How to Apply for Council Housing

You need to fill in an Initial Housing Assessment Form. This form can be downloaded here, together with a general housing advice leaflet:

PDF  Housing Assessment Form - 09/10/2007 : 25Kb

PDF  Housing Advice Leaflet - 09/10/2007 : 42Kb

You can also contact the Housing Advice Team at:
Housing Advice
Housing Advice Team
Ebley Mill
Westward Road
Stroud
Gloucestershire GL5 4UB
Telephone: 01453 754078
e-mail: housing.advice@stroud.gov.uk

If you return the Initial Assessment Form requesting to join the Housing Register, then an application form will be sent out for you to complete.

Please answer all questions. Please tick all the areas in the District where you would prefer to be rehoused. In some areas where there are only a small number of properties, no current building programmes and only few vacancies, you may have to wait a long time before we can offer you accommodation.

You will be given information about the properties which have been let in the last six months to give you an idea about how often properties in the area of your choice become vacant. This lettings fact sheet is updated twice a year and is available on request.

We aim to write to you within 5 days, either confirming that you have been accepted onto the Housing Register, asking you to answer missing questions or asking you for more information before a decision can be made. A card will be enclosed which must be returned every 6 months (12 months for transfers) for you to remain on the Housing Register. You may also renew by telephone or email.

If we do not accept your application we will send you a letter telling you our decision and the reason for it. If you disagree, you have the right to apply for a review of the decision. You should apply in writing to the Rehousing Manager within 21 days. If you are accepted, a Rehousing Officer will visit you to confirm your housing circumstances and award your points which decide your priority on the Housing Register. They will write to tell you the planned date for this visit. We aim to visit those in urgent need of housing within 28 days, those with a current housing need within 9 months and those with a future housing need when requested. If you think your housing situation is urgent and an early home visit, or office interview would be helpful, please contact the Rehousing Section.

After the visit we will send you the following information about your application:

• Details of the points you have been awarded (which tell you your priority for rehousing)
• The type of accommodation and area of choice for housing you have asked for

If there is anything you do not agree with in the letter, please contact the Rehousing Section at Stroud District Council or your Housing Officer if you are already our tenant.

When notice is given on a property that is available to be offered to a new tenant the Rehousing Officer will consider all those on the Housing Register for that parish - new applicants, existing local authority or housing association tenants wishing to transfer, homeless applicants and HOMES applicants. We normally offer accommodation to the household with the highest points total.

We make all offers in writing, subject to vacant possession and ask for a written reply within five days. We may make an offer before a property is empty. You should contact the Housing Officer to arrange to view the property with one of our Officers. The property we offer will be appropriate to the size of your household. The Void Officer will have inspected the property and arranged any necessary repairs or alterations to bring the property to our lettable standard. You will be invited to sign up for the tenancy which will start on the Monday following you being given the keys. The Tenancy Agreement will be explained before you sign. You will be given a copy of the Tenants Compact, information about housing benefit, energy efficiency and the opportunity to ask any questions.

We have nomination agreements with many housing associations in our area (link to final section "Registered Social Landlords in Stroud District.) We give details of people who have applied to us to the housing association who may also want to visit you before they decide to make an offer.