We are updating the Housing Register, so it remains fair, consistent and fit for purpose.
Find out more about the Housing Register renewal process.
Before you apply to the housing register, it is important to check that you meet the qualification and eligibility criteria. For a full list of eligible applicants, see our Housing Allocation Policy.
Applicants must also meet our qualification criteria:
- meet our age restriction:
Anyone aged 16/17 years will normally require a guarantor for example, social services, parent, guardian or friend. Social landlords may have different policies
and
- one of the Local connection criteria (see our Housing Allocations Policy for exceptions)
| Local connection | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Residency in the area` | 2 years or 3 years out of the last 5 years |
| Close family continuous residency in the area (parents, siblings, non dependant children) | 5 years evidenced |
| Paid employment in the Dorset Council area | 16 hours per week average for a minimum of 1 year (including zero hour contracts) |
| Offer of permanent employment to social tenant in the Dorset Council area | 16 hours per week (on average) for no less than 1 year (including zero hour contracts) and where it is unreasonable to travel from current social housing property |
| Location requirements | Any requirements detailed in a Section 106 Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and or Local Lettings Plan |
Some eligible applicants may not qualify because of other factors, including:
- unacceptable behaviour serious enough to make them unsuitable as a prospective tenant
- people who have assets and/or income above the financial resource limit
- people who own their own home
- people who have deliberately worsened their circumstances
- prisoners whose release date is more than 2 months