Bidding of council houses

[Babyaj2k11]

Just want some of your experiences when first getting a council house...
We live in Doncaster, Me, husband and teenage son. Private rented for years but now landlord wants to sell up and we can't afford another rental.
So got onto the council list, first out at bronze ( bands are bronze, silver, gold and platinum )
Once we received a section 21 we were moved up to gold band. Bidd d on some houses and got position 35.
When I last spoke to my housing officer (who is really difficult to get hold of as she only works part time) she went through my budget and agreed to put us to platinum band 'full duty homeless'.
Bidded on a house and came in 2nd ( absolutely gutted as just round the corner from current house so no changes for school etc
I just don't see us ever getting one as they have tons of bungalows weekly for over 50s but barely any houses most houses are getting 100-300 bids on them each time.
Really down about it and just don't know what to do.
Any stories to give me some hope or even to worry me more would be appreciated 😌

@CdcRuben it goes on your banding, how long you’ve been on that banding for and then how long you’ve been registered in total.

So say 2 people bid, both in Platinum, both with an effective date of 01/01/2025 but ones registration date was 01/01/24 and the other 01/02/24 then the person registered 01/01/24 would come first as they’ve been register on the list slightly longer.

Yep, it’s utterly variable, depends on who else bids that cycle that’s why positions are ever changing. All op can do is place bids on any suitable properties and keep her fingers crossed. Even in position 2 or further down you could still be reached if the people in front of you refuse. Can you tell I work in Social Housing! 😂

Thank you 🥰 there's very little info on it and the council are abit smoke and mirrors, never give you a straight answer. From what I can gather if you are both platinum it comes down to who has been platinum for longest, although after the computer has shortlisted you a position the council go through manually and decide who is more in need.

Thankyou for this. It's really stressful and I know that there are so many others in my position so am under no illusion how hard it is going to be to win a bid. I heard of someone last week being position 61 for a property and this week 130 for the same new build estate, so that worries me that you can be pushed that far back.

If one week there happens to be 2 properties suitable keep an eye on your positions as they can change as people retract or change their bid up until the close time, you can do the same in order to be the highest position.
Unfortunately you only really move up a lot when new housing becomes available and several people move at the same time.

With my council you don't get to see your position until bidding closes ( probably a good thing )
My last post was probably worded wrong, the lady bidded last week and at the end of bidding was 61, this week she bidded on a property (same size etc) in the same new development and at end of bidding she ended 135.
I'm sure she must be in gold band not the top one but still worries me that it can fluctuate that much in a week. I'm worried that next bid will be nowhere near when I was so close on this last one X

It fluctuates because not everyone is bidding every week on the same property types.
It is a game of bid, bid, bid, you're in the top bracket, which is great.
If you get a word with Housing Officer, ask what so the average wait time in your band.

Ah ok I understand abit more now. Il try and get in touch my housing officer, she's hard to get hold of but will keep trying x

How are you getting on? Any luck with being housed?
I’m bidding on 3 bed properties,and I’m in band 2! I’ve been bidding for 20 months now and still here!!

I'm now on platinum, the highest band on our system, currently getting in top 5, have been contacted by a housing association house where we finished 2nd ( 1st person had already been hoisted) and have filled out initial application for them so hopefully to hear from them next week. At least now I am getting close I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.
I feel for you, it seems the only way you can get anywhere is to be on the top band, at least in my area. Is there any chance of you getting put higher? Xx

Oh that’s brilliant news. Wishing you all the best!!
unfortunately not. I have 3 children, ones Autistic and needs her own room and we have mould! They’re just not bothered where I am unfortunately.
I’m around number 13 now so hopefully this year 😂 xx

Thankyou, hoping that we will be sorted in next few weeks 🤞
Aw I'm sorry your in that situation, you must be so desperate to get somewhere, 13 is good though I would say you should keep on getting closer (slow as it might be)
Hopefully you get somewhere soon, I am just waiting for it all to be sorted, feels like I've been in limbo for months now, I'm sure you feel the same xxx

Just wanted to update, we have had our formal offer and pick our keys up on Monday. Over the moon that it's all done with and don't have to worry anymore. New property is just in the next village to us, about 2.5 miles so not problems for school or anything. Thankyou everyone for your support while I've ranted on and good luck to everyone still bidding xxx