How to Apply for Council Housing

To register your interest for housing you will need to complete an online Registration Form, available on the Cannock Chase Housing website, click below.

If you require any advice or assistance please contact the Allocations Team on 01543 462621.

Important:

You will not be able to express an interest in any properties until your application has been fully assessed.

If you attempt to gain priority by withholding or giving false information, your application will be deferred and if you obtain a property by such means legal action may be taken against you.

Having trouble registering? Follow our step by step guide.

Step 1 - Create your account

1. On the Housing Online 'login' page, scroll down and click on the appropriate button for you.  If you're a tenant or housing applicant but haven't used Housing Online before, you will need to select 'Existing Applicants and Tenants - Register'.  If you're a new customer, you will need to select 'New Customers - Register'.
2. You will then be directed to the registration page.  Here, you will need to type in your email address, create a password and press 'next'.  If you don’t have an email address there are many free providers to choose from including Gmail, Outlook and Yahoo.
3. You will then be prompted to check your email inbox for a verification email. You should do this straight away

Step 2 - Email verification

1. Please be sure to check your junk and spam folders just in case. In the verification email, you will find a 'complete registration' link. Either click on the link or the 'verify me' button. Please note that the link will expire after one hour.
2. After clicking on the link, you will be directed back to Housing Online to verify your details.

Step 3 - Register your details

New customers

1. On the 'Register Details' page complete the person details, contact details and address details pages. 
2. Check all the information is correct on the My Summary page.
3. Tick the box to accept the terms and conditions.
4. Click Submit.

Tenants and housing applicants

1. On the 'register details' page please select and supply either your rent reference (begins with 400) if you are a tenant, or your application reference (begins with 300) if you are a housing applicant.
2. Enter your personal details.
3. Create a memorable answer and date.
4. Tick the box to accept the terms and conditions.
5. Click Finish.

Step 4 - Success                                                                                         

Congratulations! You have successfully registered for Housing Online.

Choice Based Lettings

What is the Choice Based Lettings scheme

In general most allocations of social housing properties in the Cannock Chase District are managed through Cannock Housing Register (hyperlink) choice based lettings scheme. Once applicants are registered and placed in their band in accordance with their current circumstances and the allocations policy, they may place bids (register expressions of interest) on properties in Cannock Chase area.

Who Can Apply for Council Accommodation?

You can apply for a Council property by placing your name on the Housing Register if:

◾You are aged 16 or over and live in the Cannock Chase area: or

◾You are not in a category of persons excluded from the Housing Register.

◾You live outside of the Cannock Chase area and wish to move to sheltered accommodation.

Can I apply if I have current rent arrears or former tenancy arrears?

Normally, you will need to clear your arrears or contact the Income Team on: 01543 462621.

Housing Online

What is Housing Online?

Housing Online lets you access your information through a secure web service from a smart phone, tablet or a computer.

Housing Online lets you manage your tenancy online, which means you do not have to call us to do things like check your rent balance. You can access it yourself with the minimum of fuss.

Once registered, you'll be able to express interest in properties if you're on the Housing Register.

How do I create a Housing Online account?

You'll need an email address to be able to create an account as this will be your username when signing in. Help to create an email account is on the housing Online/ website pages.

Why do I need a Housing Online account?

All applicants need a Housing Online account. Without this, you won’t be able to see the advert or place bids on properties and upload document to assist us in assessing your housing need.

If you become a Cannock Chase Council tenant, you'll also be able to log into this account to:

• Check your rent 24 hours a day,
• Make rent payments,
• Set up direct debit
• Find information on standing order
• Find benefits assessments tools
• Inform us of tenancy or neighbourhood problems
• Update your contact details
• Upload documents to the Tenancy Services team and, in the future, book repairs, contact your Officer and download documents

Application Questions

How do I apply for housing?

To apply for social housing within the local authority areas, please go to the website and complete an application form. Your application will be assessed and you will be placed in a band in accordance with your current circumstances. Please see Prioritising Applications for more information regarding assessing housing need by Cannock chase council.

You will receive a letter or email confirming your band and what type/size of property you are eligible to bid for or expression an interest in..

Is your housing need urgent?

If you have recently been served with a notice of seeking possession or a notice to quit and are likely to be homeless please get in touch using the contact details on this page to make an appointment to see a Housing Options Officer.

I can't remember my application number

You'll find your application number on any letters or emails that you've received about your application. If you can't find this, please use your Housing-on-line  log in detail to find your application number    You'll need your email address and password

I've submitted an application - what happens next?

Once your application is submitted, it'll be assessed in date order to see if you qualify to join the Housing Register and what priority you're given. Due to the number of applications we receive, this may take a number of weeks. We will confirm the decision to you in an email or writing once it's been assessed.

When I have submitted my application do I need to contact you again?

Once you have submitted your application you will be contacted to advise you what documentation is required to fully assess your application.  Once your application is fully assessed we will advise you of your band and login details. At this point you can begin to express an interest in properties.  Please see our leaflet below 'How to Express an Interest in a Property' for further information.

All applicants, including Council tenants will have to re-register each year on the anniversary of their application. You will receive a letter requesting you contact the Housing Office to re-register.  If you do not do so, your name will be removed from the Housing Register.

Where am I on the Housing Register?

Unfortunately we can't give you a position as each time a property is advertised, we don't know who will apply for it. Please continue to bid and we will let you know if you're successful.

Where do I send my Identification and proof of Identification and information?

You can upload photos / scanned proof of ID into your Housing-on-line account by going into My Documents and see the documents you have uploaded in your saved documents.  Alternatively, you can email them to:

allocations@cannockchasedc.gov.uk or by send them by post to:

Allocation Team, Tenancy Services, Cannock Chase Council PO BOX 28, Beecroft Road, Cannock WS11IBG. Please only send copies, and not originals.

Why has my application been closed?

It has been closed because you haven’t re-registered or you haven’t supplied some of the necessary documents.

What is my banding?

Once your application has been assessed we will contact you to tell you your banding.

Why am I in that band, can you reassess my application?

We will reassess your application if you circumstances have changed.  You can check how the banding works to see if you are in the right band.

I think I'm in the incorrect band

If you think you have been put in the incorrect band, you have the right to appeal this decision.  You can email the Allocation team and state:

What is the reason for your appeal?

I've not qualified to join the Housing Register
I wish to appeal about my banding

Please tell us why you feel the decision is wrong. Provide as much detail as possible.

Can I live on a particular estate?

Applicants may express an interest in vacant properties in the areas they wish to move into and for which they are eligible.

What If I am unable to live in my present accommodation because of an illness or disability?

If your illness or disability means that your present home is not suitable for your needs, additional priority may be given to your application. If you wish to apply for medical priority you should complete a 'Medical Needs Assessment Form'. This is available from the Allocations Team at email: allocations@cannockchasedc.gov.uk or by ringing 01543 462621 and ask for the Housing Allocations Team.  When this has been returned, arrangements will be made for the application to be considered by the Council's Medical Panel. We will notify you of the outcome.

How do I move on Social Need?

You'll need to complete a social need application.  A social Needs priority is award to applicants who are having difficulties with your current home because of environment or external factors.  The form is assessed by Team Leaders and  you will be required to provide evidence to support your application. If you wish to apply for social needs priority you should complete a 'Social Needs Assessment Form'. This is available from the Allocations Team at email: allocations@cannockchasedc.gov.uk or by ringing 01543 462621 and ask for the Housing Allocations Team.

Expressing (Bids) queries

I've placed a bid for a home. What's my position on the shortlist?

We're unable to let people know where they came on the bidding shortlist. If you've been successful, we'll be in touch to let you know and to talk to you about what happens next.

I keep placing bids, but I haven't been offered anything, why is that?

Demand for housing in Cannock is very high and we unfortunately have many applicants bidding for the same homes. Unfortunately that means it can take time before we can make you an offer. We work in accordance with our Allocations Policy. Also, you may be expressing an interest in properties that you are not suitable for you and your family.

When can I expression an interest in a property?

The advert goes live on a Wednesday at 12:00am and closes the following Tuesday at 11.59pm.   We would advise you express you interest immediately and not to leave it until the last hour.  Properties are allocated by priority and time on the Housing Register - not on a 'first come, first served' basis.

I'm unable to place bids myself, can I get help?

If you do not have internet access, a smart phone, or a family member / support worker that can help you with your bids, please contact us by ring 01543 462621, and we'll do our best to help.

How long will it take for me to be to be offered a property.

This is depended on you if you are bidding on properties that you are eligible for and that are suitable for the size of your family.  It is also dependent on the number of properties that are available while you have been Council’s housing register and  how we have assessed your housing needs.  Please contact us by ring 01543 462621, and we'll do our best to help.

I've been offered a home but haven't heard anything – what's happening?

Once you've been offered a home, your viewing and sign up will be handled by our Neighbourhood Allocation and Lettings Officers. They will contact you when the home is available to view.

Will I need to re-register and what if my circumstances change

You will have to re-register your application each year.  You must also notify the Council if your circumstances change.

The Council has a legal duty to check whether an applicant is eligible to be allocated accommodation, or whether he or she is excluded under section 160(a), (1) (3) or (5) of the 1996 Housing Act.  The Council can also decide to treat an applicant as ineligible for an allocation of accommodation due to serious unacceptable behaviour under section 160(a)(7) of the 1996 Housing Act.

The Homelessness Act 2002 allows the Council to determine whether an applicant is ineligible for an allocation of a tenancy due to serious unacceptable behaviour.

Any of the following may result in your application being investigated further:

• People who have previously been evicted by this council or another local authority or social housing provider, for reasons of anti-social behaviour or for causing damage to the landlords property.

• People who have had an injunction under Part V of the Housing Act 1996 obtained against them by the Council.

• People who have been convicted of an offence relating to the supplying of drugs and who have received a custodial sentence of at least two and half years, or have received a shorter sentence that is not yet spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

• Any person where this Council, or any other local authority or Registered Social Landlord has a current injunction, or has obtained an injunction within the past three years, against them due to their behaviour towards housing staff.

• Any person convicted of a violent or threatening offence towards a Council member, a member of staff of this Council, or any other local authority or another Registered Social Landlord within the past five years.

• If you or a member of your household, are considered to have committed acts of unacceptable behaviour, you may be requested to provide additional information or attend an interview.  If the Council then decide you are ineligible you will receive a written decision giving reasons why you have been been determined as ineligible for allocation.

In these cases, your application will not be placed in a band and the application excluded.

Where the behaviour of an applicant or a member of his/her family affects their suitability to be a tenant but is not so severe as to exclude them from the Housing Register (e.g. low level nuisance) the applicant will receive reduced preference and be placed in Band 4.

See forms below