Homeseekers

Everyone must apply online. If you do not have access to a computer at home, our Idea Stores and libraries have free computer usage and internet access. You can also complete this application on your mobile phone.

• What other documents do I need to provide?

Before you start

Your address history for the past three years from the date of your application confirming any dates that you moved in or out. We will need proof of residence for the last three years;

These are the documents we will accept:

• main bank statement (i.e. the account where wages / benefits are paid into)
• utility bills
• council tax bill
• credit card bill
• rent book
• tenancy agreement
• itemised postmarked envelopes (not from the council)
• polling cards
• insurance documents
• invoices for online purchases
• a letter from an employer, a government agency, a college or a school confirming the dates that they have known you and the address history they hold for you.
  

Before you are offered a property you will need to provide additional documents to support your application. We will tell you what documents to provide and when to provide them. All documents provided must be originals, up to date and valid. For a full list of acceptable documents please contact the organization making you the offer (this may be the Council or a partner Landlord).

• What happens if I do not provide the required documents? You will not be able to complete the online application form without uploading the required documents.
  
• How do I know if I have been accepted onto the Housing Register? You will receive an email confirming that you have been accepted onto the Housing Register. The email will tell you which band you have been placed into, your preference date and the size of property you are eligible for.
  
• Can you refuse to accept me onto the Housing Register? There are some people who are not eligible to be included on the Housing Register. These are:
• Certain people who are subject to Immigration Control under the 1996 Asylum and Immigration Act.
• Certain people from abroad who are not subject to immigration control but who are not habitually resident in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland.
• People (including members of their household) who have been guilty of unacceptable behaviour that makes them unsuitable to be a tenant.
  
• What are priority Bands? Your application will be assessed according to your level of housing need and placed into a band, within each band applications are placed in date order.
  
• What do I do if my circumstances change? It is very important that you tell us of any changes in your circumstances so that we can amend your application. Examples of change of circumstances include changing address, family composition, and if you become a home. We will tell you if this results in your application moving to a different band. There are different rules for moving up or down a Band. Please see the Allocations Scheme documentfor more details.
  
• Do I need to renew my application? Yes, every two years we will contact you to review your application. If you fail to respond to the review your application will be cancelled.
  
• What if someone in my household has a medical condition? There are times when people need to move because of their health or a disability. Priority on health or disability grounds will only be awarded after an assessment if someone in the household has:
• a severe long-term limiting illness, or
• a permanent and substantial disability
  AND
• Their health or quality of life is severely affected by the home they live in. Please note: A priority medical award is not given on the basis of the medical condition or disability alone, but upon the effect the housing circumstances are having on a long term and serious medical condition or disability. For further details please see the Allocations Scheme document.
  
• How often are properties advertised? Properties available for rent are advertised each week. As soon as we are given notice that a property is due to become vacant we will advertise it.
  
• How do I apply for a property? You can express your interest or bid, in the following ways:
• Online through this website
• Mobile bidding site
  
• How many properties can I express an interest in? You will be able to express an interest in a maximum of three properties each time properties are advertised. However, you will only be able to express interest in properties that are the permitted size for your household.

Please see our privacy notice for details.