Housing Register - Applying for Social Housing through the Council

The Council manage just over 3,100 homes.  However, because the demand for homes is greater than the supply, we run a 'housing register'.  If you are eligible, you can apply to be put on the waiting list. 

How to Apply - Housing Application Form

You will need to complete the Housing Application Form to be placed on the housing register (this includes tenants requesting a transfer). 

Who can join the Housing Register - Eligibility

The Housing Register is open to anyone over the age of 16 who is eligible.  However, permanent tenancies are usually only offered to people over 18. 

Most applicants will be eligible to join the register, but there are some exceptions.  You could be excluded if:

• You have recently arrived in the UK from abroad and are subject to immigration control or are specifically excluded by regulations issued by the Secretary of State;
• Home owners with sufficient equity to be able to secure suitable alternative accommodation at market rent or to buy a home.
• Applicants with a combined household income of £35,000 per year or more who are considered able to secure suitable alternative accommodation in the private rented sector or to purchase accommodation, such as low cost home ownership.
• Applicants with savings, usually in excess of £3,000 who are considered able to secure suitable alternative accommodation in the private rented sector or to purchase accommodation such as low cost home ownership.
• Applicants with no local connection to the Wealden District as defined by the Council's Allocations Policy.
• Applicants or a member of their household who has or had significant rent arrears with a private or social landlord unless they have made regular payments towards the arrears, in addition to regular rent payments, for at least six months.
• An applicant or a member of their household who has been identified as being involved in anti-social behaviour until they have sustained a period of at least 12 months with no reports of anti-social behaviour against them.

Section 2 of our Allocation Scheme (pdf) includes further details of people who will not be eligible.

If you apply, but you do not qualify, you will receive a letter explaining the reason and have the right to request a review of the decision.

Access to your information

You can request information about how your application is being treated and whether you are receiving reasonable preference.  You can ask for information that may help you assess if and when suitable accommodation may be available.  You can also ask to see personal information from your case file.

What happens if your application is successful - Housing Needs Assessment

If you're accepted onto the housing register, we will carry out an initial housing needs assessment, based on the information on your registration form and any other relevant information.

Where appropriate, the medical priority of the housing applicant and those to be re-housed with them is assessed by the Council's Medical Adviser based on the information in the 'Medical Assessment' section of the Housing Application Form.

For more information on the properties available in Wealden and what vacancies arise:

• Housing Stock and Allocations Sheet by Parish (pdf)
• Stock and Allocations Sheet Summary (pdf)

Allocation of Homes - Priority Banding and Bedroom Categories

Once you have been assessed, you will be put into a priority banding and bedroom category according to our Allocations Policy.