The Housing Act 1996 requires the Council to keep a housing register from which offers of secure housing will be made. The Council is required to give "reasonable preference" when allocating housing to the following:
- People occupying unsanitary or overcrowded housing or otherwise living in unsatisfactory housing conditions.
- People occupying housing accommodation which is temporary or occupied on insecure terms.
- Families with dependent children.
- Households consisting of or including someone who is expecting a child.
- Households consisting of or including someone with a particular need for settled accommodation on medical or welfare grounds.
- Households whose social or economic circumstances are such that they have difficulty in securing settled accommodation.
- People to whom the local authority owe a duty under the Part VII Housing Act 1996 or Part III Housing Act 1985 legislation.
It also requires that additional preference be given to households insisting of someone with a particular need for settled accommodation on medical or welfare grounds, who cannot reasonably be expected to find settled accommodation for themselves in the foreseeable future.
There are always more applicants on the Council’s Housing Register than homes available. Hounslow Council is promoting choice for housing applicants, through a new scheme called Locata. This means that housing applicants can choose to bid for a property they want, rather than wait for the Council to allocate a property to them. Whether you get the property you apply for will depend on your current circumstances, and the date on which you applied for housing. Feedback on the number of bids properties receive and the priority band of the successful bidder is provided in the free edition of the ‘Locata Home’ newspaper, which is available every two weeks from the Council.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Locata run?
Hounslow is working with Brent, Ealing, Harrow and Hillingdon Councils, and with 3 Housing Associations to provide Locata. The scheme was launched in June 2002. Applicants are placed in a band, and can then bid for properties in their bedsize category. All the available properties are advertised in a special Locata Home newspaper, which is produced every two weeks. For more information on this, visit the locata web site (see address in Further Information).
back to top
Who Can Apply?
Connections with the Area
The Council's main responsibility is towards applicants who currently live or work in the area. Applicants living in the area will normally be offered accommodation before those who do not. Your application will also be considered if you work in the area, used to live in the area, or if you have close relatives who currently live here. If you do not have any connection with this area, you may still register but it is not likely that an offer of housing will be made, you may, however, be able to move to this area through the Exchange Scheme, or through the National Mobility Scheme.
Owner-occupiers
Owner-occupiers who wish to put their name on the housing register can do so but are advised to state very clearly why they feel they need Council housing. If you own your home you are only likely to be offered housing if you are faced with severe financial or medical difficulties, and cannot resolve your housing problem in any other way.
Age
People over 18 years may apply for Council accommodation. However, people between 16 and 18 years may be considered for Council accommodation, and we will normally ask that they have the agreement of a responsible adult or agency to act as a guarantor.
back to top
How do I apply?
To join Locata you must contact the Council. You are automatically a member of Locata if you are a tenant of one of the partner councils or Housing Associations and have registered for a transfer, or if you are a home seeker, including homeless people and others on the Housing Register of one of the partner councils.
back to top
Can I apply for Locata / Go on the Housing Register if I have no fixed abode
No, we can only accept you as an applicant if you have an address where we can assess your circumstances. If you are homeless, our Homeless Persons Unit and Housing Advice Services will help you find accommodation.
back to top
I have applied for asylum; can I use Locata or be put on the Housing Register?
You cannot apply for Locata if your immigration status is undecided.
back to top
How do I know if I can use Locata?
You are automatically a member of Locata if you are a Hounslow Council tenant and have registered for a transfer, or if you are a housing applicant, including homeless people and others on the Housing Register. Once you have registered you are sent your personalised LIN (Locata Identification Number) number and band priority and can start bidding.
back to top
What happens if I’m not on the Register?
If you are not already on Hounslow’s Housing Register and want to apply, contact the Rehousing Unit on 020 8583 3815. If you are a Hounslow Council tenant and you want to apply for a transfer call your local Housing Officer.
back to top
Can I be on more than one Housing Register
New legislation states that councils must operate open waiting lists, so 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 advised to apply for a transfer with them. If you are a homeseeker it is usually better to apply to the council where you currently live so that you are prioritised as a local resident.
back to top
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 Options Team on:
Telephone: 020 8583 3816
Fax: 020 8583 3818
Fax: 020 8583 3818
If you are an existing tenant and you would like to appeal a decision you write to Hounslow Homes at:
Complaints Team,
Call Centre
Ashmead Road,
Feltham
Middlesex,
TW14 9NN
Call Centre
Ashmead Road,
Feltham
Middlesex,
TW14 9NN
Telephone: 0208 583 3737
Fax: 020 8583 4336
Minicom: 0800 389 9821
E-mail: complaints.team@hounslowhomes.org.uk
Fax: 020 8583 4336
Minicom: 0800 389 9821
E-mail: complaints.team@hounslowhomes.org.uk
back to top
What happens if I’m offered a property?
If you are offered a property:- checks will be made to ensure that your circumstances haven't changed e.g. that no rent or other debt is owed;- you are expected to make a decision as soon as possible- once the start date of the tenancy has been confirmed, occupation must be taken by all persons who initially applied. Failure to do so will result in legal action being raised to recover the property.You are expected to occupy your house as your main and permanent home. If you need to go away from your home for a long period please let us know. If you are not living at your home and you have not informed us the Council may begin legal action to evict you.
Further Information
Locata has its own website, and you can click on the link below for more information about the scheme.
Website: www.locata.org.uk
Telephone: 020 8583 3815
Fax 020 8583 3818
Fax 020 8583 3818