To be eligible to join the Housing Register, you must:
- have a housing need (for example, you live in overcrowded housing conditions, or you need to move due to a medical condition), (unless aged 60 and over and applying for sheltered or properties restricted for those aged 60-years-old and over)
- have a local connection to Hillingdon; applicants will need to evidence that they have lived in the Borough for a minimum of 10 years up to, and including, the date of their application, unless you meet one of the exemption criteria
- be aged 18 years of age or over
- not be subject to immigration control or be an applicant from abroad unless the applicant is a 'qualifying person' as described by law
- be habitually resident in the common travel area (England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man)
- have no history of unacceptable behaviour
- not own or have an interest in a property
- have a gross household income less than £64,000 per year (to access a one or two bed household) or less than £77,000 per year (to access a three bedroom or greater household)
- have savings and assets below a value of £30,000 (excluding lump sums paid to members of the British Armed forces)
- exceptions are made for those in certain situations, for example, you have served in HM Armed Forces, are aged over 60-years old, are care experienced (care leavers) or have special circumstances that require you to move within the Borough.
How priority is awarded
Housing need is determined by assessing the current housing circumstances of applicants. A priority 'band' is then allocated to each applicant according to the urgency of their housing need. The council operates a fourteen-tier priority banding structure, summarised below:
- Band 1
This is the highest priority band and is only awarded to households who are being decanted from their existing home and qualify for additional priority due to having 10-year continuous residence in Hillingdon. - Band 2
As Band 1 but without 10-year continuous residence. - Band 3
This band is for under occupying social tenants moving to a property with fewer bedrooms and that qualify for additional priority due to 10-year continuous residence. - Band 4
As Band 3 but without 10-year continuous residence. - Band 5
This band is for households for which a management transfer has been agreed due to exceptional circumstances and that qualify for additional priority due to 10-year continuous residence. - Band 6
As Band 5 but without 10-year continuous residence. - Band 7
This band is for households with an emergency and very severe housing need other than the needs covered by Bands 1 to 6 and that qualify for additional priority due to 10-year continuous residence. For full detail see table at Appendix 1. - Band 8
As Band 7 but without 10-year continuous residence. - Band 9
This band is for household with an urgent need to move and that qualify for additional priority due to 10-year continuous residence. For full detail see table at Appendix 1. - Band 10
As Band 9 but without 10-year continuous residence. - Band 11
This band is for households with an identified need to move and that qualify for additional priority due to 10-year continuous residence. - Band 12
As Band 11 but without 10-year continuous residence. - Band 13
Homeless applicants without 10-year continuous residence who do not own a property or have savings over £30,000. - Band 14
Applicants within a reasonable preference category who own a property or have savings over £30,000.
For more information on priority banding, please see our social housing allocation policy (PDF, 722 KB).