Applying for social housing
Check what priority you'll get on the housing list
When you apply for social housing, you’ll be added to a waiting list. You'll get higher priority on the list if you have urgent housing needs.
Each council and housing association have their own rules about how priority is decided, but there are some things they must always take into account.
After you apply they must tell you what level of priority you have.
How the priority system works
Each council and housing association have an allocations policy, which explains how your priority will be decided. It's usually decided using a points system, a banding system, or a combination of both.
In a points system, you get points for each reason why you need a home. The more points you have, the more quickly you should be offered a home.
In a banding system, the council or housing association puts you in a priority group, called a band, based on your housing needs. Sometimes there’s a set amount of housing for each band.
They must give you a copy of their allocations policy if you ask for it.
When you must get priority
You must get a reasonable level of priority if:
your home is overcrowded - this means there are not enough rooms for the number of people who live there
your home is unsuitable to live in – for example, if it does not have suitable water, cooking or heating facilities
When you might get priority
Depending on the allocations policy, you might also get higher priority if you need to move because:
you have a disability and you need a home that’s adapted for you
you need to move closer to a specific clinic or doctor for medical reasons
you’re leaving care, hospital or prison, or you have other community care needs
you’re at risk of harassment or domestic abuse in your current home
you need to move closer to your workplace
you need to move closer to family - for example to care for a relative
The council or housing association may consider other things as well, such as:
how long you've been on the waiting list
whether you have a connection to the local area
what other housing options are available to you
Things that cannot affect your priority
Council and housing associations are not allowed to take these things into account when deciding your priority:
your income or your family’s income
how long you’ve lived in the area
your age, except for housing that’s intended for people of a particular age
debt which is not related to the tenancy of a home
If you do not live in the area
This cannot affect your priority if:
you work or want to work in the area
you want to move there to be near family or a carer
you need to live there for medical reasons
you are a victim of harassment or domestic abuse
If you've had rent arrears
This cannot affect your priority if:
you have paid off your rent arrears
you have a payment plan for your rent arrears, you have made payments for at least 3 months and you are continuing to make payments
you were not a tenant of the property at the time of the arrears
If you own property
This cannot affect your priority if:
the property is being rented by someone
living there would lead to abuse
living there would cause you or any other person living there harm
Check your other housing options
If you do not have priority for social housing, you could be on the waiting list for a long time. You could try:
Last updated: 24 July 2024
Housing laws differ between Scotland and England.
This content applies to Scotland only.