Housing allocations

The Council's Policy

This explains who Lewes District Council lets it's properties to.

Eligibility

In order to register an application you must:

• live in Lewes District and have done so for the last six months and
• have a permanent address in the area and
• be in housing need now

Once registered if you move out of the District the question of whether your application should be cancelled will be considered taking into consideration the reason/s and the length of time you are likely to be away.

Joint applicants living at separate addresses must both complete a form. Owner occupiers may apply but will only be considered if they are unable to provide their own accommodation from their savings/income.

The following are not eligible:

• previous tenants of the Council with former rent arrears or other housing related debts.
• applicants who have been violent to council staff or contractors
• applicants with a history of anti-social behaviour
• asylum seekers
• applicants who fail the European Habitual Residency Test.
  

Assessment of Need

Housing need is determined by a Points Scheme. Applicants who are awarded 15 medical points (maximum) are given priority over other applicants. You will be given a copy of the points scheme when you are accepted onto the Register and advised how many points you have been awarded.

Allocation Criteria

In normal circumstances the following categories are considered in this order:

• Housing Register applicants with the highest level of points (including homeless households for whom a duty has been established under the homelessness legislation).
• High priority Transfer List applicants
• Lewes District Council tenants who are required to move due to modernisation or redevelopment programmes
• High priority nominees of other councils or housing associations who have been accepted under mobility schemes
• Low priority Transfer List applicants
• Low priority Housing Register applicants
  

The size of accommodation offered will be appropriate to the needs of the applicant and his/her immediate family.

Refusals Policy

The Council will not normally make more than two reasonable offers of accommodation. (In the case of homeless families only one offer will be made). In the case of unreasonable refusals the application may be cancelled for twelve months.

Appeals

If you are not happy with the way you have been treated you may appeal under the Council’s complaints procedure. An information leaflet setting out the procedure is available on request.

Data Protection Act

Information is stored on a computer. You may ask to see all the details, for which a charge may be made.

Confidentiality

All information will be treated in strictest confidence. However, in order to give proper consideration to your request for housing it may be necessary to exchange information with family doctors and other agencies such as the Health Authority and Social Services.

Equal Access

Each application will be treated equally, regardless of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation or marital status. Every effort will be made to assist applicants with physical disability.

A copy of the full allocation policy is available on request from this office.

A Housing Register application form can also be requested from this office.

Lewes District Council
Housing Needs Section
2 Fisher Street
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 2DG

Tel: 01273 471600
Fax: 01273 484008