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HomeChoice is the website where those accepted on to the register can view and bid for (i.e. express an interest in) available properties.
Properties are advertised from midnight on Thursday until 23.59 the following Wednesday. You cannot view homes or place bids on Thursdays.
Changes in your circumstances? If you have had any change to your circumstances (such as change in your income, address or a houshold member) please inform us as soon as possible by completing a 'Change of Circumstances' form on our website under the 'Housing' section (www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk)
Please note that properties do not come carpeted, decorated or with any furniture or white goods. Raven Housing Trust are expecting properties to be carpeted as a condition of accepting the property. Please ensure you have funds available to do this.
Christmas 2019 Bidding Cycles and opening hours
Please note that the last bidding cycle this year will be from Friday 20th December to Wednesday 25th December. Please note that if you bid for a property within this cycle then you may not find out the outcome until early January.
Bidding will then start again as usual from Friday 10th January 2020.
Our offices will be open as usual until the 24th December, and will then re-open between 30th-31st, and will then open again as usual on Thursday 2nd January.
Recent news and updates
- Raven Housing Trust are now expecting rent in advance for all new tenants totalling one weeks rent plus any additional days rent if your tenancy does not start on a Monday
- Under 35? Due to the new housing benefit rules if you are a single person under 35 and you are offered a one bedroom property then the type of tenancy you will be offered is an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST). This is similar to the type of tenancy you would get if you were privately renting. The tenancy is not secure and there are limits to what you can do to your home. The Housing Association will explain this further to you before you sign your tenancy.
- Raven Housing Trust may ask tenants to attend a pre-tenancy workshop prior to sign up, which will last approx. 1 – 1.5 hrs. If you do not attend it may affect other offers of accommodation
- Swap and Move (www.swapandmove.co.uk) have created an App which is available on the App store and on Google Play, free of charge. All of the valuable features of the swapandmove website have been replicated in the App so that users can have full use of the functionality, as per the website. Tenants can easily register using the new App, view property matches, browse and view detailed information of properties and manage account settings, all from the palm of your hand
Renewals - When your annual renewal is due you will receive a letter which will explain how to complete this. Please note you will need to send us supporting documents if there has been a change in your circumstances. You will also need to send us your last 3 month's bank statements from all accounts if we have not had any for more than 12 months, and a copy of your employment contract/self employment accounts if you are working. If you have any queries relating to your renewal please email us on housing.advice@reigate-banstead.gov.uk
Useful Information
If, once you are logged on to "My Account" page if you see the message:-
"Currently you are not eligible for any properties"
This means that there are no properties being advertised that week that match your housing requirements and therefore you will be unable to bid that week. It does not means there is a fault with you logon or account. Please check for properties being advertised the following week.
Queue Position
Please be aware that your queue position will only reflect your position at the time you bid for a property and is likely to change frequently during the week as other people bid for the same property. You will not know your final position until after the bidding cycle has closed as auto bids are placed on Thursday mornings.
Please be aware that due to local lettings plan and property criteria your queue position may not be a true reflection of your chances for being offered any particular property.
Please remember
Please remember not to call the Housing Register team requesting your position on the Housing Register. We are unable to provide you this information as there are no set positions. Each property produces its own specific shortlist of applicants, which is then carefully scrutinised to ensure the property will match the individual needs of the nominated applicant. You will not be contacted if you are not sucessful.
Properties Available in the North
Accent Peerless have empty properties of various different sizes available in the North of England, located in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Middlesbrough and surrounding areas.
If you would like more information on this, please contact us on 0345 678 0577 or email us at customerservices@accentgroup.org.
If you are an existing Accent resident, they would be able to assist you with any relocation costs and you would be provided with support from our Regional Offices to ensure you settle into your new area.
Need housing advice?
If you are at risk of homelessness please call the Housing Traige Team on 01737 276790. The lines are open daily between 1000-1200 & 1300-1500.
