Housing Register FAQ

Housing Register – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Re-Registration Process

Do I need to contact the Council about the new Allocations Policy?

No, the Housing Options team will contact you by email. With over 800 applications to assess there is no need to worry if you haven’t heard from us immediately.

Will I need to provide all my documents again?

This is dependent on what information you have already provided. We will carry out an assessment on your application and will only request further documents if they are necessary to complete your re-registration.

Will I need to complete a new application form?

Yes, but we will advise us when you need to do this. If you are assessed as eligible the completion of the new form will not affect your application, but you will need to do this to register on the new public website for HomeOption and choice-based lettings.

Can I appeal the outcome of my re-assessment?

Yes, you can appeal within 21 days of the decision letter by emailing housingallocations@rochford.gov.uk. You will need to explain why you consider the decision is wrong and provide evidence to support this.

Choice-Based Lettings (CBL)

What is Choice-Based Lettings?

All properties that become available will be advertised on the HomeOption website on a weekly cycle, for applicants to bid on. These properties will then be allocated to the applicant that has the highest priority, ie date of application and banding.

For certain properties there will be additional priority for allocating, such as a property is specifically adapted for an applicant that has an assessed medical need for an adapted property.

When can I start bidding?

This is dependent on the new website going live, which is anticipated to be October 2025, but we will provide updates on the Housing Options webpage.

All applicants will receive a HomeOption member welcome pack once we go live.

Applying to the Housing Register

I am not on the housing register and wish to apply now?

The housing register will be closed for new applications until the 1st of September 2025.  For urgent applications such as homelessness, your Housing Options Officer will support you with this.   If you are at risk of homelessness and have not yet contacted us, please complete the Housing Assessment form on our website.

Assessment criteria for the Housing Register

To qualify for the housing register all the criteria below must be satisfied;

• Eligible person
• Has a local connection
• Income does not exceed the income threshold
• In housing need

1. Eligible Person 

• British or Irish citizens who are ‘habitually resident in the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man
• Refugee status or humanitarian protection
• Limited’ leave to remain.
• ‘Indefinite’ leave to remain.
• Settled status under the EU settlement requirements.
• Commonwealth citizen
• Visa that gives you recourse to public funds 

2. Local connection

5 years continuous residency in the district

Or

An applicant is over 55, who has a strong family connection, who have lived in the district continuously for 5 years and you require sheltered housing. Family connection – Mother, father, brother, sister, Adult Children

I do not live in Rochford but was offered a property and am waiting to view it, will this be withdrawn with the change in policy.

No, the offer will not be withdrawn, but if you are no longer eligible for the housing register and you refuse the property then your application will be cancelled.  There will be a right to review the decision.

I have lived in Rochford for 3 years but was offered a property and am waiting to view it, will this be withdrawn with the change in policy.

No, the offer will not be withdrawn, but if you are no longer eligible for the housing register and you refuse the property then your application will be suspended until you obtain five years residency.  At this point your application will be reassessed to confirm you would remain eligible and if so, your application would be made live to bid on properties.

I am not currently on the housing register but have lived in the district for less than 5 years, would I be eligible for the housing register?

No, you would not be eligible for the housing register

I am not currently on the housing register but have lived in the district for 5 years , would I be eligible for the housing register?

Yes, you would satisfy the local connection criteria

I do not live in Rochford, but I have close family who have lived in the district for 5 years, and I need to live closer to them for support and I am under 55. Would I be eligible for the housing register.

No, you would not be eligible for the housing register

I do not live in Rochford, but I have close family who have lived in the district for 5 years, and I need to live closer to them for support and I am over 55. Would I be eligible for the housing register.

Yes, you would satisfy the local connection criteria for sheltered housing only

What is close family?

Mother, father, brother, sister, adult children

I don’t have family in the district but have friends who I rely on for support, would I be eligible for the housing register?

No, you would not be eligible for the housing register

I am currently living in the district in Social Housing; would I be eligible for the housing register?

If you were originally nominated to your current property by Rochford DC, then you would be eligible for the housing register, without the 5-year residency criteria.  If you were directly allocated your current property by a housing association, for example, transfer or direct let from outside of the district then you would not be eligible unless you meet the 5-year residency criteria.

I am currently living outside of the district in Social Housing; would I be eligible for the housing register?

No, you would not be eligible for the housing register.

I am threatened with homelessness from outside of the district, am I eligible for the housing register.

No, you would not satisfy the local connection criteria, however this would be subject to assessment of circumstances in relation to the Homeless Reduction Act.

I am threatened with homelessness from outside of the district and are currently on the housing register am I still eligible for the housing register.

If you have the 3-year residency criteria an applicant would normally be suspended until they have accrued the 5-year residency.  In cases of homelessness, this would need to be individually assessed. 

Income

Annual income

Households assessed as requiring a one-bedroom property who have an income of £39,000 or below will be eligible for the housing register. Households assessed as requiring a two-bedroom property who have an income of £49,000 or below will be eligible for the housing register. Households assessed as requiring a three-bedroom property who have an income of £63,000 or below will be eligible for the housing register. Households assessed as requiring a four-bedroom property who have an income of £80,000 or below will be eligible for the housing register.

Savings/Capital

Applicants who have savings over £16,000 will not be eligible for the housing register. Applicants who require sheltered housing shall not be subject to the above income thresholds and may have capital not exceeding £250,000.

I am under 55 and have an annual income below the threshold but have savings over £16,000, will I be eligible for the housing register?

No, you would not be eligible for the housing register

I am under 55, and have an annual income below the threshold and have no savings over £16,000, will I be eligible for the housing register?

Yes, you would satisfy the income threshold criteria for the housing register

I am under 55, and have an annual income below the threshold and have no savings over £16,000 and I own a property, will I be eligible for the housing register?

No, you would not be eligible for the housing register

I am over 55 and have an annual income below the threshold but have savings over £16,000, will I be eligible for the housing register?

Yes, you would satisfy the income threshold criteria but only for sheltered housing

I am over 55, and have an annual income below the threshold and have no savings over £16,000, will I be eligible for the housing register?

Yes, you would satisfy the income threshold criteria but only for sheltered housing

I am over 55, and have an annual income below the threshold and have no savings over £16,000 and I own a property, will I be eligible for the housing register?

Possibly, but this would be dependent on your individual circumstances

4. Housing Need

• Your current home has been assessed as unaffordable.
• The size of your current home is not in accordance with your assessed bedroom need.
• You are unable to adapt your current home to meet your medical or mobility needs.
• You have an assured shorthold tenancy (AST) and are in private rented accommodation, but are in housing need, for example, it is unaffordable for you, or you require larger accommodation.
• You are living with friends or family but do not have a legal right to occupy the home without their permission.
• You do not have any accommodation available to you.

I am living in accommodation that I can afford, and it is large enough for my family, am I eligible for the housing register?

No, you would not be eligible for the housing register

I am living in accommodation that I can afford, it is large enough for my family, but I don’t like the area, am I eligible for the housing register?

No, you would not be eligible for the housing register.

I am living in accommodation that I can afford, it is large enough for my family, but I want to move closer to family, am I eligible for the housing register?

No, you would not be eligible for the housing register.

I am living in accommodation, that I can afford, it is large enough for my family, but I need adaptations that cannot be carried out in my existing home, am I eligible for the housing register?

Yes, you would satisfy the housing need criteria for the housing register.

I am living with friends or family, am I eligible for the housing register?

Yes, you would satisfy the housing need criteria for the housing register.

I am living in accommodation that is affordable but is too small for my family, am I eligible for the housing register? 

Yes, you would satisfy the housing need criteria for the housing register.

Medical assessments

I currently have a medical priority; will I be able to keep my priority?

As part of the re-registration process all applicants will need to complete the medical section of the application form and provide evidence of the medical condition(s).  These will be reassessed in line with the updated criteria (above) by the Councils Independent Medical Advisors.

Medical priority will only be assessed in ‘how your current housing is affecting your health, and by moving this would alleviate a medical condition’.

This means that there may be a decrease/increase, or no priority awarded on applications. 

For more information

Where: This FAQ will continue to be updated.

Email: using this online form

Phone: 01702 318030

Main Switchboard Hours:

Monday to Thursday 8.30am – 5.30pm, Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm

A Housing Options duty Officer is available

Monday – Thursday between 9.00 am – 4.30pm

Friday 9.00 am – 4.00pm

Email HousingOptions@rochford.gov.uk