If you would like to rent a council or housing association property in the London Borough of Hounslow, you will need to apply to our housing register. Once registered, you can bid for advertised properties that you may be eligible for.
In general, demand for affordable homes in the borough far exceeds the number of properties available. Social housing is not the right option for everyone. Many people face a long wait for social housing and people with lower housing need may not be re-housed at all.
You can find out more about the full range of housing options available to you on the your housing options pages.
What is Locata?
Locata is a lettings scheme, which allows you to apply for vacant council and social landlord properties not just in Hounslow, but also in neighboring boroughs that are part of the Locata scheme.
For more information about using Locata, please visit the how does it work web page.
Who can apply?
Local councils can only provide housing for people who are eligible. Most people who are living in the UK permanently are eligible, but there are some exceptions.
Being eligible for council housing doesn't mean that you are guaranteed to be offered a place. It means that you are entitled to be considered for a home.
How do I apply?
To join Locata you must first complete our Housing application form.
When you are registered onto Locata, you will be sent a reference number, informed of your level of assessed housing need, and placed in one of four priority bands.
People in band A will be those with the highest urgent housing need and those in band D the lowest level of need.
If you are within band D, you are unlikely to receive an offer of a property and will only be offered accommodation, if no expressions of interest is received from people in bands A-C.
Your priority for housing within your band will depend on the date you joined that priority band.
What happens if I move address or my circumstances changes?
If you move address you will need to complete a new 'Housing application form.
If you wish to add or remove a person from your application form, you will need to complete and return a change of circumstances form. You must return this form and supporting documents to the Civic Centre, in person. Further guidance on completing and returning your form can be found on this page.
Your application will be re-assessed according to your new housing circumstances and this may result in your priority band and date changing. If so, this will be confirmed to you in writing.
What happens if I’m already a council tenant and want to move?
If you are a Hounslow council tenant and you want to apply for a transfer you should contact your local housing officer.
Can I be on more than one housing register?
Applicants can register on any number of housing registers across the country, but it should be remembered that councils can give priority to local residents over people applying from outside their area.
You can only register on Locata once. If you are a tenant of one of the partner councils or housing associations you are likely to be more successful if you apply for a transfer with them. If you are a homeseeker you may be more successful if you apply to the council where you currently live as you are prioritised as a local resident.
Can I make an appeal against a decision?
You can ask us to review a decision we have made about:
your eligibility to join the register
the priority band you have been allocated to
removing your name from the register
If you are a new applicant and you think the decision is wrong you can contact the housing register team on:
Telephone: 020 8583 4422
Fax: 020 8583 3825
Complete our online Housing enquiry eform
If you are an existing tenant and you would like to appeal a decision you can write to Hounslow Homes at:
Complaints Team
Langdale Centre
240 Summerwood Road
Isleworth
TW7 7QN
Telephone: 0208 583 3737
Fax: 020 8583 4336
Minicom: 0800 389 9821
E-mail: complaints.team@hounslowhomes.org.uk
Subscribing to the Locata freesheet
For a small subscription fee, a printer version of your personalised Freesheet can be posted directly to you for 6 months. It costs £19 to receive the print-out via first class post, or £14.50 to receive it second class post. Please make your cheque or postal order payable to 'Locata (Housing Services) Ltd' and send, together with your LIN number and mailing address to: Locata, PO Box 294, Ruislip, HA4 8WX. Please notify Locata of any change to the mailing address. Please note all subscription fees are non-refundable.
You can view the latest Locata Home magazine online and you can view a more personalised version of the freesheet when you log in to the Locata website using your LIN number.