Homebid is the choice based lettings scheme that we use to advertise available council and housing association properties in Southampton. You can use Homebid to look for properties and make bids on them, provided you are registered on Southampton’s housing list.
To make an application for the housing list you can pick up a form from Gateway or contact the Allocations advice line on 023 8083 2777. We will assess your needs once we receive an application and points will be given that reflect these needs . We write to advise new applicants of these points and send all the necessary details to enable them to bid. Unfortunately, there are many thousands of households currently waiting for a home on the Council’s list. This means that the majority of people will wait a long time before they are successful in bidding for a home, and some applicants are unlikely ever be offered a home. Other housing options such as renting in the private sector or looking for a mutual exchange, if you have a social housing tenancy, may be worth considering. Advice on these and other options can be found on by pressing the “ back to Southampton City Council website “ button on the left hand side of this page.
How does Homebid work?
Each fortnight we advertise all the properties that will become vacant, giving brief details of each property and where they are. These are listed on this site and currently through the Homebid magazine which you can find in Local Housing offices, Libraries and Leisure centres. Applicants can make up to 3 bids each bidding cycle on properties that they are eligible for. These bids should be made in order of preference , so the first bid is the property you like the most, 2nd bid will be 2nd choice etc. This is the case for any bidding method chosen. You don’t have to use all 3 bids each time. Once bidding closes we make offers for those households with the most points.
Keeping us informed
Applicants need to advise us if there any changes in their household, such as adult children leaving home, and also of changes in address if they move. This is so we have the right contact details and to make sure they get offered property of the right size that it is suitable. Please note we offer properties as soon as possible, by contacting applicants by phone, text or letter. You may miss out on a property if we can’t get hold of you in time, so it is vital we have the correct contact details for applicants. Once an applicant has said they want to look at the property a viewing will be arranged.
Further information and help
There is more information available on this website about bidding, about the results of previous adverts, other housing options or housing advice and contact details of where to go for help, in person or by phone. You can also e-mail us at “housing.allocations@southampton.gov.uk “ with your enquiries.