How to apply for the housing register and the information you’ll need
Before you start
Before you start you’ll need to be sure you are eligible. You can find out more on our who can apply page, or use our interactive tool below.
Before you apply, you'll need to check you’ve got everything you need. As part of the application we’ll ask for:
- National Insurance numbers for anyone over 16
- all addresses you’ve lived at during the last six years (including postcodes), and the name and contact details for the landlord of the address(es) (if applicable)*
*If you were ‘no fixed abode’ at any time, please provide a care of address where you could have been contacted.
You’ll also need to upload evidence that proves your circumstances, such as:
- proof of identity for all household members
- proof of household income
- proof of the addresses you’ve lived at during the last six years
If you’re unable to upload this evidence when you make your application, you can return later to provide this. But we won’t be able to assess your application until all supporting documents are received. You can find out more on our upload your evidence page.
About the application
It should take you between half an hour to an hour to complete our application. It may take longer if you have a large family.
During your application you can save the form for later. To do so, please complete the form as far as a page that gives you the option to 'finish later'.
If you select ‘finish later’ we’ll give you a user ID and password. You’ll need these details to log back in to complete your form at a later date.
We’ll only save your form for ten days. If you don’t login and complete your application within this time frame, it will be deleted and you’ll have to start again.
Unfortunately our form can ‘time out’ if the application is taking a little longer than usual. If you don’t save your application form, your information will be lost and you won’t be able to begin a new application for 10 days. If your application is taking a long time, we recommend you select the ‘finish later’ button to ensure your details are saved.
Make an application
To apply for the housing register you’ll need:
- National Insurance numbers for everyone over 16
- your address history for the last six years
- proof of household income
- details of any health issues which may affect your housing requirement
What happens next?
We’ll only be able to process your application when you’ve provided all the supporting documents we ask for. Once we have everything we need it can take six to eight weeks to hear from us.
If you're accepted onto the register, we'll write to or email you and give you a reference number. Please keep hold of this, you'll need this to bid on available properties. We'll put you in one of three bands; low, medium or high. The letter will also confirm which band you're in.
Forgotten details
If you don't know your password or security question answer you can reset them following our guidance below:
Can’t remember your household login number (ID)?
When you’ve made your application a household login number (ID) will be shown, and emailed using the email address provided.
If you can’t remember your household login number, then you'll need to start a new application to find it. You’ll need to enter your forename, surname, date of birth, and National Insurance Number. The system will find any application linked to your details, and show your household login number (this is a six-digit number beginning with a one). You can then use this to reset your other details if needed. You can find out your household login number on our housing registration page.
Can’t remember your password?
You can reset your password using your household login (ID) number. To re-set your password, select 'Forgotten password?' on our housing registration page.