Step 3: Eligibility to join the housing register
Different types of housing available
This page explains the types of housing you may see through our bidding system, including general needs housing, sheltered housing, sensitive lets, bungalows and housing association properties.
General needs housing
General needs housing is suitable for anyone aged 18 or older.
Homes come in a range of sizes for single people, couples and families.
Sheltered housing
Sheltered housing is for older people who want to live independently and have different housing needs.
You can apply for sheltered housing if you are over 60.
You can also apply if you are over 50 and receive Disability Living Allowance.
Find out more about sheltered housing.
Sensitive lets
Some properties are advertised as a sensitive let. This means there are restrictions on who we can shortlist for the property.
For example, there may have been a history of anti-social behaviour linked to the property or local area.
For sensitive lets, we carry out extra checks and ask for references from the police or other agencies. This helps us decide if a successful bidder is suitable for the property or area.
If you do not pass the sensitive let checks, we will not shortlist you for that property. You can still bid on other properties unless we tell you otherwise.
Bungalows
To qualify for a bungalow, you must meet one or more of these criteria:
- be aged 60 or over and in housing need under the housing allocation policy
- receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP) at the enhanced rate for mobility, including the maximum score for the moving around element, and be in housing need
- receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for mobility at the high rate and be in housing need
- have a recommendation for a bungalow from an occupational therapist or another health professional, with supporting evidence of a diagnosed health condition that means you need a bungalow
Bungalows with more than one bedroom
If you are a single person or couple, you must show that you need more than one bedroom.
You must meet one or more of these criteria:
- have a medical or welfare need for an extra bedroom, with supporting evidence
- have dependent children living with you as part of your household, in line with the housing allocation policy
- need an adult dependent to live with you because they provide support to you or receive support from you
Any adult in the household who is under 55 will be subject to enhanced suitability checks.
Housing associations
Housing associations are not-for-profit social landlords. They provide homes and support in a similar way to local authorities that manage their own housing.
We advertise housing association properties through our bidding system. Eligible applicants can bid on these properties.
Each housing association has its own housing allocation and lettings policies. These may be different from our policies.
Find a housing association in the Borough of Swindon.
Refusing a housing association property
If you successfully bid for a housing association property and want to refuse it, we will close your application immediately.
You must complete a housing association nomination refusal form within three months.
You can send the completed form through My Account or email it to housing@swindon.gov.uk.
You can also read more on our help and advice for housing association tenants page.