When choosing a property to bid for, you need to consider a number of points
Is the property designated for Homeseekers/Transfers?
Your bid will not count if, for example, the property is for home seekers only and you are a transferring tenant.
Is there an age restriction on the property?
Some properties have a minimum age requirement, for example, in some cases only people over 50 can apply. This will be shown by a picture icon on the advert.
If you are interested in Sheltered Housing, contact your housing officer or local council office to ask for information as there may be different age restrictions and this will be shown on picture icons.
What can I bid for?
We will use the information you give us on your application form to assess whether you have a local connection to the SEARCH MOVES region and whether or not you have a local connection with each individual SEARCH MOVES borough. The SEARCH MOVES region includes the boroughs of Elmbridge, Runnymede and Spelthorne.
For most properties priority will be given to applicants who have a local connection to the SEARCH MOVES region.
Additionally for some properties priority will be given to applicants who have a local connection with a specific borough.
To assess local connection we will take into account such factors as whether you:
• Have lived in Elmbridge, Runnymede or Spelthorne by choice for either six months out of the last twelve or three years out of the last five years
• Have five out of the last ten years continious residence in Elmbridge, Runnymede or Spelthorne
• Have immediate family (mother/father/brother/sister/son/daughter) who are currently living in Elmbridge, Runnymede or Spelthorne and have done so for at least five years or more
• Have a permanent job in Elmbridge, Runnymede or Spelthorne
• Have special circumstances that give rise to a local connection
What does the mobility icon mean?
This is intended to provide a guide to people who have various levels of mobility needs. This does not restrict anyone else from bidding for these properties but the advert will often say that priority will be given to members with mobility needs.
Pets:
If you have a pet you will need to check for the ‘pet’ icon on an advert to know if pets are acceptable.
Circumstances where you may not be
Circumstances where you may not be invited to view a property:
• You are in rent arrears that have resulted in eviction or court orders where debts are not being repaid.
• You have been involved in anti-social behaviour which has resulted in legal action and a decision has been taken to exclude you.
You can ask your Local Council or Landlord if any of these circumstances apply to you. You can also ask them to review their decision to exclude you from the scheme at any time.
Before you bid
Check out the location of the property on a map to make sure it’s really a place you would consider moving to. Much landlord time is wasted trying to contact bidders who don’t attend viewings because they don’t really want to go to that area.