Homes4U Bidding

Homes4U Properties

You can now bid for Homes4U properties through the Housing Portal within the Resident Portal. This guidance explains how bidding works, how to place bids, and what happens after the bidding period closes.

To bid for properties, you must have an active Homes4U application.

Sign in to Resident Portal

How bidding works

Homes4U properties are advertised every week through the Housing Portal.

You can place bids on properties you are interested in during the advertising period. Bidding does not involve money. A bid simply tells us that you would like to be considered for a property.

Properties are usually allocated based on:

• Your housing need and banding
• The date you joined the housing register
• Any eligibility criteria shown in the advert

How to place a bid

1. Sign in to the Resident Portal.
2. Select the My Housing tab from your account dashboard.
3. On your Housing dashboard, select Homes4U Advert from the list of actions.
4. Select the Actions button and choose List of Available Properties.
5. Browse the available properties and select View Details for any property you're interested in.
6. Select Add to Basket.
7. Once you've added all the properties you'd like to bid on, select View Basket.
8. Review your selections and select Place Bids to submit your bids.

Note: When you're signed in, you'll only see properties you're eligible to bid on.

Visual guide

If you'd prefer a step-by-step walkthrough with screenshots, view our Homes4U Bidding Guide (PDF).

After you've placed your bid

You can check the status of your bids through the Housing Portal.

A status of Received means your bid has been successfully submitted and is eligible for consideration. It does not mean that you have been offered the property.

A status of Rejected means your bid cannot be considered. A reason for the rejection will be provided. For example, you may have already placed a bid on the property.

If you are shortlisted for a property, a member of the Homes4U team will contact you within three working days of the advertising period closing.

You can continue to bid on properties in future advertising cycles while you wait to hear the outcome of previous bids.

Withdraw a bid

If you no longer wish to be considered for a property, you can withdraw your bid through the Housing Portal before the advertising period closes.

1. Sign in to the Resident Portal.
2. Select the My Housing tab from your account dashboard.
3. Select Homes4U Advert from the list of actions.
4. Select the Actions button and choose Current Bids.
5. Tick the box in the Withdraw Bid column for the bid that you wish to withdraw.
6. Select the Withdraw Bid button to confirm your choice.

Important: You can only withdraw a bid while the property advert is open. Once the advertising period has closed, bids can no longer be withdrawn.

Visual guide

Prefer a step-by-step walkthrough with screenshots? View our View and Withdraw a Homes4U Bid Guide (PDF).

New Build Homes

New Build Homes are advertised on the Council website.

New build properties are allocated through the Cascade Approach, which takes account of both housing need and local connection criteria.

Before submitting a bid, you should read the Site Allocation Policy included within the property advert. This explains how bids will be assessed and how properties will be allocated.

The bidding process for New Build Homes has not changed.

To submit a bid, you must:

• Have an active Homes4U application
• Have your Homes4U bidding number available
• Complete the bidding form through the Resident Portal before the closing date stated in the advert

View New Build Homes

Rural Homes

Rural Homes are advertised on the Council website. These properties may give priority to applicants with a local connection to a specific town, village or community. Any local connection requirements will be explained within the property advert.

The bidding process for Rural Homes has not changed.

To submit a bid, you must:

• Have an active Homes4U application
• Have your Homes4U bidding number available
• Complete the bidding form through the Resident Portal before the closing date stated in the advert

View Rural Homes

Frequently Asked Questions

• I can't find where to place a bid?

  To place a bid, you must be logged in to your account. You can access the Homes4U Advert from your Housing dashboard.
  
  Once logged in, you will see an Add to Basket button in the property advert. 

  
  If you'd prefer a step-by-step walkthrough with screenshots, view our Homes4U Bidding Guide (PDF).

• I can't find a property that was advertised? 

  Once you've signed in, you'll only see properties you're eligible to bid on.

   

  For example, you may only be eligible for properties with a certain number of bedrooms. If you've been assessed as needing a two-bedroom property, you may not be able to view or bid on larger properties.

   

  Some properties have additional eligibility requirements. For example:

  • Age-restricted properties may only be available to applicants aged 50 and over.
  • Adapted properties may only be available to applicants who require accessible features.
  • Some properties may have other criteria that must be met before a bid can be placed.

   

  If your circumstances have changed and you believe this affects the properties you're eligible to bid on, please contact the Homes4U team at homes4U@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.

• It's not showing me properties with the number of bedrooms I need 

   Check your assessed bedroom need by viewing the My Accepted Applications option in your Housing dashboard. 

   

  If you think your bedroom need has been assessed incorrectly, contact Homes4U at homes4u@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk and explain why you believe it should be reviewed.

• The Bid Results screen says my bid has been rejected.  

  This usually means your Homes4U account is not currently active and your bid cannot be considered.

   

   

  If your account has been suspended or you believe this is incorrect, contact the Homes4U team at homes4U@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.

• How do I know if my bid has been recorded?  

  You can check your current bids through the Housing Portal.

   

   

  1. Sign in to the Resident Portal.
  2. Select the My Housing Tab in your dashboard. 
  3. Select the Homes4U Advert in your Housing Dashboard. 
  4. Select the Actions button and choose Current Bids.

   

  A status of Received confirms that your bid has been successfully submitted and is eligible for consideration.

   

  If you'd prefer a step-by-step walkthrough with screenshots, view our View my Applications Guide (PDF)

• How do I know if my bid was successful? 

  If you're successful, a member of the Homes4U team will contact you within three working days of the advertising period closing.

   

  You can continue bidding on properties in future advertising cycles whilst waiting to hear back.

   

  If you do not hear back, unfortunately you were not successful.

• How do I find the outcome of previous Homes4U adverts? 
  1. Select Previous Property Lists from the Actions menu.
  2. Select Display Properties next to the advert you wish to view.
  3. Select Details to see:
     • the number of bids the property received
     • the banding of the successful bidder

Need help?

If you need help accessing your online housing account, managing your application or using the Housing Portal, visit our Online Housing Services page.

If you can't find the information you're looking for, contact the Homes4U team:

homes4u@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk