Allocating Properties
Once the advertising cycle has closed the property is allocated to the successful bidder, this page explains how this process takes place and how you can find out about the bids you have made.
- How will properties be let?
- When will I know if my bid has been successful?
- When will I be able to view the property?
- How will I know what happened to the properties I bid for?
- What if my circumstances change?
How will properties be let?
Once the advertising cycle has closed a shortlist is made of all applicants who have made a bid for that property. The shortlist is produced according to the advertised band and date of application/priority date. If an applicant refuses the property it will be offered to the next applicant on the shortlist, this will continue until the property is accepted.
There are no penalties for refusing an offer unless as a result of a direct offer or if you have been accepted as statutorily homeless by Durham County Council Housing Solutions Team, in such cases more information is available from any Durham Key Options partner landlord office.
Please think very carefully before refusing an offer, as some types of properties do not become available very often and you may not be as successful in subsequent bidding cycles. If you are shortlisted and offered a property, you will not be able to bid for any more properties until you have decided whether or not to accept the offer.
When will I know if my bid has been successful?
The successful applicant will be contacted as soon as possible after the weekly cycle ends. If you are not contacted within a week of the close of bidding you have not been successful this time. Keep bidding until you are contacted with an offer.
When will I be able to view the property?
Following an offer, a viewing will be arranged as soon as possible.
How will I know what happened to the properties I bid for?
Each week Durham Key Options will publish feedback about the properties that have been let. This will help you decide which properties to bid for, by giving you a better idea of how popular a particular property or area is and how long you would normally have to wait and is available on the Durham Key Options website at www.durhamkeyoptions.co.uk and in the Durham Key Options property magazine.
Based on this information, you may then decide to look for other property types or areas where you may not have to wait as long. The feedback information will tell you the following about each property:
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Street and/or area
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Property type
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Number of bedrooms
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Number of applicants that bid for the property
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Whether the property was covered by a Local Lettings Policy (details can be found on the Durham Key Options website and on the Local Lettings Policies page).
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The band, application date/priority date of the successful applicant.
Feedback on which band a property was offered to may vary where the property was let to an applicant from a band not advertised. An example of this would be where no applicants in the advertised bands made a bid and the property therefore went to a lower band.
What if my circumstances change?
Applicants must advise Durham Key Options of any change of circumstances that may affect their banding placement. If an offer of a property is made based on inaccurate or out of date information provided by the applicant that offer may be withdrawn.
