How to apply for Lewisham Council social housing

To apply for Lewisham Council social housing, you must join the council’s Housing Register by completing an online application via the FindYourHome portal, meet eligibility criteria, and provide full supporting documentation to verify identity, income, residence, and household composition.

Who can apply for social housing in Lewisham?

You can apply if you are permanent UK resident, over 18, and have a gross annual household income of £50,000 or less. You must also not own property and meet any local connection or vulnerability criteria set in the Housing Allocation Policy.

Lewisham Council defines social housing as accommodation provided by the council or registered housing associations at below-market rents, allocated according to need rather than market forces. Eligibility is governed by the Housing Allocation Policy, which sets clear rules on who may join the Housing Register and how priority is determined.

To qualify, applicants must live in the UK permanently, be aged over 18, and have a gross annual household income of £50,000 or less. Applicants must not own a property or have significant capital that would enable them to secure housing independently. The council also considers whether applicants have a local connection to Lewisham, for example through residence, work, or family ties, though exceptions exist for those with urgent needs such as homelessness or medical vulnerability.

Households forming through partners, children, or dependent adults must include all members in the application. The council assesses the entire household’s income, benefits, and circumstances. Different rules apply for people already registered with specific housing associations (e.g. Clarion, Hexagon, Hyde); these households must contact their provider directly rather than Lewisham Council.

What is the Lewisham Housing Register and how does allocation work?

The Housing Register is Lewisham’s official waiting list for social housing. Eligible applicants are placed on the register and prioritised by need, with allocations made through a “bidding” system where applicants express interest in advertised properties.

Lewisham uses a choice-based letting system called FindYourHome, where properties are advertised weekly and registered households can “bid” for those that match their needs. The council does not allocate properties purely by length of time on the register; instead, priority bands and categories determine who is offered a home first.

The Housing Allocation Policy divides applicants into priority bands based on factors such as homelessness risk, overcrowding, medical needs, and welfare circumstances. Each band has sub-categories reflecting the severity of the situation, for example:

• Homeless households at risk of violence or severe hardship
• Overcrowded families with children in inadequate accommodation
• Households with long-term medical conditions requiring specific property features

Applicants in higher priority bands are invited to bid earlier and are offered properties before those in lower bands. The council may also enable auto-bidding for households whose needs match available properties, reducing the need for manual bidding each week.

Once an applicant is accepted onto the register, they receive a band and category. This determines their position when properties are allocated. The council aims to match households with properties that meet their assessed bedroom need and any medical recommendations. If a household refuses an offer or fails to respond, their priority may be reduced, and they may lose their current band for a period.

How do you start a social housing application with Lewisham Council?

You start by visiting the Lewisham Council website, selecting “Apply for social housing,” and completing the online application form. This form checks your eligibility, collects household details, and allows you to submit your application directly to the Housing Options team.

The primary route is the online application via the FindYourHome system, which integrates with the council’s Housing Register. Applicants access the portal at www.lewishamfindyourhome.org.uk and click “Register Now” to begin. The form asks for personal details, household composition, income, current accommodation, and reasons for needing social housing.

The online system guides users through sections covering:

• Personal details and contact information for all household members
• Current housing situation, including landlord details and tenancy type
• Income and benefits, including wages, pensions, and state support
• Medical needs and any property adaptations required
• Reasons for applying, such as overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, or insecurity

After completing the form, users submit it electronically. The system flags any missing information and prompts users to provide additional details. Once submitted, the application is reviewed by the Housing Options team, who may contact the applicant for clarification or further evidence.lewishamfindyourhome+1

Applicants registered with designated housing associations (Clarion, Hexagon, Housing for Women, Hyde, London & Quadrant, Notting Hill Genesis, Peabody, Phoenix, Regenter B3, Southern Housing, Wandle) must apply through their provider, not Lewisham Council. The council website explicitly states this requirement and directs those households to contact their landlord or housing association directly.

What documents and evidence must you provide?

You must provide identification, National Insurance proof, residence documents, household income evidence, and tenancy details. The council will not consider your application without the required documentation, and photocopies must clearly show all security features.

Lewisham Council requires a comprehensive set of documents to verify identity, residence, income, and family composition. The official Housing Application Checklist lists these requirements and states that applications will not be considered without full documentation.

Identification documents

Applicants must provide one or more of the following:

• UK/EU passport
• UKBA documentation with full security features, including photo and visa showing endorsements that determine the right to apply for housing in the UK
• UK birth certificate
• Marriage certificate

For all household members stated on the application, full birth certificates are required, along with any Child Benefit or Tax Credits letters that confirm parental responsibility.

National Insurance and income proof

Evidence of National Insurance and income must include:

• National Insurance card
• Pay slips for the last six months
• DWP letter confirming income
• Tax credits entitlement letter
• Child benefit entitlement letter

Income evidence must cover all sources, including:

• Disability Living Allowance
• State pension
• Occupational pension
• Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, or Employment & Support Allowance
• Additional pay slips if multiple earners are in the household.

Proof of residence

Applicants must provide two different types of residence documents, chosen from:

• Utility bills (gas, electricity, landline telephone, water; mobile phone bills are not accepted)
• Current council tax bill
• Electoral register confirmation
• DWP letters (e.g. Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment & Support Allowance, Disability Living Allowance)
• HM Revenue & Customs letters (e.g. Tax Credit, Child Benefit, Income Tax)
• Tenancy Agreement
• Bank or Building Society statement
• Confirmation from current employer

These documents must cover the applicant’s current address and confirm that they reside where stated.

Overcrowding and living with family or friends

If applicants are overcrowded in their current accommodation, they must provide the original copy of their current tenancy agreement, which must indicate the number of bedrooms solely available to them and their household. If the tenancy agreement does not state this information, a declaration from the landlord or letting agent on headed paper, including name, address, and telephone number, is required.

For households living with friends or family, the council requires proof that they have lived in this situation for at least 12 months. Evidence must include 12 months of consecutive dated documents, such as correspondence, bills, payslips, or benefit letters, showing continuous residence at the address. Additional proof of address from other people living at the same address is also required, for example:

• Bank statements
• Tenancy agreements
• Licences
• Council tax letters
• Child benefit letters

When photocopying documents, applicants must write down who each person is in relation to them and their ages.

How is your priority band and category determined?

The council assigns a priority band and category based on your housing need, such as homelessness, overcrowding, medical needs, or welfare risks. This determines when you can bid and the likelihood of being offered a property.

Under the Housing Allocation Policy, eligible applicants are placed on the Housing Register and assigned a priority level. The council evaluates current housing conditions, health needs, risk of harm, and family circumstances to determine priority.

Priority bands are determined by comparing applicants against defined criteria, for example:

• Households at risk of homelessness or already homeless
• Families in overcrowded or severely unsanitary accommodation
• Applicants with serious medical conditions requiring adapted or larger properties
• Victims of domestic abuse or violence
• Households with children in education who would benefit from stable housing

Each band contains sub-categories reflecting the severity of the situation. For example, within the overcrowding band, a household with multiple children in a single room may rank higher than a couple in a slightly cramped flat. The council reviews applications individually and may adjust priority if new information emerges, such as a change in health or housing conditions.

Priority affects both the timing of offers and the ability to bid. Higher bands are offered properties first and may receive invitations to bid on a wider range of properties. Lower bands may still bid, but offers are less frequent and depend on available stock and local demand. Periods of non-response or refusal of suitable offers can result in reduced priority or temporary suspension from the register.

What happens after you submit your application?

After submission, the Housing Options team reviews your application, checks your documents, and may request additional evidence. If approved, you are placed on the Housing Register with a priority band, and you can begin bidding for properties via FindYourHome.

The council’s Housing Options team conducts a detailed assessment of each application. They verify the information provided, cross-check documents, and may contact landmarks, employers, or benefit agencies to confirm details. If documentation is incomplete or unclear, the team contacts the applicant to request further evidence or clarification.

Once the application is fully assessed, the council decides whether the applicant is eligible for the Housing Register. If eligible, the applicant is assigned a priority band and category reflecting their housing need. This decision is communicated in writing, often via email or letter, and includes details of the band, category, and any conditions or updates required.

If the application is rejected, the council explains the reasons, such as ineligible income, lack of local connection without sufficient need, or missing documentation. Applicants may appeal the decision or reapply if their circumstances change, for example through reduced income, increased household size, or improved local connection.

Accepted applicants gain access to the FindYourHome website, where they can view advertised properties, bid for suitable homes, and manage their account. The council encourages applicants to keep their information up to date, including contact details, income changes, and household composition, to ensure bids reflect current needs.

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How do you bid for properties and secure an offer?

You bid for properties by logging into FindYourHome, selecting advertised homes that match your needs, and confirming your interest. If you are in a high priority band and your needs align with a property, the council may offer you that home or invite you to bid automatically.

Bidding is the core mechanism for allocating social housing in Lewisham. Properties are advertised weekly on FindYourHome, with details including location, size, rent, and accessibility features. Registered households can view these listings and bid for those that meet their bedroom need and any medical recommendations.

Households must manually check the website each week and place bids for suitable properties. However, the council may enable auto-bidding for some applicants, where the system automatically bids for properties that match their assessed needs. To activate auto-bidding, applicants must email LewishamFindYourHomeApplications@lewisham.gov.uk or call 0808 178 0939.

When a property is offered, the council contacts the highest priority bidder whose needs match the property. The applicant is invited to view the property and, if acceptable, receive a formal offer. If the applicant refuses the offer or fails to respond within the specified timeframe, their priority may be reduced, and they may lose their current band for a period.

Securing an offer depends on priority band, bedroom need, and property availability. Higher priority households have a greater chance of receiving offers, especially for properties in high-demand areas. The council aims to match households with property types that meet their needs, for example:

• Larger flats or houses for families with multiple children
• Ground-floor or adapted properties for applicants with mobility issues
• Smaller units for single adults or couples without children

What should you do if your circumstances change?

You must update your FindYourHome account and contact the Housing Options team immediately if your income, household size, health, or housing situation changes. Failure to report changes can affect your priority band and lead to incorrect property offers.

The Housing Allocation Policy requires applicants to keep their information accurate and up to date. Changes such as a new partner, birth of a child, loss of income, or improvement in health can alter priority band and category. The council treats non-reporting as a breach of the policy and may reduce or suspend priority until corrections are made.

To update your application:

• Log into your FindYourHome account and edit household details, income, or medical needs
• Email or call the Housing Options team to confirm significant changes, such as new dependents or homelessness risk
• Provide updated documents, such as new birth certificates, benefit letters, or tenancy agreements, if required

The council may reassess your priority band after a change is reported. For example, a household that becomes overcrowded after a new child may move to a higher priority category. Similarly, a reduction in income may affect eligibility thresholds or increase priority in certain bands.

If you are registered with a housing association, you must report changes to that provider, not Lewisham Council. The council website explicitly states that households affiliated with Clarion, Hexagon, Housing for Women, Hyde, London & Quadrant, Notting Hill Genesis, Peabody, Phoenix, Regenter B3, Southern Housing, or Wandle must contact their provider for updates.

How long does it take to get social housing in Lewisham?

There is no fixed timescale. Wait times vary by priority band, household type, and property availability. Some households receive offers within months, while others wait years, especially in lower priority bands or for specific property types.

The council does not guarantee a specific waiting period. Allocation depends on the interaction of priority band, bedroom need, and local stock. High priority households with urgent needs, such as homelessness or severe overcrowding, may receive offers quickly, particularly for smaller units or properties in less demanded areas. Lower priority households may wait significantly longer, especially if they require larger properties or properties with specific adaptations.

Demand in Lewisham is high, and the number of registered households exceeds available social housing stock. This means some applicants remain on the register for extended periods. The council encourages regular bidding, updating of information, and openness to different locations or property types to improve chances of an offer. Auto-bidding can also increase the likelihood of receiving offers by ensuring bids are placed for all suitable properties.

Applicants can monitor their position on the register by reviewing their FindYourHome account and noting the properties they have bid for and any responses. The council may provide feedback on band status and reasons for delays, though specific timelines are not provided. Households should remain proactive, bid consistently, and respond promptly to offers or viewings to maintain their priority and avoid suspension.