Local authority housing
Information on whether you are entitled to accommodation from the local council, and what kind of accommodation local councils may offer.
Explains how you qualify to get a council home, how to challenge the council's decision on your housing application, and refusing an offer of an unsuitable council home.
Information on applying for a council home. Includes waiting lists and choice-based lettings schemes.
This factsheet gives information about applying for housing from local authorities and housing associations (‘social housing’). It explains how applications are assessed, how waiting lists are organised and how properties are allocated. It also explains what to do if you want to move to a different local authority area. Applies to England and Wales.
If you are unhappy about a decision that has been made about your application for council or housing association accommodation, you may be able to take action. (Content applies to England only.)
Information for older people who are already renting and are looking to move somewhere new, or perhaps are considering renting a property for the first time.
Information about when the council must help you with emergency housing if you're homeless and don't have anywhere to stay.(Content applies to England only.)
To get help if you are homeless or to to register for council housing, you must be eligible. The law is different for people from within the European Economic Area and the UK and those from outside. It is also different in Wales compared with England.
If you have been refused housing by a council or housing association but believe that you should not have been, you may have been discriminated against. Information for new arrivals to the England and Wales.
Explains your rights to housing and benefits if you are a refugee or other new arrrivals to England and Wales.
Information about when the council must offer longer term housing, what kind of offer they may make and how they must make an offer of housing. It includes information about what counts as suitable accommodation and how to challenge this. Get legal advice if you are thinking of turning down an offer of temporary or longer-term housing. (Content applies to England only.)
Information about choice-based lettings schemes, which are designed to introduce an element of choice for people who apply for council and housing association homes. Choice-based lettings allow people applying for a home (including existing tenants who want a transfer) to bid for properties which become available on a points-based system. (Content applies to England only).
Find out what to do if your housing benefit or universal credit is reduced because you're a council or housing association tenant with a spare bedroom.
Explains who has the right to buy if you are a secure tenant of a social housing landlord.
