Demand for affordable social housing is high and the supply of properties that become available to the council for nomination for applicants on the Housing Register is low.
If you need somewhere to live you might want to consider other options, such as renting privately.
For information:
- social housing in Elmbridge is managed by housing associations(registered providers)
- the council doesn’t have its own accommodation but we can nominate to housing associations/registered providers
- rents can be up to 80% of the local market rent
Housing Register
You must be on the Housing Register to be considered for social housing (housing association property).
Criteria for the Housing Register
If you have a strong local connection with Elmbridge you may qualify for the Housing Register. This includes if you:
- currently live in Elmbridge and have done so for at least the last three years
- have a permanent job in Elmbridge
- have immediate family in Elmbridge who have lived here for at least five years
- previous continuous residence of five or more years in the last 10 years
Our Housing Allocations Policy tells you how we assess and prioritise applications and includes more information on ‘local connection’ and qualification criteria.
Join the Housing Register
To join the Housing Register, you can apply through Search Moves, the online choice-based lettings scheme in Elmbridge:
Apply to join the Housing Register with Search Moves
Part 1 of the online application process will produce a Personalised Action Plan to advise you about your housing options and whether you qualify to be on the Register based on the answers you have provided.
Part 2 is the main application form.
What happens next
Your application will be considered and you will be notified of the outcome of the assessment or if further information is needed. This may take up to three weeks.
If your application is accepted, it will be given a band. The highest band is A and the lowest band is D.
(This is subject to our checks to confirm the information given on your application is accurate.)
How to bid for properties
If you are placed on the Housing Register through Search Moves, you will be able to log in and start bidding on properties.
For more information, you can:
How bidding works:
- you can bid all week
- new homes may 'go live' on any day of the week
- once a property is posted online, you can bid for it, as long as you are eligible for that property
- you can set up a 'property alert' to send you an email when a property match comes up.
- the bid deadline is usually 5 days after the property first appears
- you need to express an interest in property you are interested in by placing bids
- if you don’t attend 2 booked viewings or refuse 2 properties, it may lead to your application being suspended for a year. This means that you cannot place any bids or be considered for any accommodation
Help applying online
Local libraries offer free computer access or you can email socialhousing@elmbridge.gov.uk if you have any questions.
If you're reapplying, you could also ask trusted family, friends or a support worker to help.
