Eligibility for Housing register

We have put together some information to answer the questions we are asked most often about eligibility for the Housing Register. For information on who can apply to the Housing Register, please go to our Who Can Apply page.

How old do I have to be to register?

  • You have to be 18 years old to register

What is local connection and what is Dacorum Borough Council’s criteria?

  • A local connection is where you or your immediate relatives have lived in an area for a defined period of time, connecting you to that area, or are in permanent employment for a period of time in that area.  Each Council has different criteria, which are set out in their Housing Allocation Policy.  Dacorum Borough Council’s criteria for housing applicants are:
    • A ten-year residency within the borough at some point in their lifetime;
    • Family connection where an immediate family member (parents, children, siblings) has continuously been a resident within the borough for 10 years immediately preceding the date of application;
    • Currently in permanent employment within the borough boundary, consisting of 16 hours a week or more, and which has been continuous for the last 24 months

My application has been rejected, why?

  • Your application will be rejected if we do not believe you meet the eligibility criteria or you are considered to be adequately housed.

How much can I have in savings?

  • To be eligible to apply you must have £16,000 or less in savings which includes all types of accounts, bank accounts, building society accounts, savings accounts, ISAs etc.

Are there financial criteria around joining the register?

Yes:

  • You will not qualify if you have the financial means to meet your own housing need. We define this as you and/or your partner having an annual household income in excess of:
    • 1 Bedroom/studio Property £40,000 per year
    • 2 Bedroom Property £50,000 per year
    • 3 Bedroom Property £60,000 per year
    • 4 Bedroom Property £60,000 per year

Applicants who wish to move into Supported Housing cannot have capital exceeding £400,000

Can I move with rent arrears?

  • You will not qualify to move unless six months of agreed regular repayments have been made to any property-related arrears, including Council Tax.

I have just moved to the area - am I eligible?

  • If you meet our local connection criteria you are eligible to apply.

I have just come out of prison am I eligible?

  • Yes - If you meet our local connection criteria

I have just come from the armed forces am I eligible?

  • Yes. Local connection is not required for members of the armed forces where the application is made within five years of discharge (includes bereaved spouses and civil partners leaving service family accommodation following the death of their partner.

If you are a members of the armed forces who qualifies to our housing register, you will receive additional points if:

  • You are serving in the regular forces and are suffering from a serious injury, illness or disability which is attributable to their service;
  • You formerly served in the regular forces;
  • You have recently ceased, or will cease to be entitled to reside in the accommodation provided by the Ministry of Defence following the death of your spouse or civil partner who served in the regular forces and whose death was attributable to that service; or
  • You are serving or have served in the reserve forces and are suffering from a serious injury, illness or disability which is attributable to their service.

I work full time can I register?

  • Yes, providing that you do not have in excess of £16,000 in savings and your gross household income does not exceed:
    • 1 Bedroom/studio Property £40,000 per year
    • 2 Bedroom Property £50,000 per year
    • 3 Bedroom Property £60,000 per year
    • 4 Bedroom Property £60,000 per year

I am unemployed can I register?

  • Yes

I am a care leaver, can I register to bid?

  • Yes.  However it is often the case that your leaving care support will already be in contact with the Council prior to an allocation of accommodation.
  • Evidence will be provided to demonstrate that you are ready to live independently and that support will be in place for you if required.