Bidding Cycles over Christmas and New Year

Properties will continue to be advertised every Friday through to midnight on the following Wednesday over the Christmas period - but please note that there may be fewer homes to bid on.  Please also bear in mind that it may take longer for Landlords to contact you, due to the Bank Holidays. 

Log in Process Using 2 Factor Authentication

2 Factor Authentication has now been applied to the Home-Link website. This is a security feature, designed to keep your details safe and protect against unauthorised access to your account.  This means that each time you log in you will need to enter these three things:

1.  Your email address
2.  Your password
3.  After you enter your username and password a unique one-time access PIN will be generated and sent to your email address . 
    Without entering the PIN you will be unable to log in to the website to bid, or change any of your details.

Here's some guidance and tips to help explain the process, including what to do if your PIN is not received.

Important - Information about potential phishing attempt

We are aware that some Housing Register schemes have recently been targeted by a phishing attempt. We do not believe that Home-Link is affected, but please be cautious if you receive an email purporting to be from Locata Housing Services from a ‘donotreply’ address, asking you to click a link to confirm your interest in a property.  If you do receive such an email please ensure you do not click the link.

If you have already received such an email and clicked on the link and/or shared any personal information, we recommend you follow the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre guidance:  https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams/what-to-do.

Please be aware that Locata Housing services will never request information from you via a link – this would only be via direct interaction with an Officer at the Council

Are you worried about the cost of moving, or generally struggling to make ends meet?  

The cost of utilities, rent and other essentials continue to increase, which means more and more people are struggling to make ends meet.  If you're concerned about your finances, please read our suggestions for useful sources of help and support.

Ability to Up-load Documents

You can help speed up the processing of your application by managing your account online, in particular by up-loading documents straight on to your application when you apply. If you send them by post, there may be a delay due to the current Royal Mail postal strikes.

If you have questions or queries about the Home-Link service, please read through the Frequently Asked Questions section. If you still need assistance, you can contact the relevant Council by telephone or email, using the details shown on the 'Contact' page.  

Information about Annual Reviews

We are obliged to review applications which have been on the Housing Register for 12 months or more. This is to check that you still wish to remain on the Housing Register, and that there has been no significant change in your circumstances which may result in a change of band, or bedroom need.
In the month before you are due a review, you will see a message when you log in to your Home-Link account prompting you to tell us if your circumstances have changed.  You can find out find out more information about the types of changes you need to tell us about here.