised is supported housing
			The property has a level access shower
			The property has a stair lift, or vertical lift or a wheelchair lift
			The property has been advertised in a previous cycle and received no bids. The property will now be allocated to the first person to bid
			The property is wheelchair accessible or has been adapted and priority will be given to households assessed as needing these adaptations
			These properties are available for immediate rent to potential tenants

Expressing Your Interest in a Property

To apply for a property you must tell us that you wish to be considered for it. You may only apply for a property that is suitable for your family size. Click Allocations policy for further information on households and property eligibility.
You can express your interest or bid, as it is also known, in one of the following ways:

• Online through our website. Login using your housing application number and the date of birth of the main applicant or via our app for mobile devices.
• By telephoning our 24hr automated bidding line on 0845 270 1519
• By texting 07781 486 584
• By using computers at Libraries and Dudley Council Plus. Our staff will be happy to show you how to do this.
• By Digi TV - available on interactive Digi TV via local cable networks
• For more information please see our leaflet titled Viewing and Applying for Properties by clicking here 

Properties available to rent are advertised from midnight on a Wednesday to midnight the following Monday every week.

You will be able to bid for a maximum of 3 properties during the time they are advertised. Bids will not be accepted after midnight on a Monday. You will only be able to bid for a property that is suitable for your family size.

Please be aware that if you bid for a property that is larger than required for your needs you may be subject to under occupation charges (shortfall of housing benefit).

To bid for a property you must:

• Be registered with the Dudley Housing Register
• Have a live application (if your application is deferred you will be unable to bid unless you have been deferred for refusing 3 reasonable offers in which case you will only be able to bid for properties that have previously been advertised and have no suitable bidders).
• Not have a current offer outstanding

You should only bid for properties which you would consider moving to and you do not have to bid for properties each cycle.

 Refusing a property

If after bidding for a property you then refuse unreasonably, we will:

• Suspend your application for the following two cycles. This will also be counted as an unreasonable refusal.
• Defer your application after 3 unreasonable refusals. You will be unable to bid for properties for 6 months.
• Defer your application after 2 no responses. Your application will be deferred and you will be unable to bid for properties for 12 months.

Properties Currently Available

To find out the properties currently available click Property Search.

Helping You to Use the Service

If you or someone you know would like help to use our service, please contact Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345.