What is the housing register and who qualifies to join?
1. What is the Housing Register?
Keychoices use a common housing register for social rented houses in Rotherham. Social rented housing is housing that is provided by the Council and Registered Social Landlords, also known as housing associations. In Rotherham we allocate homes through a choice-based letting scheme. If you qualify to go on the register you need to consider the cost of getting your own place to live, as setting up home is expensive. It is a good idea to start saving and buying items in advance. You need to consider how you will manage your income when you have bills such as rent, council tax, gas, and electricity to pay. You should only bid for properties that you can afford. If you qualify and are offered a property you will be required to pay one week's rent in advance. You must continue to pay the rent and other charges, which are due weekly in advance.
2. Who qualifies to go on the Housing Register?
To qualify to go on Rotherham’s housing register you must:
- be aged 16 years or older
- have had a connection to Rotherham for at least three years
- be in housing need
- not owe over £800 to the Council, a private landlord or housing association for current or former rent arrears
- have not been evicted from a Council tenancy in the last five years
3. Am I eligible to join the Housing Register?
To be eligible you must be able to prove a local connection to Rotherham for at least the last three years continuously. This can be proof that you:
- have lived in Rotherham for the last three years continuously, or
- have been employed in Rotherham for the last three years continuously, or
- have a close family member, who you are in regular contact with who has lived in Rotherham for the last three years continuously (and who will be willing to provide documentary evidence)
4. What circumstances will affect my eligibility to join the Housing Register?
If you owe money to the Council, a private landlord or housing association for current or former rent arrears, you will be required to set up a payment plan to reduce this debt. If you owe £800 or more you will not qualify to go on the housing register, but you may reapply when you have cleared the arrears in full or kept to a repayment arrangement which reduces the debt by at least 25% and below £800.
If you have any tenancy breaches or you have been evicted from a Council or housing association tenancy in the last five years, this will affect your eligibility to join the Housing Register.
