Allocation of accommodation: guidance for local authorities

Statutory guidance on social housing allocations for local housing authorities in England.

• Download this guidance

  PDF version of the allocation of accommodation guidance.

• Chapter 1: Scope of guidance and definition of an allocation

  The purpose of the code, definition of an allocation, and guidance on allocations to existing social tenants.

• Chapter 2: Overview of the amendments to Part 6 made by the Localism Act 2011

  A summary of the changes to the legislation governing the allocation of social housing made by the Localism Act 2011.

• Chapter 3: Eligibility and qualification

  Guidance on the provisions relating to an applicant’s eligibility for social housing allocations.

• Chapter 4: Framing an allocation scheme

  Guidance on framing an allocation scheme, determining priorities, and providing for applicant choice and preferences.

• Chapter 5: Allocation scheme management

  Guidance on housing authority duties in relation to allocation scheme management and the conduct of review.

• Chapter 6: Private registered providers and contracting out

  Guidance on working with private registered providers and the contracting out by local authorities of their allocation functions.

• Annex 1: Indicators of criteria in reasonable preference categories (c) & (d)

  Examples of indicators of the criteria that apply to the overcrowding and medical and welfare reasonable preference categories.

• Annex 2: Habitual residence

  Guidance on considering applications from persons who are subject to the habitual residence test.