If you are already on the housing register, you do not need to do anything: your application will be automatically transferred onto the new choice based letting scheme. If you are not on the housing register, you can apply at any time by filling in a housing application form.

You can get a housing application form from Tamworth Borough Council Offices at Marmion House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth B79 7BZ (01827 709709). If you need help filling out the form, please ask. Click on Contact Us for details.

Once you have applied, we will write to tell you your Housing Application number, which you will need to keep in a safe place, as without this number you will be unable to bid for available properties.

You must tell us if there are any changes in your circumstances so that we can update your application and if necessary make changes. We will inform you of any changes to your banding.

Once you have a housing application number, you can look and bid on properties advertised through the Finding a Home service. Our properties are advertised weekly in several ways: online, in the local press, through support agencies and in our main offices at Marmion House. The weekly cycle runs from Tuesday 12 midnight to Monday 12 midnight.

To search for properties available, click on the “Properties” page or use the search feature. You can search on location and your requirements including bedroom number, whether the property is ground floor or suitable for pets.

Each property advert shows a wide range of information, including where the property is, how many bedrooms there are, if its suitable for pets, how much the rent is, who can bid for the property and a photograph.

To find out more information about what you can bid for, please click on “What can I bid for?” at the top of the site. You can also find information on our housing stock and the local area by clicking on the “Locations” page.

You can now bid on up to 3 properties per week and they do not need to be in any order. You only need to make one bid per property. Before you bid, remember to check that the properties you are choosing are suitable for your household and that your needs match the property type. To find out more about what you can bid for, please click on “What can I bid for?” at the top of the page, or if you are still unsure please contact us.

From the property advert, click on “Apply for this property” to make your bid. You must make sure you bid before the advertised closing date. If we do not receive it in time, you will not be put forward for the properties you have picked. If you need help bidding please contact us for help, or visit our offices where a member of staff will be able to assist you.

You can place your bid at anytime during the bidding cycle. You do not need to place a bid as soon as the cycle opens: the property is allocated to the applicant in the highest housing need, not to the applicant who has placed their bid first.

If you are successful we will contact you within 7 days after the closing date. If you are unsuccessful you will not be contacted and should carry on bidding. More information on results of bidding can be found by clicking on the “Lettings Results” page.

This could be due to one of many reasons please see below:

• You are only entitled to 3 bids in any one cycle: you cannot make more than 3 bids as these will not be accepted.
• You may have bid for a property that is too large or too small for your households needs. Check on your banding award letter, which advises you of your bedroom entitlement and make sure this matches the properties that you have bid for.
• Some properties have conditions for bidding on such as age restrictions or are adapted properties, again check from the advert who can apply.
• You may have bid on properties that are in high demand and have been offered to those in the greatest housing need. Lettings Results shows how many bids are received and the band of the successful applicant to help you determine this.
• We have more people registered for housing than we do have properties becoming available and there is a real shortage of 2 bedroomed houses. Did you know the majority of council housing is 2 and 3 bedroomed flats and maisonettes, which become empty more often? You may want consider your housing options such as bidding for other types of properties that are in less demand, applying for a mutual exchange, to be nominated for housing association properties and private rented accommodation.

For further information on your housing application please contact the Housing Advice team, tel 01827 709459

If you are not on the housing register you can apply by filling in a housing application form. Contact us directly to do this.

You will be assessed on your housing need and be given a band from 1+ to 4. People in band 1+ are those assessed as having the most urgent need, whereas those in band 4 have less priority.

All available properties will be advertised on this website, click “Properties” view the current advertised properties. The properties will also be advertised at Tamworth Borough Council offices, in the Tamworth Herald and through support agencies.

Before you start your property search, why not check out previous results by clicking on “Lettings Results” page. This will tell you how many people wanted a specific property/area. If a lot of people went for that property/area, you know that area is popular. You will also find information about how often properties have become empty over the last year and 3 years on this page.

Take a look at our locations page too: this will give you a guide on our housing stock per area of Tamworth.

Using your housing application number that you have been provided, you can bid for a property by selecting ‘apply for this property’ and complete the form completely: this will make it easier for us to contact you if you have been successful. You must make sure you bid before the advertised closing date. If we do not receive it in time, you will not be put forward for the properties you have picked. If you need help bidding please contact us for help, or visit our offices where a member of staff will be able to assist you.

You can only bid for property types that are suitable for you, based on your housing need. To find this information out, please visit the “What can I bid for?” page.

You can bid for up to 3 properties in each weekly advertising cycle. Once the deadline is over you can no longer bid.

The dates of the cycle are clearly advertised with the advert listing so please ensure you bid within the cycle.

Unfortunately it is impossible for us to say how many vacancies will become available.

You will be contacted within 7 working days if you have been successful.

You will be contacted within 7 days if you have been successful. If you have not heard anything during this time then you will not have been successful. Feedback on the previous week's lettings will be published on this website.

Should you decide to accept the property, we will arrange for you to start your tenancy and a moving in date will be agreed. This is subject to checks, and if you are already a tenant with us, a clear rent account. If you refuse the property, you will have to continue to bid on other properties.

If you refuse a property, you will need to inform us of the reason why. You will not receive a penalty for refusing a property except:

• If you owed a statutory duty as specified in Band 1+
• You are homeless as specified in Band 1 and 2
• If you are in Band 1+ and decline offers, this may result in Tamworth Borough Council reviewing your Band 1 status.

It is likely that the successful bidder had higher band than you, or had been registered for longer. Please note that we will not contact you if you bid has been unsuccessful.

When the website is updated with the next cycle, you can bid on another 3 properties. You should carry on doing this until you get your home. If you're not having any success, come in and speak to Housing Advice who will be happy to help.

If you have a health problem that affects where you live, if you’re homeless or in urgent need of housing, please contact Housing Advice who will be happy to help.

If you have a change in your circumstances for example address, contact telephone numbers, household size, you must inform us immediately. Failure to do so could result in an offer of a property being withdrawn if your bid has been successful.

If you move house during the time you have a housing application with us, you will need to complete a new housing application form.

Arrangements can be made for people who are unable to access the service for themselves. We have been working hard to make sure that the scheme is accessible to all. If you would like to talk to a member of staff, or find out more, please contact 01827 709709.

We will write to you every year to find out whether you wish to remain on the housing register. It is very important that you return your renewal slip to us, because if your application is cancelled, you will be unable to place bids.

Our sheltered properties feature community alarm equipment. Within seconds of pulling a cord or pressing a button, sheltered housing tenants are able to connect to an operator at Welbeing. The operator will know instantly who is calling and will be able to offer friendly support and reassurance.

To find out more information on this service, please contact Welbeing on 08450 766515 or 01323 644422 or email info@welbeing.org.uk.

Although the we have over 4500 properties in Tamworth, a large percentage of these have tenants. If a property is not advertised, it is not available for let.

You can bid 3 times in each advertising cycle, so it is important that you do not waste your bids. Check that the properties you bid for are appropriate to your needs before you make a bid. If you are unsure, please check the `What can I bid for` page of this website or contact us. You can place your bid at anytime during the bidding cycle.

You do not need to place a bid as soon as the cycle opens: the property is allocated to the applicant in the highest housing need, not to the applicant who has placed their bid first. Some of our properties are in great demand, and some property types and areas are more popular than others. For more information on areas and demand, please click here.

You may bid for a property that can accommodate children you have access to, for a minimum of 50% of the time (a property with one extra bedroom).

However, you must provide proof before you make a bid. This proof must be an independent agreement, and can include:

• a court order or
• a signed confirmation from a solicitor (this will incur a fee that you will need to pay: Tamworth Borough Council will not refund this cost).

A letter from the other parent will not be accepted as proof of access.

We will confirm your bedroom need to you once you have provided this proof.

Please be aware, you may also not be able to claim full housing benefit in these circumstances: housing benefit will only cover permanent residents in your household. This means you may need to pay the rent shortfall: please bear this in mind before you make a bid.