What happens after I view a property?

Usually, you don't have to accept the property at the viewing stage. Please tell the officer at the viewing if you are no longer interested.

We normally offer the property to the bidder in the highest band with the most points. If they are no longer interested it will be offered to the bidder in second place and so on.

If a housing co-op or tenant management organisation manages the property they will interview the bidders after the viewing and will decide which of them to offer it to. There is no guarantee that they will offer it to the bidder with the highest priority.

If you are unsuccessful, you will be able to carry on bidding.

When will my tenancy start?

If you are the successful bidder, you will be expected to move to your new home very quickly.

Council accommodation

If your bid is successful we will normally expect you to move in the following Monday. This means that you may only have a few days in which to organise your move. Please be prepared for this.

Housing Association accommodation

The housing association will tell you when the tenancy is due to start. They may give you a little more time in which to move in, but this is still likely to be within 2 weeks. Your tenancy will still start on a Monday.

Stored goods, transport and furniture

Storage and transport

If we have some of your belongings in storage, you will need to arrange for these to be delivered to your new home. Call HOS on 0207 641 1000 to arrange this.

Please remember that our removals company usually needs at least two days notice to arrange a delivery.

Find out more about storage and transport.

Furniture

All permanent flats are unfurnished. This means that you will need to find your own furniture, cooker and fridge when you move in. You can't take items from your temporary accommodation with you.

If you are a homeless applicant, we can refer you to a charitable organisation called Furnish, that will provide you with the items you need to get started in your new flat at heavily discounted rates.

Please contact the Choice and Lettings team at HOS for a referral. You will need to provide a copy of your new tenancy agreement and will be given a referral form to take to Furnish's office.

Download Furnish information pack