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.
For more information on the local connection criteria and housing need, see our
Housing allocation policy (PDF, 537 KB).
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 four-tier priority banding structure, summarised below:
- Band A
This is the highest priority band and is awarded to households with an emergency and very severe housing need. - Band B
This is the second highest band and is awarded to households with an urgent need to move. - Band C
This is the third highest band and is awarded to households with an identified need to move. - Band D
This is the lowest band and is awarded to applicants who do not satisfy the 10-year continuous residence rule.
These are summarised below, but more detail can be found in the
Housing allocation policy (PDF, 537 KB).