Points List

We may not award points in any category if we think that you or any member of your household has carried out unacceptable behaviour serious enough to make you unsuitable to be a tenant.

1. Length of Time on Housing Register

   Every 6 months on the Housing Register (we will award up to 12 points) = 1 point

2. Your Family

   Housing Register Applicants (not transfer applicants)

   One or two parents with a child/children under 18 permanently living with them or a member of the household is confirmed as pregnant = 10 points

   One or two parents with a child/children under 18 who normally stay overnight at least two nights every week (we will need written proof) = 8 points

   Parents with adult children only (or vice versa) = 6 points

   Childless couples = 4 points

   Single adult = 2 points

3. Transfer applicants (not new applicants)

   The Housing Act 1996 as amended states that transfer and new applicants should be treated equally. Transfers are not generally eligible for poor facilities, unsatisfactory housing conditions, accommodation that is not secure or loss of current accommodation points, therefore in order that they are not penalised compared with new applicants, higher points are awarded.

   Retired people, childless couples, single people = 15 points

   Families (including confirmed pregnant women, families with adult children only, and households including children below 18 who normally stay overnight at least two nights each week (we will need proof) = 25 points

4. Size of accommodation you have asked for

   We will usually only consider you for the size of accommodation we think you need. If you or your partner has a dependent child/children who stay over night at least 2 nights each week, we may take this into account and offer an additional bedroom if property is available. Written proof will be required. You will not be awarded points for overcrowding for these visiting children.

   Under occupation (this applies to transfer applicants only)

   We will give 20 points for each bedroom you are willing to give up when looking for smaller accommodation = 20 points

5. Overcrowding

   We only assess points in this category and award them for members of the household who currently live with you permanently.

   We will award 10 points for each bedroom you are short of:

   You need a separate bedroom for:

   • You and your partner
   • A single adult aged 18 or over
   • A single child
   • A child over eight who would otherwise have to share with a brother or sister of a different sex.

   If a child aged 10 years or over has to share a bedroom with another child of the same sex in households who would not qualify otherwise for points for overcrowding = 5 points

6. Children in flats

   We only award points in this category if the household includes children under the age of 11.

   • Ground floor (approached by steps) and first floor = 5 points
   • Second floor = 10 points
   • Third floor and above = 15 points
   • Lack of enclosed garden space or play area = 5 points

7. Facilities

   • Separate living room - Lacking = 10 points, Sharing = 5 points
   • Kitchen - Lacking = 10 points, Sharing = 5 points
   • Bathroom/shower room/WC - Lacking = 10 points, Sharing = 5 points

   Separated family - in other words if accommodation is not available for your whole family = 10 points

8. Unsatisfactory housing conditions

   An Environmental Health Officer may need to do an assessment.

   • Minor repairs/damp problem = 5 points
   • Major repairs/damp problem = 10 points
   • If a closing or demolition order has been made on your home = 50 points

9. Accommodation which is not secure

   • If you do not have any address at all to stay at = 15 points
   • If you are in temporary accommodation such as short-term hostel, sleeping on friends' floors or bed and breakfast (not provided under homelessness legislation) = 10 points
   • If you are lodging with parents, friends or others = 7 points
   • If you are living in accommodation linked to your employment = 5 points
   • Rented accommodation on an assured short-hold tenancy = 5 points

10. Loss of current accommodation

    Written proof will be required of notice on any tenancy or licence.

    Secure or assured tenancy or accommodation linked to your job

    • Notice of Seeking Possession = 20 points
    • Possession Order = 20 points
    • Eviction Order = 20 points

    Assured shorthold tenancy or licence

    • Notice of Seeking Possession = 40 points
    • Eviction Order = 20 points

    If you own and live in your own home

    These points will be awarded if your home is being repossessed or we are satisfied that there is no alternative to the sale and the resulting proceeds will not be sufficient to satisfy your own housing need or no mortgage would be available. Written proof will be required.

    • Exchange of contracts = 40 points
    • Completion date given = 10 points

    If you are homeless

    If we have agreed to provide housing under the homelessness legislation in Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 as amended = 70 points

11. Medical points

    The Specialist in Community Medicine at Gloucester Royal Hospital assesses medical priority. Points are awarded where current housing situation is making the medical condition worse.

    • A No priority = 0 points
    • B Slight = 5 points
    • C Substantial = 10 points
    • D Urgent = 20 points
    • E Most urgent = 50 points
    • More than one member of the household with a medical priority = 10 points

    Additional medical points

    We may award extra medical points if your current accommodation is not appropriate. We must receive a written assessment from an agency we consider is appropriate.

    • Severe physical disability = 10 points
    • Learning disability = 10 points
    • Mental illness = 10 points
    • Gradually-worsening disease = 10 points
    • Other similar medical reasons = 10 points

    Where an Occupational Therapist has assessed that the necessary adaptations for someone with special needs can not take place in the current accommodation and a move is required:

    • Urgent = 40 points
    • High need = 30 points
    • Medium need = 20 points
    • Low priority = 0 points

12. Social Factors

    We will need written confirmation before we will award any points under this category.

    Management points will be awarded where there is an over-riding urgent reason for a transfer. This will only be used rarely and must be approved by the Area Manager.

    • Management move = 50 points
    • To move because of violence, domestic violence or severe harassment = 30 points
    • Young people leaving care will receive priority up to age 21 or up to 25 if they are in full time education = 25 points
    • Where applicants are leaving specialist provision establishments in the District and move on accommodation is needed to make best use of these resources = 20 points
    • To move nearer to relatives to receive or provide support = 10 points
    • To move nearer to a special school or other specialist facility = 10 points
    • To move nearer employment if you do not have satisfactory transport or the distance is over 8 miles = 10 points
    • Other relevant social reasons/hardship = 10 points

13. Living in the District

    We award points for every five years that you have lived in our area (up to 10 points)

    • 5 years and over = 5 points
    • 10 years and over = 10 points

14. District connection

    If any one of the following apply: 30 points

    • You work or have a written offer of employment within the area
    • You have lived within the area for at least 6 months immediately before the date you apply
    • You have previously lived within the area for at least three years within the last five years
    • You have previously lived over 10 years in the area as an adult
    • You are 60 or over and need help and support from a close relative who lives in the area or
    • You need to move to be near a relative who depends upon you for support and has been living in the area for at least five years
    • You have very good reasons for wanting to return to the area eg - bereavement, relationship breakdown or life threatening illness
    • You are a member of the armed forces and have previously lived in the area for at least 3 years

15. Local connection

    The following local connection points will be awarded if you currently live in the area and you chose only one parish because you wanted to:

    • Stay in your present town or village = 5 points
    • Return to your home town or village = 5 points

    In rural areas, if the housing stock is very small in your village, you may still be awarded these points if you choose up to a total of 3 surrounding parishes.