Frequently Asked Questions

You will need to register an online application form via this website. If you cannot apply online contact the Council you would like to apply to, and they will be able to help. The Help page will tell you how to complete an application.

I have forgotten my login reference

The Help page will tell you how to retrieve your login reference.

I have forgotten my password

The Help page will tell you how to reset your password.

How to upload your supporting documents

The Help page will tell you how to upload your supporting documents.

What documents do I need to provide

Uploading Your Documents

You must upload your documents within 28 days or your application will be closed.

What you need to provide

Proof of eligibility - If you are not a British Citizen, you must show you have recourse to public funds (e.g. passport with visa, Home Office documents, residence card). Copies are accepted.

Proof of address - Examples include: council tax bill, utility bill, bank statement, NHS letter, tenancy agreement, benefit award letter, insurance letter, or a valid driving licence with your current address.
Documents must be dated within the last 2 months. Copies are accepted.

Proof of child benefit - If you have dependent children, provide evidence of Child Benefit.
If you do not receive Child Benefit, you can upload the child element of your Universal Credit award.

Proof of local connection - You must show one of the following:

Lived in the area for 12 months – proof of current address
Lived in the area for 3 of the last 5 years – past documents, old bills, tenancy agreements
Close family (parent, sibling, grandparent, adult child) who have lived in the area for 5 years
Paid employment in the area for 16+ hours per week for at least 12 months – contract, employer letter, or accountant statement for self‑employment

Winchester applicants: You must also provide evidence of your current housing situation (e.g. living with family, private rent, etc.).

What happens if I do not provide the required documents

If you do not provide requested information within 28 days your application will be closed.

How do I know if I have been accepted onto the Housing Register

If your application is accepted, you will receive a letter confirming:

Your band
Your priority date
The size of property you are eligible for

Can you refuse to accept me onto the Hampshire Home Choice Housing Register

Who Cannot Join the Housing Register?

Some people are not eligible by law. This includes:

People who are subject to Immigration Control under the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996
People from abroad who are not subject to immigration control but who are not habitually resident in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Republic of Ireland

Who Qualifies?

You will normally be a qualifying person if you:

Are in housing need, and
Have a single or joint income below £60,000 (or £55,000 for Eastleigh), and
Have assets/savings under £16,000, and
Have a local connection with one of the participating councils

There are some exceptions. For more information, please contact one of the participating councils.

What is a local connection to qualify for Hampshire Home Choice

A local connection is met through residency, previous residency, employment or close family resident in one of the participating Council areas.

a. Residency Qualification

Have been resident in the HHC sub-region for 12 continuous months at the time of application or
have lived in the HHC sub-region for 3 out of previous 5 years or
Have close family (mother, father, brother or sister, adult children, grandparents) who have been resident for 5 continuous years and continue to be resident in the HHC sub-region.

b. Employment

An applicant may be a qualifying person if he/she or his/her partner is in employment which meets all of the following criteria:

The office or business establishment at which a person is based or from where their work is managed is within the HHC sub-region and
Is in paid employment and
Works a minimum of 16 hours per week and
Has been employed for a minimum of 12 continuous months at the time of their application and is currently in employment and
Has a permanent or fixed term contract or is self-employed.

If an applicant or their partner is self-employed further information may be required including but not limited to evidence that they are registered with HMRC for tax and National Insurance payments, tax returns, payslips, accounts, etc.

An application can only be registered with one local authority; usually the local authority where the local connection criterion is met. If an applicant has a local connection to more than one local authority area within the HHC sub-region their application will reflect this.

What is a local connection for a village/parish vacancy

Some properties are restricted to applicants who can demonstrate a local connection to a specific village/parish in which the property is built. A village/parish local connection is defined as follows:

Ordinarily resident in the village/parish.
Previously ordinarily resident in the village/parish prior to the date of allocation and has family who ordinarily reside there.
Employment - current or to take up permanent employment in the village/parish.
To support or be supported by member of family ordinarily resident in the village/parish.

Can you suspend my application

Your application will be suspended until you have provide any information we have requested.

It may also be suspended if:

You deliberately worsen your housing circumstances
A household member has shown unacceptable behaviour
You and or your partner have former rent arrears
You or your partner owe money to a council or Registered Provider
You refuse two suitable offers of accommodation within 6 months.

How are applications prioritised

All applications are placed into one of four bands based on housing need. Priority within each band is decided by the date you were awarded that band, the earlier the date, the higher your priority.

What do I do if my circumstances change

It is very important that you tell us about any changes in your circumstances. Click here to login and update your application.

We will let you know if the change affects your banding:

If you move up a band, your priority date will be the date you moved into that band.
If you move down a band, your priority date stays the same.

In some cases, you may no longer qualify to remain on the Housing Register. If this happens, your application will be cancelled.

We will write to you with the reason for cancellation. If you are unhappy with the decision, you can request a review.

Do I need to renew my application each year

Yes. Your application must be renewed once a year, usually on the anniversary of your original application.

What if someone in my household has a health or welfare condition

If someone in your household has a health or welfare condition, you will be asked to provide details. These may be assessed by the Council’s Medical Panel. You may first be offered housing options or advice to help resolve any issues you are experiencing.

How do you decide who is offered a property

After the bidding closes, a shortlist of all interested applicants is created.

The shortlist is ordered by:

Highest band, then
Earliest priority date

The applicant at the top of the shortlist who meets all advert and preference criteria will normally be offered the property.

If I successfully bid for a property, can the landlord refuse to offer me the property

You may be skipped ofr a property if:

You do not meet the advert or preference criteria
You are a council or housing association tenant and legal action has been taken for breaching your tenancy
You owe rent or have other housing‑related debts to a social landlord
You have enough resources to meet your own housing needs
You have not provided the required documents
Your circumstances have changed and your priority has reduced
You have given incorrect or misleading information that affected your priority banding

If you are expecting a baby but have no other children, you will not be assessed as needing an extra bedroom until the baby is born and you provide the birth certificate. If you bid successfully for a 1‑bedroom property during this time, it is up to the landlord to decide whether to offer it to you.

You must contact the council dealing with your application within 21 days of being notified of the decision.
You can send additional information in writing for the council to consider.
You will normally receive the review outcome within 56 days.
You cannot request a second review of the same decision.