What happens when I am offered a property?

Once your application has been assessed by the Guernsey Housing Association, you will receive a decision letter within 28 days of receiving your application and eligibility form, unless further information is required.

Decision outcome

Your decision letter will confirm whether your application has been:

• accepted and placed on the waiting list, or
• unsuccessful, with reasons provided

If your application is successful, the letter will also confirm:

• the type of accommodation you are eligible for
• your banding on the waiting list

Banding on the waiting list

If you are accepted onto the waiting list, you will be placed into one of three bands. Banding is used to prioritise applicants based on housing need.

Band 1 – Urgent housing need

This includes applicants with the highest level of housing need. Examples include:

• homelessness
• urgent medical need
• safeguarding concerns
• delayed hospital discharge where housing is preventing discharge

Band 2 – High housing need

This includes applicants whose current housing is unsuitable and is negatively affecting their wellbeing. Examples include:

• unaffordable housing
• poor or unsafe housing conditions
• health being affected by current accommodation

Band 3 – General housing need

This includes applicants who have a housing need but do not meet the criteria for Band 1 or Band 2.

For full details on banding criteria, please refer to the Allocations and Eligibility Policy.

Waiting list

We are unable to confirm when you will be offered a property.

Your waiting time will depend on:

• your banding
• your housing need
• the availability of suitable properties
• the date your application was received

We aim to allocate properties to applicants whose housing needs and circumstances best match the available homes.

Being offered a property

When a suitable property becomes available, you will be contacted and given the opportunity to view it.

You will normally have up to 48 hours after viewing or receiving the offer to confirm whether you wish to accept or decline the property.

Accepting a property

If you accept the property, a Housing or Allocations Officer will contact you to:

• explain your Tenancy Agreement or Licence to Occupy
• arrange signing of the legal documents
• confirm your move-in date

You will need to pay one week’s rent in advance (or one month if paying monthly) before you move in.

Refusing a property

We understand that not all properties will meet your preferred location or needs.

Refusals will be considered in line with the Allocations and Eligibility Policy and may affect your position on the waiting list depending on:

• the reason for refusal
• how many offers you have previously declined
• whether the offer is considered suitable for your assessed needs

We will always explain any impact before a decision is made.

Moving into your new home

Once all paperwork is completed and payments have been received, your move-in date will be confirmed.

An Allocations or Housing Officer will be available throughout the process to answer any questions and support you.