How the successful applicant is selected

At the end of each weekly advertising cycle, a list of eligible bids for each advertised home is produced. The list will usually order applicants by the band that their application has been placed in and how long they have been waiting (their effective date). However, if the advert included preferences or priorities these will be taken into account.

You can find out your position on the list of people who have bid for a home by logging into the Homefinder Somerset website and selecting Feedback. This will show you any 'active' bids for homes still being advertised, as well as bids you have made for homes that have previously been advertised.

Once the advertising cycle has ended the landlord of the home will then carry out a number of checks on the top applicant. This may include checking:

• Your circumstances have not changed from the information we hold for you
• Your rent payments are up to date
• Any anti-social behaviour
• Medical history
• Whether you match any requirements for the property (e.g. whether you have a local connection to the local area or whether you have a need for a home that has been adapted)

If you are at the top of the list you will normally be invited to view the home unless the landlord discovers reasons why you shouldn't be offered the home. For example, if you have rent arrears or have been guilty of anti-social behaviour. If the landlord is unable to offer the home to you they will move to the next applicant on the list and so on.

Please contact the landlord of the property if you have any queries about the shortlisting for a home.

If you decide to refuse the home it will be offered to the next applicant on the list. If you refuse 3 properties your case will be reviewed. You will be advised that if you refuse another offer you will be suspended from bidding for 3 months. 

If you have been accepted as homeless by a Somerset local authority you should always seek advice before refusing a home, as this could end any duty to provide you with a home.

When the home is ready you will be contacted to arrange to sign the tenancy agreement and collect the keys.

If you are successful in being offered a property, a landlord may require you to move in a matter of days (it can be up to 4 weeks).  It is important that you are ready to move.  Up to 4 weeks rent in advance may be required to secure your tenancy, so it is advisable to save and prepare for this.