Council housing

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.

Moving or swapping homes

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

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

• Joint tenancies and relationship breakdown

Inheriting or passing on a tenancy

• Succession rights in a council or housing association tenancy

• Assigning a council tenancy before your death

Paying rent and service charges

• Rent in a council or housing association home

• Universal credit can help with rent

Complaints

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.

Check your tenancy rights

Council and housing association tenants often have strong tenancy rights.

Use our checker to find out about your rights based on your tenancy type.