How to get a council home
Who gets priority for council housing
Your council's allocations policy says who should get priority on the waiting list.
Some groups of people must get 'reasonable preference'. This means they must get priority for council and housing association homes.
You must get reasonable preference if you:
are homeless, at risk of violence or likely to lose your home in the next 8 weeks
are overcrowded or live in very bad housing conditions
need to move for health, disability or welfare reasons
Some councils give priority or points to other groups.
You might get even more priority if you need to move urgently.
Find out how to move up the waiting list if your situation changes or you have the wrong priority or points.
Homeless or at risk of violence
The council must give you some priority on the housing register if you are legally homeless. This includes if you might lose your home in the next 8 weeks.
This includes when you're at risk of domestic abuse or other violence.
Overcrowded homes
You could be overcrowded if you do not have a separate bedroom for every:
couple
single adult aged 21 or over
2 young people aged 10 to 20 of the same sex
2 children under 10 of any sex
This is called the bedroom standard.
Some councils use a different legal measure of overcrowding, called statutory overcrowding.
Find out about applying for a larger home if you're overcrowded.
Bad or dangerous conditions
You should get more points or a higher band for council housing if your home:
needs urgent repairs or is in a very bad condition
is a health risk - for example, has bad drains or sewerage problems
does not have what you need to do basic washing and cooking, like a sink or oven
You might get more priority if a council environmental health officer says your home is unsafe or affecting your health.
Health, disability or welfare reasons
You must get some priority if you need to move for health or welfare reasons.
For example, if you or anyone in your household needs:
sheltered housing for older people
supported housing because of a learning disability
things like a wet room, low sockets, lifts or handrails because of a disability
a larger home because you're a foster carer or looking after someone else's children
Tell the council if:
you have problems walking or climbing stairs
you need to move because of a physical or mental health condition
Get supporting letters from doctors, healthcare workers or social workers that say how your home affects your health.
If you need to live in a particular area
You should get some priority if you need to live in an area for a special reason.
For example, if:
your child can only get support for special educational needs in that area
you need to be close to a relative to give or receive care
you're leaving care and need to be close to your support
Members of the armed forces
You get extra priority on the waiting list if you're in one of the situations on this page, have urgent housing needs and either:
you have served in the regular armed forces
you are in the regular or reserve forces and you're seriously injured, ill or disabled because of your service
you have to leave forces accommodation because your married or civil partner died in service
This should mean you are offered a council or housing association home more quickly.
Other urgent housing needs
Your council may give extra priority to some people with very urgent housing needs.
For example, if you need to move because of:
a sudden disability or life threatening illness
overcrowding or repair problems that put your health at serious risk
violence or threats, including domestic abuse, witness intimidation or serious antisocial behaviour
If you're not in a priority group
It will probably take a lot longer to get a council or housing association home.
Many councils give extra priority based on how long you’ve been on the register.
Some give extra priority to people who:
are working
do voluntary work
have a good tenancy record
The council might send you a form asking if you want to stay on the housing register if you've been waiting a long time.
Always reply to keep your place on the waiting list.
Last updated: 9 January 2025