How can we help?

Help Guides

How Manchester Move works

When are properties advertised?

The landlords who are part of Manchester Move will be advertising properties as soon as they become available, so new adverts will be added daily. This doesn’t mean that you have to check for new properties every day because all properties advertised can be seen on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays.

Properties will be advertised for at least 6 days, but occasionally we may leave adverts on for longer. Each advert will have a ‘closing date’ on it, so you just need to make sure that you bid before then if you are interested.

Here are examples of when adverts will open and close (although we may occasionally extend this period):

You can have up to 3 'active' bids at any time, but as adverts you have bid on close, you can then bid for more properties.

You should only bid on homes you are genuinely interested in, as bidding on unsuitable properties can delay the process for everyone else.

Bidding for homes

When you sign in, you can see the homes you're eligible for and get an idea of your chance of getting the home if you bid for it.

For most homes, bidding earlier in the ‘bidding period’ does not provide an advantage. However, some properties are labelled ‘First Come, First Served,’ meaning they are typically awarded to the first person who places a bid. For these homes bidding as early as possible may increase your chances of success.

See all Social Housing homes advertised on Manchester Move here

What are my chances?

Our 'traffic light’ system shows you your likely position if you were to bid. If you're outside the top ten, you are unlikely to be offered the property. As an advert’s 'bidding period' is due to close, people may swap their bids around, so you may want to look again to check and change your bids.

If your chances are not looking good, maybe try different areas and property types or think again about other housing options.

You only have three live bids at any time, so use the information about your bidding position to help you decide which homes to bid for.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register for Manchester Move?

Click the 'New to Manchester Move?' button on the home screen of the Manchester Move website; that will take you to a link for our online pre-assessment and housing application form. If you qualify to apply, don't forget to send us any supporting information we ask for so that your application can be properly assessed.

What can I do if I can't register myself and I have nobody to help me?

If you are a tenant of a Manchester Move landlord, you should contact your landlord for assistance. If you are a private tenant, you can contact Manchester Move on 0333 900 9032 for help with your registration.

Why do I have to register?

The homes we advertise are either council or housing association properties, so, by law, we have to check that you qualify to apply for housing. We also have to make sure we allocate tenancies fairly. By registering, we have the information we need to make sure that those who have the greatest need are given priority for housing.

I have not lived in Manchester continuously for the last two years, will I qualify to register?

Generally, if you have not lived in Manchester continuously for the last two years you do not qualify to join the Manchester Housing Register. However there are exceptions to this: 1. You have been assessed by Manchester City Council's Homelessness Service and they have decided that you are owed a homelessness duty. 2. You are currently living in Manchester, as a tenant of a Manchester Move landlord. 3. You are a current or former member or the regular armed forces, or you are the bereaved spouse or civil partner of somebody who has served. 4. You currently live in Manchester City Council commissioned Supported Housing. 5. You are a Manchester City Council 'looked after child'. 6. You are over the age of 55 and only want housing for older people, including Retirement and Extra Care Housing. 7. You are a Social Housing tenant from outside Manchester who qualifies under the Government's 'Right to Move' scheme. 8. You returned to live in Manchester immediately on being released from prison and before your sentence you lived in Manchester continuously for at least two years. If you have not lived in Manchester continuously for two years and do not meet any of the exceptions above you will not be able to register for rehousing.

How can I check that my address is in Manchester; this is sometimes unclear?

You can check which local council area you live in at the following web address: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council

Can I register if I am a homeowner?

Normally you would not qualify to join the housing register if you own your own home. However, there may be circumstances where this can be reconsidered (such as if an applicant is over the age of 55 and only wants Retirement Housing; or an applicant has a medical need which cannot be met in their current home; or an applicant is at risk of homelessness because their home is being repossessed) and so it will be best to discuss this further with the Manchester Move organisation that manages your application.

Is there a limit on the amount of savings I can have to qualify to register?

If you have savings and/or capital worth £30,000 or more, you will not qualify to join the register, because you should have enough money to meet your housing needs. However, you may still qualify if you are over the age of 55 and only want retirement housing.

My household income is over £60,000 per year, am I still eligible to apply?

If the combined income of everyone moving with you is more than £60,000 you will not qualify to join the register, because you should have enough money to meet your housing needs. However, you may still qualify if you are over the age of 55 and only want retirement housing.

How long will it take for my application to be assessed?

Once you have submitted your application and provided any evidence needed, it can take between 4 to 6 weeks for it to be assessed. You may be asked for supporting information before a decision can be made on whether you qualify to join the register. When a decision has been made, you will be sent an email. If you have not heard anything after 6 weeks, you should contact the Manchester Move landlord that manages your application.

How can I provide the documents to support my application?

The information on how to supply your supporting documents is on your Personal Application Pack, which you can access when you log in to the Manchester Move website. There are several ways by which you can provide your documents, with the most convenient being uploading your documents yourself when you log in to the Manchester Move website. This means you can supply your information by taking photographs on a smart phone and uploading them to your application yourself. If you are unable to do this, you can provide documents directly to the Manchester Move organisation that manages your Rehousing application by email, post, or in person.

When can I start bidding on properties?

You will be unable to start bidding on properties until your application has been assessed. When you receive confirmation that your application has been made live, you will then be able to login to your application and start bidding for properties.

How do I bid on a property?

You need to sign in first (if you are logging in for the first time you need to create a password and activate it from your email account). Once you have logged in, you should click 'Place a bid' to see what properties you are eligible for. Click on the advert of any properties you want to bid on, check the details on the advert and make sure it's a property you're interested in, and click the 'Make Bid' button.

How can I place bids if I don't have access to the internet?

You can contact Manchester Move on 0333 900 9032 for help with bidding.

How long will I have to wait before I'm re-housed?

Due to the high demand for social housing in Manchester, being offered a social housing tenancy is not a quick process. It is very difficult to provide an exact waiting time, because this will vary depending on your priority band, how long you have been in your band, the type of property you need and your choice of areas. 94% of all homes are let to applicants in Bands 1 or 2, though some properties with an age restriction of over 50 may at times be let to people in Bands 3 and 4. All family homes are let to applicants in Bands 1 and 2 under Manchester City Council's allocations policy. Waiting times in Band 2 can be well in excess of 2 years and potentially much longer depending on the size of home that is needed. You should check the results of your previous bids where you can compare your priority and priority award date with those of successful bidders. Using this information you can work out your chances of being rehoused in your band and roughly how long you should expect to wait for an offer. For information on average waiting times click here.

Why are my bids unsuccessful?

This is because somebody with more priority, or the same priority, but who has been waiting longer, has also bid. You can check the results of your previous bids to show the band and band award date of the successful bidder.

When will I find out if my bid has been successful?

Once the bidding closes, staff will start to process the shortlist. This can happen within a few days, or up to a few weeks after the shortlist closing. You can check the progress of your current and previous bids when you log in.

Why are there no properties for me to Bid on?

We can only advertise properties that are available; if, when you log in to Manchester Move, you see no properties to bid on, it is likely that there are no properties available that meet your requirements. If you feel that there are properties that you should be able to bid for, you should contact the Manchester Move organisation that manages your application.

Why has someone with a lower band or priority date been offered a property ahead of me?

If you notice this on a property that was advertised before 3rd November 2020, the property was let in the old policy, so the results page may show the successful applicant's banding now, rather than their banding at the time they were offered the property. Rest assured that at the time of the offer being made, the property was offered to the applicant with the highest priority and the longest time waiting in their priority band.

What do I do if I do not agree with my banding?

If you think your band is incorrect, then contact the Manchester Move organisation managing your application to discuss this with them. You can find out who manages your application and their contact details when you log in.

How do I let you know if my circumstances have changed?

If you login to your account, you'll see a 'Have your circumstances changed?' button. If you click that, you can complete a change in circumstances form, updating any information which may have changed. After submitting this to us you may be unable to bid until your application has been re-assessed, since your changes may make a difference to your banding or bedroom need.

I've forgotten my password, what do I do to reset it?

When you are on the log-in screen, you should select the 'forgotten your password' option. From here you can log in with your application number and date of birth. You will then be asked to answer your security questions before being able to reset your password. If you cannot remember the answers to your security questions, you should contact the Manchester Move organisation that manages your application, they will reset your login details. Once they have done this, on the login screen, you need to select that you are 'already registered, but don't have a password', from there you can log in using your application number and your date of birth. You will then be able to set new log in details.

Will a letter from a Medical Professional (eg. Doctor) make a difference to my application?

Please include details of your medical condition in your application. If we need any further information, we will get in touch with you to discuss this.

How do I appeal my medical decision?

You should appeal medical decisions directly with the Medical Team at Manchester Move. The relevant contact details will be on any correspondence that you receive from the Medical Team.

I have medical priority, so why do I now see fewer properties to bid on?

If you have medical priority you will not be able to see properties that do not meet your medical requirements. For example, if you need a property with ground floor access, you will not see properties where access is above the ground floor and there is no lift.

Why are properties that are adapted for disabled people offered to applicants with lower priority, or who haven't been waiting as long as other bidders?

In order to make the best use of the limited stock of adapted homes we try where possible to offer adapted homes to applicants with a disability who require the adaptations.

I am in Band 3 and need a family home, when will I be offered a property?

Due to the high demand for family accommodation and the number of applications currently in Bands 1 and 2, it is highly unlikely that you will be offered a family home in Band 3.

I am a private tenant and I live in poor property conditions, will this increase my band?

It is rare that 'property condition' priority is awarded. If you are a private rented tenant and your home is in need of repair, the first step is always to talk to your landlord to try and negotiate amicably for the repairs to be carried out. As a private tenant, you have the legal right to live in a property that is safe and in a good state of repair. If speaking to your Landlord does not resolve the issue, please click here. This website provides advice and guidance on how you should make further contact with your landlord and includes sample letters requesting for the repairs to be carried out. Manchester City Council will not simply provide you with a letter because you have asked for it. They have a detailed process to follow and will expect that you have exhausted all avenues with your Landlord.

Will I get more priority if I am working?

You will not get more priority because you are working, however, there are occasions where properties are advertised only for applicants who are working. This is usually applied to larger non-family properties where single occupants would be affected by the bedroom tax.

Why is my application 'hibernated' and what does that mean?

Your application is hibernated because you have not completed the annual review of your application. Every 12 months you have to review the information in your application to ensure that it is still accurate. You will be informed of when your review is needed when you log in to the Manchester Move website. If you do not complete your review, your application is hibernated, which means that you can log in to complete your review, but you cannot place bid until you have done so. Your application will remain hibernated for 3 months, after which, if you still have not completed your review, your application will be removed. Please note that you cannot Review your application via the Manchester Move bidding app, you will need to login to the website to complete a Review.

How can I get more priority?

Your priority is based on your current circumstances, which we assess based on the answers you give on your application form and the evidence you provide to support your application. Each Manchester Move organisation has trained and knowledgeable staff who process Rehousing applications and ensure that every applicant has the maximum level of priority based on their circumstances. Unless your circumstances change after your application is initially processed, your banding will not change.