Council housing

Advice for council and housing association tenants, people on the housing register and those who want to apply.

Get on the housing register

How to apply for a council or housing association home - our guide tells you who can apply, how to apply, who gets priority and how long you might have to wait for a home.

How to move up the waiting list - if your situation has changed or you think the council has made a mistake about your priority.

Apply for a larger home if you live in overcrowded housing - you could be classed as overcrowded if you do not have enough bedrooms where you live now.

Ask for a review of a waiting list decision - if your application is refused, you think you should have more priority or a tenancy offer is unsuitable.

Immigration and habitual residence conditions - these rules could affect you if you've recently arrived in the UK.

This is different to applying to the housing register.

Tenancy transfers - moving to a different council or housing association home.

Mutual exchanges - swapping homes with another council or housing association tenant.

Complain about a council or housing association - complain to the council or housing association first. Complain to an ombudsman if you're not happy with the final response.