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Luton Borough Council

Viewing and signing up for a council tenancy

On this page you’ll find out what happens if your bid for a property is successful, and what to bring to your viewing and sign up meeting.

On this page...


Find out what happens if your bid for a property is successful, and what to bring to your viewing and sign up meeting.

After you've applied to be on the housing register, you’ll need to bid on properties.

More on how to bid for properties

What happens if my bid is successful?

If you're successful, we'll contact you to arrange the viewing and sign up meeting for your new home - the meeting will take place at the property.

If you're being offered a joint tenancy, both of the people named in the offer need to attend the viewing/sign up appointment.

The appointment generally takes an hour. If you can’t make it, you’ll need to let the tenancy officer know as soon as possible or you could lose the property. You’ll need to bring photo ID and be able to pay the first period rent at or before the viewing. 

It's important to know that long-term council properties are unfurnished, so if you're viewing a property which someone is currently living in, the furniture will be removed before you move in.

  • be asked to sign the tenancy agreement for your new home
  • be given the keys once you have paid the first weeks rent

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New housing related benefit claim

If you have not claimed housing related benefits before you will be required to make an application online.

You'll need to make a note of the reference number and you must bring this to your sign up appointment.

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Changing circumstances

If you already live in Luton and claim housing related benefits, you do not need to make a new application but you will need to complete a change of circumstances form.

If you're unable to complete the form online, speak to your income officer on 01582 546620 for further advice.

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What happens at the appointment?

If you're being offered a joint tenancy, both of the people named in the offer need to attend the viewing/sign up appointment.

If you apply for housing related benefits because you're on low income, you may still have to pay some rent at your sign up appointment. You can find out how much you might have to pay on the Turn2us website.

Turn2us have a calculator that will estimate how much you’ll have to pay until the DWP confirms your claim. Follow this link to the Turn2us website.

At the appointment you’ll sign your tenancy agreement, which is a legal document. Signing it means you agree to the terms of the tenancy and you will have entered into a legal contract with us.

You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions on the day, so we recommend you read the agreement before the appointment and bring any questions with you. You’ll find a copy of the tenancy agreement at the bottom of this page.

You may find it helpful to read the page n our website which explains your tenancy agreement; this provides a summary for the different sections of the tenancy agreement.

Read 'your tenancy agreement explained'

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© 2024 Luton Council, Town Hall, Luton LU1 2BQ