Step 1: Introduction to council housing
Things to consider before you apply
We advertise over 500 properties per year however, council housing properties are in great demand.
Before you apply, you should consider the following:
- You need to be eligible
- You need to join the housing register so that you can bid for available properties
Demand for council housing
The demand for council housing is extremely high. Even if no new applicants came forward, it would take many years to clear the current housing register.
If you are considering applying to join the council’s housing register, you should also consider other housing options.
How long does it take to be rehoused?
It can be difficult to predict how long an applicant may wait for social housing, as we operate a choice-based lettings system. This means we cannot determine in advance which applicants will place bids on properties as they become available.
At present, the estimated waiting time for one to three-bedroom properties is over six years where there are no bidding restrictions. This estimate is based on current demand and the number of applicants on the waiting list, and it may be subject to change.
For applicants requiring properties with four or more bedrooms, waiting times are typically longer due to a shortage of larger homes.