Step 3: Eligibility to join the housing register

General needs housing

General needs housing is suitable for anyone aged 18 or older and provides a range of property sizes suitable for single people, couples and families.

Sheltered housing 

Sheltered housing provides homes to older people who want to live independently and have various housing needs.

You can apply for sheltered housing if you are over the age of 60 years. However, a person who receives disability living allowance can apply over the age of 50 years. 

To find out more, view the webpage for sheltered housing.

Sensitive lets

Some properties are advertised as being a 'sensitive let'. This means there are restrictions as to who can be shortlisted for these properties.

A typical example would be that there has been a history of anti-social behaviour surrounding a property or area.

Sensitive lets involve enhanced checks and references from the Police and/or other agencies, to make sure that any successful bidder is suitable for that property or area.

If you do not meet the sensitive let checks that are done, you will not be shortlisted for that property. This should not prevent you bidding on other properties unless we inform you otherwise.

Eligibility for bungalows

In order to qualify for a bungalow, applicants must meet one or more of the following criteria:

• You should be aged 60 or above and in housing need in line with the criteria of the allocation policy
• You should be in receipt of Personal Independent Payment (PIP) at the enhanced rate for mobility to include the maximum score for the 'moving around element' and in housing need
• You should be in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for mobility at the high rate and in housing need
• You should have a recommendation for a bungalow provided by an occupational therapist and/or other health professional and must supply supporting evidence of a diagnosed health condition warranting a bungalow need

For a single person or couple to be considered for a bungalow with more than one bedroom, you must demonstrate one or more of the following:

• You should have a medical or welfare need with supporting evidence for an additional bedroom   
• You should have dependent children currently residing with you as part of your current household in line with the housing allocation policy
• There is a need for an adult dependent to live with the applicant because they are providing support to, or receiving support from, the applicant

Any adult occupant in the household who is under the age of 55 will be subjected to enhanced suitability checks. 

Housing associations

Housing associations are not-for-profit social landlords that provide homes and support in a similar way to local authorities who manage their own housing stock. We advertise housing association stock within our bidding system that eligible applicants can bid on. 

Each housing association will have their own housing allocation and lettings policies, which may be different to our policies.

There is a list of available housing associations in the Borough of Swindon.

Where can I find a refusal form for a housing association property?

If you have successfully bid on our bidding cycle for a housing association property and want to refuse it, your application will be immediately closed and you will need to complete a refusal form within three months. You will need to send the refusal form via your My Account or you can email it to housing@swindon.gov.uk.

You can find further support on our help and advice for housing association tenants webpage.