Step 3: Eligibility to join the housing register

You may not be able to join or stay on the housing register in some circumstances. You can ask us to review or appeal some decisions if you think they are wrong.

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Being excluded from the housing register

We can exclude, or bar, you from the housing register under the Housing Act 1996 and the Localism Act 2011.

Reasons for being excluded can include:

Anti-social behaviour or criminal activity

You may be excluded if you, or someone in your household, has caused anti-social behaviour or taken part in criminal activity.

You cannot stay on the housing register if you are currently in prison.

Housing debt or arrears

You may be excluded if you owe housing-related debt to:

• us
• another local authority
• a housing association
• a private landlord

This can include recharges for damage or leaving a property in poor condition.

Poor property condition

You may be excluded if you have not kept your home in a satisfactory condition.

You will not be able to join the housing register until the property is back in good condition.

Refusing a suitable offer

You can be removed from the housing register if you refuse a reasonable offer of accommodation without just cause.

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Appealing if you have been excluded

You have the right to appeal if you have been excluded from the housing register. Appeals are considered in line with the housing allocations policy.

If you think you meet the criteria to appeal, you must write to us and include any evidence that supports your appeal.

Email your appeal to housing@swindon.gov.uk.

We may ask you for more evidence. We will tell you if we need this.

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Keyworker accommodation

Some accommodation may be available for keyworkers.

To be considered, you must work in the public sector in the Borough of Swindon. You must also meet the keyworker criteria in the housing allocations policy (PDF).

You may be recognised as a keyworker by the government, but you still need to meet our criteria for keyworker accommodation.

Priority keyworkers

You must be employed and working in the Swindon Borough boundary.

Priority keyworkers include:

• police officers
• firefighters
• ambulance drivers or paramedics
• nurses or doctors
• qualified occupational therapists
• qualified social workers employed by us on a permanent full-time contract in adult and children's services
• qualified teachers
• probation officers

Non-priority keyworkers

You will not be considered for the scheme if you are a non-priority keyworker and you are in the higher rate tax bracket.

To be considered as a non-priority keyworker, you must:

• have a permanent contract
• work in the public sector in Swindon Borough
• maintain the local connection criteria for the whole time your application is active

Non-priority keyworkers include:

• NHS staff who are not in the priority keyworker group
• police service civilian staff
• fire service civilian staff
• Ministry of Defence staff
• prison service staff
• support workers in health and social care roles
• nursery staff
• teaching assistants
• council staff in roles that provide essential services to the public in the local community, for example environmental health

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Asking for a review of a housing application decision

You can ask us to review a decision about your housing application. This is called a right to review.

You can ask for a review if the decision is about:

• you, or someone in your household, being ineligible to join the housing register
• the housing band you have been given
• whether your refusal of an offer from us or a housing association was unreasonable or unsuitable
• the suspension, cancellation or removal of your application
• any decision based on the facts of your housing application

You must ask for a review in writing within 21 days of the decision date.

When you ask for a review, you, or someone acting for you, should:

• give any new information you want us to consider
• explain why you think the decision is wrong

Email your review request to housing@swindon.gov.uk.

Include your application number and use the heading “Right to review”.

If we do not receive written information from you, we will make the decision using the facts we already have.

A senior officer who was not involved in the original decision will review your case. They will consider your reasons, any evidence, and any other relevant facts.

We will make a decision within 56 days. If there is a delay, we will write to tell you why and give you a new timescale.

If we change the original decision, we will reassess your application in line with the housing allocations policy.