Welcome to Homebid
Important information for people on the Housing Register
The application to join the housing register is now open. You will need to complete this even if you already have a current application on Homebid. Please be aware that this is to register for the opening of Southampton Homesearch which is replacing Homebid. Southampton Homesearch is expected to open in April 2025. If you have not registered before this date you will not be able to bid. To ensure that you do not miss out on bidding for accommodation please register before this date. Homebid will no longer be available once the new system is open in April 2025.
Applying for Southampton Home Search
Before you apply to join the housing register you must check if you meet the criteria as set out in our Allocations Policy 2024.
To meet the criteria, you must:
- have a housing need,
- be over the age of 18,
- not owners of a residential property in the UK or abroad,
- have a local connection to Southampton,
- be able to manage a tenancy and suitable to be a tenant.
We will not be able to house everyone who applies, and the waiting times for accommodation are considerable. You should consider all other housing options such as looking for private rented accommodation as this is the quickest and most effective option in solving your housing need.
PLEASE APPLY ON THE LINK BELOW:
https://www.southampton.gov.uk/housing/find-a-home/apply-for-housing/southampton-homesearch/
If you have an existing Homebid application do not try to use your login details to make a new application for Southampton Homesearch.
If you have an existing Homebid application and make a new application under Southampton Homesearch you do not need to provide proofs if already provided. If we need any additional information you will be contacted via your Southampton Homesearch portal once your application has been assessed.
Why this is happening
The council has a very long waiting list for housing with demand far outstripping supply of available social accommodation. In order to use our limited stock of council homes effectively, we are changing the allocation policy to prioritise those with the highest need. These changes were approved by Cabinet in July 2024 and a link to the decision is available on the council's website.
For more information including more details on the changes we are making, you can visit our website.
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] or call 02380 833006
Homebid will remain open and if you have an active Homebid account, you will be able to bid as normal for any suitable properties that are advertised. If you are successful in your bid, you will be notified by post and text message. You must also ensure that you keep your details up to date and let us know of any change in your circumstances.
Homebid opens at 8.00am each Friday and closes at 8.00am each Tuesday. You will be able to place up to three bids within these hours.
Please only place bids if you are ready to move home. For most applicants there is no penalty for not bidding.
Please read the description of the advert in full before placing any bids, and please note that any heating charges shown on the adverts are not covered by either Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.
You will be expected to contact the Allocations Advice Line within 3 working days of receiving an offer of accommodation, to confirm your acceptance or refusal. Failure to do so may mean the offer is withdrawn. Therefore please ensure that all your relevant contact details, are up to date.
If you have a query regarding your Homebid application, please email us at [email protected]. or phone our Advice Line on 023 8083 3006.
Please also read the information on the council's housing web pages here. These contain important information on homelessness, looking for a home, reporting anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse and much more.