Council housing: who can apply and how allocation works

Council housing, also known as social housing, is an option for people who cannot afford to rent from a private landlord. Here is a reminder of how applying for such a home works. We have based this on a guide from the Polish Express website dated 19 October 2026 and on information from the government's GOV.UK service.

Who can apply

You apply to your local council. According to Polish Express, those who can apply include people who are homeless, people who cannot afford to rent privately, people whose health has worsened because of poor housing conditions, and people who have lived for years in cramped accommodation or shared it with many other occupants.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, although some councils accept applications from people aged 16 or over. According to GOV.UK, you can sometimes apply even if you do not live in the area of the council in question. However, each council has its own rules.

The waiting list and points

People who apply are placed on a waiting list. Councils decide who to offer a property to on the basis of a points system or categories (banding) that takes housing needs into account. The higher you are on the list, the greater the chance of being contacted by the council. You may sometimes have to wait a long time for an allocation, and there is no guarantee that you will receive one.

When the council makes an offer, there is usually little time to decide. After a refusal, the applicant usually stays on the list (they may also bid for other properties if the council uses a choice-based lettings system), but they often drop further down. If you repeatedly turn down offers, you may be removed from the list, although you have the right to appeal.

Types of tenancy

• Introductory tenancy – for new tenants, usually for 12 months, as a probationary period. The tenant then moves on to a secure or flexible tenancy. During this time they cannot, among other things, apply for Right to Buy or swap homes.
• Secure tenancy – in theory, for an indefinite period, as long as the tenant complies with the terms of the agreement. It allows tenants, among other things, to sublet rooms (not the whole property) and to buy the property under Right to Buy.
• Flexible tenancy – a fixed-term agreement, usually for at least 5 years, although it can be from 2 to 5 years. At the end, the council may offer another fixed-term or a secure tenancy, or it may decline to renew it, but it must give reasons.
• Joint tenancy – all tenants bear equal responsibility; married couples and people in a registered civil partnership can apply for one.

Ending a tenancy and repairs

A tenancy ends when the tenant gives the council four weeks' notice in writing, when the council carries out an eviction, or when it needs to move the tenant, for example because of building renovation work.

Both sides are responsible for repairs. The tenant deals with minor matters, such as fitting a curtain rail, replacing lost keys, or repairing damage caused by themselves or their guests. The council is responsible for the condition of the walls, ceiling, roof and windows, the safety and working order of the gas and electrical installations, and communal areas.

What this means for Poles in the UK

Each council sets its own allocation rules, so before applying it is worth checking the requirements on your local council's website. They may relate to, for example, length of residence in the borough or immigration status. For example, Waltham Forest council requires at least 5 years' residence in the borough and legal residence in the UK with recourse to public funds, and it asks about immigration status on its form. The Polish source does not discuss the issue of residence status, so people with limited rights should seek advice before applying.