Navigating Crawley Housing: Your Offer Guide

Securing suitable accommodation in Crawley can feel like a complex journey, especially when you're waiting for that all-important offer. A common and vital question for many hopeful residents is: 'How many offers of accommodation can I expect to receive in Crawley?' Understanding the allocation process, from eligibility to bidding and the specific rules around offers, is key to navigating the housing register successfully. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, ensuring you're well-informed and prepared for your housing journey.

The straightforward answer to the number of offers is that you will generally receive a maximum of two offers of accommodation. However, there's a crucial exception: if you are a household owed a duty under homelessness legislation, you will receive only one offer of accommodation. This distinction is vital, as refusing offers can have significant consequences for your application. Let's delve deeper into the entire process to ensure you understand every facet.

Understanding the Housing Register: Are You Eligible?

Before you can even consider receiving an offer, you must first be eligible to join Crawley's Housing Register. The criteria are designed to ensure that housing is allocated to those who genuinely need it and have a connection to the area. It's not just about wanting a new home; it's about demonstrating a genuine need and meeting specific residency or employment requirements.

National and Immigration Status

Your national and immigration status forms the first hurdle. You are likely eligible if any of the following apply:

• You are a UK national.
• You have EEA worker status.
• You are a family member of an EEA worker.
• You are from outside the EU and possess 'indefinite leave to remain' or 'limited leave to remain but with recourse to public funds'.

It's important to have the correct documentation to prove your status, as this will be a fundamental part of your application. Without meeting these initial requirements, your application cannot progress.

The Five-Year Local Connection to Crawley

Beyond your national status, demonstrating a strong local connection to Crawley is paramount. The council prioritises those who have established roots within the community. You are likely to meet this criterion if:

• You have continuously lived in Crawley for the last five years.
• You have held permanent employment in Crawley for the last five years.
• You have immediate family (such as a parent, adult child, or sibling) who live in Crawley and have done so for the last five years.

This five-year rule ensures that the housing resources are directed towards individuals and families who are already an integral part of the Crawley community, contributing to its social and economic fabric. Providing evidence of your residency, employment, or family ties for this period will be crucial.

Are You in Housing Need?

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you must demonstrate a genuine housing need. This is where your current living situation is assessed against a set of criteria designed to identify vulnerability and urgency. You are likely to be considered in housing need if you can demonstrate one or more of the following:

• You have medical issues that are significantly affected or exacerbated by your current housing situation. This might involve conditions that require specific adaptations or a less stressful living environment.
• You are experiencing overcrowding in your current residence, meaning your home is too small for the number of people living there according to national space standards.
• You wish to downsize, perhaps because your current home is too large for your needs, freeing up larger properties for families.
• You are fleeing domestic abuse, a critical situation where safe and secure housing is an immediate necessity.
• You are aged 60 or over and are seeking sheltered or extra care accommodation, which provides support and a community environment for older residents.
• Your current home is in significant disrepair, making it unsafe or unsuitable for habitation.
• You are a serving or former member of the armed forces, acknowledging the unique housing challenges faced by this group.
• You are owed a duty under homelessness legislation, meaning the council has a legal obligation to assist you with housing due to your homeless status.

If you meet all three sets of criteria – eligibility based on status, local connection, and housing need – you can apply to join the Housing Register. This application is the first formal step towards securing a home through the council.

Applying to the Housing Register and Understanding Your Banding

Once your application to the Housing Register is approved, you will be given a priority housing date, which is typically the date you applied. More importantly, you will be assigned a banding, which dictates your level of priority for housing. This banding is crucial, as it directly influences how quickly you might receive an offer.

Housing Bandings Explained

Your current housing situation and personal circumstances are rigorously assessed to determine your banding. The bands are categorised as follows:

It is important to note that if you are assessed as either Band C or D, you might not join the Housing Register at all. You will receive a letter explaining the assessment, and future applications are likely to be unsuccessful unless your circumstances significantly change. This highlights the importance of demonstrating a strong housing need to achieve a higher banding.

Your banding will only change if your circumstances change. This means if your medical condition worsens, your family size increases, or your current housing situation deteriorates, you should inform the Crawley Homechoice team, as this could lead to a reassessment and potentially a higher banding.

Bidding on Properties: Your Path to an Offer

With your banding and priority date established, you can begin bidding on available properties. Properties are advertised on a weekly cycle, running from Monday to Thursday. This regular cycle provides a consistent opportunity to find suitable homes.

How to Bid

• Online via HomeChoice: This is the primary method. You can view detailed property descriptions and place your bids conveniently from home.
• In Person: Self-service machines are available at the Town Hall for those who prefer to bid in person.
• Autobid System: If you are over the age of 60, or have mental and/or physical health issues that make manual bidding difficult, you can utilise the autobid system. This system places bids on your behalf, ensuring you don't miss out on opportunities due to accessibility challenges. Households owed a duty under homelessness legislation are automatically placed on autobid for all areas of Crawley, unless specific areas are deemed unsuitable for safety reasons.

Remember, you will receive a maximum of two offers of accommodation (or one if owed a homelessness duty). Therefore, it is absolutely essential to only bid on properties that you genuinely want to live in and that are suitable for your household's needs. Every bid counts towards your limited number of offers.

The Offer Process: How Properties Are Allocated

The weekly bidding cycle concludes at midnight on Thursday. Following this, the council compiles a list of eligible applicants for each property. The order in which applications are considered is determined by two factors: first, the highest banding, and second, the earliest priority housing date. This ensures that those with the most urgent housing needs and who have been waiting the longest are prioritised.

A significant proportion of available properties are allocated to those with the highest priority:

• 90% of available properties are offered to applicants in Band A+ or Band A.
• The remaining 10% of available properties go to applicants in Bands B, C, and D.

It's important to note that these quotas do not apply to sheltered accommodation, where priority always goes to applicants in Band A+, followed by A, B, C, and D, regardless of the 90/10 split. If the initial successful bidder cannot be contacted or refuses the property, the offer is then extended to the next person on the list. This continuous process ensures that properties are efficiently allocated to those in the greatest need.

Temporary Sub-Quotas

Occasionally, temporary sub-quotas may be introduced within the allocation scheme. These are designed to provide additional preference for specific groups, such as those living in emergency temporary housing, for a limited period (no longer than six months). These adjustments are made to address specific, urgent housing situations within the community.

Refusing an Offer: What Counts and What Doesn't

This section is critical, as it directly relates to the number of offers you receive and the potential impact on your housing application. Not every refusal counts against your limited number of offers.

When a Refusal Does NOT Count as an Offer

An offer of accommodation must be suitable and meet the needs of your household. If a property is genuinely unsuitable for your household's needs, refusing it will not be counted as one of your offers. Similarly, if adaptations are required for the property to be suitable for your needs but the property cannot be adapted, this refusal also will not count as an offer. The council aims to provide homes that are genuinely appropriate for the successful applicant.

When a Refusal DOES Count as an Offer

If you refuse a property for reasons other than its suitability (e.g., you simply changed your mind, or prefer a different area without a valid reason related to your needs), this refusal will count as one of your offers. This is where careful consideration of your bids becomes paramount.

Consequences of Refusing Offers

The implications of refusing offers are significant:

Given the strict limits, it is vital to be certain about the properties you bid on. Refusing offers without valid reasons can lead to the closure of your housing register application, meaning you will no longer be considered for social housing through the council, and any future applications will be impacted.

Common Questions About Housing in Crawley

Many applicants have similar questions throughout their housing journey. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions, designed to provide clarity and guidance.

How long am I likely to wait for housing?

The waiting time for housing is highly variable and depends on several factors: your banding, your priority housing date, and the specific type and size of property you are bidding for. Some properties, like two-bedroom houses, are in very high demand, leading to longer waits. Others, such as four-bedroom houses, may have less demand but also fewer properties available. The HomeChoice website provides valuable information, showing the banding and priority housing date of households that have successfully bid for properties. It also allows you to see your queue position when bidding, which can help you gauge the likely wait. Be aware that your queue position might change after midnight on Thursdays when automatic bids (autobids) are placed.

What if my circumstances change?

It's crucial to keep your information up-to-date. You can change your telephone number or email address by logging into your HomeChoice account. For more significant changes:

• New Baby: Email a copy of the baby’s birth certificate to the Crawley Homechoice team.
• Health/Medical Issues: Email details and copies of any supporting documents (e.g., a doctor’s letter) to the Crawley Homechoice team.
• For any other changes, email the details to the Crawley Homechoice team.

While adding a new baby might affect the size of property you are eligible for, it is unlikely to change your banding unless it significantly alters your housing need.

Why can’t I log into my account?

A common issue is incorrect date format. Ensure you enter your memorable date in the dd/mm/yyyy format (e.g., 5 March 2020 should be entered as 05/03/2020).

What is my banding and reference number?

You can find your banding, priority housing date, and reference number on your acceptance letter or by logging into your HomeChoice account.

Which properties can I bid on?

When you use the HomeChoice website or bid by phone, the system will only show you properties for which you are eligible. This prevents you from bidding on properties that do not meet your assessed needs (e.g., bidding on a three-bedroom house if assessed for two bedrooms).

Why are there not any properties I can bid on?

Properties only become available when an existing tenant moves out. The council cannot control or predict when properties will become available. If you haven't found eligible properties recently, continue to check the HomeChoice website weekly.

Why wasn’t my bid successful?

There are several reasons why your bid might not have been successful:

• Priority Level: You may not have had the highest level of priority (banding and housing date) for the property.
• Rent Arrears: If you are in rent arrears with the council or another landlord, this significantly affects your banding and eligibility. Pay them off as soon as possible.
• Eligibility: You might not have been eligible for the specific property (e.g., assessed for a smaller property size).
• Contact Details: Ensure your contact details are up-to-date so the council can reach you.
• Extra Criteria: Some properties have additional criteria (e.g., only for transfer applicants, specific bands, or suitable for families/over 60s).
• Household Changes: Changes in income, household size, or address can affect your banding or eligibility.

You can often log into your HomeChoice account to find out the specific reason why your bid was unsuccessful.

How can I get into a higher banding?

Your banding is determined by your current housing situation and personal circumstances. If your circumstances change in a way that increases your housing need, you should inform the Crawley Homechoice team. They will reassess your application, which could lead to a higher banding. However, simply adding people to your application, such as a new baby, is unlikely to change your banding, though it may affect the size of property you are eligible to bid on.

What if I do not agree with a decision?

If you believe the council's original decision regarding your application was incorrect, you can request a review. This request must be in writing, provide your reasons, and include supporting documentation. A panel of at least two senior officers (who were not involved in the original decision) will review your application. They aim to complete reviews within 28 days, though it may take longer if further investigations (e.g., contacting your GP, landlord, or the DWP) are required. Details on how to request a review are in your original decision letter.

When do I renew my application?

The council will contact you annually to check if you wish to remain on the Housing Register. You do not need to do anything until they contact you, at which point they will provide instructions on how to renew your application.

What if I need an adapted property?

It is unlikely that a property with pre-existing adaptations perfectly suited to your needs will become available. However, if you accept a property, it can often be adapted to make it suitable. An occupational therapist and/or surveyor may visit the property to assess its suitability for adaptation. If it cannot be adapted, it will not count as an offer, and you will need to continue bidding.

Why does my queue position change?

Your queue position is live data. If other eligible people place bids after you, or if autobids are placed (especially at midnight on Thursdays), your position may change. Your position is ultimately determined by your priority banding and housing date, not the specific time you place your bid.

I am going to be homeless, what do I do?

If you are homeless or facing homelessness, it is crucial to complete the online form as soon as possible. The council has a duty to assist you, and acting quickly can provide access to support and potentially place you on the housing register with a homelessness duty, which affects the number of offers you receive.

What are registered providers?

Registered providers are non-government organisations that own and manage social housing stock. They are regulated by the Regulator for Social Housing, not directly by the council. These providers work in partnership with local authorities to deliver social housing.

Navigating the housing register in Crawley requires patience, attention to detail, and a clear understanding of the rules. By diligently following the guidelines for eligibility, bidding wisely, and understanding the implications of offers and refusals, you significantly improve your chances of securing a suitable home. Remember, the limit of two offers (or one for those owed a homelessness duty) is a critical factor, so make your bids count and ensure any property you accept truly meets your needs.

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