Step 3: Eligibility to join the housing register
Who cannot join the housing register
There are some reasons why you may not qualify to join the housing register.
This page explains common reasons, including when you may already have a suitable home, owe housing-related debt, own your home, or do not meet income, savings, or immigration rules.
If your current home is suitable for your household
You may not qualify if your current home is suitable for the size of your household.
The table shows the type and size of home different households may be considered for.
| Your household | Homes you may be considered for |
|---|---|
| Single person |
|
| Couple |
|
| Single person or couple with a live-in carer |
|
| Parent or couple with one child |
|
| Parent or couple with two children of different sexes, where the eldest is under ten |
|
| Parent or couple with two children of the same sex, where both children are under 21 |
|
| Parent or couple with two children of different sexes, where the eldest is ten or over |
|
| Parent or couple with two children of the same sex, where the eldest is 21 or over |
|
| Parent or couple with three or four children, where the eldest is under 21 |
|
| Parent or couple with four children, where the eldest is 21 or over, or five children |
|
| Parent or couple with five children, where the eldest is 21 or over |
|
| Parent or couple with more than five children |
|
If you need a live-in carer, you must provide proof that your carer currently lives with you. You must also provide proof that you need overnight care.
Larger homes are in low supply and vacancies are rare. With your household’s agreement, we may consider you for a smaller home than your bedroom entitlement. We will only do this if it would not make your household overcrowded by two or more rooms.
For homes with more than four bedrooms, we will look at everyone in your household. Unless there is a medical or welfare need, we will not be able to include household members aged over 25. They will need to make their own housing application, if they are eligible.
If you have housing-related debt
You will not qualify if you have current or former housing-related debt.
This includes rent arrears or other housing debt owed to:
- a council
- a housing association
- a private landlord
If you have been barred from the housing register
You will be barred from the housing register if you have been evicted from a council-owned home because of:
- anti-social behaviour
- rent arrears
- anti-social behaviour and rent arrears
Before you can rejoin the housing register, you must clear all current and former debts in full.
How to appeal
You must send your appeal by email to housing@swindon.gov.uk.
You can ask an advocate to do this for you.
We will only consider your request for a review if you provide:
- a reference from the host, parent, resident landlord, or family member you currently live with, showing you can sustain a tenancy
- an up-to-date rent account statement from your landlord
- details of any exceptional circumstances you want us to consider
If you own your home
You will not usually qualify for the housing register if you own your home.
If you are aged 60 or over and meet the local connection criteria, you can ask to move to a sheltered accommodation flat.
If you have enough income or savings
You will not qualify if your household income is above the limit for the size of home you need.
You will also not qualify if you have more than £16,000 in assets or savings.
| Size of home | Income limit |
|---|---|
| Bedsit, studio, or one bedroom for a single applicant | £30,000 |
| One bedroom for joint applicants | £40,000 |
| Two bedrooms, where everyone is over 18 | £50,000 |
| Three or more bedrooms, where everyone is over 18 | £60,000 |
If your immigration status means you cannot join
You will not qualify for the housing register if:
- you are not eligible for an allocation of housing
- you are not entitled to recourse to public funds because of your immigration status
The housing allocation policy cannot give full details of who is eligible. This is because immigration law can change quickly.
We will apply the law as it stands at the time. You should get independent legal advice if you are unsure about your immigration status.
If you do not bid for properties
If you do not place a bid for 12 months, this can affect your application.
Band A
We will place bids for you on the next available property that we consider to be a reasonable offer.
If you refuse the property and we decide it was a reasonable offer, we will cancel your application. If you are owed a homelessness duty, we may also discharge that duty.
This does not apply in the same way if you are an existing tenant who wants to downsize. If you do not make a successful bid for 18 months, we will move you to a lower priority band.
Band B
We will cancel your application if you do not place a bid for 12 months.
If our Homeless team is accommodating you, we will make you a direct offer. This will be in line with the housing allocation policy.
If you refuse a reasonable offer
If you refuse two reasonable offers of accommodation, we will suspend your application for 12 months.
Your eligibility letter
Please note: we will explain why you do not qualify in your eligibility letter.
This will be in line with our housing allocation policy.