If you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, read our guidance and contact us by completing an online self-assessment form
Housing options
Our aim is to help you explore the wide range of housing options available to you. Not everyone is eligible to apply for social housing in the Lewes district or in Eastbourne. We do not have enough houses for all of the applicants on our waiting list, so it is important we help you make the best housing choice based on your own personal circumstances.
Each council has separate council housing stock and has separate waiting lists for their properties.
It is important to note that:
You can only apply for social housing in the Lewes district if you are currently a Lewes district resident or have a local connection.
You can only apply for social housing in Eastbourne if you are currently a resident in Eastbourne or have a connection to the local area
Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough Councils also have access to privately rented housing managed by Homes First and these are available, subject to affordability, regardless of your local connection to either Authority.
There is a much higher demand for social housing in Eastbourne and Lewes than the number of homes available.
Because of this, the council uses an Allocations Policy to make sure:
People with the greatest housing need are prioritised
Social housing is used in the fairest and best way
The policy explains:
Who can join the Housing Register
How to apply
How we decide who has priority
How we match people to available homes
The Property Match model
When a home becomes empty, it is matched to the most suitable applicant based on:
Your priority band (A, B or C)
The date you were awarded that priority band
Your mobility needs
How many bedrooms you need
Areas you have chosen
Age requirements (only for age‑restricted properties)
You still have choice because:
You can choose which areas you would accept a home in. You will only be made an offer in the areas you choose. The more areas you choose, the more likely it is you will be made an offer.
You can refuse two reasonable offers. If you refuse a third reasonable offer, your registration will be put on hold for 12 months and you won't be made any offers in that time.
This does not apply to homeless applicants, who will be made ONE suitable offer only.
Who can apply to the Housing Register?
You can apply if:
You are 16 years or older
You are eligible for housing (the Allocations Policy explains what this means in more detail)
You are in housing need
You Have a local connection to Lewes District or Eastbourne
You do not fall into one of the groups that are disqualified from joining our Housing Register
You are on someone else's Housing Register application, here or in another authority
Your current address is your main residence
What does 'local connection' mean?
Applicants usually need to have lived in the area for at least the last two years.
Additionally, for people who apply in Lewes district only, we will allocate rural parish or town properties in the following order to ensure housing need and local connection are equally prioritised and balanced:
We will look for a rural parish or town connection to the advertised property through Bands A, B then C.
If there are no applicants through Bands A, B or C that have a rural parish or town connection to the property, we will expand the radius to consider all applicants through Bands A, B then C who have a connection to an immediately neighbouring rural parish or town areas, and then expand the search radius again to the next areas as needed, until a suitable applicant is identified.
If no applicants through Bands A, B and C have any rural connection, the property will be allocated to the highest priority case with no rural connection.
Exemptions to local connection criteria
The following people will be exempt from the local connection criteria; this means they will not need to have lived in the borough for 2 years in order to join the Housing Register:
Exceptional Circumstances - Where the Council agrees there are very exceptional circumstances requiring a move into the area. This will be decided on a case-by-case basis. Examples include:
Safety reasons, for example when an applicant is fleeing domestic abuse or hate crime from another area; or
an applicant is on a witness protection programme, and the council has agreed that a move this area is essential; or
where the council agrees there is a very exceptional need to live in the area to provide or receive essential support.
Applicants owed a homelessness duty by Lewes District Council or Eastbourne Borough Council will be exempt from the local connection requirements and will be able to join the register for the period that the homelessness duty is owed.
Households placed in temporary accommodation outside of the district by Lewes District Council or Eastbourne Borough Council will also have a residential connection as long as they have lived here for 2 years or more. Any time spent placed in temporary accommodation outside the district by Lewes Council or Eastbourne Borough Council will count towards time spent in the council area.
Gypsy or Traveller households may qualify even if they haven't lived here for 2 or more years. Instead, they must have lived here for the majority of the last 2 years, and each case will be assessed on it's own merit.
Care leavers - A young person who is owed leaving care duties under Section 23C of the Children Act 1989; eligible, relevant or former relevant children. These are eligible children as set out in paragraph 19B of Schedule 2 to the Children Act 1989. These are children who are:
currently being looked-after
aged 16 or 17; and
have been looked after by a local authority in England or Wales for a period of 13 weeks, or periods amounting in total to 13 weeks, since the age of 14, at least one day of which must have been since attaining age 16
Or these are relevant children as set out by section 23A (2) of the Children Act 1989. These are children who are:
no longer a looked-after-child
aged 16 or 17; and
a former eligible child
Former relevant children aged under 25 as set out by section 23C (1) of the Children Act 1989. These are children who are
aged 18 to 24; and
either a former relevant child or a former eligible child
Domestic Abuse - a person who is, or has been, a victim of domestic abuse carried out by another person, who needs to move because of that abuse, will be exempt from the local connection criteria
'Right to Move' - existing social tenants who want to move from another council district in England, and who have a need to move for work related reasons to avoid hardship. Under this Allocation policy, will limit these moves to no more than 1% of all lettings per year.
Where, at the date of application, the applicant is not currently resident in Lewes district whilst:
receiving medical or respite care; or
serving a custodial sentence
In these circumstances the applicant must have been living in Lewes District for 2 continuous years prior to their current circumstances.
Armed forces - applicants who fall into the once of the categories of armed forces personal listed below will not need to meet the local connection criteria:
applicants who are serving members of the regular armed forces
applicants who previously served in the regular armed forces.
applicants who are serving or former serving members of the regular armed forces or reserve forces who suffer from a serious injury, illness or disability sustained as a result of their service
applicants who are a bereaved spouse/civil partner of a former serving member of the regular armed forces and have recently ceased (or will soon cease) to be entitled to reside in services accommodation following the death of their spouse/civil partner
The council will also exclude the following group from the local connection criteria:
the divorced or separated ex-spouse of a member of HM Armed Forces, who is currently serving or going through resettlement, will be exempt from the local connection criteria for a period of six months following the divorce or separation
Who does not quality to join our Housing Register?
The following people will not be able to join the Housing Register:
Applicants who do not have a housing need. Applicants cannot joint the register unless they can demonstrate that they have a housing need. It is not enough just to want a social housing property.
Applicants who do not qualify on grounds of unacceptable behaviour. Applicants who have a history of antisocial behaviour may not qualify to join the register. This can include, but is not limited to, people who have committed anti-social behaviour in previous tenancies, people who have committed hate crime, people who unlawfully sublet their property, people who allowed their property to be used for drug dealing or have been evicted from a tenancy due to behaviour issues. It can also include people convicted of benefit fraud.
Applicants who are registered on another council's Housing Register. Any applicant or their partnerwho are registered on another council's Housing Register, either as an applicant or a member of an applicant's household, will not be able to join this register.
Applicants with sufficient financial resources. Applicants will not qualify to join the register if the household has savings or investments of over £32,000, or a combined household income after tax of over £46,000. If you are in receipt of Universal Credit, this will be included in the calculation, except for any housing element which you have been awarded. Disability benefits are included in the calculation. Where there are more than two incomes in your household, we will look at the two highest incomes only. This could include the income of an adult child who still lives with you. If more than two people in your household are working, we only count the two highest incomes. This could include the income of an adult child who still lives with you.
Applicants who own a home. An applicant cannot join the Housing Register if they or their partner owns a home in the UK or elsewhere
An applicant, or a member of their household, that has a current (unspent) conviction for drug dealing. Where an applicant or a member of their household has a current (unspent) conviction for drug dealing they will not qualify for the Housing Register until that conviction is spent and they are able to further demonstrate that their behaviour has changed so that they can be considered to be a suitable tenant
Applicants making a false or misleading statement, withholding relevant information, or failing to inform the council of any material change in circumstances. Any applicant seeking to obtain accommodation by making a false or misleading statement, by withholding relevant information, or by failing to inform the council of any material change in circumstances may be prevented from joining the Housing Register. if they are already registered, they may have their application cancelled. The council will also consider prosecution where it appears that a criminal offence has been committed
Introductory tenants. Any applicant who is a council introductory tenant, or Registered Provider starter tenant will not normally be allowed to join the Housing Register for a period of 1 years from the start date of their current tenancy.
Applicants who have refused three suitable offers of social housing. Any applicant who refuses three suitable offers of social housing within the last 12 months will be able to join the register, but will be suspended for a period of 12 months.
Applicants with arrears or housing related debts. Generally, applicants who have housing related debt (rent arrears, service charge arrears or council tax arrears) will be able to join the register, but will not be made an offer of accommodation until they reduce the debt to below £1500.
How to apply to the Housing Register
Applications must be completed online. You'll be asked for:
Details about your household
Your last 5 years' address history
Why you need a new home
Any support needs
Financial information
Details of any property you own
Whether you are linked to a councillor or council employee
An applicant will be notified in writing by letter or email, providing these have been given. whether they qualify or do not qualify to join the Housing Register.
Please bear with us as this can take several weeks.
If accepted an applicant will be informed of:
the band they have been placed in (this determines priority)
their registration date for that band (for applicants moving-on from commissioned supported accommodation, this will be backdated to the day the started their tenancy at the accommodation)
the size and type of properties for which they may be allocated
their application reference number
how to seek a review against their banding if they think it is wrong or if the decision is that they do not qualify under the Scheme rules
The banding system
Everyone who qualifies for the housing register is placed into one of three bands.
Band A - The highest priority, for exceptionally urgent housing needs
Band B - High priority statutory housing need to move
Band C - Lower priority statutory housing need to move.
Applicants will be matched with suitable properties, with highest priority going to those in the highest band, with the earliest registration date.
Band A
Life‑threatening medical needs
Homes damaged by fire or flood
Immediate risk or serious threats
Witness protection cases
Urgent Armed Forces cases
Under‑occupying tenants who move to free larger homes
Extreme overcrowding (short by 3 bedrooms)
Unsafe private homes with severe hazards
Category of Band A Priority
Summary Guide of Criteria
A1 - 1 Emergency medical or disability
Applicants who are suffering sudden or severe progressive life-threatening medical conditions or disability and need an immediate move because their current home is unsuitable (as it does not meet their medical needs and/or cannot be adapted) and poses an immediate and serious danger to the individual. Examples could include:
where an applicant's condition is expected to be terminal within a period of twelve months and rehousing is required to provide a basis for the provision of suitable care
the condition is life threatening, and the applicant's existing accommodation is a major contributory factor
the applicant's health is so severely affected by the accommodation that it is likely to become life threatening
the applicant has severe mobility issues, is housebound and is unable to leave their accommodation save with assistance that will result in high risk to themselves or their carer. They have an assessed need to move to accommodation that meets their needs
the applicant is a wheelchair user who is unable to use their wheelchair within their current accommodation and has an assessed need to move to wheelchair suitable accommodation
The applicant's accommodation is directly contributing to the deterioration of the applicant's health, and the condition of the property cannot be resolved within a reasonable period of time - usually 6 months
Where overcrowding in the property leaves the applicant at risk of life-threatening infection.
Each case will be assessed on its own merit, and none of the examples given above would indicate an automatic Band A priority.
A2 - Exceptional Circumstances, Welfare and Hardship Criteria
The council recognises that there may be exceptional circumstances where the only way an exceptional housing need can be resolved is through a Band A award. In the interests of fairness to all these applicants these circumstances are kept to a minimum. Examples of exceptional circumstances include, but are not limited to:
a severe and imminent threat to life including current council tenants
emergency cases whose homes are damaged by fire, flood, or other disaster may be provided with another tenancy if it is not possible to repair the existing home, or if any work to repair is to take such a long period of time that there will be serious disruption to family life
households which, on police advice, must be moved immediately due to serious threats to one or more members of the household, or whose continuing occupation would pose an imminent threat to the community
cases nominated under the Police Witness Protection Scheme or other similar schemes that the council has agreed to be part of
an applicant who provides a form of essential support to a close family relative, as defined under Section 178(3) of the Housing Act 1996 (this includes parents, siblings, children, uncles, aunts, grandparents, spouses and former spouses) with a serious or enduring health condition who resides in the district
a care leaver assessed as ready to move to independent settled housing with a profound disability or assessed as having a significant vulnerability over and above the fact that they have been in care, who is assessed as needing to be housed urgently to significantly improve the impact their current circumstances are having on their disability or vulnerability
other exceptional circumstances as authorised by the Head of Housing First or equivalent.
A3 - Armed Forces
Applicants with urgent housing need and have access to no other accommodation who:
Are serving, (and will soon leave) the regular forces and are suffering from serious injury, illness, mental ill health, or disability which is attributable to the person's service
Is serving or has served in the reserveforces and is suffering from a serious injury, illness or disability which is attributable (wholly or partly) to the person's service
The spouse or civil partner of Armed Forces Personnel who has recently ceased, or will cease to be entitled to reside in accommodation provided by the Ministry of Defence, following the death of their spouse or civil partner who had service in the regular forces and whose death was attributable (wholly or partly) to their service
For this purpose, "the regular forces" and "the reserve forces" have the meanings given by section 374 of the Armed Forces Act 2006.
A4 - Transfer Tenants including under-occupiers
Where a transfer tenant has to decant from a Lewes or Eastbourne Council tenancy either temporarily or permanently whilst major works are undertaken or where their home is imminently required for major repair or redevelopment, or due to be demolished.
Where a tenant is in an adapted property where the adaptations are no longer needed, and they are willing to transfer to a suitable non adapted property
The Applicant is a Transfer Tenant who is under-occupying their home and is willing to downsize to a smaller property, where a secure or flexible council tenant will release a home with two or more bedrooms by moving to a property with fewer bedrooms than they currently have, or
The applicant is a transfer tenant aged 35 or over currently occupying a studio flat and wishing to move to a 1-bedroom flat
Releasing a general needs property by moving into retirement housing only
Registered Provider tenants who will release a home with two or more bedrooms are eligible if their landlord agrees that the vacated property can be used for a nomination by the council.
Successors and non-statutory successors, approved by the Council for an offer of suitable accommodation.
A5 - Acute Overcrowding
Where a household is either statutory overcrowded or overcrowded by 3 bedrooms as measured by the overcrowding standard adopted by Lewes or Eastbourne Council in this policy
A6 - Private sector properties insanitary or unfit
Those living in insanitary conditions where the conditions pose an ongoing and serious threat to health
Private sector tenants and residents of dwellings where the council's Private Sector Housing Team has determined the property poses a Category 1 hazard under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (e.g. crowding and space, excessive cold or risk of falls) and the council is satisfied that the problem cannot be resolved by the landlord within six months and as a result continuing to occupy the accommodation will pose a considerable risk to the applicant's health. This includes a property that has severe damp, major structural defects including subsidence, flooding, collapse of roof, or living conditions that are a statutory nuisance, and there is no prospect of the problems being remedied within a six-month time period.
A private sector property either owned or rented where a statutory notice has been issued by the environmental health department that an unfit property is to be demolished under the Housing Act 2004.
Note: this category will not include Private Registered Provider tenancies because there is a legal requirement on social landlords to urgently remedy defects that pose a risk to their tenants.
Band B
You're ready to move on from supported housing
You're homeless and the council owes you a main housing duty
You are overcrowded by 2 bedrooms
You have severe medical needs
You are an Armed Forces applicant (certain criteria)
You need to move due to harassment or exceptional circumstances
You are a care leaver (specific criteria)
Category of Band B Priority
Summary Guide of Criteria
B1 - Ready to move on from Council accredited supported housing schemes
An applicant is ready to move to independent settled housing on the recommendation of the support worker or equivalent.
B2 - Homeless households owed the following homelessness duties by Lewes District Council
Homeless applicants who are owed the Main Housing Duty by Lewes or Eastbourne Council under Section 193 of the Housing Act 1996
This includes applicants who are insecurely housed, and who make arrangements to remain living with family or friends on a temporary basis after a full duty is accepted. (see Band C2)
B3 - Overcrowded by 2 bedrooms under the standard adopted by the council
Where a household is two bedrooms short of the bedroom standard as measured by the overcrowding standard adopted by Lewes or Eastbourne Council in this policy
B4 - Severe medical or disability grounds
Where an applicant (or a member of their household) is living in accommodation with a severe, long term, medical conditions (chronic or progressive) or severe disability that means they need to move because their home is assessed as being highly unsuitable and is directly detrimental to the applicants' physical or mental health.
Where an applicant's (or a member of their household) housing is unsuitable because of severe medical reasons or because of their disability. The applicant (or member of their household) is not housebound, but their current housing is exacerbating their health conditions.
See Annex 3 of the Allocations Policy for examples of when a Band B award may be granted.
B5 - Armed Forces
Members of the Armed Forces persons who meet the following criteria:
They are serving in the regular forces and will be discharged within 6 months and have served for 5 years or more, or
They were previously serving in the regular armed forces.
They did not leave the armed forces as a result of a dishonorable discharge, and
They do not own or have a legal interest in any other property.
For this purpose, "the regular forces" and "the reserve forces" have the meanings given by section 374 of the Armed Forces Act 2006.
B6 - Transfer tenants
The Applicant is a Transfer Tenant who needs to move urgently because of harassment or threat of violence or other exceptional circumstances, subject to approval by the Head of Housing Options or equivalent manager.
Ex-tenants returning from institutions e.g. rehabilitation where a commitment has been made in order to secure the relinquishment of a Council or Registered Provider tenancy on entering the institution.
B7 - Compulsory Purchase Order
The Applicant has a home, Lewes or Eastbourne Council has a statutory duty to rehouse them, e.g. Compulsory Purchase Order
B8 - Care Leavers under the care of East Sussex County Council
A young person who has a housing need and is owed leaving care duties East Sussex County Council under Section 23C of the Children's Act 1989; eligible, relevant or former relevant children. These are care leavers aged 16 to 24 who have spent a period of, or periods amounting to, at least 13 weeks in care in England or Wales since their 14th birthday, of which at least one day was since attaining the age of 16
Or care leavers, as defined under Section 23C of the Children's Act 1989, who are under the care of another local authority but have been placed by the authority in Lewes district or Eastbourne Borough Council areas and living there for the last two years.
B9 - Other
Any other exceptional circumstances which would warrant a Band B priority, as authorised by the Head of Housing Options or equivalent manager
Band C
Applicants owed some types of homelessness duties:
People at risk of homelessness who can stay temporarily with family
People living in poor or unsanitary housing
Existing social tenants who qualify under "Right to Move"
Older applicants wanting retirement housing
People needing to move for essential care
People who lack one bedroom
Category of Housing Need
Summary Guide of Criteria
C1 - Homelessness duty
Applicants owed any other homelessness duty by Lewes or Eastbourne Council as set out below:
Applicants where the Section 189(B) Relief duty has been brought to an end by Lewes District Council and an applicant has been assessed at that point as being intentionally homeless (and hasn't been disqualified under the unacceptable behaviour disqualification rule).
Applicants owed the Section 193 C (4) Main duty where the Prevention or Relief duty was ended by Lewes or Eastbourne Council due to their deliberate non-cooperation.
Applicants owed a Relief duty by Lewes or Eastbourne Council under Council Section 189B (2) of the Homelessness Reduction Act (2018)
Applicants owed a Prevention duty by Lewes or Eastbourne Council under Council Section 195 (2) of the Homelessness Reduction Act (2018).
Applicants where the Section 189(B) Relief of homelessness duty has been brought to an end by Lewes or Eastbourne Council and the applicant is determined to be homeless but not in priority need and therefore not owed a Main homeless duty.
Note: Applicants owed a main homeless duty by any other council will not qualify to join the Housing Register.
C2 - Insecurity that risks homelessness
A pregnant applicant or applicant with a child or children who are sharing a home with family who are not part of their household and where:
They have no ownership or tenancy rights, and the arrangement is short term and very insecure and only available whilst the applicant is actively seeking an offer of social housing or alternative accommodation with friends or in the private rented sector, and
They were owed a prevention of homelessness duty as they were assessed as likely to become homeless within 56 days, and that duty has ended because they have been allowed to remain at home whilst they bid for social housing with their Band C priority and it is likely that they can remain for at least a year, an
The family member with the interest in the home has agreed to allow the applicant to remain for at least a year.
Note: Applicants in this category will be boosted to Band B if full housing duty is accepted after 56 days, even if they remain living temporarily with family or friends after the duty is accepted under s.193 of the Housing Act. Their effective date for Band B will be the date that full housing duty is accepted, not the date they were awarded Band C
C3 - Applicants living in unsatisfactory housing
Private sector tenants that Lewes or Eastbourne Council has determined that the property poses a serious category 1 hazard under the Health and Safety fitness rating and the Council's assessing officer is satisfied that the problem cannot be resolved by the landlord within 6 months and as a result continuing to occupy the accommodation will pose a considerable risk to the applicant's health. This includes a property that has severe damp, major structural defects including subsidence, flooding, collapse of roof, or have living conditions which are a statutory nuisance, and there is no prospect of the problems being remedied within a 6-month time period, and the household are not able to resolve their own housing problem by moving to alternative private sector accommodation.
The Applicant resides in unsanitary or unsatisfactory housing conditions that lacks access to either a kitchen, bath/shower room, or inside toilet.
C4 - 'Right to move applicants'
Existing social tenants of accommodation in England whom the council have assessed as qualifying under the Government's Right to Move regulations. Allocation to applicants who qualify for this award is limited to a maximum of 1% of all lettings.
C5 - Older persons without an assessed housing need
Single applicant or couples with no other housing need that would grant them an award of Band A or Band B and the applicant is willing to accept age restricted (50 years +) or retirement housing (60 years +) only and has been assessed as suitable for that type of housing by the council.
C6 - Exceptional hardship and other circumstances
Those who need to move to give or receive care that is substantial and ongoing, where failure to meet that need would cause hardship.
C7 - Care leavers
A young person who has a housing need and is owed leaving care duties under Section 23C of the Children's Act 1989; eligible, relevant or former relevant children. These are care leavers aged 16 to 24 who have spent a period of, or periods amounting to, at least 13 weeks in care in England or Wales since their 14th birthday, of which at least one day was since attaining the age of 16.
C8 - Other exceptional circumstances
Any other exceptional circumstances, not listed above, by approval of the Head of Housing Options
C9 - Lacking one bedroom
Customers who are overcrowded and lacking one bedroom only
Assessing applications
We look at:
Whether you qualify
Your housing need
Any medical evidence you provide
Your bedroom need (using standard rules)
Assessing medical need
Most medical cases will be assessed by a Housing register and Allocations officer. Some more complex cases may be reviewed by an independent medical assessor.
When deciding which Band to award for medical needs, the council will follow the five-stage assessment set out below:
Is the medical/disability issue serious enough for a priority banding to be considered?
is there a direct link between the identified medical problem and the applicant's current housing accommodation/situation; is the applicant's current housing accommodation/circumstances making their medical condition or disability substantially worse, or will make it worse?
the adverse effect this has on the applicant's ability to manage day-to-day tasks in their current home.
whether there is a realistic expectation that the impact on the identified medical condition/disability would be removed, or significantly improved, if a more suitable property was offered
whether to award Band A or B depending on the severity of the impact.
Assessing medroom need
The officer will also confirm how any bedrooms the household is entitled to using the guidelines below;
Size of family
Allocated property size
Single person
Studio / single person home with single bedroom
A couple without children
Studio or 1 bedroom
Two adults of the same sex and generation, for example flat sharers, or two brothers up to the age of 18
1 bedroom
A couple or single parent with one child of any age, including an adult child
2 bedrooms
A couple or single parent with sons or daughters of the same sex regardless of age, until the age of 18.
2 bedrooms
Two adults of opposite sex who do not live as a couple, for example a brother and sister
2 bedrooms
A couple or single parent with two children of the opposite sex and both under 10
2 bedrooms
A couple or single parent with two children of the opposite sex, where one or both are aged 10 or over
3 bedrooms
A couple or single parent with three children
3 bedrooms
A couple or single parent with four children (all of the same sex or two of each sex)
3 bedrooms
A couple or single parent with two children of the opposite sex aged under 10, and one dependent relative (for example, widowed mother)
3 bedrooms
A couple or single parent with four children (three of one sex and one of the opposite sex)
4 bedrooms
A couple or single parent with 5 or more children
4 bedrooms
A couple or single parent, with 6 or more children
5 bedrooms
Allocating properties
Matching proerties to applicants
The council makes every effort to match applicants' preferences as far as is possible given the supply of housing available to it. In selecting properties to allocate and which applicant is most suitable, the council will normally take into account the following factors:
your housing priority band
the date you were registered within that band
the type of property (house, flat, bungalow)
how many bedrooms it has
whether children are allowed to live in the home
any age restrictions
the floor level of the home, or any adaptations
whether you can afford the rent
the areas you have chosen (offers will only be made in the areas you selected on your application)
We may verify your situation before offering a viewing, and might ask for but not limited to:
Proof of identity - original documents are required as photocopies are not accepted; and
Proof of address(es) lived at for the past 5 years for the main and joint applicant; and
Proof of eligibility to receive an offer of accommodation
Proof of any employment income or welfare benefits received (if relevant); and
Any other documentary proof as appropriate and requested at the time
Viewing
Once we have checked your application, we will send you an invitation to view the property. This can be sent by email/phone /text message. You will have one working day to confirm if you can come to the viewing, or if someone else can attend on your behalf.
In the invitation we will give you:
Address of the home
Rent and service charges payable
Number of bedrooms and bedspaces
Who the landlord is
Floor level and whether there is a lift
Type of heating
Adaptations if relevant
Whether pets are allowed
Whether the home is ready to move into straight away (it may still be occupied as the current tenant has given notice, or repairs may still be needed)
That the applicant will need to make a decision at the viewing about whether they will accept the home
If you are unable to attend a viewing, a family member, support worker or other representative can attend on your behalf, and we can provide photos/videos upon request.
If you do not attend a viewing, whether you confirmed you would attend or not, the council will suspend your housing application and contact you to find out why.
Refusing an offer of accommodation
Most applicants will be able to refuse two reasonable offers without impacting on their registration. If you refuse a third reasonable offer, your application will be suspended for 12 months.
A reasonable offers means the property is suitable and appropriate to meet your housing and medical needs and is affordable for you
Homeless applicants will only be made one reasonable offer of accommodation.
If you think that the offer made was unsuitable, you can request a review of the decision. This might happen if, for example, your personal information is not up to date and we offer a property that doesn't meet your medical needs. It is the responsibility of the applicant to keep the details of their application up to date.
Rights of information, review and complaints
Reviewing our Housing Register
Every application will be reviewed once a year by the allocations team. It is the responsibility of the applicant to keep the details of their application up to date.
An application will be cancelled from the Housing Register in the following circumstances:
at the request of an applicant
where an applicant does not respond to an application review, within the specified time set out in any correspondence sent to them
where the Council or Private Registered Provider has housed the applicant
when a tenant completes a mutual exchange
where the applicant moves and does not provide a contact address
where the applicant has died
where, at the housing application or any reassessment, an applicant has not supplied information requested within 28 days
where an applicant already registered becomes ineligible or is disqualified under the rules adopted for this policy
where the applicant buys a property either through the Right to Buy or Right to Acquire or through the open market or inherits a property
Request for a review of a decision under the Allocations Policy
Under the Under the Housing Register & Allocation Decisions (Part 6) legislation an applicant has a legal right to request a review of any of the following decisions reached by the council:
a decision that an applicant is ineligible, or not a qualifying person to join the Housing Register
a decision regarding which band an applicant has been awarded
the priority date granted for the band awarded
to remove an applicant from the Housing Register
any decision about the facts of the case that has been used to assess their application including the decision the council has made regarding who can be included in the application
Service standards
In delivering all services associated with our Allocations Policy, including assessing housing register applications, prioritising applicants, matching and allocating properties, corresponding with applicants, renewing applications and dealing with complaints and reviews, we will:
Treat all of our customers equally and with respect, in accordance with their need and, where possible, their preferences for housing regardless of age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership or gender reassignment
Enable Housing Register applicants to state their preferences about what type of home they would like to live in
Provide free information and advice about applying to the housing register, demands on social housing, as well as realistic housing options
Make sure any information about housing options is easy to find and to understand.
Ensure all allocations of council homes and nominations to Registered Providers are carried out in accordance with the rules set out in this Housing Allocations Policy
Make available: - The Housing Allocations Policy, both in full and as a summary, for download (printed versions can be made available on request)
Legal context
The 1996 Housing Act (as amended by the 2002 Homelessness Act) requires local authorities to make all allocations and nominations in accordance with an Allocation Scheme. A summary of the Allocation Scheme must be published and made available free of charge to any person who asks for a copy.
The Housing Act 1996, requires councils to give 'Reasonable Preference' in their Allocation Schemes to people with high levels of assessed housing need who are defined under the legislation as:
all homeless people as defined in Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996
people who are owed a specific homeless duty under Sections 189B, 190 (2), 193 (2), or 195 of the Housing Act 1996 (or under Sections 65 (2) or 68(2) of the Housing Act 1985)
people occupying insanitary, overcrowded or otherwise unsatisfactory housing
people who need to move on medical or welfare grounds (including grounds relating to a disability)
people who need to move to a particular locality within the district to avoid hardship to themselves or others
The Housing Act 1996 also requires councils to state within their Allocation Scheme their position on offering applicants a choice of housing accommodation or offering them the opportunity to express a preference about the housing accommodation to be allocated to them. Our policy on expressing preference when applying to the register outlined in section 3.3 of the Scheme.
Apply for privately rented accommodation
Once you have found a privately rented property you are interested in on the Homes First Lettings website, you will need to complete the following application form so we can do the necessary affordability checks. Send your completed application form to [email protected] and [email protected]. A separate application is not needed for each property you are interested in if you have already applied.
The Housing Needs Team will assess your circumstances and will contact you in due course to discuss the property.
We have huge demand for social properties and cannot house everyone on our list. We wanted to ensure we are making best use of the housing stock we have. We also wanted to make it simpler to understand how our properties were let and to who
I already have an account on HomesFirstLettings, can I use that one?
If you have an existing HomesfirstLettings account for a homeless application, you can use that count to set up your new housing register application. You will not be able to use the existing account if it was only for a housing register application. Your previous housing register account will be deleted. When you make your new application, you can use the same email address you used before.
I've been on the register for several years, will I lose my registration date?
You will only be given a new registration date if you are placed into a different priority band that the one you were on under the old policy.
Please note that when you first re-apply on-line, the system will initially show you a new registration date. If you are able to keep your old registration date because you have not changed bands, this will be updated automatically once we assess your application.
I don't have internet access. How can I apply?
You have a few options:
Some public libraries have free computers you can use
A family member, friend, or support worker may be able to help
Your letter (sent before the end of March) includes a return slip—send it back if you want us to arrange help
We will also run drop‑in sessions at our offices for people who cannot get help anywhere else
What happens if I don't re‑apply by 31 May 2026?
Your application will be removed from the register and your original registration date will no longer apply.
You can apply again in the future, but you will start as a new applicant with a new registration date.
What if my priority band changes when I re‑apply?
If your priority band changes, you will get a new priority date from the day we make the new assessment.
Exception: If you were previously in Band A* and are moved to Band A, you will keep your original date.
Will I get a new registration number?
Yes. You will receive a new registration number once we assess your new application.
Your priority date might also change.
You will not have to bid anymore—we will match homes to applicants.
I'm in Band A*. How will the changes affect me?
We will look at your case individually.
If nothing has changed in your situation, you will likely be placed in Band A and keep your original date.
If your needs are assessed differently (for example, Band B or C), you will get a new priority date.
Will my medical needs still be considered?
Yes. There are extra questions in the application form about your medical or mobility needs.
Please also upload any supporting evidence, such as medical letters.
I've asked for a review of my banding. What happens now?
Everyone will be reassessed under the new policy after 1 April 2026.
If you requested a review under the old policy, and haven't heard from us by 23 March 2026, then you will need to re-apply. There may be a delay while we complete these assessments.
I recently sent in an application but haven't heard back.
If a decision hasn't been made before 23 March 2026, you will need to reapply after 1 April 2026, and then assessed under the new rules.
Please bear with us—we will be processing a lot of applications.
How will you match properties to people?
We will look at:
your priority band
the date you were awarded that priority banding
your mobility or medical needs
the number of bedrooms you need
your age (for some properties)
the areas you prefer
whether you can afford the rent
We then match the property with the most suitable applicant.
I have rent arrears from a previous tenancy. Can I joint the housing register?
Yes, but you will not be offered a property until you reduce your arrears to below £1,500.
Our household income is over £46,000 per year. Can we apply?
Household who take home £46,000 a year after tax, do not qualify. This is called 'disposable income'
If you are in receipt of UC, this will be included in the calculation, except for any housing element which you have been awarded. Disability benefits are included in the calculation
If more than two people in your household are working, we only count the two highest incomes. This could include the income of an adult child who still lives with you
My current home meets my needs, but I'd like to join the register for social housing. Can I do that?
No. Only people with a housing need can join the register.
Anyone currently on the register with no need will be removed.
I'm worried about losing my home. Will joining the register help?
A housing register application is not the same as a homelessness application. Joining the register will not help with urgent housing problems—waiting can take years.
If you are worried about becoming homeless, please contact our Housing Options and Wellbeing Team via the council website www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk or on the number below
Eastbourne: 01323 410000
Lewes District: 01273 471600
I don't live in Eastbourne or Lewes district. Can I still apply?
Most people without a local connection cannot join.
However, some people are still eligible, including:
victims of domestic abuse
military veterans
care leavers
The full list is in Chapter 2 of the policy.
Does my rural parish connection in Lewes district still count?
Yes. We will check your local connection to:
The whole district
Then your rural parish or town area (Lewes district only)
