Common questions about choice-based lettings

If you have any questions about HomeLink, take a look at the questions below.

Most of your questions will be answered on the pages of this website but you can also take a look at the extra ones in the Guide to Nottingham HomeLink booklet.

If your query has not been answered after checking them out, please contact us.

Question	Answer
How can I get a HomeLink application form?	Application forms and the accompanying Nottingham City Council’s Allocations Policy are available to collect from area housing offices, the Housing Services Centre, or by post from the HomeLink Team. Forms and other bookelts can also be downloaded from this website. You will only be offered a property which matches your needs. You may be wasting your bids if you do not look closely at the information given in each property advert.
Can I get some help to fill out my application form?	Assistance is available from any of our housing offices or partner housing association offices or by telephoning the HomeLink team. Staff are happy to help answer any questions about filling out the form, or can help you complete the form, if that is what you want.
What happens after the form is completed?	The form will be entered onto the HomeLink register. You will then be sent a registration pack including: your registration number (this is important as the number will be needed to make bids) details of the band which you are in; and a guide on HomeLInk and how to bid
What are bands?	Bands are used in order to prioritise applicants in order of need. There are six bands - find out more in our section called 'waiting times'. A quota of properties is allocated to each band from 1 to 4. The quotas are set by Nottingham City Council and are reviewed each year. Applicants in bands 5 and 6 are only considered if there is no demand from applicants in bands 1 to 4 and they have a local connection.
How will I know what properties are available?	Take a look at our page on 'advertising and biddng.' Information is given in the advertisement to inform you which band will be given first consideration and what the eligibility criteria is.
How do I place a bid?	You can bid for up to three properties each week - our page on 'advertising and bidding will tell you more. Bidding stations with access to this website are available at Aspley, Clifton, Bulwell housing officse and Housing Aid (Nottingham City Council). You can also use the freephone service at any of the housing offices and the service centre at Hounds Gate to bid by telephone.
How do I know if I can afford the rent and bills for a property I am bidding on?	If you are unsure about how much it costs to run a home, then contact our Rents Contact Centre on 0115 915 4920. We will be happy to help you with a welfare benefit check and provide details of the average cost of household bills. It is important to make sure you can afford the bills in your new home before you sign for it.
How do I know if my bid was successful?	All eligible bids will be considered within two working days of close of bids. Find out more about this on our page called 'advertising and bidding. Feedback for all properties advertised is displayed on this website and in the Nottingham Evening Post when the property is let.
Will I be penalised for refusing an offer?	No. You are free to refuse offers of housing from Nottingham City Homes. However, if you refuse two offers we will contac you to discuss your requirements more specifically.
Who supports vulnerable people who need extra help to bid with HomeLink?	HomeLink Support Officers are the single point of contact where you can get extra help to explain how HomeLink works, how to bid and get other appropriate support and advice. They can be contacted by telephone on 0115 915 7147. Read more on our page called 'Extra support'.
How do I update a change in my circumstances?	If you have a change in your housing situation you should contact the HomeLink team on 0115 915 7147, who will be happy to update your details and reassess your application. It is important that you do this, as you could miss out on a property offer if we do not have your up-to-date details.
Can a I keep my waiting time if there is a change of band on reassessment?	If you move down a band, you keep your time from the date you applied to the register. If you move up a band, your waiting time will start from when you are placed in the new band. This is to make sure that each person with the same need is considered in turn from the date the higher need was identified. Exceptions to this are: Hostel dwellers are first placed into band 5 as a holding band when they move into the hostel whilst they accrue independent living skills and a support package is developed. Once they are ready for independent living they are placed into Band 3 and their waiting time is carried over. People who are under 18 can apply for housing, but will be placed into Band 6. Once they are 18 their application is reassessed and they are placed into a band that reflects their situation. Their waiting time is carried over.
How are adapted properties let?	Details of any adaptations in a property are listed in the HomeLink advert. To make sure that a property with adaptations is offered to someone that needs it we always state: ‘Preference given to people with an urgent need on medical/disability grounds.’ Sometimes properties are so specifically adapted that they need to be matched to someone with very specific needs. These properties will not be advertised.
How are urgent cases awarded priority?	If you feel you need to move urgently, you should contact your area housing office who will arrange for an assessment of your needs to be carried out.

For more information, please go to 'Contact us' at the top of this page.