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Original poster

I've won a bid on a council house - what happens next?

80 replies

WaitAMinnow · 07/04/2022 06:38

I'd be so grateful for some advice on this, please do let me know if it's needs to be moved.

I won a bid on a HA property last night. I haven't had an email or notification to say that but my shortlist position is 1.

What happens next? Can someone else be offered it above me or will that only happen if I decline it (I won't - it's perfect for my DD and I).

How quickly do the council get in touch if I have won? Am I allowed to view the property and how long before I potentially get the keys?

I am so excited but nervous. My DD and I escaped DV last year and have been crashing with my parents. I earn ok but FT nursery fees mean that renting a house privately in the area where my support network are is just never going to happen and this house is less than 2 miles from my parents!

OP posts:
Original poster
WaitAMinnow · 07/04/2022 06:39

Edited to say that I'm trying to add a screenshot but I'm unable to Confused

OP posts:
Hippywannabe · 07/04/2022 06:49

Just wanted to say that I am excited for you. No idea on the process but have a child currently in b and b awaiting housing.
Keeping all crossed for you.

MancInSpanx · 07/04/2022 06:54

I waited about 4 weeks for them to get in touch with me, i rang a couple of times but they said the admin takes ages and just need to wait. I wasn’t able to see it until the day I moved in but once it was empty I went and had a good look
Through the windows. Then once they’d gotten j. Touch with me to confirm I was successful it was probably another 8 weeks before I got the keys as they had work to do on the property. In that time I started getting things like kitchen stuff, ordered beds, settee etc.

Not sure if you know but it’ll probably have totally bare floors as they strip all the flooring out for ‘health and safety’ which is a shame cuz when I left I’d carpeted upstairs and had lovely
Laminate laid and it all got put in a skip. So just start making enquires, I asked for floor and window measurements so I could order the flooring and curtains but they wouldn’t give them to me in case they were wrong about it so once I had the keys I didn’t move in for a few weeks as I had to wait for everything be ready.

But good luck OP! There’s such a stigma around council
Housing but my house saved me, I came from a similar background (not DV but every other kind of abuse) and was living with my parents with my DS in a tiny box room. Getting that house was such a turning point, I was so proud to have a place just for us and we made lovely memories in that house

swapsicles · 07/04/2022 06:54

They should contact you pretty soon, to arrange a viewing, I had to make a decision there and then, there's no time to go away and think so be prepared for that.
Once you've said yes then things move quickly and you'll be in before you know it!
Congratulations!

SniffMyQuiffyHair · 07/04/2022 07:19

No idea but congratulations!

HousingOne · 07/04/2022 07:30

Fingers crossed. Length of time can vary massively. Some will advertise when it is on notice so there is that time, plus the void time to cover any work that needs doing, or somewhere in between or even once it is ready to let.

As to how soon they go through the shortlist that varies as well. Unfortunately no one can tell you how quickly your particular HA will take. Hope you hear soon though.

cantcope88 · 07/04/2022 07:30

Good luck OP.

Our HA bids close on a Tuesday night at midnight, the successful applicant is contacted on the following Tuesday. An “interview” takes place via telephone to ensure you want the property. A viewing is then booked normally within a few days, if you want it the keys are handed there and then to start your new life.

As others has said, you will need flooring and in our area there’s a wait due to supply chain issues etc

GoodnightJude1 · 07/04/2022 07:33

My friends daughter recently won a bid on a property. It was a new build so she had to wait about 6 weeks for the property to be ready for her to view. She went to view it and loved it and they gave her the keys there and then! After she’d signed the appropriate paperwork etc.

I believe once the bidding had finished she got an email saying that she had come first for X property and then someone from the HA called her a few days later to fill her in with the details.

Good luck OP! I hope it all goes to plan for you and your DD 💐

Enidcat5 · 07/04/2022 07:38

No idea but I'm delighted for you and wish you all the best! You sound so excited and it was lovely to read this Flowers

RandomMess · 07/04/2022 07:58

So excited for you!

WhenDovesFly · 07/04/2022 07:58

Good luck OP. I hope you get the property and it's a bright new start for you and your DD.

Original poster
WaitAMinnow · 07/04/2022 08:00

Thank you all! There doesn't seem to be much info online and there isn't anyone I know who I can ask.

From the responses it seems to vary so much. I will call the council at 9 and see what they can tell me. Is there anything that I could do "wrong" that would mean I wouldn't get the property?

The village is pretty small and I know the people who currently live in the house have recently bought a house in another village but I don't know when they're due to move so I can't imagine it will be for a while. It's a lovely little 2 bed house with a garden, we can walk to a park and DD will be able to walk to school when she's older!

That's really helpful re flooring and curtains etc, thanks for that.

My DD and I are currently sharing a queens size bed in a box in my parents totally unsuitable house - the most child unfriendly house you could imagine. It's so frustrating as I earn decent money but I just cannot afford nursery, to run a car, plus the going rate of £1500 for a privately rented 2 bed property in this area on top. If I leave the area, I have no support. I feel sick thinking we might finally be able to start a fresh life. I've been in limbo since we left 18 months ago.

OP posts:
sashh · 07/04/2022 08:09

Good luck OP

As you have garnered times vary but In my experience (I'm in HA, my carer is in council) once it starts to move it goes quickly, i.e. you have a look around and the person from the council has the paper work with them, or in my case they came to my home (I'm disabled and the property was for over 50s or disabled, so they came to check I was in need of the property) the only downside of my property is that means I can never buy it.

Wow I'm excited for you, it sounds perfect.

Flatandhappy · 07/04/2022 08:12

What fantastic news. Congratulations.

Tiredalwaystired · 07/04/2022 08:24

What brilliant news! Wishing you both the happiest of futures!

tcjotm · 07/04/2022 08:25

Wonderful news, I’m so pleased for you!

cantcope88 · 07/04/2022 08:28

There’s nothing you can do wrong however there maybe somebody who has become in urgent need of the property, financial checks. Personally I’d wait until they contact you and don’t get too excited until you have the keys

HighlandCowbag · 07/04/2022 08:33

Congratulations OP it's so exciting.

When we 'won' ours there was a 3 week wait as the tenant had given notice, then I viewed it and accepted and was given the keys. There was a bit of work the workmen had to do, but I just arranged to be there to let them in.

When I viewed the carpets were immaculate, this was HA rather than council, and the woman showing it me asked if I wanted them leaving down. I had the living room one taken out as wanted hard flooring but kept the stairs and bedroom carpets so definitely enquire if the floor coverings are good, saves the workmen a job lifting them and waste etc. They were just 'gifted' to me on the paperwork.

TidyDancer · 07/04/2022 09:04

Congratulations, I'm really happy for you! Fingers crossed it happens quickly!

hippoherostandinghere · 07/04/2022 09:49

I'm delighted for you OP. Fingers crossed all goes smoothly and you have more information soon. The house sounds perfect.

Original poster
WaitAMinnow · 07/04/2022 09:50

I called the HA and they said they will contact me in a week after all the applicant checks have been completed if I am successful.

She did say not to get my hopes up, but I'm keeping everything firmly crossed.

OP posts:
LetsGoCrazyPurpleBanana · 07/04/2022 11:02

Good luck 🤞😃🤞 Keep us posted 🙂

Newmum1998 · 07/04/2022 14:02

I hope you and your daughter get the place Smile

I’m currently in a similar situation to you but I’ve not been offered a place yet

cantcope88 · 07/04/2022 14:30

Good luck OP, fingers crossed for you. let us know the update.

PurpleFadesToGreen · 07/04/2022 15:44

Probably a bit cheeky, but if you know the current tenants, maybe ask if they'll let you remove the flooring to store somewhere, then replace it when you get the keys?