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Use the Housing and Transfer Application Form to apply for permanent accommodation from the Housing Executive or a housing association. If you are currently a Housing Executive or housing association tenant you should apply for a transfer or exchange.
The Housing Executive will assess your application using the Selection Scheme. Accommodation is given to the applicant with the highest points total seeking accommodation in an area.
Applying for accommodation
To apply for Housing Executive and housing association accommodation, you fill in one application form. You can download the application form or you can pick it up in a Housing Executive or housing association office . You can return your completed form to any Housing Executive or housing association office. If you apply to a housing association, the Housing Executive will also assess you for housing.
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Housing Executive assessment
The Housing Executive will visit you within two weeks of receiving your form. The visit allows the Housing Executive to assess your housing circumstances. You will be awarded points in four categories.
Letters from the Housing Executive
You will get a letter within a week of your assessment which will tell you your points total and explain how you got your points. You will get two letters if the Housing Executive decide that you are homeless:
- one letter explains that you have been given 70 points as a Full Duty Applicant,
- one letter explains how many points you have been given when the Housing Executive assessed you in your home.
The waiting list
Your name goes on the waiting list for permanent accommodation. The Housing Executive and housing associations use the waiting list to decide who gets permanent accommodation. The Housing Executive and housing associations can't tell you:
- how many points you will need to get a house,
- your position on the waiting list.
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How accommodation is allocated
In general, each property is offered to the person with the highest number of points. If you have the same number of points as another person who applied for social housing, the accommodation is offered to the person who has been waiting longest.
You are usually only offered accommodation in the areas you chose when completing your application. The Housing Executive can offer you accommodation outside your areas of choice if you are a Full Duty Applicant.
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Do I have to accept the accommodation I'm offered?
You don't have to accept the accommodation you are offered. You are entitled to three reasonable offers of permanent accommodation. The accommodation must be suitable for your needs, and the needs of anyone that lives with you. If you feel that the accommodation is not suitable you may be able to challenge the Housing Executive's decision. Contact Housing Rights Service for further advice. The Housing Executive or housing association should ensure that:
- the accommodation is suitable for the size of your household,
- the accommodation is close to your area of choice,
- any special needs of your household are addressed,
- the accommodation is safe for occupation.
What happens if I refuse three reasonable offers?
If you refuse three reasonable offers of accommodation you will not receive any further offers of permanent accommodation for a year. If you think that you have been offered unreasonable accommodation you should get advice before refusing the offer. If you feel that the accommodation is not suitable you may be able to challenge the Housing Executive's decision. Contact Housing Riights Service for further advice.
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Who doesn't apply using the selection scheme?
If you think you are homeless you should apply for help from the Housing Executive directly. You may be able to get temporary accommodation from the Housing Executive while it investigates your situation.
If you are a Housing Executive or housing association tenant
Current Housing Executive or housing association tenants can move by applying for a transfer or an exchange. You will have to fill in a transfer application which you can get from your landlord.
If you are applying for accommodation outside Northern Ireland
Until January 2007 Housing Executive or housing association tenants could apply for accommodation in England, Scotland or Wales using two schemes: HOMES and Homeswaps. These schemes have now been discontinued. If you live in a council property you can use the Homeswapper house exchange website to find a suitable Housing Executive or housing association property in Northern Ireland as long as you have your landlord's permission. There may be a small fee for using this service.
Advice is available from Housing Rights Service.
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