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Bid for a home

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Bid for a home

On this page:

Steps 5 of the council housing and housing associations: step-by-step guide.

Before you bid 

Camden uses a process called choice-based lettings to allocate social housing. This gives applicants on the housing register greater choice over where they would like to live. Rather than wait to be allocated the next available property, bidding means that you express interest in a property that you like.

To be able to bid, you must be on Camden's housing register. Check if you're eligible and apply to join the housing register.

If you're accepted onto the housing register, we will send you a letter explaining:

  • the number of housing points you have
  • the greatest number of bedrooms you can apply for
  • your user ID, PIN and security word to log in to Camden Home Connections 

When you log into Home Connections, you'll be able to bid for properties. This is when you make an expression of interest in a property that matches your housing needs.

You should only bid on properties that you think will meet your needs. Bidding on properties that you're not interested in can impact other people's ability to view them.

Average points for successful bids

We have decided to start publishing the average points for successful bids again. This is because people told us that this is information you wanted to see to help you understand your position. These points totals are averages and should be seen as a guide. Some properties go for more points and some can go for less. It can depend on how popular a property is. For example, whether it

  • is a flat or a house
  • has a garden
  • is in a popular location
  • has a lift or is in a tower block

Bidding on different types of property can improve your chances of finding a home. 

You may still wait a long time for a property. The number of people on the Housing Register grew by nearly 10% last year. People joining may have more points than you because they may have a greater urgency or need to move and as result they may be housed more quickly. Being housed is not about how long you have waited. 

Remember, the points you currently have reflect your housing need based on evidence you have provided to us. You should only submit a change in circumstances if there is a significant change to your housing circumstances. 

Average successful points for each bed size in 2024

  • Studio, 393 average points
  • 1-bed, 476 average points
  • 2-bed, 570 average points
  • 3-bed, 760 average points
  • 4-bed, 702 average points
  • 5-bed, 1005 average points

How points are awarded 

All applications to join the register are assessed according to Camden's housing allocation scheme (PDF). This helps officers to assess need in a fair way across all applications. Points are awarded based on your housing circumstances. 

Bed size 

To calculate how many bedrooms you need we first look at the number of people in your household, their age and sex. We do this using the Camden bedroom standard which you can see on page 12 of the housing allocation scheme (PDF). There are also some exceptions to this. For example medical need. 

Overcrowding 

There are three points levels for overcrowding. We first work out the number of bedrooms you need. We then compare this with the number of rooms which you could use as a bedroom in your current home. This includes any room other than bathrooms, toilets, self-contained kitchens and utility rooms. An example would be a living room. 

You will be eligible for 50 points if you have the same number of rooms as your bed need. You will be eligible for 100 points if you require an additional room, and 250 points if you need two or more rooms. 

Annual points increases

We want to recognise the time households spend on the register in housing need. To do this, every year you will receive an additional 5% of the points award you have on the anniversary of your application. 

If you have lived in Camden for 10 of the last 15 years it will be increased by 10% of the points award you have on the anniversary of your application. This is to recognise long-term residence in the borough. 

These calculations will be based only on points you have received for your housing need. It will not include points awarded on previous anniversaries. It will also not include the 30 points awarded to council tenants applying for a transfer. 

Property size that you can bid on

You cannot usually bid for properties larger than your assessed need. However, you can bid for council properties with one bedroom less if this will improve your current housing situation. 

When placing a bid for a property you should expect to remain in this home for a long-time. If you bid successfully and move into a new home, your application will be closed. If you apply again your application will be based on your new housing circumstances. This means it's unlikely that you'll be able to move again unless your circumstances significantly change. Even then, there's no guarantee that you'll be successful in bidding as many households are in a similar position. 

Large family-size properties bedrooms are very rare. In 2023 fewer than 60 3-bed and 25 4-beds became available. There are currently nearly 2,000 households with a 3-bed need, as well as nearly 500 with a 4-bed need who are also able to bid. More households also continue to join the register. 

To reduce overcrowding, adult children living with you can complete their own housing application. However, a person can only be on one application at a time.   

How to bid for a property 

Find out how to:  

Bid on Home Connections

When to bid 

We advertise vacant properties weekly on the Home Connections website. Bidding opens every Thursday at 9am and closes on Monday at midnight. It does not matter when in the bidding cycle you make your bid, but it must be made before the bidding cycle closes. You will not be able to bid for properties larger than you need.

You must be prepared to accept a property that you bid on. When you bid for a property, you are telling us that you are expressing a serious interest in it.

What happens next 

Once the bid cycle closes, we review the bids placed for each property. We shortlist applicants with the highest points. Applicants with a medical recommendation for a wheelchair accessible or ground floor property will be prioritised for these types of properties.

Please note that housing associations will only accept households who meet their bed-size criteria, with the larger bedroom going to the main applicant. This may mean that you are not shortlisted for a property.

Households with the greatest number of points or priority on the shortlist are offered the property. If you refuse, it will be offered to the next highest bidder. This continues until an applicant accepts the property.

When you accept a property, we check that your details and points total are still correct. It's important to tell us about a change of circumstances. Failure to keep your application up to date may result in losing the property. You'll also need to provide documentation. Examples include proof of identification, immigration status and address. This must be done within 72 hours of accepting your offer so you must make sure you have your documents ready. Find out more about the documents you need to provide.