Who can apply to be a Homeseeker?

The housing register is open to any person aged 16 years or over.

The transfer list will also include all tenants of Registered Social Landlords (housing association assured tenants only).

All Homeseekers will be encouraged to take an active role in applying for a property of their choice, in an area of their choice. The Council will no longer approach Homeseekers with a direct offer of accommodation, except in certain circumstances  or where an expression of interest has been successful.

People from abroad

People with exceptional leave to enter or remain in the UK granted prior to April 1st 2003 (and whose leave is not subject to a condition requiring them to maintain and accommodate themselves without recourse to public funds) continue to be eligible for an allocation of housing under Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996.

People granted humanitarian protection or discretionary leave and whose leave is not subject to a condition requiring them to maintain and accommodate themselves without recourse to public funds will be eligible for an allocation of housing under Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996.

British Citizens must be habitually resident in the common travel area. This is the UK, Channel Islands, The Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland.

Help with an application

Homeseekers requiring assistance to apply may nominate a friend, relative or advocacy worker from an appropriate agency to apply on their behalf or they can contact the Housing Needs team of the Council where a Housing Needs Adviser will be pleased to assist in making an application. Callers to the office can obtain assistance from the Housing Options Team.

An interpreter service will be made available for clients whose first language is not English or who have sensory impairment. For other needs, assistance will be offered in an appropriate way.

Registering a new application

Before applicants can apply for a property of their choice they will need to register to become a Homeseeker with Swindon Borough Council. To do this they will need to complete an Application Form for the Swindon Housing Register. This can be done by either:

• Collecting a form from the One Stop Shop, Wat-Tyler-House , Beckhampton Street, Swindon. Office opening hours Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 8.00am to 6.00pm. Thursdays 8.00am - 8.00pm
• Telephoning the Housing Department on: 01793 445503 Monday to Thursday 9.00am to 5.00pm and Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm.
• E-mailing housing@swindon.gov.uk and requesting one to be sent by post with your full name, address and contact details.
• On line: Application Form for Swindon Housing Register

Once the application form has been returned, it will be registered and an acknowledgement letter will be sent within 20 working days. Unfortunately due to the high volume of forms received, sometimes this may take longer than 20 working days. Your letter will have a unique application number which will need to be quoted should you make an enquiry concerning your housing application.

The Homeseeker will then be advised of the band into which their application has been placed and the registration date of their application. Banding categories can be viewed in the Allocations Policy