How we allocate council and housing association housing
Last updated: 26 September 2024
Next review: 26 September 2025
In February 2021 we launched our new Housing Allocation Scheme. When you join the housing register you will be awarded a level of priority based on your circumstances. These are summarised below:
Band 1: Emergency Priority
- Under-occupying council tenants moving to a smaller home.
- Exceptionally urgent cases.
Band 2: High Priority
- Those with very urgent medical or disability needs
- Existing Council tenants needing to move urgently due to the risk of violence or harassment
- Some special groups, such as young people leaving care and move-on from supported housing
Band 3: Medium Priority Plus
- Homeless households to whom the Council owes the main housing duty.
- Those who need to move on medical or disability grounds, or due to overcrowding.
Band 4: Medium Priority
- Homeless households who are not owed the main housing duty.
- Social tenants living outside the borough who work in the borough and want to move due to work.
Band 5: No Priority
- Those who are adequately housed not falling into the above categories, or have sufficient financial resources to secure housing for themselves in the private sector.
If you are in Band 5 you will not be able to bid for properties.
The full rules are set out in our full Housing Allocation Scheme.