Southend

Who Can Use the Service

Anyone can apply to the Council’s Homeseeker Register.  However, there are certain eligibility criteria to join the On The Move scheme

Eligible criteria includes:

• Your immigration status must allow you to receive social housing;
• You must be over the age of 16 (if you are under 18 you should contact the Housing Options Department to discuss whether an independent tenancy is the best option for you).

If you have a history of rent arrears or anti-social behaviour, you may be excluded from the scheme.
Once accepted on the scheme, you will be able to bid for all properties suitable for your needs.  For example, you will be able to bid for properties that match the number of bedrooms appropriate to the size of your household. You can download the Allocations Policy by clicking the Forms and Information  link.

To apply for entry onto the Homeseekers' Register you can download an application by clickingh the Forms and Information link. Alternatively you can request a form is sent to you by filling the form here Contact Us. Alternatively forms can be collected in person from the Civic Centre.

If you do not fill in the application form properly it will be returned to you. The date it is later accepted from will be the date the fully completed form is received.

If you do not provide us with the documents required your application may be accepted onto the housing register but will not be awarded any priority. Once the documents are received your application will be assessed and placed in the appropriate band from the date the documents were received. Click Prioritising Applications for more details on our banding scheme.

Who cannot use the service?

You cannot use this service if you have not completed an application form and been accepted onto the housing register.

There are also some people who will not by law be eligible to join the housing register. These are:

• Certain people who are subject to Immigration Control under the 1996 Asylum and Immigration Act
• Certain people from abroad who are not subject to immigration control but who are not habitually resident in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland
• People (including members of their household) who have been guilty of unacceptable behaviour that makes them unsuitable to be a tenant.

For more detailed information contact our Housing Advice Centre.