Applying for a council home
Wolverhampton Homes lets council homes on behalf of Wolverhampton City Council.
To apply for council home you’ll need to complete an application form. These are available from all Wolverhampton Homes offices
Filling in the Housing Application Form
Please read the form carefully before you fill it in. You should send your completed form to any Wolverhampton Homes office. Should you require help our Customer Services staff will assist you.
What happens next
When we receive your form we’ll check it to make sure that you are eligible to go onto the housing register. If you are not eligible we will write to you and let you know why.
The Government says that we can’t offer you a home if you are only allowed to stay in the country under certain conditions and are not 'habitually resident' in the United Kingdom (which is a government rule about reasons people have come to the UK from abroad and whether they are eligible for social security benefits and housing) These conditions are very complicated, and if they apply to you we will fully explain them to you. If you are not eligible to go onto the housing register we will write to you and let you know why. You will have the right to ask for a review of our decision.
Wolverhampton City Council also says that we can’t register certain people who have a record of past unacceptable behaviour that is serious enough to make them unsuitable to be a tenant. You have a right to ask for a review of our decision on this.
From the information you have provided your details will be entered onto our computer. We aim to do this within five working days of receiving the form. If all the information we require is not provided with the form we will return the form to you for completion. Dependant upon your circumstances an interview to discuss your application may be arranged. This will be at your convenience and within 28 working days of us receiving your form. Once your application is made live and is placed onto the housing register you will be sent a letter the following day advising you of your housing application registration number and the number of points that you have been awarded.
You can check the demand for certain areas of the City and the number of points required
Appeal Process
If you are not satisfied with the level of priority or preference given to your application or if your application is removed from the housing register without your authority you can appeal within 21 days of the decision being made.
Allocation of homes
Homes are allocated to applicants on the housing register. The housing register is a point based waiting list. Full details of how points are awarded can be seen in the PDF below.
When you are offered a home, you may be visited to check that the information provided on your application form is correct.
Changes in your circumstances
If your details change, for example if you have another child or you decide to apply for a different area or type of property, you should let us know as soon as possible. You will be asked to provide proof or confirm the changes in writing. If you change your address you will need to complete a new application form. Some changes in your circumstances may affect your priority for housing i.e. the number of points you are awarded and we can only decide what properties to offer you based on the information you have given us.
It is also important to keep us informed of any changes and it is against the law to give false information. If you accept a tenancy based on false information provided by you, we may take you to court to regain possession of the property.
We will write to you each year asking if you want to stay on the housing register. If you do not respond we will assume that you no longer want a home and will take you off the housing register.
Changes happening soon
The way council homes are allocated is changing. We will shortly move to a system that puts applicants into bands according to their level of housing need instead of the current points scheme.
From June 2009 all our available properties will be advertised and you will be invited to 'bid' for ones that interest you. Properties will usually be let to the bidder with the highest priority.
If you are on the waiting list at the moment, you should have received a form to re-register and join Homes in the City, the new smart way to look for council housing in Wolverhampton.
If you didn't get a form or would like to register with us for the first time, please ring 01902 556789.
Housing Options
The supply of council housing is limited and not all people applying will receive an offer. If you don’t have many points then it is unlikely that you will receive an offer. There are other housing options you may want to consider such as housing associations, low cost ownership or private renting and we will be happy to provide information and advice, please contact us.
If you would like this information in other languages or in alternative formats such as Braille, Audio Tape, Large Print, please do not hesitate to contact the Equalities Team within Wolverhampton Homes on 01902 551046/554650 who will be happy to help.