Applying for a council house

With many finding it increasingly difficult to save for a deposit for a mortgage, council houses are among the most popular ways to access a home.
Rent for social housing, with landlords being either local councils or housing associations,  are usually cheaper than the private sector as they are pegged to local incomes.
It also means that tenancies can be long-term, allowing families to lay down roots,  with a Welsh Government cap also stopping social landlords from putting up rents quicker than inflation

But not everybody qualifies to be registered on the housing waiting list, with priority usually given to people who have a recognised housing need.
Despite broadly following the same rules, local authorities usually have their own specific housing allocation policies which prioritise applications based on who most urgently needs a house.
Applications are assessed based on the ‘allocations scheme’ or ‘housing register’ with procedures varying from one area to another, but all councils have to follow certain rules.
 

Who can apply for social housing?
Approximately half of Welsh councils have transferred their historic housing stock to housing associations.
Despite this, in most areas, there is a central waiting list for all council and housing association properties.
Applications that are most likely to succeed are from those on a low income or without a large amount of savings and/or having lived in the area for a number of years or having a job or family there.
The exact definition of ‘local connection’ can vary between different local authorities, however.
Those from overseas who are not eligible or someone whose behaviour has been so unacceptable in the past that the council believes them to be an unsuitable council or housing association tenant can be excluded altogether from the common housing register.
But being eligible does not mean that anyone is guaranteed to be offered a place – all it means is they are entitled to be considered for a home and to be given a place on the waiting list.
 
How long is the waiting list?
Although figures vary between different areas, figures released in 2018 showed that more than 60,500 households were on social housing waiting lists in Wales.
Housing charity, Shelter Cymru, has described the current situation as a “housing crisis” and is urging more investment in affordable homes.
In a bid to stem the loss of much needed social housing, last year saw the Welsh Government scrap the “right to buy” scheme after losing around 140,000 former council homes to private ownership since the early 1980’s.
But while most councils are now building their own homes once again, the reality is that in many areas, due to very little housing being available, there is often a very long wait and some people end up never getting an offer.
 
Who gets priority?
Councils usually operate a points or banding system which prioritises applications based on housing need.
Once an application is high enough on the list, the local authority will usually get in contact informing them of any available property.
But if someone needs housing immediately – for example because their current home is unsafe, or they are homeless – the council may have a duty to help them immediately.
 
Application process
All those over the age of 18 who are living in the same household will need to fill out their details, requiring information such as a National Insurance number, job status, any benefits received, as well as personal information such as health status, gender and age.
During this application process it is advisable to mention any issues/problems which may result in an application receiving preference, with many councils also requiring a formal interview.

Because of how in demand council houses are, unfortunately it depends on a case-by-case basis.
But, it is important to keep any application accurate and up to date and accurately reflect any change in circumstance.
 
Denied application
If an application has been declined, it is possible to request that the authority review any unsuccessful bids.
A review can sometimes lead to the council’s decision being changed, but it is not guaranteed.
The council should provide a deadline for requesting a review to accompany any denial notice, which is usually within 21 days.
 
More information
For more information on your local council’s housing policies or to apply for a spot on the waiting list, visit www.gov.uk/apply-for-council-housing to be redirected to the relevant section of your authority’s website.

By Gareth Williams – Local Democracy Reporter