We receive a high number of housing applications daily. Please allow us 10 working days to process your application. 

If you have completed a housing register application and you have not received a reply from us yet, please do not complete another application.

We are working hard to process all applications as quickly as possible and apologise for any delays.

A letter or email will be sent to you as soon as your application is processed.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Here is a step-by-step breakdown to joining the housing register.

Please note, if you are homeless or have mobility need and require an adapted property, the process may be different.

Online application

Complete an online application on the Solihull Home Options website by visiting http://www.solihullhomeoptions.org.uk

Please make sure you complete all three parts:

  1. Initial registration (which allocates you your pin number)
  2. Application Form
  3. Upload any documents to verify your eligibility to join Solihull Council’s Housing Register. Documents can be uploaded via the customer portal on Solihull Home Options. You will see further guidance on the website on how to do this.
Processing your application

Please wait for your application to be processed – this usually takes around 10 days.

Whilst your housing application is being processed you will not be able to make any changes.

Further information

Once your application has been processed, you may receive a letter which could ask you to provide us with additional information. You can upload this information directly through the customer portal.

Your application will remain closed until you have provided this information to us – please do not reapply whilst you wait.

Eligibility

If you do not have a housing need or are not eligible to join the housing register you can appeal but this will need to be within 21 days of the letter.

If you are eligible for housing with us, a letter will be sent to you to confirm your pin number and your allocated band.

Bidding

When your application has been accepted you can start bidding.

You are allowed two bids per week.

You do not have to bid every week – if there isn’t a property that interests you, do not bid.

However, if you have been placed in a time restricted banding and you choose not to bid on properties that have been considered suitable to meet your assessed needs within that time period, we will look to reduce your priority and place you in a Band D for a 12 month period.

Please consider before you place a bid:

  • Is the location of the property ideal?
  • What are the area and local facilities like?
  • Is this right for me?
  • Is it suitable to meet my housing needs?
  • Do I want to live here, and will I be happy here?
Property refusals

If you refuse three offers of properties that are considered suitable for your hour housing need then you will be moved to a Band D for a 12 month period.

Available properties

You will only see properties you are eligible for.

For example, if you need one bedroom you will only see one bedroom property adverts.

If there is nothing to bid on, this means we have no properties available.

Bidding cycle

The bidding cycles runs from Wednesday at 12am to Tuesday at 11.59pm.

Shortlisting

Once the bidding cycle finishes we begin shortlisting.

If you are successful we will contact you within 10 days.

Change of circumstances

Please make sure your contact details on your application are kept up to date.

If you have any change of circumstances you will need to update your application.

Supported Living 

We have our own supported living scheme called Saxon Court which offers successful applicants the reassurance that our friendly, professionally-trained care team will be able to provide care and support your individual needs.

Find out more about Saxon Court and how to apply here.

There are a number of additional schemes in Solihull not run by us that provide housing for those that needs support but want to live independently.

Each scheme does have its own criteria and they are run by different companies and usually have properties you can buy as well as rent.

For more information, please visit Solihull Home Options and the SMBC website.

Allocations Policy

For further information please read Solihull Council’s Allocations Policy (pdf 1 mB).