What a referral to the housing register means
When a household is evicted, a local council may assess whether it should refer the household to the council housing register or offer homelessness assistance. Councils use eligibility tests and priority rules set out in national housing practice and older statutes such as the Housing Act 1988[1] and the Rent Act 1977[2]. Being referred to the housing register can give you a route to social housing, but the outcome depends on your priority banding, local waiting lists and any local connection rules.
When a council may make a referral
- Eligible for priority need and therefore offered rehousing by the council.
- Become homeless within the prevention or relief duty period and the council records a homelessness decision.
- Application forms and a review are completed and the council decides to place you on a waiting list or refer you to the housing register.
Official forms and how to use them
There is no single national form number for homelessness applications; each local authority uses its own homelessness application form. You should submit the council's homelessness application form to request an assessment and temporary accommodation when needed. Example: if your landlord obtains a possession order and you are at immediate risk of being without a home, contact the housing options team and complete the council homelessness form so the council can consider prevention or relief duties.
Another common form is the council housing application used to join a local authority waiting list. This is often called a "council housing application" and is different from the homelessness application; councils will put people on a register or allocate priority bands after assessment. Example: after a successful homelessness decision a household may be given priority banding and told how to complete the council housing application online.
Where to get these forms: use the official GOV.UK pages for applying for council housing and to find your local council, which will link to that council's homelessness application form and housing register application.
Appeals, reviews and tribunal routes
If you disagree with a homelessness decision or with the council's handling of your application you can request an internal review first. If an internal review does not resolve the issue, there are further appeal routes including judicial review or other tribunal processes depending on the issue. For housing possession or tenancy disputes the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) handles some residential property matters and landlords or tenants may use tribunal or court processes for certain disputes.
FAQ
- Can I join the council housing register after an eviction?
- Yes, you can apply, but whether you are placed on the register and your priority depends on the council's assessment, any priority need, local connection rules and whether you were found intentionally homeless.
- Will an eviction always stop me being eligible for rehousing?
- No. An eviction does not automatically stop rehousing eligibility; councils assess eligibility case by case, including reason for homelessness and priority need.
- How long does a council decision usually take?
- Times vary by council and case complexity; prevention or relief duties have statutory timeframes under homelessness guidance and councils must inform you of decisions and review rights.
How-To
- Check immediate safety and, if at risk, ask the council for emergency/temporary accommodation.
- Submit a homelessness application to your local council and provide tenancy agreements, ID and evidence of eviction or notice.
- Complete the council housing application to join the housing register if the council advises this route.
- Request a written review within the council deadline if you disagree and gather documentary evidence such as correspondence, receipts and witness statements.
Help and Support / Resources
- Apply for council housing - GOV.UK
- Get homelessness help from your local council - GOV.UK
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) - GOV.UK
