Check if you're eligible

• any person aged 18 or over, and
• their current home is their only home or sole residence, and
• they do not have access to a suitable home elsewhere, and
• they are not already on the housing list, either on their own or with someone else.

Most people who need permission to enter or stay in the UK cannot join the housing register. However, there are some exceptions, including:

• refugees
• people with indefinite leave to remain
• people with humanitarian protection
• certain Afghan citizens and others granted leave under UK immigration rules

You must also normally live in the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man (the Common Travel Area).

If your only right to live in the UK is as a jobseeker or for an initial three-month stay under European law, you will not be eligible.

Most applicants to the housing register will need to demonstrate a connection with the Dover district (please be aware there are exceptions to this).

For example you must have:

• lived six months out of the last 12 months in the district
• lived three years out of the last five years in the district
• permanent employment (not casual) for 16 hours or more per week within the district
• close relatives (such as parents, children, brothers or sisters) living in the district and who have lived in the district for at least five years and with whom you have a meaningful and ongoing relationship
• special circumstances which we consider a local connection, for example you grew up in the area but moved away and no longer meet the normal residence conditions, or need to move to the district for urgent social reasons such as to receive/give support or to escape violence.

This list is not exhaustive and we may use discretion.

We do not apply the local connection rule to:

• serving or former members of the regular Armed Forces
• bereaved spouses or civil partners of service members whose death is attributable (wholly or partly) to service
• seriously injured, ill or disabled reservists (or former reservists) whose condition is attributable (wholly or partly) to their service.

We do not apply local connection to existing social tenants looking to move into the area from another local authority in England who:

• have reasonable preference due to hardship
• need to move because the tenant works in the district, or
• need to move to take up an offer of work.

• we cannot give a joint tenancy to someone who is not eligible for housing
• if you already rent a home from the council or a housing association, you can ask to move to another property even if your immigration status would normally make you ineligible.

Social housing is for households who cannot meet their housing needs on the open market.

Because demand far exceeds supply, homes must go to those in greatest need.

Under the Housing Act 1996 (as amended), we can decide who qualifies and give lower priority to applicants with enough financial resources to meet their own needs.

Applicants with sufficient income, savings or assets to access other housing options will be placed in a lower band. We also consider any recent transfers or disposals of assets, including those given away or sold below market value.

Applicants must provide evidence of income, savings and assets for affordability checks before any offer is made.

Payments such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance, Armed Forces Independence Payment and similar compensations are excluded from income calculations.

Each case is assessed individually and exceptions may apply, such as:

• a property owner with urgent medical needs but insufficient funds to buy suitable housing
• applicants with unusually high but reasonable expenses.

Anyone exceeding the financial threshold will receive a written explanation and can request a review.

We will review affordability thresholds regularly and update them if needed.

If you own property or have savings, these will be considered in your financial assessment.

If the value of your assets equals at least 12 months’ rent for a suitable home, your application will usually be placed in Band D or E.

We understand there may be special circumstances, so each case is assessed individually. You’ll need to provide evidence showing you cannot afford market housing.

You will not be eligible if you or someone in your household has behaved in a way that would have led to eviction, such as:

• serious rent arrears
• breaking tenancy terms
• causing nuisance or damage
• illegal or immoral use of the property
• domestic violence
• giving false information

If you were previously refused for this reason, you can reapply if your circumstances have changed. We may ask for references from your landlord, police or probation service.

You can apply to join the housing register if you are 16 or 17, however young people under 18 cannot legally hold property, so special arrangements are made if you are 16 or 17 and need social housing.

In these cases, the council or housing association may allow you to live in a home under a licence or Equitable Agreement, with a trustee holding the legal estate.

If you owe rent or have damaged a property, your application can still be registered, but it may be put on hold until the debt is reduced. Usually, this means:

• arrears are £400 or less or no more than four weeks’ rent, or
• you have a repayment plan and have made regular payments for at least six months.

If you fall into arrears after registering, your application may also be suspended until the issue is resolved.

If court action is being taken to evict you, we will not make any offers without approval from the housing options manager.

Housing associations may also refuse to offer a tenancy if you owe money to another landlord.

Applications from serious offenders will be carefully assessed using national safety guidance MAPPA (Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements). Housing will only be offered after a full risk assessment and if a safe and suitable property is available.