Where are homes advertised? 

You can view and bid on available homes on the Home Options website. You need to register before you can bid.   

How long will it take me to find a home? 

There is a high demand for housing across Chesterfield and it is not possible to give you an exact time for how long you might have to wait to get a home. Waiting times are dependent on lots of factors including the demand for the type of home you are looking for and the area you would like to move to. In some areas of Chesterfield there is a greater availability of some types of property. This housing may be available to people who are on our housing register, but who do not have a high level of need. 

It can help to make sure the information we have about your housing needs is up to date and to let us know about any change in circumstances. 

Can I bid on any property? 

No, your application will be assessed and you will only be able to bid on properties which meet the needs of your household. More information can be found in the 'eligibility for properties' section and our Home Options Policy. 

What if my circumstances change? 

Please let us know if your circumstances change so we can update your application. You can do this by logging into your Home Options account and clicking the ‘Have your circumstances changed?’ button. Alternatively, you can contact us by telephone or email. 

Can I get help with bidding? 

Yes, if you can’t access Home Options or need help to bid, please contact us. We also have a help to register section with useful information on accessing the internet, setting up an email address and help and advice on Home Options. 

What size of home can I bid for? 

You can only usually bid on homes that meet the needs of your household. For example, a single person can generally only bid on one-bedroom properties. See our more information in our eligibility for properties section and our Home Options Policy. 

Do you offer furnished homes? 

We don’t offer furnished homes, but we can provide information on where to find new and second-hand items to furnish your new home.  

How do I find an adapted property to meet my needs? 

As part of the application on the Home Options website, we will ask for information on your housing and health needs. This helps us to allocate the correct priority banding for your property requirements.  

We also complete personal Housing plans - find out more here. 

I am aware of a house that is empty or becoming available, how do I apply? 

When a property appears empty, it may have already been offered to someone else or is in the process of having work carried out to make sure it meets our lettable standard.  

It can be helpful to set up property alerts on Home Options, to help make sure you don’t miss out on the property you are looking for. You will only be able to view properties that you are eligible to bid for.  

When can I view the property? 

When we make you a formal offer, we will arrange a convenient time for you to meet an allocations officer to view the property.  

How soon can I move in after accepting a property? 

Our homes are not advertised until they have been inspected and are ready to let. It usually takes between four and six weeks on average from the date you accept the property to the date you receive the keys. 

How do property inspections work? 

If you are moving out of a Chesterfield Borough Council home, we will carry out a home visit to check the condition of the property and decide if any work needs to be carried out before it is let to a new tenant. Find out more about the types of home visits we carry out. 

How do I return my keys? 

Please return your keys to the Customer Service Centre. You can find out more about ending a tenancy. 

What help and support is available before and after I move in? 

We can help you to register and bid on homes on the Home Options website. We also complete a personal housing plan to help us understand your current and possible future needs. From the assessment, we may refer you to other teams, such as tenancy support or signpost you to specialist agencies. 

If you are moving as part of the tenant incentive scheme, we can support with things like arranging a removals company to move your belongings and decorating. The cost of carrying out these activities is taken from the lump sum before you receive the balance. 

When do I sign a tenancy agreement? 

You will receive a copy of your tenancy agreement when we make you a formal offer. Before you sign the tenancy agreement, an allocations officer will go through it with you at your sign-up appointment. For more information about understanding your tenancy agreement, go to our moving in pages. 

Home Options Policy 

For more information on how we allocate our homes, please see our Home Options Policy.