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• What is Homes in the City?
  Homes in the City is a new way of letting homes owned by Wolverhampton City Council and by Housing Associations. Available homes are advertised on our website and in local housing offices. Those who have joined Homes in the City can make a bid for properties in which they are interested.
• Who runs Homes in the City?
  Homes in the City is operated by Wolverhampton Homes and the tenant management organisations - Springfield Horseshoe HC, New Park Village TMC, Dovecotes TMO and Bushbury Hill EMB.
• How do I join Homes in the City?
  The easiest way to join Homes in the City is to apply online. Alternatively you can call at your nearest housing office or contact us.
• Where will the properties be advertised?
  You can see currently advertised properties on this site. You can also view adverts at all housing offices in Wolverhampton.
• How do you assess applications?
  Your application will be assessed according to Wolverhampton City Council's Allocations Policy. Applicants join one of 5 bands depending on their level of housing need. Once your application is assessed we will write to you and tell you your band, registration date and application number.
• What are the bands?
  There are five bands, Emergency, 1, 2, 3 and 4. People in the Emergency band have the highest priority, Band 4 the lowest.
• How do you decide my band?
  You will be allocated a band according to criteria against which your application is assessed. For details on reasons see the Allocations Policy.
• Who can join Homes in the City?
  Wolverhampton City Council operates an open housing register; however people subject to immigration control or who are non-resident are not eligible. You may also be excluded from joining if someone in your household has been guilty of serious anti-social behaviour. For details see the Allocations Policy.
• I'm under 18, can I join Homes in the City?
  16 and 17 year olds may join Homes in the City but will not qualify for housing until the age of 18. There can be exceptions to this where a referral is made by the Wolverhampton Young Persons Accommodation Forum.
• What is bidding?
  Once you've found a suitable property within your band, you may want to begin 'bidding'. There is no exchange of money involved in the bidding process, it is simply a way to express your interest in a property. If you need help with bidding please see Assisted Bidding Guidance for Vulnerable People.
• How do I bid?
  Not only must you must be a member of Homes in the City, you'll also need to know your housing band. You can Log On now if there is a home you want to bid for. You can also bid by SMS text or use our automated telephone bid service. Some housing offices also have a computer terminal that you can use to access Homes in the City for yourself.
• What kind of home can I bid for?
  You can only bid for property types you are eligible for. For example a person living on their own can't bid for a family house, or a family with three children can't bid for a one bedroom flat. Some homes are also reserved for people of a particular age group or people who need an adapted property.
• How many bids can I make each week?
  There is a maximum limit of three bids per week.
• Can I change my bids?
  Yes. As long as bidding is open you can add or delete bids. Log On to your account now to update your bids.
• When can I bid?
  Properties are open for bids from 6pm Tuesday to 1pm the following Monday. Unfortunately, if you do not bid in time then you will not be considered for that home.
• Does it help if I'm first person to bid?
  Being the first to bid makes no difference at all to your final position.
• How do you decide who is the top bidder?
  The bidder in the highest band, with the highest level of need will be considered first. Where bidders have equal bands and equal reason then they will be considered in the order that they joined that band.
• How do you decide who is offered the property?
  Offers are made in accordance with the Council's Allocations Policy. This means we will normally offer the home to the top bidder unless there is a specific reason to turn them down.
• If I'm the top bidder, can I be turned down?
  Yes. You may be turned down for several reasons, including if you:

  • Have unpaid rent or other housing debts
  • Failed a pre-leaving inspection of your current home if you are a Council or Housing Association Tenant.
  • Cannot provide the evidence needed to support your application when we ask for it.
  • Have not told us of a change in your circumstances.
  • Have told us something misleading or incorrect, or failed to tell us something that would affect your application.
  • Do not meet a requirement of a local lettings variation or plan.
  • Are not eligible for the property type, size or age group.
  • Had legal action taken for breaking your tenancy if you are a Council or Housing Association tenant.
• What are local lettings plans or local lettings variations?
  This is where the Council has made a change to its Allocations Policy for a particular area or group of homes. When letting these homes the additional rules will be applied when considering bids. The difference is that a local lettings plan is temporary and a local lettings variation is long term.
• Will you tell me if I have been unsuccessful?
  No. But you can Log On to get personal feedback on your bids on this site.
• Where can I get feedback on previous adverts?
  We provide feedback about homes advertised in previous weeks. You can see which band the successful bidder was in, how long they had been in that band and how many bids were received for the property.
• What should I consider before I bid?
  • Are you ready to move? If a home is ready to let we expect you to move in immediately.
  • Can you afford to move? Bear in mind nearly all homes are let unfurnished, without carpets, curtains or appliances.
  • Is the home in the right street in an area with the facilities you want?
  • Is the home suitable for my needs?
  • If you have children are there places available in local schools?
• How long will it take before I am offered a property?
  We cant tell you how long it will be before you make a successful bid. Things which will affect the time it takes include:

  • The type and size of the home you need. Some types of home are in very short supply, for example 4, 5 & 6 bed houses.
  • Whether or not that type of home is available in the area you want and how often they become available.
  • The number of bids from other applicants.
  • The band you are in, the number of reasons you have to be in that band and the length of time you have been in that band.
• Why have I been waiting for so long?
  There is a very high demand for Council and Housing Association homes in Wolverhampton and far more people who want a home than there are homes available. Wolverhampton City Council is legally obliged to take account of people in the greatest housing need which means people with lower needs will usually have to wait longer.
• What can I do to improve my chances?
  Remember you can bid for a home anywhere within the City of Wolverhampton and the more flexible you are with your bids the greater your chance of success. Things you can do include:

  • Bid in a wide range of areas
  • Bid in areas where we have lots of homes
  • Bid in areas where lots of homes become available to let
  • Bid in areas where there are lower numbers of other bidders
  • Use as many of your bids as you can every week - but please only bid on homes that you would actually accept
• What if I am homeless or at risk of becoming homeless?
  Look at our section on Housing Advice.
• Can I help family or friends with Homes in the City?
  We know that not everybody has access to the internet or is comfortable using a computer. If this is the case you can help a friend or family member to join or make bids on Homes in the City. It is important that you have their permission and you explain everything to them during the application and bidding process. If someone needs additional help see Inclusion and vulnerable groups.
• My circumstances have changed, what should I do?
  You must contact us straight away whenever your circumstances change. This includes things such as changes of address or people joining or leaving your household.
• Can I get help paying the rent?
  Depending on your income you may be able claim Housing Benefit. For an estimate use the online benefits calculator.
• If you offer me a home can I look round it before I decide?
  Yes. You will be given an accompanied viewing before you make your mind up.
• What if I have a medical condition?
  If you have a long term medical condition this can be taken into account. The key thing is whether there is medical evidence that it is made worse by your present accommodation. If you are unwell but your housing makes no difference to your illness then you will not be awarded any medical priority.
• I am disabled, can I get help finding a suitable home?
  There is help for people with disabilities, see Inclusion and vulnerable groups.
• What is a tenant management organisation (TMO)?
  A TMO is an organisation set up by tenants and leaseholders to manage their own homes on behalf of the Council. TMOs can also be know as EMB (estate management board), TMC (tenant management co-operative) or a Housing Co-operative. There are four TMOs in Wolverhampton - Springfield Horseshoe Housing Co-operative, New Park Village TMC, Dovecotes TMO and Bushbury Hill EMB.
• Can I keep my old registration date?
  If you were on the old housing waiting list and re-registered for Homes in the City when we contacted you then you will keep your original registration date. If you did not re-register at the time then your registration date will be the date you joined Homes in the City.
• How do I request a review of a decision?
  To request a review you must contact your local housing office within 21 days of the date you are notified of the decision and the reason for it. You may provide additional information in writing that you wish to be taken into account when the review is carried out. You will normally be advised of the outcome of the review within 8 weeks.
• What is a local connection?
  1 in 4 homes are reserved for bidders with a local connection - this will be stated in the advert. The Allocations Policy defines what counts as a local connection.
• Can I have more than one local connection?
  There are 42 local connection areas but you will only be awarded a local connection to one of these. When you join Homes in the City you can choose the one area you wish to claim a local connection to.