Asylum seekers can’t usually apply for social housing, and some other people can also be prevented from applying. This will usually be because you or someone who is part of your application has done one of the things listed below in the last 2 years.
You can’t be disqualified if you have passed the 4 homelessness tests.
Owed rent
If you owe the Housing Executive or a housing association more than 4 weeks rent and rates and you’re not keeping up your repayments you can be disqualified from applying for social housing for 6 years.
Unacceptable behaviour
Unacceptable behaviour is the type of behaviour that would make you an “undesirable” tenant. This could include
- serious neighbourhood disputes
- anti social behaviour
- using a property for immoral or illegal purposes
- behaving violently to Housing Executive or housing association staff
- neglecting a property or damaging it on purpose
- behaving violently while in temporary accommodation.
You can be barred from applying for 2 years if you’ve been involved in this type of behaviour in the 2 years running up to your application.
Squatting
If you’ve squatted or helped someone else to squat in a Housing Executive or housing association property in the last 2 years, you’ll be banned from applying for 2 years.
False information
You'll be barred from applying for 2 years if the Housing Executive or housing association thinks you did any of the following in order to get a property:
- deliberately made a false statement
- deliberately gave false information
- deliberately didn't give all the information you were asked for.
Abandoned a property
You will be disqualified if you left a Housing Executive or housing association tenancy in the last two years without giving your landlord notice.
Evicted from your Housing Executive or housing association home
You will be disqualified if a court has granted an Order for Possession against you in the last two years. The Order must have been for possession of a Housing Executive or a housing association property.
Getting help if you’re disqualified
You’ll be told in writing if the Housing Executive or a housing association decides that you are disqualified from applying. This letter should explain why you’ve been disqualified. You’ll have 14 days to reply to this notice.
If there’s been a mistake or you think you can justify the incident that got you barred write back and give as much detail as possible. You can get advice from Housing Rights if you don’t know how to reply.
The decision could be overturned. If this happens, you’ll be assessed and awarded points like any other applicant. If the Housing Executive or housing association sticks with the original decision you could use the formal complaints process or even apply for a judicial review. Speak to Housing Rights to find out what your best option is.
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