I'm just wondering what people's views were on the 'bidding system' now in place in order to get a council house?

I'm currently living in a 1 bedroom flat with my partner, 1 year old son and we have a second baby due in May. We were granted priority back in November but have yet to be offered a property. We have actually been on the list 3 1/2 years and have probably bidded for 250+ properties but haven't been successful with one. What's happened to the housing system, under the old rules I would be somewhere near the top now and have been given my choice of 3 houses but under the new system it seems if your a normal family who work you get nothing, even priority isn't worth the paper it's written on, plus the council bid on your behalf for houses across the other side of the cty when surley someone there is in the same situation?

Just wondered if anyone else had been in my situation and what happened to them, how long did it take you to get a property? And wondered what people's views were?

good advice and experiences in this thread (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=15085&highlight=Bidding) :thumbsup:

i had a friend that lived in a 1 bedroomed flat with her 8 year old son.she eventually got back with her partner and got pregnant.the baby was 6 months old before the rehoused her.

It's hopeless isn't it!

i live in a 2 bed with 4 children, me and my husband,,

we just been awarded priority for overcrowding... i was wondering how long it wud take to get a house on over crowding i will not bother packing yet then,,,,,

Nah don't bother. I keep putting off changing my curtains etc. in the hope I might get lucky but it's been 14 weeks and nothing!

I was priority on the homeless with a child still took over 3mnth.
I wouldn't jump in to your suitcase yet.
I think the system was better when it was all points.
charlie x

its fair lets put it that way, the homeless should come first.

I'm just wondering what people's views were on the 'bidding system' now in place in order to get a council house?

I'm currently living in a 1 bedroom flat with my partner, 1 year old son and we have a second baby due in May. We were granted priority back in November but have yet to be offered a property. We have actually been on the list 3 1/2 years and have probably bidded for 250+ properties but haven't been successful with one. What's happened to the housing system, under the old rules I would be somewhere near the top now and have been given my choice of 3 houses but under the new system it seems if your a normal family who work you get nothing, even priority isn't worth the paper it's written on, plus the council bid on your behalf for houses across the other side of the cty when surley someone there is in the same situation?

Just wondered if anyone else had been in my situation and what happened to them, how long did it take you to get a property? And wondered what people's views were?

I used to work in housing (in different organisations) and thought it might be helpful to explain how things work - it might help others understand why it appears you haven't been able to move as quickly as you might have wanted.

As 75% of properties are let to people with priority - not on waiting time, your chances of getting somewhere with 2 bedrooms have increased. The reason you would have got something quicker with the old system was because there were more properties available. As recently as 5 or 6 years ago there were empty properties available within a couple of weeks. Since then, the following has happened:

House prices have gone up considerably in the private sector so more people want social housing & so the numbers on the housing register keep increasing
High rise blocks and other properties have been demolished (lots were empty - even people who were desperate didn't want some of them) and that has meant more people having to move on priority if their home was demolished
The Right to Buy keeps on reducing the number of properties available for rent, and that will continue to happen

Priority means that you need something quickly, whether its because of homelessness, disability, overcrowding, domestic abuse etc., unfortunately, there are lots of people with priority, who will have had it longer than you and who will probably be bidding on the same properties. If their circumstances are similar to yours, they will get the property before you if they've had priority longer. Some people get priority because they are overcrowded, and may need say 3 bedrooms, but they only want to bid on houses, and won't consider a maisonette even though it would be the right size. They may also be very specific about where they move to. The fact is that social housing doesn't provide the same choice that renting or buying on the open market gives.

What areas do you want to live in? Have you looked at the number of 2 bedroomed properties that have come up in those areas lately - if there are very few, you may have to widen the area you bid on. Also, I wondered if you'd considered any Housing Association properties? Sometimes they can help more quickly than if you wait for a council house.

I've had a look at whats on offer this week, on here http://www.sheffieldpropertyshop.org.uk/thisweekprop.asp?ID=458C69E534974FDFAD6828A531BAEE BE and discounting the age banded flats, and mobility adapted properties there are:
2 bedroomed houses for PRIORITY at Arbourthorne, Upperthorpe, Woodthorpe, Darnall, Parson Cross, Pitsmoor, Wincobank and 2 at Wybourn. There are 2 bedroomed maisonettes for PRIORITY at Gleadless Valley (2) and one at Stannington.
2 bedroomed houses for WAITING TIME at Arbourthorne and Shiregreen (10 years waiting time), Batemoor and Southey (5-10 years) and Wybourn 4 years. This gives a picture of what is available - 12 Priority & 4 on Waiting Time.

I am currently living in a one bed flat through Northern Counties Housing Association. I have filled in change of circs form to move with these although there list is huge and very few people seem to move out of two/three bed properties. I also registered with South Yorkshire Housing but their list has closed and they are letting all properties though the council.
I'll keep bidding, hopefully soon I'llbe given something?

Have you considered looking in to private rented accomodation or buying a small place?

I know the latter is difficult, but might be orth looking at how you'd stand....

Yeah we did consider it but unfortunatley my partner has suffered an accident at work and is currently off work due to this so we can't commit our self to anything at the moment as we don't know what will happen with his work, as it's quite manual and he has a back injury and might have to have surgery.
Private renting or even buying a small place is double what we pay at the moment so we just can't afford it.

Yeah we did consider it but unfortunatley my partner has suffered an accident at work and is currently off work due to this so we can't commit our self to anything at the moment as we don't know what will happen with his work, as it's quite manual and he has a back injury and might have to have surgery.
Private renting or even buying a small place is double what we pay at the moment so we just can't afford it.

You didn't respond to some of my earlier post LJB, just wondered if you are bidding on 2 bed maisonettes for instance? Houses are always in short supply these days, also you'll get a lot more competition in some areas - are you bidding in the areas that attract less interest? If you are too limited in the areas/types of property you'll consider then you may wait for a very long time.

I only have access to a computer at work and have been off so that's why.

I have bidded for loads, flats, houses all types and in all areas but still nothing. Although the council has now granted me and my family priority to stay in the area we want for particular reasons and it's mostly houses so fingers crossed something will soon turn up.

I only have access to a computer at work and have been off so that's why.

I have bidded for loads, flats, houses all types and in all areas but still nothing. Although the council has now granted me and my family priority to stay in the area we want for particular reasons and it's mostly houses so fingers crossed something will soon turn up.

Good luck - I hope you get something soon. It might be helpful to go into the Property shop as well, just have a chat with someone about your priority? They may be able to advise, you never know. They are open on Saturday mornings if you can't get in during the week.

Thanks for the advice. I just want to move asap. Only 9 weeks on friday until our new baby is born and if we haven't moved by then don't know what we'll do? No room as it is now let alone with another body in the house, not to mention all the things a baby brings with it.