Click the 'Register' button at the top right of the screen.

The properties we advertise are mainly provided by Housing Associations, and Registered Social Housing Providers. By law, we have to check that you are eligible to apply for housing. We also have to make sure we allocate tenancies fairly. By registering, we have the information we need to make sure that those who have the greatest need are given priority for housing, in accordance with government guidance.

All household members 16 years and over must provide their NI number when registering. Household members can only be on one housing application at a given time. If you are already on another housing application then you will not be able to continue. If this is not the case, and you haven’t already applied, but the system does not allow your NI number then please email customerservices@newcastle-staffs.gov.uk with proof of your NI number and a member of the team will look into this for you.

After logging in, you may update your contact numbers or email address by clicking on the edit button on the “Your Application” page. If you wish to update any other details on your application please click 'Have your Circumstances Changed?' You can then complete the change of circumstances form which will resemble the original application form. Please note that submitted change of circumstances forms will need to be validated by the NHA team and will mean your application is inactive until processed.

There are some people who are not eligible to be included on the housing register. These are; People with no local connection to Newcastle under Lyme, Certain people who are subject to Immigration Control under the 1996 Asylum and Immigration Act. Certain people from abroad who are not subject to immigration control but who are not habitually resident in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland. People with sufficient outstanding rent arrears to a registered social landlord, People (including members of their household) who have been guilty of unacceptable behaviour that makes them unsuitable to be a tenant.

You are able to reset your own password by clicking the forgotten password link.

Your application will be assessed from band 1 (highest housing need) to band 6 (lowest housing need) in line with the Joint housing allocations policy.

Read the Joint Allocations policy first and see what we take into account when we assess your priority. If you still think your priority band is incorrect, then contact NHA to discuss your application further.

If you have a medical reason for needing to move please complete the medical questions on your housing application. Please include details of your medical condition in your application. If we need any further information, we will get in touch with you to discuss the type of supporting information we require. Doctors can charge you for a letter, please do not ask your Doctor to write to us unless we request this information.

No our Allocations policy does not allow additional bedrooms for access arrangements. Please only include children that are residing with you on a full time basis on your housing application.

Your applications may initially be awarded a Band 6 priority. Once you have provided all your supporting documents and your application has been fully verified your banding priority may change.

Once you have registered we will need to verify your application. You will need to upload your proofs. You will not be able to bid until you have uploaded all the proofs we need to verify your application.

To be able to bid on a home, you will need to be registered, know your email address and password and details of the property you are interested in. Once we have verified your application, we will send you an acknowledgement and you will be able to log into your account using your email address and password. You can then express an interest in homes by using this website. Look through the available properties on the website and select the property you wish to bid on. You will need to be logged in to place a bid.

 

When you find a property that you are interested in, we suggest you visit the area and check to make sure you meet the criteria for that property. If you struggle with accessing the internet please speak to the team about Auto Bids.

You are able to place unlimited amount of bids, however please only bid on properties that you would like to move into.

No, if you have been matched for a property you will not be able to continue to place any further bids.

Once the bidding closes, we will start to process the shortlist. If you're at the top of the list you will be contacted to discuss an offer. This will normally happen within 14 days of the shortlist closing.

No.

Properties are advertised on this website, you will have the facility to set up property alerts and customers without any internet access all will have the option to telephone in to make enquiries or to set up an “auto bid” function on their account.

New adverts are created on a daily basis. The closing date is stated on each advert. You will no longer be able to place a bid after the closing date.

There are fewer 4 and 5 bedroomed properties in the area and they rarely come available. You may wish to consider looking in the private sector to give you extra options.

The landlord is working through the list of applicants and has not yet made an offer to anyone. You will be contacted only if you are successful.

NHA will contact you to ask which property you prefer. We will always try to give you the choice between the properties, however, if we cannot contact you we may make a decision based on your application details so that we don’t delay an offer of property for another applicant.

Yes, when you bid for a property online you will be told how many other bids there have been for each property you have placed a bid on. This can be found on your "My Account" page for the last 5 bids you have placed or by clicking on the "my previous bids" link. You will also see your "rank" this is an indication of where you are in the queue, so position 1-5 will mean you are somewhere between 1st and 5th in the queue. Please be aware that your rank can change as more people place their bids because people may place a bid whom have a higher priority or whom have been waiting longer.

This may be because the property is in a rural area and a priority has been given to applicants whom have a connection to the area. It also happens when a property has adaptations, we always try to match properties with disabled facilities to those that need them.

If you are made an offer of a property you will be contacted by the landlord/housing association who manage the property. They will contact you through the details you include on your application so it is vital that these contact details are up to date. If you fail to respond to contact within 24 hours then you will be bypassed for the offer. If you have left your details for one of the “Homes Available Now” properties, the landlord will contact you in response to your enquiry.

 

All offers are subject to a number of checks so please make sure that the offer has been confirmed by the new landlord before you give notice to terminate your current arrangement, as there are occasions when offers have to be withdrawn or essential repairs may extend the time until you can move in.

 

If you have any queries relating to offers always contact the Housing provider that made you the offer.

It is important to only bid for properties that you want to live in. It is a good idea to check where the property is located and ensure the location meets your needs, is affordable and has the facilities you require. Please also ensure if you have pets, that the property allows them before bidding. It is also a good idea to look at how far the property is from your job, friends, family. If we consider your reason is unreasonable your application can be suspended from the waiting list for 6 months. An example of this would be if you refused a property because it was in the wrong location.

Most social housing providers require 4 weeks rent in advance which you will need to pay when you sign for the property. Please also consider the additional costs of moving, carpets, furnishings, appliances and utilities and these are usually not included.