HomePoint is a Choice Based Lettings scheme. This means you can choose which properties you would like to be considered for rather than having properties selected for you.

You can bid on suitable properties across the whole West Northamptonshire area, as long as the property matches your household's assessed housing needs and any specific property requirements.

How often should I check HomePoint?

Properties can be advertised at any time.

Unlike previous arrangements, properties are no longer advertised on a fixed weekly cycle.

This means:

• New properties may become available on any day of the week.
• Properties may close on different days but will be advertised for a minimum of 7 days. The property details show the date the advert will close.
• Your number of active bids may change as properties open and close.

We recommend logging into HomePoint once a week to check for new properties and manage your bids.

If you have provided an email address, you can opt into receiving a weekly email showing currently available properties.

How many properties can I place bids on?

You can have up to five active bids at any one time.

This means you can express interest in up to five properties simultaneously.

When a property closes, or if you choose to withdraw a bid, that bid becomes available for you to use on another property.

You can view and manage your active bids at any time by logging into your HomePoint account.

Remember

• You do not need to use all five bids.
• You can change your mind and withdraw a bid before the advert closes.
• One of your active bids can be marked as your Preferred Property.
• The number of bids you have available will change as properties open and close.

When placing a bid, HomePoint will show you how many of your five bids you have already used and how many you have remaining.

 

Understanding property adverts

Each property advert contains information to help you decide whether the property is suitable for you.

Property adverts may show:

• Number of bedrooms
• Rent information
• Property features
• Landlord details
• Closing date and time
• Whether you have already bid
• Whether the property is suitable for your application

You should always read the advert carefully before placing a bid.

Eligible, not suitable and already bid

Eligible

If a property is shown as Eligible, you can place a bid.

Already bid

If you have already placed a bid, the advert will show Already bid.

You can withdraw your bid at any time before the advert closes.

Not suitable

Some properties may show as Not suitable.

This means your application does not meet one or more of the property's requirements.

Examples may include:

• Household size requirements
• Age restrictions
• Local lettings criteria
• Adapted housing requirements
• Other property-specific criteria

You can hover over Why? to see more information about why the property is not suitable.

Understanding your position

When viewing a property, you may see a number showing your current position if you place a bid.

Important

This position is only a guide.

Your position may change at any time because:

• Other applicants place bids.
• Other applicants withdraw bids.
• Applicants are assessed against the property's requirements.
• Applicants higher on the shortlist are found not to qualify for that property.

HomePoint is NOT first come, first served

Placing a bid before somebody else does not give you priority.

Applications are shortlisted in line with the Housing Allocation Policy. This means applicants with a higher priority may appear above applicants who placed a bid earlier.

Being first does not guarantee an offer

Even if you appear to be first on a shortlist while bidding is open:

• Your position may change before the advert closes.
• Other applicants may place bids.
• Eligibility checks may affect the final shortlist.
• Additional property criteria may need to be considered.

The final shortlist is only confirmed after the advert has closed and the property has been reviewed.

Choosing a preferred property

When placing a bid, you can choose one property as your Preferred Property.

This helps us understand which property you would most like to be considered for if you are near the top of the shortlist for more than one property.

Important

• Choosing a Preferred Property does not give you extra priority.
• It does not improve your shortlist position.
• It simply tells us which property you would prefer if multiple options are available.
• You can change your Preferred Property before the advert closes.

If you are interested in several properties, we recommend marking your favourite property as your Preferred Property.

How to place a bid

1. Log into your HomePoint account.
2. Browse available properties.
3. Select a property that interests you.
4. Read the advert carefully.
5. West Northamptonshire covers a large area so check the location by viewing the map (the map may not be available for some properties especially if they are new build)
6. Decide whether you want to mark it as your Preferred Property.
7. Select Apply or Confirm to place your bid.

Before confirming your bid, HomePoint will tell you how many of your five available bids you have already used and how many you will have remaining after placing the bid.

 

Once you've successfully bid, the property will show as Already bid.

How to withdraw a bid

If you change your mind, you can withdraw a bid at any time before the advert closes.

To withdraw a bid:

1. Log into HomePoint.
2. Find the property.
3. Select Withdraw.

Withdrawing a bid will free up one of your five available bids and allow you to use it on another property.

What happens when a property closes?

Once an advert closes:

1. The shortlist is created.
2. Applications are reviewed against the property's requirements.
3. Applicants are considered in line with the Housing Allocation Policy.
4. The property progresses through the allocation process.

If you are being considered for a property, you may be contacted for further information.

Being on a shortlist does not guarantee that a property will be offered to you.

Future Auto-Bidding

West Northamptonshire Council intends to introduce auto-bidding for some applicants as part of future Housing Register renewal activities.

If auto-bidding becomes available to your application, we will contact you separately with further information.

Even when auto-bidding is available, we strongly encourage you to:

• Log into HomePoint regularly.
• Review available properties.
• Place your own bids.

The system will only place bids shortly before a property closes. This means the properties selected automatically may not always be the same properties you would have chosen yourself.

Applicants who actively manage their own bids are more likely to be considered for properties that match their preferences.

Need help?

If you need help using HomePoint:

• Contact the Housing Solutions Team.
• Visit one of our customer service points.
• Ask a family member, friend or support worker to assist you.

Where appropriate, West Northamptonshire Council staff may also be able to help you place bids on your behalf.