Who can and cannot join the Housing Register

The Housing Allocations and Lettings Team will assess the information on your application form and decide whether you can join the Housing Register. 

After they have assessed your application, the Housing Allocations and Lettings Team will contact you to tell you whether you have been accepted onto the Housing Register.  

Some people cannot join the Housing Register, for example: 

• Applicants who are below the age of 16 years 
• Applicants who are not eligible for social housing (for example most people from abroad are not eligible for social housing) 
• Applicants who are homeowners or who have the financial means to purchase a property in Charnwood 
• Applicants who do not have a local connection to Charnwood 
• Applicants who have been responsible for serious unacceptable behaviour 
• Applicants who do not have a confirmed housing need. 

Financial Means 

If you meet one of the following, you will not be able to join the Housing Register: 

• You own a residential property in the UK or elsewhere, including freehold, leasehold, joint ownership or shared ownership 
• You have savings, investments and/or assets of £21,450 or more 
• Your annual income is more than £45,000 (if you are a single person or lone parent) or joint income of £60,000 or more (if you have a partner). 

In some circumstances some people who have these financial means will be able to join the Housing Register, for example people who are applying for older person’s sheltered accommodation. 

Local Connection 

If you do not meet one of the following, you will not be able to join the Housing Register: 

• You are currently resident in settled accommodation within Charnwood and have been resident in settled accommodation within Charnwood for at least the last two years 
• You have been resident in settled accommodation within Charnwood for at least three out of the last five years 
• You have close adult relatives (parents/guardians, adult siblings or children over the age of 18) who are currently resident within Charnwood and who have been resident within Charnwood for at least the last 5 years 
• You have paid employment or a confirmed offer of paid employment within Charnwood (the main place of work must be located within Charnwood and the employment will normally need to be for at least 16 hours per week and on a contract that is permanent or expected to last for at least 12 months). 

In some circumstances people who do not meet any of the above local connection criteria may be able to join the Housing Register, for example some members of the Armed Forces. 

Unacceptable Behaviour 

If you (or any member of your household) have been responsible for unacceptable behaviour and are unsuitable to be a tenant, you will not be able to join the Housing Register. 

Some examples of unacceptable behaviour include: 

• Violence or threats of violence 
• Domestic abuse 
• Threatening behaviour or intimidation 
• Harassment 
• Anti-social behaviour 
• Drug-dealing 
• Property damage 
• Serious and persistent rent arrears 
• Giving false information in relation to an application for housing.