How it works

1. Register

The easiest way to apply is to complete the online application form. To do this please click the ‘Register’ link in the top right-hand corner of this website.

In order to complete the application form, you will need to provide the date of birth, national insurance number, income and saving details for you and anyone who will live with you.

2. Assessment

Once you have submitted your full application and provided the required documents it will be assessed and awarded a priority band if your application is accepted. You will be sent an email advising the outcome of the assessment and what to do next.  For details of the categories in each Band please see the Rochford Allocation policy.

3. Bidding

Once you have received confirmation of your registration you can tell us which homes you would like to be considered for. This is called bidding.

You will need to login to this website to bid. To do this you will need your email address and password that you entered when completing your application.

Bidding does not mean that you will part with any money. You can only bid for homes if your application has been accepted onto the Rochford HomeOption register. You can only bid for homes where you match what the advert asks for. For example, if a property has 1 bedroom, you will not be able to bid for it if you need more than 1 bedroom.

You can place 3 bids each week whilst properties are being advertised. It does not matter when you bid during this time. Bids are ordered by Band and the length of time people have been waiting. 

You can withdraw a bid whilst a property is still being advertised and use it for another property unless you fall within a time limited category and have been placed on autobidding.

You should only bid for properties that you are genuinely interested in moving into. To make best use of your bids read the advert carefully as sometimes restrictions or certain criteria are set. For example, adapted properties may be reserved for people with specific mobility problems or you may need a local connection to a certain area. This means that you need to live, have lived, work or have family in the area in order to be considered.

4. Selecting the Successful Applicant

At the end of each advertising cycle, a list of eligible bids for each advertised home is produced. The list will usually order applicants by the band that their application has been placed in and how long they have been waiting (their effective date). However, if the advert included preferences or priorities these will be taken into account.

If you are at the top of the list you will normally be invited to view the home unless the landlord discovers reasons why you shouldn't be offered the home. For example, if you have rent arrears or have been guilty of anti-social behaviour. If the landlord is unable to offer the home to you they will move to the next applicant on the list and so on. Please contact the landlord of the property if you have any queries about the shortlisting for a home. If you decide to refuse the home it will be offered to the next applicant on the list.