Offers
How Waverley decide who will be offered a property
Once the closing date for bidding has passed a shortlist of interested applicants is drawn up. The shortlist is in order of eligibility according to the criteria stated in the property advert. The applicant at the top of the list will usually be offered the property. Your band and priority date determine your position on the list.
How will I know if I have been successful?
Successful applicants will usually be contacted within a week of the closing date. Top bids will be contacted by phone or email requesting any documents required - for example, two months' banks statements - and for you to complete a pre-tenancy declaration form. An offer will not be made until this information has been reviewed.
If you do not hear anything, you should assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion and continue to bid for other properties.
If I am at the top of the shortlist for a property, can the landlord refuse to let it to me?
Yes, you may not be invited to view the property if:
- You owe rent or have other housing related debts
- You are a council or housing association tenant and legal action has been taken against you because you have broken your tenancy conditions
- You have sufficient resources to resolve your own housing issue
- You have not provided the required documentary evidence to support your application by the date given
- Your circumstances have changed, and this results in a reduction in your level of priority or the size of property you are eligible for
- You have provided incorrect or misleading information, which has resulted in your application being awarded a higher priority than it deserves.
When can I view the property?
For Waverley properties, applicants will be sent a video of the property via WhatsApp. The applicant can then decide to accept the property and complete a sign up via DocuSign or, opt to view the property in person with their housing officer. If the applicant accepts at the viewing, they will sign up at that time.
Housing associations will contact you directly to make arrangements for you to view their properties.
What happens if I accept the property?
If you accept a property, Homechoice will advise when you can move in. For Waverley properties, tenancies start on a Monday however, you may receive the keys prior to this once the sign up is complete and two weeks' rent in advance has been paid.
Please note the rent is due weekly in advance or you can pay monthly by Direct Debit at the end of each month. Contact the rent accounts team on 01483 523136 with any queries.
Housing associations will make their own arrangements directly with you if you are moving into one of their properties.
If you are already a Waverley tenant transferring to another Waverley property, your housing officer will make contact with you to make an appointment to complete an audit on your current property. They will check the condition and advise you of any changes you may need to make to prevent recharges once the property is void.
What if I don't like the property when I have seen it?
If you decide to refuse the property, it will be offered to the next person on the shortlist. If an applicant has refused three properties, their application will be suspended for three months. During this time, they will not be able to place bids. Once the three-month period has ended, the applicant can resume bidding as normal.