How Homechoice works

Step 1: Register

To be able to bid for properties, you will need to join the Homechoice register. Go to Apply for a home to complete an application.

For more information on registering with Homechoice and other social housing, please see the leaflet below.

SHL Option 2a Homechoice and other social landlords - getting registered April 2011.pdf (0.290MB)

Once your completed form has been registered, we will send you a letter telling you how many points you have and what size of property you can apply for.  

What can I bid for.pdf (0.014MB)

If you have been made ineligible or given a lower priority for issues such as rent arrears or unacceptable behaviour you have a right to have this decision reviewed. For more information, please see the review and appeals procedure below

Housing Register Review and Appeals Procedure.pdf (0.078MB)

Step 2: Consider other options

There are other housing options that you may like to consider, such as applying for Housing Association properties, accessing a private rented tenancy and affordable home ownership. Please see the Housing Options section for more information.

Stockport Homes also provides a Deposit Scheme. Please see the Deposit Scheme section of the website for more information. 

Step 3: Search for a home

Go to Search for a home where you can search by property type, location and number of bedrooms.  

Look at which areas you would like and how many bedrooms you are entitled to. Be realistic though! Go to Previous results to get an idea of how many points you need for properties in different areas. 

If you are not in a bidding period, you can still look for a property, by looking at Keys ready now properties. These are properties that were not let after previous bidding periods. 

Please see the Homechoice leaflet below for more information about how to get a property.

SHL Option 2b Homechoice - how do I get a property April 2011.pdf (0.336MB)

Step 4: Make a bid

Once you have found a property that suits you and that you are eligible for, you can put your name forward (or bid) for that property. Properties will be advertised starting on Wednesday morning and close at 5pm the following Tuesday.

You can bid for up to three properties every week. Please go to the Search for a home page of the website to search for and place bids on available properties. You can also bid by calling the bidding line on 0161 474 4567 or texting your bid to 07797 806630.

Step 5: Property Offer

If you are successful with your bids, you will be informed by letter or phone by the relevant Area Housing Office on the Thursday after the bidding has closed.

You then have 48 hours to make a decision about whether or not to accept the property. 

Properties will be offered to the applicants within priority one with the highest number of housing need points. If there is no one in priority one it will be offered to the applicant with the highest number of housing need points in priority two and so on. Applicants with the same or nil points will be compared using their date of application. 

When an applicant refuses a property, the Area Housing Offices will re-run the shortlist of applicants, which means the list could change from the one produced at the close of bidding. This is so that the applicant with the most housing need at that moment in time is offered the property. 

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Last updated: 30 November 2011