Gloucestershire Homeseeker

You are able to bid on 3 properties in any one week bidding cycle. These 3 bids can be placed on any 3 properties you are eligble for - the property advert will tell you if you can or cannot bid on the property. If you cannot bid, it will say why. You don't have to use all 3 bids if you don't want to. If you only want to bid on one property, that's ok.

If you see more than 3 properties in a weekly bidding cycle then you must chose the 3 you prefer. Remember that you can change your mind and move your bids throughout the weekly bidding cycle if you decide that you have a better chance with another property.

Scroll down this page for other questions about bidding.

What is a bidding cycle?

The bidding cycle is the length of time properties are advertised for. The bidding cycle will always be from midnight every Wednesday until 11.59 pm on the following Tuesday - 1 week.

We recommend that you bid in plenty of time before 11.59pm on Tuesdays because it may not count if, for example:

You bid after 11.59pm, it will not count
The system delays your bid and does not go through before 11.59pm, it will not count
You lose internet connection and your bid is not confirmed in 'Your Account' page.
Gloucestershire Homeseeker are making updates to the system - this may make it unavailable for a short period of time - your bid may not be recognised in time and is not confirmed in 'Your Account' page.

Click here to log in to Your Account - once in Your Account, click on the tab called 'My Bids' to see all the bids you have placed in this weeks bidding cycle and in past cycles.

How do I start bidding?

Once you have completed an online application with Gloucestershire Homeseeker, the information you have provided will be checked and your application will be placed in a band and made active, this can take up to 4 weeks. You will then be able to start bidding:

Go to 'Login/My Account' at the top of the page.
Enter your unique reference number and PIN.
Once you have logged in, a page will appear which says 'My Account', where you can view your application, personal details and bids.
Click on the 'Summary' tab. The second box is titled 'Properties that you can bid for' and it will list the properties you are eligible for.
If you want to search for properties yourself, click on the link that says 'Click here to search for properties'.

Alternatively, you can look at the weekly adverts of vacant properties either on the website or in the printed property newsletter available across your town.

When you see a property that you are eligible for and would like to apply for, you need to place a bid on it. You can place your bid on the website, by telephone or by text message.

How do I bid on the website?

This is the easiest way to bid as you can view the available properties and bid by following the instructions on the screen.

Go to 'Login/My Account' at the top of the page.
Enter your unique reference number and then your PIN.
Once you have logged in, you will be taken to your summary page called 'My Account'. It will show you which properties you are eligible to bid for.
Click on the link in this section to be taken to these properties.

Alternatively, click on the 'Property Search' option at the top of the page to see all the vacant properties being advertised. You can also search the properties based on different criteria such as bedroom size and location.

If you are eligible for a property, an "Apply Now" button will be displayed, as well as your likely queue position if you were to apply now. Remember though, that this position is only a guide and it may change if others in a higher band place bids for this property after you.
If you are not eligible, the reason why will be displayed.
If you would like to apply for the property, click on "Apply Now".
You will be asked to confirm that you wish to be considered for the property by clicking "Click here to confirm"
You will then need to click on I wish to be considered for this property. Then you will be told that your bid has been successfully logging in to your account and then clicking "My Bids".

How do I bid by telephone?

Calls to the bid line are charged at the local rate, but this can vary depending on your telephone service provider.

You will need to know your unique reference number.
You will need to know the reference numbers of the properties you want to bid on - you can find this number in the right hand corner of the property advert.
Once you have these reference numbers, call the bid line on 0845 2301892 and follow the instructions.

As well as using the number keypad on your telephone, you will also need to use the hash (#) key on your telephone to enter the details of your bids. You must follow the instructions given to make sure that your bid(s) is recognised by the system. The automated line will tell you whether your bid, or bids, have been made.

You cannot leave messages on these lines and no person is available to speak to.

How do I bid by text message?

You can bid for properties using SMS (text) message using a mobile phone. You will be charged for bidding in this way - the cost will vary depending on your mobile phone provider.

Because this is an automated service, you must make sure that you send your bid in the correct format or the system will not recognise it and your bid will not be counted.

Please follow the 6 steps below:

Start a new text message on your phone.
Type your unique reference number followed by a space.
Type your PIN number, separated by a forward slash (/) and using 2 numbers for the day, 2 numbers for the month and all 4 numbers for the year followed by a space e.g. 01/01/1990.
Type the reference number of the first property you want to bid on, followed by a space. If this is the only bid, go to step 6.
Type the reference numbers of the next properties you want to bid on, followed by a space.
Send the text message to 07786 202513.
You will receive a text message back, confirming that your bid, or bids, have been made. If your bid, or bids, cannot be made, the text message will state the reason why.

Property reference numbers can be found in the right hand corner of the property advert.

How will I know if my bid has been placed?

If you bid by text message, you will received a text message back confirming your bid(s) has been placed.

If you bid by phone, the automated system will tell you that your bid(s) has been placed.

If you bid on the website, your 'My Account' page will detail your bids. If you have given us an email address, you will be sent an email confirming your bid(s) has been place.

To check your bid(s) online in 'My Account':

Go to 'Login/My Account' at the top of the page.
Enter your unique reference number and then your PIN and click on the box 'Login'.
Once you have logged in, you will be taken to your summary page called 'My Account'.
Click on the tab 'My Bids'.
The first box will detail the bids you have placed in the current weekly bidding cycle (Wednesday-Tuesday)
The second box will detail bids placed in past weeekly bidding cycles.

I cannot see the properties I have bid on, what do I do?

Once you place a bid on a property the system will remove it from your searches. To view the properties you have bid on, please follow these instructions:

Log into your account by clicking on 'Log in/My Account' at the top of the page.
Enter your unique reference number and PIN and click on the box 'Login'.
A page called 'My Account' will appear.
Click on the tab 'My Bids'.
Your current bids will appear and it will show the property reference number, property address and your current queue position.

Why has my position on the list changed?

When you first place a bid, the system will tell you what your position on the list is at that point in time. As other applicants bid throughout the weekly bidding cycle (Wednesday to Tuesday), your position my go up and down.

Unfortunately, Gloucestershire Homeseeker is not a first come first served system. It doesn't matter if you bid on day 1 of the weekly bidding cycle or day 7. Your position for the property is determined by all bids on the property across the week, and it will not be final until the close of bidding at 11:59pm on the Tuesday of the weekly cycle.

You may find that at the end of the bidding cycle you are further down the list than when you first placed your bid. Or you may be higher up the list if other applicants have a lower priority than you.

How do I withdraw a bid?

If you change your mind about a bid you have placed, you can withdraw the bid.

You must withdraw a bid before the end of the weekly bidding cycle - 11.59pm on a Tuesday.

Follow these instructions to withdraw your bid:

Click on 'Login/My Account ' at the top of the page.
Enter your unique reference number and PIN and click on the box 'Login'.
Click on "My Bids". This screen will show your current bids and any bids you have placed in the last 30 days.
To withdraw a bid, tick the box under "Withdraw".
Make sure you are withdrawing the right bid before you click on "Withdraw bids".

If you withdraw the wrong one, you'll have to go back to the property advert and bid on it again.

Can I bid for any property?

No. You can only bid for properties which you are eligible based on the number of bedrooms, or the type of accommodation for example.

The advert might state other criteria that will be taken into account when allocating the property. If this criteria does not match your own details, you will be unlikely to be successful.

The online property adverts will tell you if you are eligible or not.

What will happen if I dont bid?

If you apply to Gloucestershire Homeseeker and do not bid, it is likely that we will contact you to discuss your application and reasons why you haven't bid.

If you have not bid because you are struggling to understand it, please let your local council housing team know - they may be able to help you to understand or offer other ways for you to bid.

How do I know what number I am on the list?

Login to your account by clicking on 'Login/My Account ' at the top of the page.
Enter your unique reference number and PIN and click on the box 'Login'.
Click on "My Bids". This screen will show your current bids and any bids you have placed in the last 30 days.
Under "Current Bids", you will see the properties you have bid for in that week and it will state your current position.

What happens if there are no bids on a property?

If there are no bids on a property at the end of the weekly bidding cycle (Wednesday-Tuesday), the property will automatically roll over to the next week.
Please note that the criteria for the property may have changed and so you may want to take another look at the property advert.

What is an auto bid?

Autobids are where Gloucestershire Homeseeker can place bids on behalf of an applicant. They are used for vulnerable people who are not able to bid for themselves. Households with autobid do not get any advantage over any other household; they simply do not bid for themself.

If you want auto bid put in place for you/your household, please contact your local council housing team who will be able to assess your needs.