All the bids received are sorted in priority order and a shortlist of eligible applicants is produced for each property advertised, when the cycle closes.
The landlord of the property is responsible for offering the property to the person who appears at the top of the shortlist. This is usually the person with the greatest level of need who has been placed in the highest band for the longest period of time. The successful person will have their circumstances verified to make sure they have not changed before the offer of the property is made. The landlord may decide to overlook a person who is qualifying on the shortlist if it is felt they would not make a suitable tenant where there is evidence of poor behaviour.
If you are offered a property you will be invited to view it before deciding if it is suitable. Some of the partner organisations may arrange viewings with more than one person, but this depends upon the circumstances. If you decide to refuse the property, it will be offered to the next person on the shortlist. You will not normally be penalised for refusing a property, but you will be invited to an interview if you refuse 5 or more offers. If you are assessed as statutorily homeless and refuse an offer of a property, you must contact your officer at the earliest opportunity.