www.islington.gov.uk/housing
Housing allocation
scheme 2015
This document sets out Islington Council's Allocation Scheme for allocating
council homes and nominations to housing associations.
Contents
Go directly to
a chapter by
clicking on it.
3 Introduction
6 Chapter One: The Housing Register
26 Chapter Two: Mutual Exchange
28 Chapter Three: Shared Ownership
30 Chapter Four: Sheltered Housing
31 Chapter Five: Supported Housing
32 Chapter Six: Moving out of Islington
34 Chapter Seven: Key Worker Schemes
35 Chapter Eight: Homeshelter – help for victims of domestic violence
36 Chapter Nine: The Private Sector
37 Chapter Ten: Internal Reviews
38 Chapter Eleven: Complaints
Housing
allocation
scheme
2
Introduction
This document sets out Islington Council's Allocation
Scheme for determining priorities for allocating council
homes and nominations to housing associations. In
revising the Allocation Scheme, the council has also taken
into account the following documents:
yy 1996 Housing Act (as amended by the 2002 Homelessness Act)
yy Allocation of accommodation: guidance for local housing authorities in
England 2012
yy Localism Act 2011
The scheme is guided by the following principles: yy it must comply with statutory rules set out under legislation and
accompanying regulations and take into account Codes of Guidance
issued by central government from time to time
yy the cost of temporary accommodation is reduced by ensuring
homelessness is prevented and homeless people and people who are
threatened with homelessness are rehoused as soon as practicably
possible yy applicants considered to be extremely high priority should be assessed
accordingly so that the priority is reflected in their position on the
register
yy the scheme must complement the council's other responsibilities, for
example meeting social care needs and minimising financial risk to the
council.
yy it must be simple and fair, so that it is easy for local people to
understand, allows vacant properties to be filled quickly, and ensures
equal opportunities for all sections of the community
yy it should anticipate the majority of housing problems so that the need
for individual discretionary decisions is minimised
yy procedures for reviewing decisions on priority or the suitability of
offers need to be open and accountable
yy the most serious insanitary or overcrowded housing in the borough
must be addressed.
3
Housing
allocation
scheme
The legal framework - giving
'reasonable preference'
The scheme must also be framed
so as to give additional preference
to a person within one or more
of paragraphs (a) to (e) who has
urgent housing needs including a
person who:
Part VI of the Housing Act 1996
(as amended) sets out that a
local authority must design their
allocation schemes in such a way as
to give 'reasonable preference' to
(i) is serving in the regular forces
certain categories of people. These
and is suffering from a serious
are prescribed by the Act and are
injury, illness or disability which
as follows:
is attributable to the person’s
service;
(a)People who are homeless
(within the meaning of Part VII
(ii)formerly served in the regular
of the 1996 Act)
forces;
(b)People owed a duty by any
(iii)has recently ceased, or will
housing authority under section
cease to be entitled, to reside in
190(2), 193(2) or 195(2) of the
accommodation provided by the
Housing Act 1996 or under s65
Ministry of Defence following
(2) or s68 (2) of The Housing
the death of that person’s
Act 1985 or who are occupying
spouse or civil partner who has
accommodations secured by any
served in the regular forces and
housing authority under section
whose death was attributable to
192(3) of the 1996 Act.
that service: or
(c)People occupying insanitary
or overcrowded housing
or otherwise living in
unsatisfactory housing
conditions.
(iv)is serving or has served in the
reserve forces and is suffering
from a serious injury, illness or
disability which is attributable to
the person’s service.
(d)People who need to move on
medical or welfare grounds
(including grounds relating to a
disability).
(e)People who need to move to a
particular locality in the district
of the housing authority where
failure to meet that need would
cause hardship (to themselves
or to others).
Housing
allocation
scheme
4
Equalities
The council serves a diverse
community, and is committed
to meeting the needs of that
community in the provision of
housing allocation, by working in
partnership with other housing
providers.
The council will ensure that
customers are treated fairly and
equally, and that when allocating
housing, ensure that the allocation
policy does not discriminate against
any particular group.
The council recognises that it is
important that everyone who
applies for rehousing understands
the allocation scheme. The council
will produce information leaflets,
along with translations, large print
and Braille versions for applicants
on request.
Discretionary powers
The allocation scheme cannot cover
every eventuality. In special cases
with exceptional needs, the Service
Director for Housing Needs and
Strategy has discretionary power
The implementation of a clear and
to award additional priority and
consistent allocation scheme goes
approve offers of housing, taking
hand in hand with careful equalities
into consideration all factors
monitoring. The data collected is
relevant to housing and social
used to ensure that the scheme
needs.
is being operated in a fair and
non-discriminatory manner, as
well as for the purposes of regular
equality impact assessments
and subsequent improvements
to service delivery. All applicants
applying to the Housing Register
are asked to provide details of
their ethnic origin, age and gender,
disability, religion/faith and sexual
orientation to enable monitoring to
take place. There is no compulsory
requirement to provide the relevant
information and failure to do so
does not affect an applicant's
chances of rehousing. However
applicants are strongly encouraged
to comply and informed of the
important purpose this information
serves.
5
Housing
allocation
scheme
Chapter
1
Housing Register
Applying for social
housing - joining the
Housing Register
The Housing Register
Any person may apply
to the council to join the
Housing Register. However
not everyone will be eligible
for housing.
The Housing Register is a list of
applicants registered for council
or housing association properties.
It is governed by Part VI of the
Housing Act 1996 as amended by
the Homelessness Act 2002 and
Localism Act 2011.
What is it?
Who can apply?
Anyone can approach the council
for advice and assistance; however
the council does exclude certain
categories of people from the
housing register.
Applicants who cannot join the
Housing Register
People in the following categories
are not eligible to join the housing
register.
1. People from abroad
yy fall into a class of persons set
out in regulations made by the
government.
2. Unacceptable behaviour
Generally, applicants or
members of their household
who have committed
unacceptable behaviour
serious enough to make them
unsuitable to be council tenants
will not be accepted onto the
Housing Register. Unacceptable
behaviour is defined under s167
of the Housing Act 1996.
Unacceptable behaviour may
include: yy failing to pay rent yy breaching a condition of the
tenancy agreement yy causing a nuisance to
neighbours yy being convicted of using their
home for immoral or illegal
purposes A person may not be allocated
yy making a false statement to
accommodation under part
obtain a tenancy VI of the Housing Act 1996 if
they are a person subject to
yy causing the condition of the
immigration control or a person
property to deteriorate by a
from abroad other than a person
deliberate act subject to immigration control
yy being convicted of an indictable
unless they are:
offence, in or in the vicinity of
yy already a secure tenant of the
their home
council
yy domestic violence causing a
yy an assured tenant of housing
partner or other family member
allocated to them by the council
to leave the property.
Housing
allocation
scheme
6
3. Non-Residence
People who are not resident
in the borough on the date of
application, and people who
have lived in Islington for less
than three out of the previous
five years from the date they
apply for housing, cannot join
the housing register. Exceptions
may be made if they are;
yy resident in a hospital
yy resident in supported housing
yy serving a custodial sentence
yy serving in the armed forces
5. People who are social
housing tenants, or joint
tenants, of any other
local authority or housing
association in the UK
regardless of the type
of tenure. Exceptions
may be made if you are
a Corporation of London
tenant living in the borough
of Islington.
6. People applying for housing,
or for a housing transfer,
who have less than 100
points under the points
scheme – see page 21.
yy homeless applicants for whom
7. Households with sufficient
the council has accepted a long
income or capital to meet
term rehousing duty accepted for
their own housing need.
rehousing in Islington under the
8. Households placed in
Housing Act 1996 part VII
Islington by another local
yy housed through an agreement
authority which has an
with other local authorities, for
interim or long term duty
example through a mobility
to them as a homeless
scheme or following an itinerant
applicant.
lifestyle (confirmed by a support
If a person is not eligible to join the
agency) and have assessed care
housing register then the council
needs that can only be met in
cannot allocate a tenancy to him or
Islington and were resident in
her even jointly with someone else
Islington for three years prior to
who is entitled to join the Housing
entering hospital/service/custody.
Register.
yy any other exceptional
Details of how to appeal against
circumstance
a decision of ineligibility for the
4. People who own, jointly
housing register can be found in
own or part-own a property chapter 10.
which is reasonable for them
to occupy.
7
Housing
allocation
scheme
How to apply
Change of address and/or
circumstances
If you would like an indication
It is the responsibility of all
of how many points you may be
applicants to notify the council
entitled to before deciding whether
in writing of any change in their
to make an application please use
accommodation or household
the link below to carry out a selfcircumstances. It may be
assessment.
necessary to provide documentary
http://live.homeconnections.
evidence to support the change in
org.uk/HomeConnections/
circumstances. Applications may
Welcome.aspx?pid=36
be suspended whilst the council
reassess the information provided
Forms are available from the
by the applicant.
Islington Council website
www.islington.gov.uk/housing The reassessment of the application
or from any of the area housing
may result in the increase or
offices.
decrease of points. All applicants
will be notified in writing of any
Applicants approved for rehousing
changes.
will need to provide satisfactory
evidence of identity, and past and
Adding adults to an application
current residence for themselves
Adults may not be added to an
and all household members. The
application where this would
council will request documentary
result in the need for larger
evidence from each applicant
accommodation than originally
and will carry out enquiries as
agreed. Adults wishing to join an
necessary.
application must demonstrate a
need to join the household.
Housing
allocation
scheme
8
Rehousing standards
The council’s rehousing
standards determine the size
of accommodation that may be
offered.
The housing size standards
operated by the council are:
yy A single parent will be treated as
a couple.
Splitting large households
With the household's agreement
consideration may be made to
offering two separate properties to
a large household. The council will
consider the types of properties
required and ensure that there is an
adult as part of each tenancy.
Size standard
yy Single person - Bedsitter
yy people aged 16 years or older not
yy Single person or couple with no
living as a couple should not have
children - 1 Bedroom
to share a bedroom
yy Couple or single person with 1
yy people of opposite sex where
child - 2 Bedroom
one or both is over the age of
10 should not have to share a
yy Couple or single person with
bedroom unless they are both
2 children - 2/3 Bedroom
over 16 and living as a couple
(dependent on age/sex of
children)
yy no more than two people should
have to share a bedroom yy Couple or single person with 3
children - 3 Bedroom
yy a confirmed pregnancy over 24
weeks supported by details of the yy Couple or single person with
expected date of delivery counts
4 children - 3/4 Bedroom
as a child.
(dependent on age/sex of
children)
In exceptional cases, an extra
bedroom may be agreed on
yy Couple or single person with 5 or
medical or welfare grounds where
more children - 4+bedrooms
the nature of a condition suffered
by a household member makes
it essential to have a separate
bedroom.
Applicants may bid for properties
that are a bedsize smaller than their
housing requirements. This decision
is at the discretion of the rehousing
manager or the housing options
manager.
9
Housing
allocation
scheme
The points scheme
Applicants are given points for
housing need factors and these
points are added together. The
needs of all individuals in the
applicant's household will be taken
into account when points are given.
Points may be reviewed at any
time and may be varied upwards or
downwards depending on changes
in circumstances.
Points are given to applicants
on the Housing Register as
follows:
Residence points
100 points are awarded to
everyone who has been resident in
the borough for three out of the
last five years.
Waiting time points
5% per year are calculated based
Applications which are assessed as on all points except residence
having less than 100 points will not points and waiting time points and
be included on the list.
will only be added to an application
from the anniversary of the week
The points scheme is
that housing needs points are first
summarised in a table on page
added to an application, not the
21.
date that an application is first
made.
Housing Transfers
Housing Transfers for council
Review of points awarded
or housing association tenants,
Applicants who have been awarded
where the tenant is living in poor
a high level of housing points,
conditions and those who need
examples of which are listed below:
to move for medical or welfare
reasons or because they are
yy Medical category A - 150
overcrowded, are eligible for
yy Welfare category A – 150
inclusion on the housing waiting
list and their priority determined
yy Management transfer – 120
according to the allocations
These will be reviewed every six
scheme.
months and may be removed if the
Low priority transfer cases can be
applicant is either not bidding, or
assisted to move through other
not making realistic bids.
schemes which already exist to
help tenants move both in and out
of borough see chapters 2 and 6.
Housing
allocation
scheme
10
Medical Points
Unsuitable housing due to
medical condition or disability
The council may give points if it
considers that an applicant or
a member of their households
accommodation is unsuitable
because of a medical condition.
Medical priority will be awarded
according to the extent to
which the health of one of more
members of the applicant’s
household is affected by their
housing conditions and the
expected benefits of providing
alternative housing. No medical
points will be given if there
is a medical condition but the
accommodation is suitable.
A household will be assessed
together and one award made for
the whole household.
The number of medical points
you will be given depends on the
household’s health and the severity
of the conditions in their home.
There are three categories of
medical points:
yy To serving members of the
regular forces who are suffering
from a serious injury, illness or
disability which is wholly or partly
attributable to their service
yy To households where two
members of the households are
assessed as being Category B –
see below.
These points are limited for six
months because we expect that
applicants will have sufficient
points to bid successfully for a
suitable property within that time.
Category B – is an award of 80
points and is for households where
a member of the households
current housing conditions are
having a major adverse affect on
their medical condition. It will
not apply where the effect of the
housing conditions on health is
moderate, slight or variable.
Category C – awards 40 points
and is for households where a
member of the household’s current
housing conditions are having a
moderate or variable effect on their
medical condition. It will not apply
Category A – this gives the
where the effect of the housing
maximum 150 points, an award will conditions on health is slight.
be made:
The council’s medical advisor may
yy In exceptional circumstances for
recommend the type, size and
households where a member of
location of housing that is suitable.
the household has an immediately Applicants may choose to accept
life-threatening or progressive
properties from a wider range than
condition which is seriously
recommended without affecting
affected by their current
their medical priority.
accommodation
Housing
allocation
11 scheme
An offer of accommodation may be
withdrawn where medical evidence
strongly suggests it would be
detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the applicant.
Accessible Housing Register
The Accessible Housing Register
(AHR) is a way of storing and
displaying information about
whether a property has level
access, has steps or has any
adaptations such as a level access
shower or stair-lift. When a
property becomes vacant, the
category and other access
information will be displayed on the
Home Connections website and
weekly property advertisement
sheets.
Each property has been assessed
according to published building
design guidance and allocated a
category. These range from fully
wheelchair accessible (category A)
to general needs housing (F).
The AHR category will be displayed
in every property advertisement on
Home Connections. This will include
all wheelchair accessible properties.
Disabled and elderly applicants will
be able to identify properties that
are likely to meet their needs and
place a bid. The categories are a
guide to how accessible a property
is likely to be. Successful bidders
will still need to view the property
before accepting a tenancy.
Property access categories
Category
What it means
A
Wheelchair accessible
throughout.
Designed to allow full use of all
rooms and facilities to someone
who uses a wheelchair all the time.
B
Wheelchair accessible
essential rooms
Properties designed or adapted
to meet the needs of wheelchair
users but may not offer full use of
all facilities.
C
Lifetime homes*
Designed to meet the space
standards of Lifetime Homes. Main
features include a level approach /
entrance and wider doorways.
D
Easy access*
Designed with level access to the
property door.
E
Step free*
Level access housing but possibly
with narrow doors and corridors.
E+
Up to six steps*
May have up to six steps to the
home.
G
Not yet assessed.
Any property we have not yet been
able to assess.
F
General housing
Properties that do not meet the
above specifications.
*Properties may have internal stairs. Where this is the case, the stairs are likely to be able to accommodate a basic-sized stair-lift.
Housing
allocation
scheme
12
Carers
council's medical advisor or senior
Applicants may bid for an additional officers.
bedroom for a carer if: One award will be made for the
yy there is an assessed need for a
household.
member of the household who
Assessments may be carried out
would otherwise be expected
in liaison with social services or a
to share to have his or her own
support agency.
room Welfare Category A is an award
yy An applicant or a member of their
of 150 points which may be
household requires personal care
awarded to applicants whose
or supervision by day or night and
welfare needs are so severe that
an additional room is required for
the protection of vulnerable adults
a live-in carer. In order to qualify
or children is only possible in a
for this position, a carer should
permanent home and where the
live with the applicant on a full
present housing circumstances
time basis and provide care for at
could deteriorate to such an
least 35 hours per week or have
extent as to place family members,
to provide overnight care for
particularly children, at risk or in
more than 3 nights a week. The
need of residential care unless
applicant should be in receipt of
permanent housing is offered.
Attendance Allowance or Personal
These points should only be
Independence Payments at the
awarded where housing or the
middle or highest rate. The carer
domestic situation severely affects
should normally be in receipt of
the welfare of the applicant.
carers allowance or receiving a
package of care following a social In general, this very high award
work assessment that identifies a will rarely be made. If too many
need for night time care.
households receive this high award
it will slow down the rehousing of
Welfare points
the most vulnerable people.
Welfare points may only be
Examples of this include:
given where housing or other
circumstances severely affect the
yy Where the applicant or a member
welfare needs of the applicant or a
of their household is severely
member of their household. Where
vulnerable due to frailty or
there is welfare or social issues,
advanced age and is unable to be
these will be assessed by either the
placed in temporary housing.
Housing
allocation
13 scheme
yy Where the applicant or a member yy Bereaved spouses or civil
of their household has a learning
partners of those serving in
disability and needs to move into
the regular forces where (i)
mainstream accommodation.
the bereaved spouse or civil
This decision will be based on an
partner has recently ceased,
assessment made by the Learning
or will cease to be entitled, to
Disabilities Team.
reside in Ministry of Defence
accommodation following the
yy Where the applicant has
death of their service spouse or
undergone lengthy and expensive
civil partner, and (ii) the death
rehabilitation in residential
was wholly or partly attributable
surroundings and is ready to
to their service.
attempt independent living in
the community and temporary
Welfare Category C is an award
accommodation would risk
of 40 points may be awarded to
undoing the work of the centre
applicants whose welfare needs are
or unit.
comparable to the following:
yy Where the accommodation is
required to meet the assessed
needs of relevant children and
other care leavers under the
Children Leaving Care Act 2000.
yy Where it is necessary to move
because of the threat of violence
or harassment, including
domestic and sexual violence.
The applicant was a substance
abuser and had attended a
rehabilitation programme. The
applicant may be adequately
housed but there is a need to move
away from the immediate area
where they are vulnerable.
yy The applicant’s household
includes someone with a need
for settled accommodation on
yy Households where two members
welfare or medical grounds who
of the households are assessed as
cannot reasonably be expected
being Welfare Category B – see
to find accommodation for
below.
themselves in the near future.
Welfare Category B is an award
yy Former members of the regular
of 80 points and may be awarded
forces
in the following circumstances:
yy The applicant is living in such
yy Where an applicant or a member
insanitary conditions that their
of their household has to move
health or welfare is severely
in order to be near a person to
prejudiced, and there are no
whom they give or receive care
remedies available to improve the
and support.
conditions.
Housing
allocation
scheme
14
Islington Care leavers, adult
services and children services
The Service Director has discretion
to agree housing for referrals
from Islington Council Adult Social
Services and Children's Services.
Rehousing under these schemes
may be in council housing or
through nomination rights to a
housing association.
The Housing Options manager will
make an award of 150 points. If
rehousing has not been achieved,
an additional 50 points may be
considered if the applicant has
been actively bidding.
The council and Partners for
Improvement in Islington may
award points when a transfer
is urgently required. In some
instances a permanent move may
be agreed.
The council may also award
major works or decant points
in exceptional circumstances
to allow a housing association
tenant to move where the housing
association cannot provide
rehousing. The council reserves the
right to make an offer of housing
outside the choice based lettings
scheme to applicants who have
been unsuccessful at bidding for
properties.
Care leavers up to the age of 25
may be referred for housing under
the Care Leavers Scheme and the
These points will be reviewed every
Housing Options manager will make six months.
an award of 90 points.
Management transfers
Decants and major works
Points can only be agreed by
Points may be given when a tenant the council and Partners for
needs to be rehoused to allow
Improvement in Islington where
repair, re-development, demolition it is necessary to move a tenant
or disposal of their home (shown on urgently for their safety or to
the table on page 21). The council
prevent a major disturbance. They
and Partners for Improvement in
will only be awarded for exceptional
Islington may determine points
cases that fall outside the housing
awarded when a property is in a
needs points scheme, for example
works programme, but rehousing
when the police require witness
is not immediately required. Most protection or in the most severe
moves required due to major works cases of harassment or violence.
will be temporary and the tenant
These points will be reviewed every
may be required to return to their
six months.
original property upon completion
of the work.
Housing
allocation
15 scheme
Succession
Where a discretionary succession
is agreed consideration will be
given to the suitability of the
property being occupied. A tenancy
will be granted for the occupied
property if it is of the right size
and does not have adaptations
or features required by disabled
people and there are no arrears
From 1 April 2013 new tenancies
on the applicants account. Right
can only be succeeded to by a
size means the household will
spouse or partner. Where other
not under-occupy the property
family members have been resident according to the council's rehousing
in the property for the previous 12 standards.
months and the property is suitable
Applicants agreed for discretionary
according to their housing needs
successions that are underwe will permit a succession to the
occupying or occupying an adapted
tenancy. Where there is underproperty may be offered rehousing
occupation we will enable the
in another suitable property. These
family member to be offered the
applicants will be given 150 points.
tenancy of an alternative, suitably
sized property.
Relationship breakdown
Where a relationship breakdown
Discretionary tenancies
has occurred between couples
and granting successions in
and one or both partners are an
exceptional circumstances
Islington Council tenant, one or
In certain circumstances the council
both former partners will be eligible
or Partners for Improvement in
for 50 points providing: Islington may grant the tenancy
of a property to people resident in yy both partners have been living at
the property who were members
the accommodation for the past
of the tenant’s family if there
twelve months had already been a succession.
yy Under-occupation of the
This is known as a discretionary
accommodation will not result
succession.
from rehousing just one of the
former partners.
Succession rights before and
after 1 April 2013.
For tenants whose tenancy started
before 1 April 2013 a person can
succeed to a council tenancy on
the death of a tenant if they are
the tenant's spouse, civil partner or
other close family member.
Housing
allocation
scheme
16
Generally in cases where underoccupation would result both
partners will be housed in suitably
sized accommodation. In such cases
(and unless there are exceptional
circumstances), neither partner
will be eligible for re-housing
unless both former partners
agree to be housed in suitablysized accommodation. Under this
policy, the term "couples" refers
to heterosexual, lesbian and gay
relationships.
The criteria for the scheme are:
yy applicants must be aged eighteen
years or above yy applicants must be living
continuously as an agreed
member of the household
of an Islington resident for at
least three out of the last five
years
yy proof of residence will be
required
Additional priority will be given
The points will be reviewed after six
to applicants in overcrowded
months.
households through overcrowding
points.
Joint tenancies
In certain circumstances the council 90 points will be given to
and Partners for Improvement
applicants who require two
in Islington may consider giving
bedrooms.
relationship breakdown points
20 points will be given to single
for other joint tenants seeking to
applicants or childless couples who
become sole tenants.
require a bedsit or one bedroom.
New generation scheme
The scheme is open to the sons
and daughters of council, housing
association and private sector
tenants living with their parents in
the borough. This scheme is only
open to applicants who require
bed sitters or one or two bedroom
properties.
Housing
allocation
17 scheme
In exceptional circumstances
applicants with a severe long term
disability may qualify for the NGS
irrespective of the tenure of their
parents or guardian and will be
awarded an additional 20 points.
Homelessness
yy Homeless families (where the
council has accepted a housing
Statutory homeless applicants
duty) in bed and breakfast, or in
Ten points may be awarded to
shared annexes for more than six
people who are living in insecure
consecutive weeks from the date
accommodation and are threatened
of placement and who cannot
with homelessness or are homeless
be found suitable self-contained
but are not living in temporary
temporary accommodation will
accommodation provided by the
receive 100 points. This does not
council.
include families placed in council
owned reception centres.
Applicants to whom a duty to be
housed is owed under the Housing yy70 points will be given to single
Act 1996 will be placed on the
homeless applicants assessed
Housing Register.
as needing studio or 1 bedroom
accommodation, where the
Homeless applicants in temporary
council has accepted a full
accommodation will not be
housing duty
awarded any points unless they fall
under one of the following criteria: yy Where the council discharged
its duty under part VII it may
yy 100 points will be given to
allow households not residing
homeless applicants (where the
in Islington to apply on the
council has accepted a housing
housing register and be awarded
duty) in properties where the
residence points.
lease is about to expire and who
cannot be found comparable
alternative temporary
accommodation. These points are
to be given once it is clear that
actual eviction is to take place
and to remain until the applicant
is either housed or placed into
further long term temporary
accommodation, whichever is the
earliest.
Housing
allocation
scheme
18
Service tenants
Islington Council estate services
employees who are retiring or
leaving their employment for
another reason and who have held
service tenancies for three years
and are required to move may
be given decant points. They will
be eligible to bid for any suitable
vacancies that meet their housing
requirements. They will qualify for
decant points if they:
yy Leave the Council’s service to
retire on grounds of ill-health
retirement or medical incapacity
provided they have completed
a satisfactory probation period,
this is the standard contractual
probation period.
yy Take voluntary redundancy or
early retirement.
yy Staff who leave their post
because they are appointed to a
non-residential post within the
Council will qualify for rehousing.
however,
yy Staff who are dismissed from the
Council’s service for disciplinary
or competence issues or for
unsatisfactory attendance do
not qualify for housing under this
policy.
yy Staff who resign from a post that
has tied accommodation with it
to take up employment outside
of the council do not qualify for
housing under this policy.
Housing
allocation
19 scheme
Staff who need to move to another
property because their service
tenancy is unsuitable in terms of
size or facilities may apply for a
transfer in the same way as other
council tenants. A transfer will
be considered provided they can
remain in the post at another
property.
These points will be reviewed every
six months.
Reciprocal rehousing
arrangements
The Head of Housing Needs and
Housing Options Manager have the
authority to consider and approve
reciprocal rehousing requests
made by other councils or housing
associations.
Applicants who have
deliberately created
unsatisfactory living conditions
The council will consider whether
an applicant has exacerbated
their housing circumstances.
If the applicant has lost the
accommodation as a result of a
deliberate act or omission, the
council reserves the right to assess
their needs on the basis of the
home that was lost.
Where we believe that an applicant
or partner have deliberately
deprived themselves of capital
to qualify for housing, we will
still include the capital in our
assessment of housing need after
taking into account the reasons
why the money was spent.
Housing benefit changes from April
2013 mean that tenants of working
age and not in employment and
Under-occupation scheme
who are under occupying their
The objective of the scheme is to
home may receive a reduction in
make the most effective use of the their housing benefit, advice and
limited housing stock by releasing
assistance can be obtained from
properties for use to households
the council.
who are living in overcrowded or
temporary accommodation.
Housing association and
other council tenants living in
The under-occupation scheme may
Islington
also provide a financial incentive
Applications from housing
for applicants who are underassociation and other council
occupying their property.
tenants living in Islington are
Under-occupying tenants in four
considered in the same way as
bedroom properties or larger who
Islington Council tenants if the
would normally qualify for a one
housing association or council
bedroom property may bid for a
confirm in writing that Islington
two bedroom property. Applicants Council will be given nomination
who are in three bedroom
rights to the vacated property.
properties may bid for two
If the housing association and
bedroom property, however this
other council does not agree to
will reduce their priority and the
grant the council nomination rights
financial incentive to move.
as outlined above the application
Discretionary priority points may
will be assessed in accordance
be given to under-occupiers to
with general housing register
release family size accommodation. procedures.
In some circumstances it may also
be possible for a downsizing family
to be approved for two properties
where the combined number of
bedrooms in the two properties is
the same or less than the bedrooms
in the under-occupied property.
Under occupying household who
move into two properties are
not eligible for financial incentive
payments.
Rent arrears
Generally, Islington Council or
housing association tenants in rent
arrears may not be eligible to bid
for a property unless they have
permission from their landlord.
Where a council or housing
association tenant applies for a
transfer and subsequently falls
into arrears, their application will
be registered but they may not be
eligible to bid unless the arrears
have been cleared.
Housing
allocation
scheme
20
The points scheme
Key
TR: Council tenants
HA: Housing Association tenants
HL: Homeless applicants
WL: All other applicants
Criteria
Points
Who is eligible
TR
HA
HL
WL
Applicants who are resident in the borough or have a relevant 100
local connection with the borough




Opposite sex overcrowding; where two people of the
opposite sex have to share a bedroom and one is 10 years or
older (unless they are over 16 and living as a couple.
10


*

Where there is more than one occurrence additional points
will be given per occurrence
5
n
n
n*
n
For each additional bedroom required.
20


*

Additional points for households lacking 2 or more bedrooms
(per household).
30


*

*

Sharing or lacking access to facilities i.e. cooking facilities, hot 10
or cold water or toilet.
Medical needs
40, 80, 150




Welfare needs
40, 80, 150




Islington key workers scheme.
90
Islington care leavers
90
Children’s Services
150 or 200
New Generation scheme:
1 Beds
2 Beds
Where an NGS applicant has a disability.
20
90
20
Decants
100 or 200

Major works
60 or 120

Management transfers
60 or 120

Relationship breakdown
50

Under occupying social housing tenants – points per bedroom 80
under occupying.


Under occupying tenants in two bedroom properties.


150









n
All applicants will receive 5% of their total housing needs points for each year on the list starting from the
week that housing needs points are added to an application – residence and waiting time points are not
included.
For homeless applicants this will be from the date of application. *Except those in reception centres.
Housing
allocation
21 scheme
Choice based lettings
Islington Council operates a choice
based lettings scheme (CBL)
called Home Connections. As far
as possible all council, housing
association, co-op managed and
tenant management organisation
(TMO) properties are allocated
through this scheme. There are
exceptions such as sheltered
housing.
The council may refuse bids from
applicants if the property does not
meet their assessed housing need
or, to avoid any potential risk to the
applicants or others.
Applicants who persistently bid
and do not attend viewings and
applicants who consistently accept
and later refuse properties may
be suspended from the list for 6
months.
Supported Choice
Who can bid?
The council may operate supported The council will set thresholds for
choice lettings to any applicant
the points above which applicants
or group of applicants. Where
will be eligible to bid and may set
supported choice lettings are made annual quotas for applicants in local
an applicant will be given access to priority categories. These will be
the choice based lettings system
established for each bedroom size
for a minimum of four weeks, if
and will be reviewed annually by
they are not successful within this
the Service Director of Housing
time they will be given a choice
Needs & Strategy based on supply
of two properties based on their
and demand levels.
assessed need for accommodation.
Property type
Failure to accept one of the two
Applicants may be selected
offers may result in points being
for ground floor flats, street
removed from an applicant’s
properties, houses and maisonettes
application, or in the case of a
and properties that are suitable
homelessness application the
for adaptation only. This applies
council discharging its duty.
equally to council tenants and other
In certain circumstances the
applicants for rehousing.
council may make a direct offer
of accommodation outside of the
CBL system to applicants who have
been unsuccessful at bidding.
Housing
allocation
scheme
22
Sensitive lettings
The council reserves the right to
participate in sensitive lettings
where it is considered to be
necessary for the effective
management of the stock.
A sensitive letting will take account
of the needs of the applicant and
other residents.
Applicants in supported housing
Applicants in supported housing
may be restricted from bidding
until they have been assessed
as being capable of independent
living. They may also be considered
for accommodation in the private
sector.
Applicants not bidding
The council will review all
applications where no bid has
been placed on a regular basis.
Applicants will be contacted to
make sure that they understand
how to bid and to ensure that they
will be able to make future bids.
Homeless applicants who have
sufficient points may be made a
direct offer of suitable housing in
any area. If they refuse the offer
the council's duty to them can be
ended.
Housing
allocation
23 scheme
Lettings to older applicants
There are blocks in the borough
which are designated for lettings to
older applicants: Offers in these blocks will be made
in accordance with the allocation
policy but only to older people.
Islington council new homes
local lettings policy
New homes on estates
The Council is committed to
ensuring that its new homes are
meeting the needs of the local
community. We will therefore
introduce a local letting policy for
all the homes we construct on
existing estates that will prioritise
the lettings of the new homes
to people currently living on the
estate on which they are being
built.
yy This will apply to either current
tenants or family members living
with the tenants for the last 12
months.
yy The local lettings policy will apply
to those households living on the
estate where the development is
taking place.
yy Those households who are in
housing need (over 120 points)
will be able to apply for the new
homes before anyone else in the
borough.
yy The person with the highest
points from the estate will be
offered the property.
yy Under-occupiers will be able to
apply for an extra bedroom but
for other applicants they must
fulfil the size requirements for
the new homes.
Other new homes
Islington Council wants to make
sure local people benefit from new
social housing.
yy The person with the highest
points from the ward will be
offered the property.
yy Applicants they must fulfil the
We are therefore introducing a
size requirements for the new
local letting policy for all newly built
homes.
homes for social rent that mirrors
yy Wheelchair adapted properties
our existing policy for new council
will be restricted to people who
homes on existing council estates.
yy Wheelchair adapted properties
require such properties. Ground
will be restricted to people who
New build homes for social rent will
floor properties will be restricted
require such properties.
prioritise the lettings of the new
to people with an assessed need
homes to people currently living in
for ground floor accommodation.
yy Ground floor properties will be
the ward in which they are being
restricted to people with an
Remaining properties will be let
built.
assessed need for ground floor
according to the council’s housing
accommodation.
yy This will apply to either current
allocation policy.
social housing tenants or family
Once the people in need have been
*If the development is part of an
members living with the tenants
allocated homes, the properties
area which crosses more than
for the last 12 months.
will be reserved for tenants on the
one ward, the Service Director of
estate, who wish to move into a
yy The local lettings policy will apply Housing Needs and Strategy can
property of the same bedroom size
to those households living in the
exercise discretion to include more
as their existing property, unless
ward* where the development is than one ward in the local lettings
they are under-occupying by more
taking place.
allocation.
than one bedroom. The tenant who
yy Those households who are in
has had a tenancy in their name
housing need (over 120 points)
at their current address for the
will be able to apply for the new
longest will be offered a property.
homes before anyone else in the
Remaining properties will be let
borough.
according to the council’s housing
allocation policy.
Housing
allocation
scheme
24
Community Lettings
Where new or renovated
accommodation is provided as
part of a regeneration scheme,
the council may decide to reserve
20% of the available properties
for applicants who live in the same
ward area and are eligible to bid on
the Home Connections scheme. In
some cases, tenants who moved
away from the area as a result of
the regeneration programme may
also be included. These properties
will be advertised in Home
Connections. Where a special
lettings plan has been applied to a
development this will be included in
the property advert.
The aims of this approach are: The types of schemes to be
included:
yy a group of properties available
for letting at the same time will
be identified as being suitable
for community lettings. Usually
these will be newly built housing
association properties located
in regenerated areas within the
borough yy for 20% of available properties
priority will be given to applicants
living in the same ward with
the rehousing points to bid for
accommodation. Applicants will
then be short-listed in the normal
way. yy special lettings plans that give
priority to applicants living
yy to assist residents to maintain
in specific blocks, estates, or
and develop on-going
localities may be agreed at
connections with the area and
the planning stage and will be
contribute to the sustainability of
implemented at the allocation
the community stage.
yy to help address overcrowding and
yy Homes adapted for wheelchairs
under-occupation within the local
are generally excluded from
community.
these schemes.
yy Community lettings schemes are
approved by the Service Director
for Housing Needs and Strategy.
Housing
allocation
25 scheme
Intra-estate transfers
The aim of this initiative is to enable
tenants who want to stay on the
estate to remain there.
20% of all available void properties
on estates will be prioritised to
tenants on the particular estate
who are eligible to bid and who
would like to be housed within
the estate. Applicants will then be
short-listed in accordance with the
allocation policy.
Housing co-ops, tenant
managed organisations (TMOs)
and other landlords
Some landlords, including co-ops
and TMOs, due to their specialist
nature, may require applicants
with certain additional criteria for
example, ability to take part in a
co-op. These additional criteria
will be included as part of the
advertisement.
Chapter
2
Mutual exchanges
Mutual exchange
What is it?
Applicants who are secure tenants
of a council have the right to
exchange their home with another
secure tenant, or with an assured
tenant of a housing association.
Exchanges can involve more than
two households. Tenants do not
need to be registered on the
transfer list or have any points to
participate in this scheme.
Who can apply?
Tenants must get written
permission from their landlord
before they exchange and the
other tenant must also get written
Homeswapper.co.uk
Further information
Housing Options Team
Housing Aid Centre
Northway House
257 Upper Street
London, N1 1RU
rehousing@islington.gov.uk
020 7527 4140
020 7527 4136
0800 073 0536
(Homeswapper)
www.islington.gov.uk/housing
What is it?
permission from their landlord.
Both tenants must sign a "deed of
assignment" before they exchange
properties.
How does it work?
Most council and housing
association tenants advertise their
properties through Homeswapper
(www.homeswapper.co.uk).
When a tenant has found another
tenant to exchange with they
should complete the mutual
exchange form which can be
downloaded from the council's
website:
www.islington.co.uk/housing
How does it work?
Homeswapper is a national mutual This is a web-based scheme only
exchange scheme. Islington Council and tenants can register on the
tenants can register for free. Some web-site at
housing association tenants may
www.homeswapper.co.uk
have to pay a small fee to register
Applicants can also view the
if their landlord is not part of the
Homeswapper list at their area
scheme.
housing offices. Occasionally,
Islington Council participates in
Who can apply?
reciprocal arrangements with other
local authorities via the choice
Applicants must be a council or
based lettings Homeswapper
housing association tenant; they
scheme.
do not have to be on the council's
housing register. Applicants are
Homeswapper will carry out
allowed to swap into a home that
searches for possible swaps on
is either one bedroom too large
a daily basis. When an applicant
or one bedroom too small for their has found the person they want
family's need with the permission
to exchange with, they must
of your landlord.
complete the mutual exchange
form and return it to their landlord.
They must contact the person
who is living in the property they
want to move into to make viewing
arrangements.
Housing
allocation
scheme
26
Smart move
Chain lettings
What is it?
Smart Move helps to match people The council will advertise the
mutual exchange property details
living in properties with more
of tenants who wish to move
bedrooms than they need (underto smaller homes on the Home
occupying tenants) with people
Connections advert each week.
living in overcrowded homes, to
The advert is available to view
arrange a mutual exchange.
online at www.islington.gov.uk/
homeconections
Who can apply?
If you are interested in a property
This scheme is available to Islington
advertised and it matches your
Council and housing association
requirements you can express your
tenants only. It is a free service.
interest and we will put all the
parties in contact with each other.
What is it?
How does it work?
Chain Lettings is a scheme where
you can mutually exchange your
home if you are a council or
housing association tenant living in
Islington.
The council will complete the chain
where an under occupier exchanges
with an overcrowded Islington
social housing tenant. We will offer
a more suitable vacant property to
the under occupying tenant where
required. The under occupying
tenant will be eligible for the under
occupation grant. However, we will
not allow under occupation of the
new property.
Who can apply?
Further information
Islington Customer Centre
Housing Options Team
222 Upper Street
London N1 1RX
rehousing@islington.gov.uk
020 7527 4140
020 7527 4136
www.islington.gov.uk/housing
Housing
allocation
27 scheme
How does it work?
Islington Council and housing
association under occupying
tenants will be eligible to apply
for this scheme. This will be of
particular interest to groups of two
or three exchange partners wishing
to consider exchanging homes and
requiring a vacancy to complete
the chain for the exchange to go
ahead.
Chapter
3
Shared ownership
Shared ownership
What is it?
How does it work?
This scheme is intended to help
people who cannot afford to buy
a home outright. Through shared
ownership an applicant can buy a
share starting at 25% in a flat from
the council or a housing association
and pay rent on the part they do
not own. An applicant can increase
their share if they want, and can
eventually own the property
outright.
Islington Council operates its
own scheme directly, and works
with several housing associations
to provide shared ownership
properties for people in Islington.
Most schemes are based on
properties specifically built or
renovated for shared ownership by
housing associations.
Information about all shared
ownership properties available
in London are advertised on the
Who can apply?
Share To Buy website which is in
partnership with First Steps. The
You can apply if you have a
Share To Buy website also includes
gross household income of up to
information about obtaining
£66,000 per annum when applying
mortgages and contact details
for 1 and 2 bedroom properties
of solicitors who have experience
to rent or buy. Or up to £80,000,
in assisting clients with shared
per annum when applying to buy
ownership purchases.
or rent a family sized property (3+
bedrooms).
Registering your contact details
with Share To Buy enables you
Priority for shared ownership
to keep up to date when new
schemes is generally given to
properties become available. If you
existing council and housing
find a property you are interested
association tenants and Islington
in the share to buy portal will direct
residents on Islington's housing
you to the housing associations
register. An applicant will only
website that owns the property
qualify for shared ownership if
and their sales team will be able to
they can afford to buy part of a
answer any questions you have, go
property.
through your application form and
assess your eligibility.
Further information
www.sharetobuy.com/london
Housing
allocation
scheme
28
First Buy
What is it?
How does it work?
FirstBuy gives you the opportunity
to buy a new home with the help
of an equity loan of up to 20%
of the full purchase price. The
FirstBuy equity loan will be interest
free for the first five years with a
charge payable from year six. To
buy with FirstBuy you will need
savings (a minimum of a 5% deposit
on the share you are buying) and
a mortgage to meet a minimum
of 80% of the value of the home
you want to buy. The rest of the
purchase price of the home will be
paid for by FirstBuy.
Each area has a Homebuy Agent,
Homebuy Agent is a registered
housing association that markets
housing schemes. They will deal
with applications and assess
eligibility. The Homebuy Agent that
represents the London Borough
of Islington (plus other parts of
London) is Catalyst Homebuy.
Who can apply?
You can apply if you have a
gross household income of up to
£66,000 per annum when applying
for 1 and 2 bedroom properties
to rent or buy. Or up to £80,000
per annum when applying to buy
or rent a family sized property (3+
bedrooms).
You must be a first-time buyer,
or a homeowner who needs to
move because of a change in your
family’s circumstances (in which
case you must sell your existing
property).
Further information
sharetobuy.com/london/
youroptions
Housing
allocation
29 scheme
Chapter
4
Sheltered housing
What is it?
Sheltered Housing is designed to
provide a supportive environment
to vulnerable or older people. The
scheme is made up of individual
self-contained properties most of
which also have communal facilities.
There is a 24 hour emergency on
call system.
Who can apply?
Applicants must be aged 55 years
or over and have some support
needs.
How does it work?
Sheltered schemes are owned and
managed by housing associations.
Most schemes in Islington are
managed by Circle Housing Group.
Other sheltered housing providers
include Peabody Housing Trust,
Family Mosaic, Mercers, Crown
Housing Association, Islington and
Shoreditch Housing Association
(ISHA), ASRA and Anchor Housing
Trust.
Applicants interested in sheltered
housing must apply to the
Rehousing Team. They will then
receive a visit from an assessment
officer who will decide if sheltered
housing is suitable for their housing
needs.
Further information
Islington Customer Centre
Housing Options Team
222 Upper Street
London N1 1RX
rehousing@islington.gov.uk
020 7527 4140
020 7527 4136
www.islington.gov.uk/housing
Housing
allocation
scheme
30
Chapter
5
Supported housing
What is it?
How does it work?
Supported Housing is
accommodation that is provided to
help develop and sustain a person’s
capacity to live independently.
The accommodation consists
of flats or shared houses where
people with support needs can live
independently in the community.
Applicants are supported by
staff who may be based on site
or provide visiting support to the
residents. Applicants can live in
supported housing for varying
lengths of time, usually up to two
years depending on the individual's
needs and the type of service
they require. They may then get
support to move on to independent
accommodation in the private
rented or social housing sector.
Who can apply?
Supported accommodation is
usually provided for groups of
people who are vulnerable, such as
people with:
yy mental health needs
yy substance misuse problems
yy young people
yy people with learning difficulties
yy people with a history of
offending.
yy single homeless people with a
range of support needs
yy women escaping violence
Further information
Referrals Co-ordinator Team
Islington Customer Centre
Housing Advice Team
222 Upper Street
London N1 1RX
housing.advice@islington.gov.
uk
020 7527 2000
020 7527 4136
www.islington.gov.uk/housing
Housing
allocation
31 scheme
Chapter
6
Moving to
other areas
Seaside and country
homes scheme
Moving out of
Islington
What is it?
How does it work?
Make an application to Islington
Islington Council participates in a
range of schemes to enable people Council or make an application
direct to any local authorities
to move to other parts of London
housing waiting list. For existing
and other parts of the country.
council or housing association
tenants mutual exchange also
Who can apply?
provides an opportunity to move
Anyone on the housing register may (see chapter two).
apply. Opportunities for rehousing
in other areas are very limited,
particularly in London and the
southeast of the country.
What is it?
How does it work?
The scheme's landlords manage
approximately 3,500 bungalows
and flats along the coast from
Cornwall in the south west, to
Norfolk and Lincolnshire in the east
and across the countryside from
Who can apply?
Dorset to Cambridgeshire. The
Social housing tenants approaching scheme does not guarantee a move
the age of 60 years who are able to and priority is given to tenants who
are giving up larger sized properties.
live independently.
This is a housing mobility scheme
that offers council or housing
association tenants the option of
moving out of London.
Further information
Islington Customer Centre
Housing Options Team
222 Upper Street
London N1 1RX
rehousing@islington.gov.uk
020 7527 4140
020 7527 4136
www.islington.gov.uk/housing
www.housingmoves.org
Housing
allocation
scheme
32
Housingmoves
What is it?
Housing Moves is a London wide
housing mobility scheme that
allows tenants of London boroughs
or housing associations to move
outside their existing borough to a
different part of London. It is run
by the Greater London Authority
and most London boroughs
and housing associations are
participating.
Who can apply?
You need to be a current tenant of
a participating London borough or
housing association with an assured
or a secure tenancy
Band 1
You must be under occupying
your current home and willing
to downsize. You will receive
additional priority if you give up
more than one bedroom.
Band 2
One or more members of your
household must be either in
employment, for at least 16
hours a week and continuously
(although not necessarily in
the same job) for the last 6
months in training that leads
directly to employment (e.g. an
apprenticeship).
Band 3
How does it work?
Every application is placed into one
of four bands. Band 1 applicants
have the highest priority, and Band
4 applicants have the least priority.
All housingmoves properties are
advertised on the housingmoves
website www.housingmoves.org
Homefinder UK
Further information
Islington Customer Centre
Housing Options Team
222 Upper Street, N1 1RX
rehousing@islington.gov.uk
020 7527 4140
020 7527 4136
www.islington.gov.uk/housing
www.housingmoves.org
Housing
allocation
33 scheme
One or more members of your
household must be providing
unpaid care or support to a
family member or friend.
Band 4
If you do not meet any of the
criteria in other bands, you will be
a band 4 applicant.
What is it?
How does it work?
The scheme enables social housing
tenants to move to housing
association and council housing
in other parts of the United
Kingdom. Your landlord must be
a participating member of the
scheme.
After your application is received
you will be visited and assisted in
identifying opportunities to move
to other parts of the country. Your
landlord will provide you with
support to move and settle into the
new area.
Who can apply?
This scheme is open to council
and housing association tenants in
Islington who wish to move to other
parts of the country.
Chapter
7
Keyworker housing
What is it?
Islington Council operates a
Keyworker scheme that aims to
encourage employees to have
a long-term career within the
borough. Key workers should also
consider Shared Ownership options
(chapter 3). Only applications for
one bedroom properties will be
accepted.
Eligibility criteria
Applications may be considered
from Children's Social Workers,
Metropolitan Police Officers,
Occupational Therapists, teachers
and nurses working in Islington.
The main place of work must be in
Islington.
How does it work?
All applications for Islington Key
worker scheme must be made
in writing to the appropriate
Human Resource department.
Accommodation offered through
this scheme is linked to the
applicant's continuous employment
with Islington Council. Tenancies
will be "non-secure" and will be
terminated if the employment
should cease. Properties let as
‘non-secure’ are not subject to
Right to Buy.
Further information
Islington Customer Centre
Housing Options Team
222 Upper Street
London N1 1RX
rehousing@islington.gov.uk
020 7527 4140
020 7527 4136
www.islington.gov.uk/housing
Housing
allocation
scheme
34
Chapter
8
Sanctuary scheme
for victims of
domestic violence
Homeshelter
What is it?
If an applicant is experiencing or
has experienced domestic violence
and is still at risk, the scheme
enables them to remain in their
home by installing security in their
property to prevent the perpetrator
from gaining access.
Who can apply?
Any person who is homeless or
threatened with homelessness due
to domestic violence will be eligible.
How does it work?
An applicant's safety needs will be
assessed and the council will then
install additional security measures
such as solid doors, extra locks and
grills. The council can also refer an
applicant to other organisations to
help you with legal advice.
Further information
If you are a housing
association tenant contact
your landlord.
If you are an Islington Council
tenant contact your area
housing office.
The Housing Advice Team
020 7527 2000
advice.housing@islington.gov.
uk
Solace
020 7619 1375
Housing
allocation
35 scheme
If you need to talk to someone
about domestic violence, contact
either the housing advice team on
020 7527 2000 or Solace on
020 7619 1375.
In an emergency always dial
999.
Chapter
9
Renting in the
Private sector
The private sector
What is it?
How does it work?
Renting in the private sector
means that an applicant's rent is
paid directly to a private landlord
rather than the council or a housing
association.
It is possible to find houses and
flats to rent from landlords by
viewing the local newspapers
where they have sections relating
to private rented accommodation.
Who can apply?
Islington Council will provide you
with advice and support even after
you move in.
Anyone can rent from a private
landlord. If an applicant is on a low
income they may be able to claim
housing benefit to cover all or part
of the rent.
Private sector
opportunities for
homeless people
Private sector
housing grants
Further information
What is it?
Who can apply?
The Private Sector Opportunities
Scheme is an incentive to assist
landlords to offer housing to
homeless people. The scheme
also offers advice and support
for applicants looking for housing
in the private sector. Eligible
applicants may not have to pay an
initial deposit to the landlord
Applicants who are homeless or
threatened with homelessness can
apply*.
What is it?
How does it work?
Grants are available from
Islington Council to enable repairs,
adaptation and grants for energy
efficiency of owner occupied and
private rented properties.
You will need to contact
Residential Grant Support
Service on 020 7527 3104 to
ensure your property qualifies for a
grant.
How does it work?
A housing officer will assess
whether applicants qualify for this
scheme and advise where places
are available.
*If you have already been
accepted as homeless, contact
your housing case worker.
Islington Customer Centre
Housing Advice Team
222 Upper Street, N1 1RX
housingsolutions@islington.
gov.uk
020 7527 2000
020 7527 4136
www.islington.gov.uk/housing
Housing
allocation
scheme
36
Chapter
10
Internal reviews
Internal reviews of decisions
Update of applications
Applicants who wish to
challenge a decision of the
council under its allocation
policy should try to resolve
the problem informally in
the first instance.
The council will contact applicants
periodically to ensure the
information held on applicants
is up to date. If applicants do
not respond to a review within
28 days of being requested to
do so the council may remove
their application from the register
without further notice.
Applicants are expected to provide
adequate information in order for
their applications to be processed.
Without this their application will
not be processed.
False or misleading information
may leave the applicant at risk of
prosecution.
If an applicant’s circumstances
change after they have applied the
council may suspend or remove
them from the Housing Register.
If the applicant is still not satisfied
they may request a formal internal
review within 21 days from the
date the applicant is notified of the
decision if one of the following is in
dispute: yy the eligibility of the applicant to
join the Housing Register yy removal or suspension of an
applicant from the Housing
Register.
A panel of officers from the
council's Housing and Adult Social
Services department considers
formal internal reviews. Officers
directly involved in the original
decision will not take part in the
panel decision.
Housing
allocation
37 scheme
relevant manager to review their
assessment. They can request a
formal internal review within 21
days from the date the applicant is
notified of the points awarded.
Review against offers
Applicants who have been made
an offer of housing outside of
choice based lettings, and believe
the offer of housing is not suitable,
have the right to an internal review.
The internal review is considered
by a panel of officers from the
Housing and Adult Social Services
department of the council.
Review of exclusion from the
register
In exceptional circumstances
the council will consider lifting
the disqualification applied to an
applicant i.e. the applicant may be
able to join the list after 12 months.
Making a waiting list and
homeless application
Where an applicant has a waiting
list application and the council
subsequently decides that the
applicant is homeless and a
rehousing duty is owed, the
applicant will have to decide
whether to pursue a waiting list
or a homeless application. The
applicant will only be eligible to bid
under one application.
Applicants should also be aware
that if the council or housing
association grants a tenancy as a
result of false information given
Review of points awards
by the applicant or someone else
on their behalf, the landlord will
If an applicant is unhappy about the
take court action to repossess the
points awarded, or a reduction in
property.
their points, they can ask for the
Chapter
11
Complaints
Complaints regarding the
service
The council operates a two-stage
procedure:
You can complain to the Housing
Ombudsman directly, eight weeks
after you have received the final
response from the Chief Executive
and not before then.
Stage 1
The first stage is investigated
and responded to locally by the
service area in which the complaint
originated.
Further information
If you do not want to wait that
long you can ask a ‘designated
person’ to refer your complaint to
the Housing Ombudsman once the
council’s complaint procedure has
been fully completed. In Islington
Chief Executive’s stage
the designated person is the Lead
The second stage of the complaints Member for Housing. If you want
procedure gives the customer
the designated person to refer
the right to request that an
your complaint to the Housing
investigation of their complaint
Ombudsman you must write and
is undertaken by the Corporate
give them your permission to refer
Customer Service Team on behalf
your complaint. You will get more
of the Chief Executive.
advice on how to do this when you
receive the final response at the
Chief Executive stage.
Complaints to the Housing
Ombudsman
The designated person can try and
resolve the complaint themselves
If your feel your complaint has not
or refer the complaint straight to
been dealt with properly or fairly
the Ombudsman. If they refuse to
you can make a request for your
do either a person may contact the
complaint to be considered by the
Ombudsman directly.
Housing Ombudsman; the Housing
Ombudsman considers housing
Housing Ombudsman
matters such as rent, repairs and
81 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4HN
transfers.
0300 111 3000
info@housingombudsman.org.
uk
020 7527 3007
www.islington.gov.uk/
about/contact-complaints/
involvedcomplaints
Housing
allocation
scheme
38
If you would like this document in large print or Braille, audiotape or in another
language, please contact 020 7527 2000.
If you would like more information please contact:
Cora Nicholls
Housing Options Team, Islington Customer Centre, 222 Upper Street, London, N1 1XR
rehousing@islington.gov.uk
020 7527 4175
www.islington.gov.uk/housing
Printed on environmentally friendly paper. Published July 2015.