How to apply for a council home
We aim to let our homes to those people in the most need.
Our policy aims to be fair and simple to understand. All members of
the community can apply.
How to apply
You have to complete an application form:
If you wish to apply for sheltered housing, please complete a
Sheltered Housing Application form.
Alternatively both forms can be requested by calling
Customer Services on 01695 577177
- Please answer all the questions, if you don't we'll have to
return the form to you.
- Please provide us with supporting information - like letters
from social workers, health visitors, GPs or other people - we will
use this to assess your level of housing need.
- You must attach a reference when you send your form in. This
must be from a current or previous landlord or an employer if you
have never rented a property before. The reference must say you are
suitable to be a tenant and comment on your previous behaviour as a
tenant (if the reference is from a landlord).
- Once you have answered all the questions you should send it to
the Housing Options Team, PO Box 16, 52 Derby Street, Ormskirk, L39
2DF. We aim to process all applications within 10 days, after which
you'll receive a letter advising you of the status of your
application. If you've sent us supporting documentation - like
medical evidence - this will be assessed separately and will take a
little longer.
- If you want help to fill out the form, please ask contact the
Housing Options team on 01695 585 271.
- Download the guide to how we
allocate housing
- Visit the new choice based lettings page to see how
we plan to allocate our properties
What happens next?
We will then assess your application and place it in a band.
We use a banding system instead of awarding points. There are
four bands, A,B,C and D. Each is made up of a set of conditions. If
your circumstances meet at least one of a band's conditions that is
the band we will put your application in.
When homes become available, we offer them to the person in the
highest band.
What do I do if I'm in a low band?
We will give you advice on other housing agencies you can apply
to, please call the Housing Options team on 01695 585 271.
If you think the band you have been placed in is wrong, you can
ask the Service Manager for Voids and Allocations to review your
application. You should make your appeal in writing within 21 days
of receiving the decision, read the Guide to Housing Allocations
for more information on our appeals procedure.
If your circumstances worsen through no fault of your own, tell
us and we will re-assess your application, please contact the
Housing Options team on 01695 585 271.
Documents and application forms
Have your say!
We will soon be changing the way we allocate our empty homes. To
find out more and have your say on the changes, visit our Choice Based
Lettings page.
Contact us
For more information about council housing applications contact
Housing Options on 01695 585 271 or email housingoptions@westlancs.gov.uk.
Related information