A major East of England Housing Association has selected Text-Connect™ to give their residents greater choice and involvement in home selection by giving residents the option of 'bidding' for empty properties with a text message.

The initiative is part of a Choice Based Lettings scheme established between the local authority and other regional housing associations and organisations. Properties that become available to let are advertised 'Estate Agent' style with a photograph and description of the property.

Property details are displayed in local magazines, web sites, in the offices of the Local Council and with partner organisations in the Choice Based Lettings scheme.

Alycia Glaves, head of the New Initiatives team said "Its working very well, with applicants texting their bids for properties advertised through Choice Based Lettings. They text their membership number then the property reference."

Residents are free to bid for properties "24-7" and receive an immediate confirmation text reassuring them their bid has been received.

Text-Message bids arrive as an email with the Associations Letting Team who reference the applicant & property from the information in the text message. Bids texted out of office hours are processed the following day.

Bidding by text gives the Association and their clients many advantages, including:

• Making the Associations housing stock more accessible.
• Interested residents make 'instant' bids for properties, "24-7".
• Texted Bids are easy to process and reduce the need for call centre staff with associated cost savings.

Our client selected the Text-Connect™ '2 way' "Business Package".