Glossary

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Current Expressions of Interest: This is the total number of properties you are interested in for the current advert. It does not include any properties you were interested in from previous adverts, or any that were rejected because you failed to meet the necessary criteria. If you have exceeded the maximum allowed then you can withdraw a bid.
HomeChoice: HomeChoice is a Choice Based Lettings scheme whose members can bid for up to three properties they are interested in each week. The properties are all within the Gateshead Council area and are advertised on this website from Thursday morning until noon the following Monday. The same properties are also advertised in a weekly newspaper.
Bids: Bids are not made with money, but with the waiting time scheme members build up.
Housing Need: Scheme members are placed into one of four categories depending on their housing need - Critical, Urgent, Substantial and General. You will be told which category you are in when you join the scheme.
Let by Waiting Time: Some properties will be let to the applicant with the longest Waiting Time (those with the clock icon in the advertisement). Properties without the clock icon in the advertisement will be let to the applicant in the greatest housing need.
Bidding: You don't have to be a member of HomeChoice to see the properties we have available, but you do have to join if you want to bid.
How to join HomeChoice: If you are not a member and would like to join the scheme you can either use the Homechoice link to find out more or click on the 'How to apply' button, and complete your name and address details to request an application form.
Log On: It is recommended that scheme members 'Log On' with their membership details as soon as they visit the website. You will need your membership number, and the date of birth of the main applicant (which should match your HomeChoice PIN number). Use the arrows to select the correct day, month and year of birth.
Available Properties: You can choose to see all the properties available that week, restrict your search to one or more area within Gateshead, or you can search by property type.
Suitable for...: The "Suitable for..." box will help you decide if this property is the right size and type of property to meet your needs. Note that the website may allow you to record a bid for a property that is too large or too small, but when we come to assess all the bids we will look at those that are appropriate first.
Recording a Bid: You record a bid in two stages: (1) Add a property to your basket , (2) View your basket and confirm your bid.
Using your Basket: As you are looking through the property list you can add properties to your basket if you want to come back to them. To add a property to your basket, click on 'View Details' for the property you are interested in, then click 'Add to Basket' from the details page. Once you have put a property in your basket, you can then view your basket and confirm your bids. You can put more than three properties in your basket, but can only bid for three properties each week so will need to remove any extra properties before you can confirm your bids.
Bid not recorded: If, instead of a confirmation message you get a message saying your bid has not been recorded, then this may be because your membership is not currently active or because our records show that you cannot bid for a certain property type. You should contact our advice line on 0191 433 5345 if you require further information.
Current Bids: You can see all your confirmed bids in the Current Bids page, and you can also withdraw bids here, and then go back to the property lists to make other bids instead.