The Local Authority commissioned an independent review of the way social rented housing is allocated. A range of recommendations were made including that the rules for allocating social rented housing should be adjusted to ensure full compatibility with the law and align with nationally recognised good practice.

The law requires that when a local authority makes an alteration to their scheme for allocating social rented housing, which would result in a major change to their rules, members of the public should be invited to make comments on any new proposed rules.

The Local Authority has a public law duty to accept applications from any member of the public, for an allocation of social rented housing.

The Local Authority is required to allocate social rented housing in accordance with statute, statutory guidance and regulations and orders issued by the UK Parliament and the UK Government. The Local Authority has powers to determine how social rented housing is allocated in respect of the following matters.

1. Qualification – which persons should qualify or be disqualified from being allocated of social rented housing.
2. Choice – how much choice a person might be entitled to express in regard to the social rented housing they wish to be allocated.
3. Additional Preference – persons should be given an extra favour when social rented housing is being allocated.
4. Priority – persons wishing to be allocated social rented housing should be selected for an allocation.

Find out more and provide feedback on our consultation here.