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Apply for council housing
Apply to your local council for social housing. Each council has its own rules and waiting list.
Official links
Show links for:
| Official source | Applies to |
|---|---|
| GOV.UK: council housing www.gov.uk/council-housing | England |
| mygov.scot: applying for a council or housing association home www.mygov.scot/apply-social-housing | Scotland |
| nidirect: social housing allocation www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/housing-allocation-general-information | Northern Ireland |
Who handles it
Handled by your local council This procedure is done with the council where you live. Find your council »
Step by step
- Apply to your local council. In England you usually need to be 18 or over (some councils accept 16).
- Join the waiting list. Councils prioritise by housing need using points or bands.
- If your council uses choice based lettings, bid for the homes you are interested in (bidding does not involve money).
- Reply quickly to any offer, and appeal if you disagree with the council's decision.
What you need
- Details of everyone who will live with you.
- Information about your current housing situation, for example overcrowding.
- Evidence of any medical condition made worse by your current home, if it applies.
Common mistakes
- Turning down offers repeatedly: you can drop down the list or be removed for a while.
- Expecting a home soon. Joining the list does not guarantee a property, so ask how long the wait is.