What is the process and procedures when applying for a council home?<\/p>\n
Each regional authority has its own set of rules. That means you should apply for council housing<\/a> from one of the authorities.<\/p>\n In most cases you will need to join a waiting list<\/strong>. Even so, there is no guarantee that you will to get accepted for a council property.<\/p>\n In some cases, you can apply for council housing even if you do not live in the same area of the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n As a rule, you should be at least 18 years old to apply for a council home.<\/p>\n But, in fact, some area authorities will accept applications from those who are 16 years old<\/strong> or over.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Each individual authority decides who gets the housing allocation. They base their decision on a ‘points system<\/strong>‘ – often called ‘banding<\/strong>‘.<\/p>\n The urgency of each case gets influenced through the points and bands system. So, you would be more likely to get offered accommodation first if:<\/p>\n You can ask for an estimate of how long you are likely to wait. But, councils will inform you about any available homes as you get close to the top of the waiting list.<\/p>\n Some councils operate a choice-based letting scheme. The system allows you to state your preferred type of property. But, regional authorities make the final decision.<\/p>\n If you get accepted onto the council house waiting list you will need to follow these 4 basic steps:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As a rule, you have little time to accept or deny a council house offer. But, you can usually stay on the waiting list even if you do not take the provisional offer.<\/p>\n Even though you can bid for other properties, you may get placed lower down on the waiting list. Rejecting too many council house offers means you could get taken off the list for a while.<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: You can make an appeal if you are unhappy about the decision by your council.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A council house tenancy agreement is a legal document. It explains all the rules about living in council housing properties. But, different council tenants use different tenancies granting different rights and responsibilities.<\/p>\n The introductory tenancy gets offered to new council tenants most often. As a rule, they would last 12 months and function much like a ‘trial’ period.<\/p>\n In most cases, it is an automatic process to become a secure or flexible tenant after 12 months. The exception could be if council:<\/p>\n Introductory tenancies have some limitations. For example tenants with this type of council house tenancy are not allowed to:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Having a secure tenancy usually means you can live in the property for the rest of your life. Providing you do not breach the conditions of the tenancy you can:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Housing associations or housing co-operatives in Scotland use the Scottish secure tenancy<\/a> arrangement. You are most likely to have this type of tenancy agreement if you rent a council home in Scotland.<\/p>\n Being a flexible tenant means your tenancy is set for a fixed period. As a rule this is for at least 5 years. But, in some cases it may get fixed between 2 and 5 years instead.<\/p>\n When a fixed tenancy period ends the council may then decide:<\/p>\n Your area authority must explain the reasons for not renewing your tenancy. They must also give you an opportunity to challenge their decision.<\/p>\n Tenants with a flexible tenancy can:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n All tenants share equal responsibilities as part of a joint tenancy agreement. Married people, or those who are in a registered civil partnership, can apply for a joint tenancy at any time.<\/p>\n But, you must usually have lived together for at least 12 months in the property. The same rule refers to people cohabiting as a couple or those related (e.g. brother and sister).<\/p>\n Tenants with secure and flexible terms can often transfer a tenancy to someone else. In some circumstances, they can also pass on the tenancy to someone if they die.<\/p>\n If they granted your secure tenancy before the 1st of April 2012 you can transfer it, or pass it on, one time only. Thus, taking over a tenancy when someone dies means you cannot pass it on to someone else when you die.<\/p>\n Different rules apply to some secure and flexible tenancies set from the 1st of April 2012. You might be able to transfer it or pass it on more than once. It is best to check your tenancy agreement for confirmation.<\/p>\n You must complete a ‘request to assign tenancy<\/strong>‘ form to transfer a tenancy. The forms are available from your local council<\/a> housing department.<\/p>\n There are specific rules for ending your council house tenancy. You can only end it if:<\/p>\n Councils may also end a secure tenancy if:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What if only one of you wants to end the tenancy in a joint tenancy agreement? In this case your council may decide to:<\/p>\n Joint tenancies continue for surviving tenants if only one joint tenant dies. But, the court will make the housing decision if you and your partner get divorced. The same applies if your relationship breaks down and you fail to agree on who gets to keep the tenancy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tenants living in council housing will be responsible for certain things such as:<\/p>\n The council also has responsibilities for ensuring that:<\/p>\n Councils publish their policy on timescales for carrying out repairs and maintenance. But, in most cases, you should get several weeks’ advance notice for any work needed.<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: Tenants can request a repair to a council property<\/a> if there is an urgent problem that needs fixing.<\/p>\n Major repairs may mean you have to leave your council home during the work. In this case, they will find you somewhere else to live while the work gets carried out. They will cover the cost of moving you to another home.<\/p>\n In some cases you can get money from your council to pay for the moving costs and the inconvenience caused.<\/p>\n As a rule the council will repair any damage caused by their building work or maintenance. You might also get a rent reduction if the repairs cause excessive disruption.<\/p>\n Your tenancy agreement determines what improvements you can make to your council property. Those with introductory tenancies are usually limited to making only minor improvements. For example redecorating inside the home.<\/p>\n If you are renting as a secure tenant, you can carry out most improvements to your property, including:<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: You may need to get written permission from your council before you conduct the work.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n You should follow these 3 steps if you have any problems with your council housing:<\/p>\n Housing Ombudsman<\/strong> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Committing housing fraud is a serious offence. You can lose your tenancy and your right to council housing if you get caught. Council housing fraud includes:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: The most serious council house fraud offences can result in a fine or a prison sentence<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Fraud checks can take place at any time during a council tenancy and without any advance warning. The local authority will carry out certain checks such as:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Almost all councils have a telephone number so people can report suspicious behaviour. You do not need to give your name or address when you report suspected council house fraud.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nCouncil House Waiting List<\/h2>\n
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Choice-based Letting Scheme<\/h3>\n
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Getting a Council House Provisional Offer<\/h3>\n
\nTypes of Council House Tenancy Agreements<\/h2>\n
Introductory Tenancy<\/h3>\n
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Secure Tenancy<\/h3>\n
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Scottish Secure Tenancy<\/h3>\n
Flexible Tenancy<\/h3>\n
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Joint Tenancy<\/h3>\n
Transferring a Tenancy<\/h3>\n
Ending a Council House Tenancy<\/h3>\n
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Ending Joint Tenancies<\/h5>\n
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\nCouncil Home Repairs and Maintenance<\/h2>\n
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Property Damage Caused by Council Works<\/h3>\n
Doing Your Own Council Home Improvements<\/h3>\n
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\nCouncil Home Complaints<\/h2>\n
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\nEmail: info@housing-ombudsman.org.uk<\/a>
\nTelephone: 0300 111 3000<\/a>
\nCheck the cost of making phone calls<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nCouncil Housing Fraud<\/h2>\n
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Council House Fraud Checks<\/h3>\n
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How to Report Council House Fraud<\/h5>\n
\nHow to Buy Your Council House<\/h2>\n