FAQs about applying for housing

The guidance and FAQs here will answer any queries you may have before you apply for housing.

How do I apply?

The first thing you will need to do is see if you are eligible to apply to the housing register.

If you are eligible then you will be able to sign up to our Housing Online service and complete a housing application form. After submitting your form, you will be given your housing application reference number. You should make a note of it and keep it safe as you’ll need it later. You will then be directed how to find out what proofs you need to send to us to get your application fully assessed and registered.



Who can apply?

You can apply to join the housing register provided:

• You are eligible for an allocation of accommodation
• You are 18 years or over
• You meet one of the housing need priorities in Bands 1-3 as set out in the housing allocations policy
• You meet the local connection requirement by satisfying at least one of the following criteria:
  • You have lived continuously within the city of Leicester for the past two years in settled accommodation prior to making your application.
  • You have previously lived in settled accommodation within the city for three consecutive years out of the last five years
  • You are currently working in the city and have been for the last 12 months
  • You will need to give or receive support to direct family members who have been living in the city for the past five years
  • You are a council or housing association tenant who needs to move for work related reasons.

Who can't apply?

There are restrictions on some people who cannot apply. You do not qualify to join the housing register if:

• You do not meet one of the criteria listed above
• You are a home owner
• Your family household's gross income is more than £31,000 per annum or £25,000 per annum for a single person household
• You have savings or assets totalling more than £50,000
• You are excluded from appearing on the housing register (for example, due to your immigration status or because of anti-social behaviour)
• It has been found you have given false or misleading information
• You have deliberately worsened your housing circumstances.

What proofs do I need to provide?

This will depend on your circumstances. However, all applicants will be required to provide proof of their identity and their current address. If you have children then you will need to provide proof of child benefit. All applicants will also be required to provide proof of their eligibility for social housing if you have been made an offer of accommodation.

Try to make sure you provide all your proof documents at the same time, and don’t miss anything out. Things like proof of address should be recently dated, and documents should be clear and readable. If you don’t provide everything we need then this will cause delays and your application won’t get registered.

Further information about what proofs you need to send and how/where to send it will be provided via the website link after you have submitted your housing application form online.

How long will the application assessment take?

Once you’ve sent your proof documents to us, we’ll assess your application in line with our housing allocations policy (PDF), and will aim to do this within 28 working days.

We will contact you with an outcome once your application has been registered, to advise you whether or not your housing application is live, and if so, what band your application has been placed in, and what size of property you are eligible to bid for.

If your application is suspended or ineligible then we will advise you of the reason. So long as your application is live then you will then be able to start applying for properties on the HomeChoice scheme.

Find out more about what happens after my housing application is registered.