Frequently asked questions
Included below are a number of questions we are asked on a regular basis.
If you have other questions please contract us. If you have an issue the likelihood is that other applicants may have the same issue and we can add new FAQ's to help you and others
I have been told I am not entitled to join Homefinder, why is this?
Can Homefinder help me search and bid for suitable properties?
I am aged 40 can I bid for a bungalow?
I have been told that a property has been let on a 'direct let' basis, what is this?
How long will i have to wait to be rehoused through homefinder?
Why can I only bid for 2 properties?
I have been rehoused through Homefinder but I want to move again
I disagree with a decision Homefinder has made, how do I request a review?
Local Lettings Policy for Charlotte Gardens, Sutton in Ashfield
I have been told I am not entitled to join Homefinder, why is this?
The letter you will have received should explain the reason why you are not able to join the Housing Register. It may be that your immigration status means you are not eligible or it may be that your past behaviour makes you unsuitable to be a tenant. There are a number of other reasons that mean you are not able to join, these are explained in the Lettings Policy. If you disagree with the decision you have the right to request a review. How to do this should be explained in the letter you receive, normally we would ask you to put your reasons in writing and submit this to us within 21 days of the original decision.
Can Homefinder help me search and bid for suitable properties?
If you do not have internet access or you are unable to search anf bid for properties becuase of a mental or physical illness please advise us. Most applicants who can't search and bid for properties themselves have family or friends who can do it on their behalf. For those that don't Homefinder can assist by posting thr adverts to you, bidding for properties on your behalf or making other adjustments to help you actively participate.
I am aged 40 can I bid for a bungalow?
Most of the Homefinder landlords have mimimum age requirements for their bungalows. A small number will be made available to applicants aged 18+ or 40+ but most will be advertised to applicants aged 55+ or older. In excpetional circumstances an applicant below the minimum age can be considered. This will normally only be when there is clear eivdence to show the applicant's needs can only be met by this type of accommodation.
I have been told that a property has been let on a 'direct let' basis, what is this?
On occasions, because of the exceptional needs of an applicant or the exceptional features of a property, an applicant may be offered a direct let. In these circumstances a direct offer of a property is made to the applicant without the property being available for other applicants to bid for. Homefinder partners to try to keep direct lets to a minimum as we are keen for as many properties as possible to be advertised through the scheme. An example of when a direct let may be offered is with property with specialist adaptations that make it suitable for a disabled applicant.
How long will I have to wait to be rehoused through Homefinder?
That is a very difficult question. We prioritise applicants on thier basis of their housing need and so those in band 1 will always feature higher on the match list for a property and be rehoused sooner than those in band 5. Some properties are very popular and will attract a high number of bids from applicants in each band. Others will attract fewer bids, improving the chances of you featuring higher on the match list and being offered the property. We would encourage all applicants to manage their bids during the advertising cycle, moving them so that you feature as high as possible when bidding closes.
Why can I only bid for 2 properties?
The demand for properties from applicants far exceeds the supply of available homes. Some property types regularly receive over 100 bids. If we allows applicants to have an unlimited number of bids it would simply increase the size of each match list and would be of little benefit to applicants and the partners who administer the scheme.
I have been rehoused through Homefinder but I want to move again
If you were rehoused through Homefinder more than 2 years ago you can reapply to join. Use your original log in reference number and complete a new online Housing Application form. If you have been rehoused within the last 2 years you can only rejoin homefinder if you have a need for rehousing, for example if you need to move because you are overcrowded or you have a welfare or medical need for rehousing.
I disagree with a decision Homefinder has made, how do I request a review?
You can request a review of any decision relating to your Housing Application, for example a decision to exclude you from the Housing Register or your priority banding. Simply put your reasons in writing and message, email or post this to Homefinder. We normally ask that any request to review is made within 21 days of the original decision. If you submit new information in support of your review then it may be more appropriate to reassess rather than review your application. We will advise you of the out of any review or reassessment.
There is a Local Lettings Policy for Charlotte Gardens, Sutton in Ashfield, what is this?
Local Lettings Policies are commonly used on new housing developments.