Who gets priority for council housing
Councils decide who gets priority for local council housing. Some people get priority by law.
Find out how to apply for a council house
You must meet immigration conditions to be eligible to apply.
Who gets priority
The council's housing allocation policy sets out who gets priority on the waiting list.
You must be given some priority or ‘reasonable preference’ if you:
are homeless or fleeing violence
live in overcrowded or very bad housing conditions
need to move because of a health problem or disability
You can usually find the allocations scheme on your council's website or at the housing office.
If you are homeless
The council must give you some preference on the housing register if you are legally homeless.
Living in poor conditions
You are entitled to some priority for council housing if your home:
is in serious disrepair
is unsanitary - for example, has bad drains or sewerage problems
lacks basic washing and cooking facilities
There is usually a scale of priority for poor conditions.
You get more points or a higher band if the council decides your home is in such bad condition that it is dangerous or a health risk.
Living in overcrowded conditions
You must also get some preference if your home is officially overcrowded.
Some councils use a more generous measure called the ‘bedroom standard’.
Under this measure, you’re classed as overcrowded unless there is a bedroom in your home for each:
adult couple
single adult aged 21 or over
pair of adolescents aged 10 to 20 of the same sex
pair of children under 10 of any sex
Check your council’s policy to see what measure of overcrowding they use.
Disability or a medical condition
You must get some priority if you need to move on medical grounds.
For example, if anyone in your household has:
physical or mental health problems that are made worse by where you live
mobility problems that make it difficult to get around your home
When you apply, give the council details of:
how your health problems are affected by where you live
difficulties the medical condition or disability causes
any doctor, health worker or social worker who can support your application
If you need to live in a particular area
You should get some priority if you need to live in a particular area to avoid hardship.
This may include if:
someone in your household attends a special school locally
you're leaving care and need to be close to your support
you need to be close to a relative who can look after you
You can also get some priority if you need to be in an area to look after a close relative with health problems.
Extra priority
If you have served in the armed forces
The council must give you extra priority if you're homeless or have urgent housing needs and either you:
were in the regular armed forces
are seriously injured, ill or disabled because of your service
have to leave forces accommodation after the death in service of your spouse or civil partner
Urgent housing needs
The council can give extra priority to some people with very urgent housing needs.
For example, if you need to move because of:
a life threatening illness or sudden disability
overcrowding or disrepair which puts your health at serious risk
violence or threats, including domestic abuse, witness intimidation or serious antisocial behaviour
How long it takes to get a council home
Ask the council about your chances of getting a home and how long this will take.
Waiting times depend on:
your priority
how many council and housing association homes are available
your flexibility about the type of property and areas you will live in
Many councils give additional points based on how long you’ve been on the register.
Some give extra priority to people with a good tenancy record, working people or those doing voluntary work.
The scheme must give reasonable preference to those in the most housing need.
Last updated: 25 April 2019