How to make an application (Step 2)
Applying to be rehoused
Before you apply to be rehoused, please make sure you have the following information to hand which is required to complete your application. We may ask for proof as part of our assessment process:
- Identification (passport, driving licence)
- Proof of address (Council Tax bill, bank statement)
- Current landlord details if in rented accommodation
- Details of income including any benefits
- Details of any savings or investments
- Details of any criminal convictions
Housing Online – new and existing applications
Applications are started and managed on My Housing Online. Please only complete a new housing application if you don’t have an existing application.
If you’re not sure whether you have an existing application or you are having trouble completing an online application, please contact our Homeseeker team on 01226 787878.
Customer notice - September 2023
Due to the high volumes of applications we're receiving and the changes we're undertaking to implement our new Lettings Policy, it's currently taking around 16 weeks to process new applications.
Where we identify that an applicant may have a high housing need, we're prioritising the processing of these applications. Please only contact us to chase an application if you believe you have a high housing need and you haven't heard from us within 20 working days.
In preparation for our new policy going live in April 2024, we're no longer accepting housing applications from people who are out of district and do not meet our local connection criteria. Please check our local connection criteria here before submitting an application.
Supporting information for applications
In some cases, more information is required to support the application form.
Click below to submit additional information to support your housing application. Please only submit one of these forms if you have a new or existing housing application. Supporting information without a corresponding housing application cannot be considered.
Any other information can be provided by email to homeseeker@berneslaihomes.co.uk
Please include these details in your email:
- Housing Application Number (if known)
- Full name
- Full address (current)
What happens once you’ve applied
Once your application has been submitted, an initial decision on eligibility and priority will be made and communicated to you in writing within 20 working days.
In some cases, additional information may be required before we can decide. If this applies, a member of our assessment team will contact you to discuss this.
While all formal decisions are communicated in writing, it’s often quicker to communicate by telephone or email. If you’re happy for us to call or email, please make sure your contact details are up-to-date and included in your application.
Once a decision on your application has been made, this will be communicated to you in writing.
If your application is accepted, you'll be able to start bidding for properties.
Appealing a decision
If you disagree with a decision about your housing application you have the right to appeal. Your appeal must be made within 6 weeks of the original decision, and can be made online, by email, or by phone.
If your appeal contains information that wasn’t considered during your initial assessment, your application will be reassessed taking into account this new information.
Please read all three steps before making a new application:
Change in circumstances
If your circumstances have changed and this affects your housing application, please let us know.
Cancelling an application
If your circumstances change and you want to cancel your housing application, please let us know.