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Assessing or Amending Housing Applications

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Assessing or Amending Housing Applications

  1. All applications will be assessed in line with Rochford District Council’s Allocation Policy. Applications can be made either online or by paper form. Assistance will be provided if required to complete a either.
  2. All applications will be inputted on the IT system
  3. If there is information needed the application will be contacted in writing or via email to request the outstanding evidence and given 15 working days to respond with the evidence
  4. Once the application has been received with all the relevant supporting evidence it will initially be assessed to ensure the applicant(s) meet the eligibility and qualification criteria as set out in section 3 of the District Council’s Allocation Policy.
  5. Evidence to prove eligibility will be required, including birth certificate, passport or immigration documents.
  6. Non Eligibility / Non Qualifying Decision
    Eligibility and qualifying criteria is set out in the RDC Allocation Policy. The officer will contact the applicant explaining:
    • The reason for decision
    • The applicant right of review
    • Possible alternative type of accommodation that might be suitable for the client.
  7. Once eligibility has been checked the application will be assessed against the reasonable preference groups as set out in the Allocation Policy.
  8. Once an application has been assessed for eligibility and qualifying criteria,  the reasons for their banding will be inputted on to the IT system.
  9. Applicant will be placed in Band A in date order if they meet the additional preference criteria as set out in section 4.23 of the Rochford Council  Allocation Policy.
  10. All other applicants who meet the reasonable preference criteria will be placed in Band B in date order.
  11. Applicants who are accepted under the additional or reasonable preference criteria will be informed of the decision and given the following information:
    • Banding
    • Reason
    • Date of acceptance
    • Areas requested
    • Type of property

    Additional information will include:
    • The likely timescale for rehousing
    • information for the Rent and Deposit Scheme
    • Number of letting for the type of property and area(s) they requested
    • Their rights to request a review of a decision
  12. Suspension Decisions
    If an applicant case is to be suspended the officer must write to the client informing them of the reason why and length of suspension. They must advise the client of what steps they must take to lift the suspension. The decision letter must include information on right of review.
  13. If further evidence is supplied after a decision has been made on an application, we will reassess the application in line with the RDC Allocations Policy. Once the case has been reassessed steps 8-12 will be repeated.

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