Getting a Council Home in Newcastle
What is this about?
This guide provides a summary of Newcastle City Council's Allocations and Lettings Policy. It tells you how to apply for a council or housing association home in Newcastle.
Who can apply?
-
Anyone aged 16 or over can apply.
-
If you are under 18, you may need a support package and a trustee to hold your tenancy.
You cannot apply if:
-
You are not allowed to due to your immigration status.
-
You have serious rent arrears or housing debts and haven’t made arrangements to pay them.
-
You have behaved unacceptably, such as:
-
Serious anti-social behaviour (harassment, violence, drug offences).
-
Causing damage to property.
-
Domestic abuse or harassment.
-
Giving false information to get housing.
-
-
You earn over £50,000 per year
-
You have assets worth £100,000 or more
How to Apply
-
Complete an application online at www.newcastlehomes.org.uk or at a council office.
-
Provide information about:
-
Who will live with you.
-
Your housing history (last 5 years).
-
Your income and financial details.
-
Health or support needs.
-
-
Give proof of identity (passport, driving licence, etc.).
-
Provide a landlord reference.
What happens next?
You will be placed into one of four priority bands based on your housing need. The higher your band, the more priority you get.
Examples of the reasons why you might be placed in a priority band are listed below.
Band A - Emergency and Exceptional Need
For example you:
- Are homeless
- At risk of very serious harm,
- Have urgent medical need,
- Your home destroyed by fire/flood.
Band B - Urgent Need
For example you:
- Are a victim of domestic violence or harassment,
- Are homeless or at risk of homelessness
- Have a severe disability or health issues,
- Are overcrowded
- Are a foster carers and need more space.
Band C - Medium Need
For example you:
- Are homeless but not priority,
- A young person leaving care,
- Lack one bedroom
- Need to move for work or training,
Are experiencing financial hardship.
Band D
Low Need
No local connection or no urgent housing problems.
Local Connection
You can only get a priority if you have a local connection to Newcastle, for example:
-
You’ve lived in Newcastle for 6 months in the last year or 3 years in the last 5 years.
-
You work or train in Newcastle.
-
You have close family or strong support networks in Newcastle.
-
You serve or have served in the Armed Forces.
How to find a home
-
Homes are advertised every week on the website.
-
You can bid for up to 3 homes each week.
-
The council will check if you meet the rules for that property (e.g., family size, age restrictions).
-
The person in the highest band who has waited the longest usually gets the home.
When You Get an Offer
-
You will only be offered one property at a time.
-
You need to accept or refuse the property within 48 hours.
-
If you accept an offer, you must use it as your main home.
-
If you refuse a reasonable offer, your priority may be lowered.
Special rules
-
Some homes are only for:
-
Older people
-
People with disabilities
-
People with a local connection to Newcastle
-
-
Some homes are offered directly to people in emergencies.
If you need help
The council can:
-
Help you fill in forms or bid online.
-
Provide interpreters or information in other languages or formats.
-
Give support and advice if you’re struggling to keep your tenancy.
Important to know
-
Always tell the council if your situation changes.
-
Don’t give false information – this is against the law.
-
If you don’t follow the rules, you may not be allowed to bid.
Need more help?
Please Contact Us if you need help with:
- Your application
- Bidding for properties