Council housing banding and bidding for homes

Councils must give housing priority to people who they regard as 'vulnerable'. Priority will be based on your needs, such as if you are:

• legally homeless (Shelter)
• moving because of disability or a serious, long-term health condition

Find out who gets priority for council housing (Shelter)

Assessments for accessible housing

Every council decides:

• the criteria for the levels of priority
• what each band means for priority

They follow their own housing allocations policy or scheme. Contact your council to see the whole policy or a summary.

Find your local council (GOV.UK)

Your priority on the housing register list is based on your needs, not how long you have been on it. How long you will wait for a home depends on:

• how many properties are available
• how high your priority is

You can ask the council how long they think you will have to wait. They may not be able to give you an exact time. But it could help you make a decision about your current housing.

How long it takes to get a council home (Shelter)

There is a shortage of social housing in most areas. Some people are on the housing register for years and do not get a property. That is even if they are eligible for accessible housing or in a high priority band

If your needs change

If you think the council has put you in the wrong band, it is worth checking what the housing allocations policy says.

It will show that:

• the band does not reflect your needs or
• you are in the right band after all

Levels of priority

If you want to challenge the council’s decision, contact your council to ask for a review.

Challenge a council housing register decision (Shelter)

You usually have 3 weeks from the date the council told you their decision.

If you disagree with the council’s housing decision

You may be able to have an extra bedroom if you:

• need a carer to stay overnight and
• are receiving certain disability benefits

This would mean you are exempt from bedroom tax.

Contact your local council to find out how to apply for an exemption. They will also tell you any evidence you need

Bedroom tax and housing benefits

How you find a property depends on your area.

Usually you place a ‘bid’ for a property you are interested in. This is also called choice-based lettings. 

You can start bidding for properties when the council has:

• written to say that you are on the housing register and
• has put you in a band

How to place bids   

The council should give you information on how to bid for properties. You normally place bids online, by phone or by text.

If the system is not accessible to you, they must give you another way to bid. For example, a proxy bid system where they bid for you.

You may also be able to go into the council housing department where you can: 

• look at property information 
• place a bid

Bidding is not on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. But you must bid before the council’s closing date.  

Asking for reasonable adjustments

Only bid for properties you are eligible for 

Before you bid on a property, it is best to check that it:

• is in your housing band and
• meets your needs  

If you bid for a property that is not suitable for you, the council will not accept your bid. 

Your council may limit the type of property you can bid on. For example, if you need an adapted or accessible property with level access, it will only let you bid for that type.

Depending on your needs, your council may use a direct offers system instead.  This means they may offer you a suitable home when it becomes available. 

They may phone you and then follow it up with a letter. Check with your council for more information.

Find your local council (GOV.UK)

Tell the housing department if your housing needs change. For example, if someone moves in or out of your home, it could affect the number of bedrooms you need.

Council housing register postcode lookup (Shelter)

You can ask to make changes to your housing application. But your housing priority could be higher as well as lower if you do make any changes. It depends on your situation.

When you speak to the housing department, try to keep a note of:

• the name and job title of the person you spoke to
• when you spoke to them
• what they said

If the change is for medical reasons 

If your condition has changed and you cannot live independently in your home, speak to your housing officer.

You can also contact your local council and ask to speak to the housing department.

Find your local council (GOV.UK)

They will say:

• how the council will assess you to see if you should move to a higher priority band and
• if you need to send any evidence to show that your condition has changed   

Assessments for accessible housing

Housing officers do not usually come to your home to do a home assessment or check. But they may ask an occupational therapist to do an assessment.

The council might decide to offer adaptations to your home to make it more accessible instead.

Getting home adaptations

Disability grants for home adaptations

Eviction notice if you have medical priority

If your housing band is based on medical need and you have been given an eviction notice, contact:

• your housing officer and
• the council’s homeless team

Explain that you have been threatened with homelessness.

You should get extra priority within your housing band if you are at risk of homelessness.

Find your local council (GOV.UK)

It can help to get advice and support locally. There are organisations that have knowledge about how housing works in your area.

Try contacting a local:

• housing advice agency, like Shelter’s local housing services
• disability advocacy service
• Citizens Advice

An independent advocate can help you communicate with your council or housing association. They can give support and guidance if you need to:

• challenge a housing decision
• make a complaint

Get help from an advocate