Choice-based lettings
How to bid for a property
Register your interest in it before the advertised closing date.
You can do this online using the enquiry form or by emailing (see advert). You can also contact the landlord of the property or call into their office.
You can bid for any advertised properties that you are eligible for (i.e. how many rooms your household needs).
Before bidding for a property, make sure you are happy with the property location, what its rent and Council Tax band is and what features it has.
You should not bid for a property if you feel it is in an unsuitable location, too expensive or doesn’t have the right features for you.
Contact the local housing team if you wish to discuss any properties available for allocation.
What happens after the closing date
When the advertising period is over, we shortlist the bidders. We then offer it to the bidder who has the greatest housing need. If bidders have the same need, it goes to the one who applied first.
If you wish to withdraw any bids you made, please contact choicebasedlettings@highland.gov.uk as soon as possible.
When you find out if you have been successful
If you’re successful we will send you an offer. If you are unsuccessful, you will not hear from us. You will see your deadline in your offer letter. It is generally 2 days.
To accept the offer, call or email us:
- Highland Council – 01349 886602 or choicebasedlettings@highland.gov.uk
- Albyn Housing Association - 0300 323 0990 or office@albynhousing.org.uk
- Cairn Housing Association- 0800 990 3405 (free from landlines) or 0300 456 1245 (local rate from Mobiles) or choicebasedlettings@cairnha.com
If you get more than one offer
You can bid for how many properties you would like but will only receive one offer. Make sure you only bid on properties you have a serious interest in moving into.
If you refuse a property you have been offered
If you refuse one offer of reasonable housing your application may be suspended for 6 months. During this time, you will receive no offers of housing. If you have homeless points you may lose them.
Please ensure you only place a bid on properties you have a serious interest in moving into. If you refuse one reasonable offer of housing, your application will be suspended for six months.
What happens to my Highland Housing Register application if I don’t bid for a property?
All properties in Caithness (except sheltered housing) are allocated by choice-based lettings. There may be occasions where we offer you a property you have not put in a bid for. You may refuse two offers of housing that you have not put in a bid for before we will suspend your application.
If you have applied for sheltered housing, you may be offered a property. You do not need to bid.
How often properties are advertised
New houses are added daily. We suggest you check each landlord each week. Many are only advertised for a week. Remember, you can get free internet access at any library.