Apply for social housing

There is a large demand for social housing in Tower Hamlets.

The council and its registered social landlord partners operate a housing register for those who are eligible.

Most people who join the housing register will never be offered a social housing tenancy. Even if you qualify, you may have to wait a long time.

We strongly advise that you look at all other housing options. For most people, the most realistic option is in the private rent sector.

You can see what other housing options may be suitable for you on our Ask Mo website.

Beware of fraud

We only ever allocate homes according to our allocations policy. Every application goes through a series of checks to make sure it is valid and correctly prioritised. If anyone ever approaches you asking for money to secure a council home, it is a scam.

• Never hand over money if approached by someone 'claiming' to be a council officer.
• If you are approached in and around the town hall, report it to the council’s Facilities Management staff immediately.
• Council officers would never ask for money to deal with housing applications.
• Report all approaches or requests for money to the police.

What are the waiting times for social housing?

*Based on the actual lets for the financial year 2023/2024.

What are the housing priority bands?

Who can apply for social housing?

Normally, you can apply as long as you:

• are not subject to immigration control and have recourse to public funds
• are over 18 years of age
• have lived in the borough continuously for the last 3 years or in housing need
• are not guilty of bad behaviour
• do not have a sole or joint income of more than £90,000 per annum
• are not a homeowner

How do you apply?

Everyone must apply online.

If you do not have access to a computer at home, our Idea Stores and libraries have free computer usage and internet access.

You can also complete this application on your mobile phone.

What address history documents do you need to show?

You will need to show your address history for the past three years from the date of your application.

It must confirm any dates that you moved in or out.

These are the documents we accept:

• main bank statement (i.e. the account where wages / benefits are paid into)
• utility bills
• council tax bill
• credit card bill
• rent book
• tenancy agreement
• itemised postmarked envelopes (not from the council)
• polling cards
• insurance documents
• invoices for online purchases
• a letter from an employer, a government agency, a college or a school confirming the dates that they have known you and the address history they hold for you.

For example: application date is 1 July 2022

We will need to see documents from more than one source. At least one must be from your main bank account (example above).

What ID documents do you need to show?

For main and joint applicants, we need to see at least two of the following forms of proof of identity. (One of which must be a photo ID.)

• full birth certificate
• medical card
• marriage certificate
• driving licence
• National Insurance card
• passport
• Freedom pass
• residence permit - front and back

What about any dependent children that live with you?

You will need to show their birth certificate(s).

You must upload valid ID documents and proof of residence

These will be checked and assessed.

What happens if the details or documents you give are incorrect?

We may:

• close your application
• take away any priority we have given it
• withdraw an offer
• if you have knowingly given false information, we may prosecute you for fraud

The information you provide may be shared with internal departments or with external partners and agencies involved in delivering services on our behalf.  

The council must safeguard public funds. It uses personal data and data-matching to fight fraud and ensure effective spending. It shares information with internal and external partners, including the Audit Commission, the Department for Work and Pensions, other councils, HM Revenue and Customs, and the Police. This is all done under social protection law.

We may also check your details with credit scoring companies such as Experian

Do not send your documents by post

If you do, we will not be able to accept them or send them back to you.

You must keep a valid email address at all times

This will be the only way we will contact you. After you send your application, we will email you. Please check your inbox, including your junk mail, regularly.

If you need to contact us, make sure you use the same email address as the one you used to register your online application.

Apply for social housing

If you feel at risk from anyone you live with, please look at our support page.

If you can't finish the form in one go, you can save your application and complete it later.

Make sure the details you enter in the form are true and accurate. We will assess your application based on the information you give.

Please read our obligation to be truthful statement before you apply.

Apply for social housing

Advice on uploading documents

You need to upload documents as proof.

Please check the file type before you try to upload it as we can only accept documents with the following extension types: doc, docx, jpeg, jpg, pdf, png, rtf

You can either scan your documents, or photograph them with your phone’s camera. Make sure the picture is clear and shows all of the document.

A document cannot be larger than 5MB (that's 5,120KB).

Read our tips on how to use your phone to create PDFs of your documents.  

If you do not have access to a scanner or camera phone at home, you may be able to use a scanner at most Idea Stores or the Residents Hub at Tower Hamlets Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Road, E1 1BJ.

Save the documents on your computer or phone that you will be using to make your application.

Make sure you keep the originals of all your documents safe as these may need to be seen at a later date (maybe years later) before an offer of accommodation can be made to you.

How to upload a document

Log into the Housing Applications website and click on “My pending applications” or “My Current Applications”. Then click on the “Actions” button next to your application, select “Upload Supporting Documents” from the dropdown list, and follow the instructions on the next page. 

What happens after you make an application?

1. We will assess your application once you have submitted all the required information and documents. The full assessment usually takes up to 6 months although this could be shorter if at the start of the application all documents that are required are provided. You will then get an email that tell you if we have accepted your application. If so, it will also have your priority band and bidding number.
2. Until you are rehoused or the application is withdrawn or cancelled, you must tell us immediately of any
   change of circumstances
   .

How do you know if you have been accepted onto the housing register? 

You will get an email that confirms you have been accepted onto the Housing Register.

The email will tell you which band you have been placed into. It will also tell you your preference date and the size of property you are eligible for. 

What if your details and/or circumstances change?

Until you are rehoused or your application is withdrawn or cancelled, you must tell us immediately of changes to your circumstances.

Requesting a review of our decision

You can appeal against any of the following decisions that we may make about your social housing application:

• if your application is rejected
• if your application has been suspended 
• if your application has been cancelled 
• if you think that you have been placed in the wrong band or given the wrong priority date 

Appeals must be made within 28 days of our decision.

Appeals received after 28 days will not normally be allowed unless there are good reasons why you did not appeal in time. 

You must set out the reasons why you think our decision was wrong. You will need to provide any relevant evidence to support your view. 

Please email your appeal to lettings@towerhamlets.gov.uk