Have you found these frequently asked questions and answers useful? Did we answer your question? If not, please contact us and we will try and take this into account when we next update our website.
What is choice-based lettings?
Choice-based lettings (CBL) is a scheme that is designed to give all applicants a greater degree of choice of home. The CBL scheme for Derby is called Derby Homefinder. Derby Homefinder provides a service to people looking for social housing in Derby.
Derby Homefinder is a partnership between Derby City Council, Derby Homes and various housing associations in Derby. See a list of our partner housing associations in Derby.
CBL allows you to play a greater part in the process of selecting your home. The Council will no longer match you to an empty property but, as with private renting, available homes will be advertised and you can express an interest in properties you qualify for. In CBL, expressing an interest is called ‘bidding’. Bidding does not involve any money.
The properties will usually be offered to the bidder with the highest priority. However, being at the top of the shortlist does not guarantee you an offer. Being on the shortlist means only that the Derby Homefinder Landlord will consider you for housing.
However, there may be exceptions to this. For example, people may be bypassed at the top of the shortlist to offer a ground floor property to an applicant further down the shortlist who needs ground floor accommodation. In some cases the Derby Homefinder Landlords together with Derby City Council, may decide to let properties within a local area or new development on a slightly different basis than normal. This would be done to create sustainable communities. These are called Local Letting Plans (LLP); this may be done in certain areas of the city that may have particular problems of crime and anti-social behavior.
For more information, download the Derby Homefinder Information Book and our Banding Needs leaflet.
How do I apply to get on Derby Homefinder?
If you can’t get privately-rented accommodation, and you would like to get on Derby Homefinder, please call 01332 256483.
We will ask you for your contact details, so we can call you to discuss your housing circumstances and advise you of your chances of being housed through Derby Homefinder. We will make an appointment for you to fill in a Housing Register application form - if this is the best option for you.
If you are an existing Derby Homes tenant contact any Derby Homes local housing office. See Derby Homes Local Housing Offices and their opening times.
Can I get on the Housing Register List even though I don’t live in Derby?
Yes, but only 3% of Derby Homefinder properties go to applicants who don’t have a local connection to Derby. A local connection is a link to Derby such as living, working, having close family support or other special needs in Derby. For further information on local connection please see: What does 'local connection' mean? If you are a family or a young single person, here is virtually no chance you will receive an offer of housing through Derby Homefinder if you don’t have a local connection.
When I submit my application, will I need to provide any other documents?
We may ask you to provide extra information so that we can check that you qualify and assess your application. This could include proof of:
All documents you provide must be original or certified copies of originals - and up to date and valid.
What happens if I don’t provide the required documents?
We won’t be able to process your application if you don’t provide the required documents.
How does the Council assess housing applications?
We will assess your application in line with Derby City Council’s Housing Allocation Policy. We base our assessment of your application on all of the information we receive.
We place applicants in one of four Bands: These are:
For the Emergency Band and Band C, we prioritise applicants according to waiting time (how long the applicant has been on the Housing Register).
For Band A and Band B, we prioritise applicants by:
For more information on the Derby Homefinder Bands, and which housing circumstances are in each Band, download the Derby Homefinder Banding needs leaflet.
How does the Council place applicants in Bands?
There are certain criteria for being placed in each band:
If ‘pending enquiries’ shows when you log into the website at the bottom of the ‘My Housing Register’ page, this means that we need extra information before we can process
your application. We won’t be able to make your application ‘Active' unless you provide all the supporting information/proof we need by law, and until we assess that you qualify for social housing. You won’t be able to bid for properties while your application is ‘pending enquiries’. If we need information, we will tell you what extra information you need to provide. If you are still not sure, please call 01332 256483.
What happens to my application?
Housing Application Form processing standards:
When we receive your housing application with all supporting information/proof:
If you want find out what date applications and change of circumstances we are currently working on please visit Housing Register Team processing times.
What should I do if I can’t login to access Derby Homefinder or can’t remember my application or login number?
If you can’t access Derby Homefinder or can’t remember your application or login number please contact us.
What if my circumstances change?
It’s very important that you tell us of any changes in your circumstances so that we can amend your application. Please email us if:
For all other changes, please call 01332 256483 for advice. After we have spoken to you we tell you if you to complete a form or make an office appointment to see you.
We will write to you to tell you if your Change in Circumstances results in your application moving to a different Band or your number of needs change.
What if I’m not happy with a decision made about my Derby Homefinder application?
The Housing Act 1996, as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002, gives you the right to ask for a review if we:
You can ask for a review about a decision we have made about your application if you can show we have:
You must provide all the relevant information for us to consider as part of the review process.
You, or your representative, should make your request to the Housing Advice Manager (Register) at the Housing Options Centre in writing, within 21 days of getting our written decision. If it’s difficult for you to give us your reasons in writing, you or your representative may tell us in person.
For more information, see our Right to Review leaflet.
How long do single people (under age 60) have to wait to get housed?
There aren’t enough properties for young, single people in Derby. More than half of the Housing Register is made up of single people and couples asking for housing. There are more people wanting to be housed than homes available.
Some facts and figures…
At 21 June 2011, there were 7119 applicants on the Housing Register in Derby – 2606 of these are applicants who are under 60 years old, who are eligible for a one bedroomed property.
In the last financial year (1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011):
Generally, you will need at least three housing needs to receive an offer of housing from the Derby Homefinder Landlords. If you have two or fewer housing needs, it’s unlikely that you will be made an offer of housing through Derby Homefinder.
Even if you have three housing needs it can still very difficult for us to say when or if you will get an offer of housing. This is because of the high number of applicants and a limited number of properties available on Derby Homefinder, and you may want housing in an area where there are no single person’s accommodation. You may want to consider renting privately. For more information about this please see I have found a private property: can I get help with the rent/deposit?
If we don’t think it’s likely that you will be made an offer of housing by the Derby Homefinder Landlords, we’ll let you know when we first discuss your housing circumstances.
Areas that may have properties for single people under 60
This table below shows where Derby Homefinder Landlord properties for single people are located in the city and how available they may be, but it does not mean properties are always available. This will help you when bidding for properties as you stand a better chance of housing if you bid for properties in areas where it is more often available. You will have to wait a long time to be housed in a high demand area like Allestree or Darley Abbey. It will be easier for us to help you with housing in areas where there are more properties available.
Our advice
You may stand a better chance of housing if you bid for properties in areas where they are more often available. Even if you have three or more housing needs, you may have to wait a long time if you want housing in areas where there are very few or no properties available for single people.
More often available |
Sometimes available |
Hardly ever available because there are very few or no properties in these areas |
City centre |
Ashbourne Road area |
Allenton Market area |
Abbey Street area |
Albert Road area Chaddeseden |
Osmaston and Allenton area |
Stockbrook Street area |
Littleover |
Allestree |
West End (Brook Street area)
|
Old Sinfin |
|
|
Shelton Lock |
Darley Abbey |
|
Boulton Lane area, Alvaston |
|
Litchurch area (near the London Road Community Hospital) |
Elvaston Lane area, Alvaston |
Kedleston Road |
|
Chester Green area |
Chaddesden |
Normanton |
Derwent area, Chaddesden |
Oakwood |
Sinfin Moor |
Austin/Sunnyhill area |
Spondon |
Crewton area of Alvaston/Allenton |
|
Chellaston |
|
|
Mickleover |
|
|
Mackworth |
|
|
Morley area |
How long do older people (over 60) have to wait to get housed?
Derby Homefinder Landlords have more properties for older people in the city - often flats in older people’s schemes - so it tends to be easier to house older people on the Housing Register. Older people could be offered this type of accommodation if they don’t have many housing needs, are in Band C or don’t have a local connection with Derby.
There’s a limited number of bungalows, especially two bed roomed bungalows for older people, and there is a shortage of adapted properties for older people.
If we don’t think you will be made an offer of housing by the Derby Homefinder Landlords, we will let you know when we first discuss your housing circumstances.
Some facts and figures…
At 21 June 2011, there were 7119 applicants on the Housing Register in Derby and 832 of these are people over 60 who are eligible for one bedroom properties.
In the last financial year (1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011):
Generally, the more needs you have, the quicker you will receive an offer of housing from the Derby Homefinder Landlords.
Areas that may have properties for older people over age 60
The table below shows where Derby Homefinder Landlord properties for older people are located in the city and how available they may be, but it does not mean properties are always available. This will help you when bidding for properties as you stand a better chance of housing if you bid for properties in areas where it is more often available.
Even if you have a three or more housing needs, you may have to wait a long time if you want housing in areas where there is not many properties for older people. You will have to wait a long time to be housed in a high demand area like Allestree or Darley Abbey. It will be easier for us to help you with housing in areas where there are more properties.
Our advice
You may stand a better chance of housing if you bid for properties in areas where they are more often available. Even if you have three or more housing needs, you may have to wait a long time if you want housing in areas where there are very few or no properties available for older people.
The Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) has more information about accommodation for older people: visit Elderly Accommodation Counsel.
Often available |
Sometimes available
|
Hardly ever available because there are very few or no properties in these areas |
Abbey Street area |
Allenton Market area |
Osmaston, Allenton area |
Alvaston (Boulton Lane, Elvaston Lane and Crewton areas) |
Ashbourne Road area |
Allestree |
Sunnyhill area |
Derwent area |
Wilmorton |
Chellaston |
Chaddesden |
Chester Green |
Litchurch area (near the London Road Community Hospital) |
Mickleover |
Darley Abbey |
|
Normanton |
Morley area |
|
Spondon |
Old Sinfin |
Sinfin Moor |
West End (Brook Street area) |
Oakwood |
Stockbrook street area |
City centre |
|
Shelton Lock |
Littleover |
|
|
Mackworth |
|
How long do families have to wait to get housed?
It’s difficult for us to say when or if families will get an offer of housing through Derby Homefinder. There are a high number of families who want housing and a limited number of properties on Derby Homefinder.
Generally, families will need to have three or more housing needs to get an offer of housing through Derby Homefinder. Sometimes, we can help families who have two housing needs in areas where there are properties for families available.
If we don’t think you will be made an offer of housing by the Derby Homefinder Landlords, we will let you know when we first discuss your housing circumstances.
There are not as many two-bedroom houses as there are three bedroom houses in Derby, so it can be more difficult to house families with one child. There is only a very small number of five-bedroom properties or bigger for very large families.
Some facts and figures…
At 21 June 2011, there were 7119 applicants on the Housing Register in Derby and of them 2319 are eligible for a two bedroom property and 1362 are eligible for three or more bedrooms.
In the last financial year (1April 2010 to 31 March 2011):
Generally, the more needs you have the quicker you will receive an offer of housing from the Derby Homefinder Landlords.
Areas that may have properties for families
The table below shows where Derby Homefinder Landlord properties for families are located in the city and how available they may be, but it does not mean properties are always available. This will help you when bidding for properties as you stand a better chance of housing if you bid for properties in areas where it is more often available.
Even if you have a three or more housing needs, you may have to wait a long time if you want housing in areas where there is not very much family housing. You will have to wait a long time to be housed in an area where there are very few properties built like Allestree or Darley Abbey or where there are properties but they don’t come available very often because people do not move out of them. It will be easier for us to help you with housing in areas where there are more houses available.
Our advice
You may stand a better chance of housing if you bid for properties in areas where it is often available and with as many Derby homefinder Landlords who have properties for families. For example, there are not many family houses in Allestree or Darley Abbey, which means it will be very difficult for us to help you in these areas even if you have a high number of housing needs.
Often available |
Sometimes available |
Hardly ever available because there is either a very small number or no properties built in these areas |
Allenton |
Abbey Street area |
Allestree |
Osmaston |
Chaddesden |
Ashbourne Road |
Alvaston |
|
Wilmorton (Alvaston) |
Austin/Sunnyhill area |
Chellaston |
Darley Abbey |
Derwent area of Chaddesden |
Chester Green |
Kedleston Road |
|
Littleover |
Litchurch area (near the London Road Community Hospital) |
Normanton |
Morley area |
Mickleover |
Old Sinfin |
Sinfin Moor |
|
|
Spondon |
West end area (near Brook Street) |
|
Stockbrook Street area |
Oakwood |
|
Shelton Lock |
City centre |
|
Mackworth |
|
How long will someone who needs an adapted property have to wait to get housed?
There is a shortage of fully-adapted properties in Derby, especially for families. Even if you have a high number of housing needs, you may have to wait a long time to be offered an adapted property.
Derby Homefinder Landlords aim to make best use of adapted properties. To do this, we will try and match an adapted property to an applicant on the Housing Register who would make best use of it without advertising it. We will do this by working with the Council’s occupational therapists. Sometimes we will advertise adapted properties on Derby Homefinder.
Some facts and figures…
At 21 June 2011, there were 7119 applicants on the Housing Register in Derby and 367 have been identified as needing a wheelchair or mobility standard property.
350 adapted properties became available for letting in the last financial year (1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011). Only a small percentage of these were suitable for people who use a wheelchair.
The waiting time varies dependent on the urgency of the applicants needs. For example, someone who cannot be discharged from hospital because their home is unsuitable, would be given very high priority.
Our advice
If you limit your areas and the landlords you want housing with, it may be difficult for us to help you even if you have a high priority for housing.
You can bid for unadapted properties and ask the landlord if they will adapt the property to meet your needs.
It’s best if you get advice from the Council’s occupational therapists before you do this because they will be able to tell you if they think the property can be adapted.
If you bid for a Registered Social Landlord property (Housing Association) property, you may qualify for a Disabled Facilities Grant to adapt a property. The grant depends on your income and you may have to wait along time for a grant to come through.
Before you could apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant, you would need an assessment from the Council’s occupational therapists. For more information contact Derby City Council’s Screening and Assessment Unit on the following relevant telephone numbers:
Adult Social Services:
Telephone: 01332 717777
Or view the Adult Social Services web page.
Children and Young People's Services:
Telephone: 01332 256990
Or view the Children and Young People's Services web page.
If you are an owner occupier or private tenant and you need to move because the property you are living in is no longer suitable for you because of mobility or a disability contact the Council’s Screening and Assessment Unit on the contact details above. They will advise you if a Disabled Facilities Grant is an option for you so that you don’t have to move and can remain at home.
What are my housing options if I can’t get housed?
Other options are to look at privately-rented accommodation. You can find out about these by:
I have found a private property: can I get help with the rent/deposit?
If you are on a low income and find a private property to rent, you may be able to get help through the Bond Assurance and Rent In Advance Scheme.
If you would like to talk to someone about these schemes, please view our Contact us page.
If I accept a private tenancy can I remain on Homefinder to bid?
Yes, you can remain on Derby Homefinder, but if you are adequately housed in a private tenancy you will be banded as Band C, ‘adequately housed’. This means you will be unlikely to receive an offer of housing from the Derby Homefinder landlords.
My circumstances have changed and I can no longer afford my rent. What should I do?
If you’re finding it hard to make ends meet or your circumstances change, you may be able to claim Housing Benefit. If you rent your property from a private landlord, this is also referred to as Local Housing Allowance (LHA).
LHA pays only for accommodation. It doesn’t cover charges for heating, lighting, food or some care that may be included in your rent.
If you received certain Department of Work and Pension benefits such as Income Support, Employment Support Allowance (ESA) or Jobseeker’s Allowance or you work but are on a low income, you may be able to claim Housing Benefit or LHA to help you meet your rent charges.
Local Housing Allowance is calculated on the number of rooms you and your family need. The Rent Officer Service sets the Local Housing Allowance rates. Before agreeing to take on a private tenancy, you should check the amount of LHA you will get so you know that you can afford to live in the property. You can check your entitlement to LHA. The Directgov website has more information, including a LHA bedroom calculator.
You can apply for LHA, or Housing Benefit, if you are the tenant of a social landlord by contacting Derby Benefits or, you can download a claim form.
For more information, visit our FAQ: How do I find out about Housing and Council Tax Benefits?
How do I find out about Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit?
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are national benefits that local councils pay out on behalf of the government. Derby Benefits works out these benefits for people who live in Derby.
Housing Benefit is a benefit based on your income that gives cash help towards your rent. Council Tax Benefit is a benefit based on your income that gives help towards your Council Tax.
The amount of benefit entitlement depends on:
For further information, see more Frequently Asked Questions on Derby City Council’s website.
For further general advice, you can also contact:
Derby City Council’s Derby Advice
Offers Derby Advice provides free, confidential and independent advice on ...
... all welfare benefits, including Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Pension Credit, Employment Support Allowance, Disability Living Allowance plus Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit
... any money / debt problems and on budgeting
Telephone: 01332 643394 or 643396
Citizens Advice and Law Centre
Offers information and advice on consumer, debt, employment, welfare benefits advice
Telephone: 01332 295711
If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness, you should contact us urgently. We will try and prevent you from becoming homeless. Our housing advisors will work with you and any relevant agencies to stop you from losing your home so that you can stay where you are.
Single people and couples over 18 years of age without dependants, please contact Milestone House on 01332 642150.
All other applicants, please contact the Housing Advice Team on 01332 256483.
When the Housing Options Centre is closed after 5pm on weekdays and all weekend, call 01332 786968.
What happens if I start to need an adapted property?
We don’t always advertise adapted properties. This is because there is a shortage of specifically-adapted properties, so Derby Homefinder Landlords must make best use of existing adapted social housing properties.
The Community Care Manager at the Housing Options Centre works with applicants who have mobility needs and Social Services to try to find a suitable property. When we identify that a property has the facilities that match the applicant’s needs, the landlord will contact them with an offer.
Adapted properties are very occasionally advertised on Derby Homefinder, so if you are looking for this type of property, we recommend that you look at our website every week in case there is a suitable property you want to bid for.
You may also bid for properties that are not adapted to meet your needs. The landlord may consider applicants who need adaptations for these properties and will decide if it is possible to adapt the property. If you are offered an unadapted property, you may have to wait a considerable time before the property can be altered to meet your needs.
What is a community alarm and how can one help me stay at home?
A community alarm is a piece of equipment which allows a vulnerable person to call for emergency help at the press of a button. A person may need help because they feel unwell, or have fallen. The community alarm service in Derby is provided by Care Link, and is designed to help people to remain living at home and help them lead independent lifestyles.
In addition, a range of additional sensors called ‘Telecare’ is available to work with community alarms. These sensors provide extra support to people with more substantial needs, and their carers. They can automatically alert to a potentially harmful situation and help people to maintain independent living for as long as possible.
For more information download the Derby Care Link and Telecare leaflet
What does ‘bidding’ or ‘placing a bid’ mean?
‘Bidding’ is the term used in choice-based lettings schemes to mean that an applicant has registered an interest in being considered for a property. Applicants can ‘bid’ for up to three properties each week. There is no money involved.
You can only bid if you have an ‘active’ Derby Homefinder application. You will have a unique application number that does not change – and a login number. Your application and login numbers may be different.
When you bid for a property, you will have to quote:
You will be only be able to bid for advertised properties that match the Band we have awarded you and the type and size of property you qualify for. We won’t be able to accept a bid for a property for which you don’t qualify.
For further information, please see Top tips for bidding.
How will I be able to express an interest in / bid for the property I want?
You can bid for properties on this website: visit our Login/Your Status page or:
| Telephone: | Call 01332 256483 |
Minicom: |
Call 01332 256480 |
| In person: | Visit the Housing Options Centre, Bio House, Derwent Street, Derby or visit any Derby Homes Local Housing Office. |
| By post: | Write to Derby Homefinder, Housing Options Centre, Bio House, Derwent Street, Derby DE1 2ED. Your bids must get to us by Tuesday morning of the relevant advertising cycle. |
Helping vulnerable customers to use Derby Homefinder
If you struggle to bid for properties on Derby Homefinder and need assistance with bidding, our new auto bidding service will be able to help you. Auto bidding is for our vulnerable customers. Our computer will look for properties that you are eligible for, in your preferred areas. It will put in one bid each week for the property you would have most chance of being offered.
Auto bidding takes into account both your preferred areas and any preference for ground floor properties.
If you are interested in Auto-bidding please contact Derby Homefinder on 01332 256483. Or you can telephone: 01332 256483 to talk to someone about available properties.
If you need any help to make a bid, please contact Derby Homefinder on 01332 256483. Properties are not let on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. When the advertising cycle has closed, we shortlist all the bids that qualify and prioritise them in order of housing band and needs.
For further information, please see Top tips for bidding.
How many properties can I bid for each week?
You can ‘bid’ for up to three properties each week. Advertising cycles last for one week starting on a Wednesday morning and ending at midnight on the following Tuesday. You don’t have to place three bids if there aren’t three properties suitable for you. Only bid for properties that you want to live in, be aware of our rules on unreasonable refusals.
Can I withdraw my bid once it has been accepted?
Yes, you can remove and change your bids at any time up until the close of the weekly advertising cycle. You can do this by contacting Derby Homefinder on 01332 256483 or following the instructions below:
Remember: bids can only be withdrawn from properties that are currently being advertised.
To remove a bid
Login to Derby Homefinder on the ‘Login/Your Status’ page and select the ‘My Bids’ tab.
I’ve seen an empty Derby Homes property – when will it appear on Homefinder?
When notice is received on a property it will be advertised on the next available letting cycle, so by the time the property is empty the chances are that it has already been advertised and allocated to a Homefinder applicant.
How do I find out where I am on the shortlist?
Go to the Login/Your Status page on the website, click on the ‘My Bids’ box.
This page will show all the bids you have placed in the last 30 days and your position on the shortlists. The properties showing in the ‘Current Bids’ section are still being advertised and your position on these shortlists may change if applicants with higher priority than you apply for the properties.
To view bids that are over 30 days old, use the link ‘Click here to view all historic bids’ at the bottom of the page. Select the year from the drop down menu and then select the month for which you want to view the bids.
Why do I keep dropping further down the shortlist?
When you bid on a property, the system will show you your position on the shortlist at the time you bid. As other applicants with higher priority bid for the property, they will appear above you on the shortlist.
Why have I been skipped on a Derby Homefinder property?
If you have bid for a property that you don’t qualify for, your application will be ‘by passed’ (or ‘skipped’). For further details on why you have been skipped please contact us.
The Derby Homefinder Landlords are always responsible for offering and allocating properties.
What happens after the advertising cycle has closed?
Every Derby Homefinder applicant who has ‘bid’ for a property is placed on a list. This is called a shortlist.
A shortlist is sorted by:
If you are in the ‘My Bids’ section when you are logged in to the website and the shortlist status is ‘Being processed’, this means that the property is not at the moment on offer to an applicant and it is waiting for the Derby Homefinder Landlord to process the shortlist.
How long after bidding closes will it be before the landlord contacts an applicant to offer them the property?
Timescales vary between different landlords and depending on the situation. Derby Homes aim to have an offer on a property three days after the shortlist has closed
Why is it taking so long? / When will I be offered a property? / What can I do to speed things up?
We have a high number of people on the Housing Register and a limited number of properties on Derby Homefinder. Over the last four years we only house an average of 1363 applicants a year. The average number of applicants on the Housing Register is 7500.
We will tell you when you first contact us whether it is likely that we will be able to help you with housing through Derby Homefinder.
Generally, families and single people/couples under the age of 60 will need at least three housing needs to have a chance of being made an offer of housing.
It’s very difficult for us to say if or when applicants will receive an offer of accommodation because this depends on:
There are some things you can do to try to improve your chances of being housed / re-housed:
1. Check your housing needs
Make sure that your housing application has been assessed correctly and that you have been awarded the housing needs you are eligible for. For more information on housing needs, see the Derby Homefinder Banding needs leaflet. If there are any extra needs that you think apply to you contact:
Please bid for properties wisely. For further information on bidding for properties, see Top tips for bidding.
2. Look at privately-rented accommodation
You can find out about privately-rented accommodation by visiting our frequently-asked questions:
What are my housing options if I can’t get housed?
I’ve found a private property - can I get help with the rent/deposit?
3. Consider a ‘mutual exchange’
If you are a Derby Homefinder Landlord tenant living in Derby city boundaries, you may be qualify to advertise your property for a mutual exchange on Derby Homeswap. See How to Use Derby Home Swap for more information.
4. Think about ‘affordable home ownership’
For information on affordable home ownership, visit East Midlands HomeBuy.
Who decides the Band properties are advertised in?
The Derby Homefinder landlords advertise their properties to at least one Band. Derby City Council and the Derby Homefinder landlords have agreed that a percentage of properties are advertised to each Derby Homefinder Band. This means that applicants with high housing needs in each band have a chance of being made an offer of housing. Only 5% of properties are advertised to the C Band, these are generally older people’s accommodation.
What if I need support to use the service?
If you need help to apply for housing or need help with using Derby Homefinder, please telephone or visit the Housing Options Centre for advice. It is best to ring us first.
If you cannot telephone or visit the Housing Options Centre and have a family member or, for example a care or support worker ask them to contact us by telephone.
If your first language is not English and you need help to understand what Derby Homefinder is, we can provide support through an interpreter.
Helping vulnerable customers to use Derby Homefinder
If you struggle to bid for properties on Derby Homefinder and need assistance with bidding, our new auto bidding service will be able to help you. Auto bidding is for our vulnerable customers. Our computer will look for properties that you are eligible for, in your preferred areas. It will put in one bid each week for the property you would have most chance of being offered.
Auto bidding takes into account both your preferred areas and any preference for ground floor properties.
If you are interested in Auto-bidding please contact Derby Homefinder on 01332 256483. Or you can telephone: 01332 256483 to talk to someone about available properties.
What happens if I’m offered a property?
If a Derby Homefinder landlord offers you a property, they will try to phone you and will then send you an ‘offer letter’ to confirm this.
It’s important to remember that you have only three working days from the date on the offer letter to contact the Derby Homefinder Landlord to accept or turn down their offer. If you don’t contact the Derby Homefinder Landlord, we will assume you no longer wish to be re-housed and will cancel your Homefinder application. This means that you will not be able to bid for any more properties advertised on Derby Homefinder.
The Derby Homefinder Landlord will contact you directly and is always responsible for offering and allocating properties.
You won’t automatically be offered a property – you’ll need to keep looking on our website and bid for any suitable properties.
Please note: If you have bid for a property that you don’t qualify for, your application will be ‘by passed’ (or ‘skipped’).
What is an unreasonable refusal?
The following are examples of unreasonable refusal reasons:
It is important to remember that you only have three working days from the date on the offer letter. If you do not respond to an offer of housing and contact the Derby Homefinder landlord, we will assume you no longer want to be re-housed and will cancel your Homefinder application. This means that you will not be able to bid for any more properties advertised on Derby Homefinder.
How can I avoid making an unreasonable refusal?
The property advert contains specific details such as if pets are accepted, communal gardens or there is no garden. Please check our property adverts for this information before you place a bid for the property.
Is there a penalty for making an unreasonable refusal?
If you unreasonably refuse three offers of housing from Derby Homefinder we will place your application in Band C for a six-month period from the date of the last refusal.
This does not apply when you have bids placed on your behalf automatically by the Derby Homefinder system.
At the end of the six-month period, you can have your application reassessed. It is your responsibility to contact us to request a reassessment. Please telephone 01332 256483 or email us at derby.homefinder@derby.gov.uk for this to happen.
If you don’t contact us, we will keep your application in Band C. If we reassess your application and you unreasonably refuse a further three offers of housing, we will place your application in Band C for a further six months.
Can I request a review on the decision made regarding an unreasonable refusal?
Yes, please telephone 01332 256483 or email us at derby.homefinder@derby.gov.uk
How can I move into the property straight away if I have no furniture?
While you are waiting to receive an offer of permanent housing, it’s useful to start planning ahead for the essentials you will need to live comfortably in your home.
If you’re on a low income you can sometimes get help or low cost items of furniture from organisations such as Happy Homes in Allenton, or the Derby Furniture Project.
Low cost loans
If you need to borrow money to buy essential items we recommend that you avoid using unauthorised lenders or ‘loan sharks’ and expensive lenders like Shopacheck. Instead, why not consider:
If you have been offered a Derby Homes property, visit the Derby Homes website for more on what you need to buy and help if you are on a low income.
Will the Council pay my rent if I don’t move into my property straight away?
In most cases, the Council won’t. If you qualify for Housing Benefit, the Council will be able to pay it only from the date that you move into the property. If you don’t move in straight away, it’s your responsibility to pay the rent. If you don’t pay, this will result in rent arrears and action being taken against your tenancy.
What does ‘local connection’ mean?
A local connection is a link to Derby such as living, working, having close family support or other special needs in Derby. To qualify for ‘local connection’ and be allocated a Derby Homefinder property, you must:
You can’t claim a local connection through residence which is not of your choice, such as by living in approved premises, a probation hostel or hospital. We will need to see proof that applicants have a local connection with the city.
Working in Derby
If you claim a local connection under the work rule, we will need your current employer to provide written proof confirming the length of employment.
Where you claim a local connection under the family rule, we will need you to provide proof to confirm the family connection.
Other local connection circumstances
These circumstances are:
What does not give you a local connection
Remember, it is your responsibility to prove that you have a local connection to the city.
Only 3% of Derby Homefinder properties go to applicants who don’t have a local connection to Derby. If you are a family or a young single person, here is virtually no chance you will receive an offer of housing through Derby Homefinder.
What do I do if I am looking to move out of Derby?
If you want to move out of Derby and apply for social housing (Council Housing) in a different area, you need to contact the local council for the area you wish to live in. Or you may want to consider a ‘mutual exchange’ out of Derby:
Visit HomeSwapper, a national mutual exchange scheme, with general information about mutual exchanges.
How do I find out about Mutual Exchange schemes?
‘Derby Home Swap’ is a local mutual exchange scheme that allows Council and housing association tenants to swap properties. Find more information about Derby Home Swap.
‘HomeSwapper ’ is a national scheme that lets other council and housing association tenants know you would like to exchange your home. Visit the HomeSwapper website for more information.
On my Derby Home Swap Mutual Exchange Form, what does 'being processed' mean?
If you have filled in an online Mutual Exchange form and ‘being processed’ is showing at the top of the Mutual Exchange page, this means that you are waiting for your landlord to process your application. The landlord will decide if you can advertise your property for an exchange. For further details, please contact your landlord - see Our partners for a full list.
Remember…
There are always more people wanting housing than there are properties available.
Housing Register Team processing times
Our Housing Register Team is currently working (at 12 December 2011) on:
| Processed paper Housing Register application forms from: | 21/11/2011 |
| Processed change of circumstances forms from: | 31/10/2011 |
| Online applications received from: | 27/11/2011 |