How do I apply for a social rent or affordable Futures property?
How do I apply for a social or affordable rented Futures property
We offer a variety of ways to help you find a suitable home with us. Please note that there is a high demand for our properties, so you will have to meet certain criteria before you are able to apply.
To apply for social/affordable rented housing with us, you must first register with your local council's housing service, which will involve completing an application, usually electronically.
Based on your circumstances and the information you provide to them, your application will be reviewed to determine your level of priority and housing need. If you are accepted to join the housing register, you will be provided with a unique reference number and advised of your priority banding. You will also be advised of your eligibility criteria.
Who can apply
Anyone over the age of 18 years, can apply to join the housing register and legally hold a tenancy, provided they meet the relevant allocations policy. These can be found on the local council's website.
Under 18s cannot hold a legal tenancy on their own because they lack the legal capacity to sign a contract and hold a legal estate in land. To live in a property, the tenancy must be held by a responsible adult (like a parent or guardian) who can sign as a co-tenant, act as a guarantor, or hold the tenancy in trust on behalf of the minor. This will be dependent on the individual Local Council and their allocation policy.
How can I find who my local council is
You can find your local council by entering your postcode click here.
Further information about council and housing association homes can be found here.
I’m already on the housing register
When your application has been registered you will receive your unique reference number. You can then start bidding (meaning showing an interest) on properties that have been advertised and for which you are eligible.
How does it work?
Your Local Council housing service will either operate a choice-based lettings system or have a nomination process via an agreement between them and Futures Housing Group.
If your local council operates on a nomination process, this means that if you are eligible for a particular property, they will nominate you to us and one of our officers will review the nomination and make contact to discuss the offer process with you. It is important that you ensure that your contact phone number and email address is always correct and up to date.
If your local council operates a choice-based lettings system, this means that you can place bids on properties that you are eligible for and are interested in. If you are successful with any of your bids, one of our officers will contact you once they have reviewed the list of interest. It is important that you ensure that your contact phone number and email address is always correct and up to date.
How many bids am I allowed?
This can vary between different local councils, so it important that you ask them for confirmation if you are unsure or check their local council policy.
How long are properties advertised for?
Most properties are advertised for 7-8 days, but again this can vary depending on the allocation’s policy of the local authority and it is important to check. When the advert cycle has ended, a list of applicants who are eligible for the property will be automated into priority order.
What happens after bids are placed on properties?
Bids can be placed any time during the advert cycle, and the system automates a shortlist of interest in priority and date order.
One of our officers will review the shortlist and the successful applicant will be contacted. If we are unable to contact you by phone, we will also attempt to email or text you. It is important that you ensure that your contact phone number and email address is always correct and up to date.
