Council tenancies and transfers
If you live in a council home in Luton and need to move, you can apply to us for a transfer of accommodation.
How we allocate homes
We prioritise applications from tenants:
- whose homes are too large or small for their needs
- who need to move because of ill health or disability
But a shortage of council and housing association homes means we won’t be able to help everybody who applies.
This means you should consider all other housing options available, including the possibility of a mutual exchange with another council or housing association tenant.
Our housing allocations policy tells you more about how housing decisions are made.
Read the housing allocations policy
How to apply for a transfer of accommodation
If you need to move because of an emergency situation then you should contact your housing officer immediately.
All other tenants wishing to apply for a transfer will need to complete a housing register application form.
Please note: that you will be required to provide evidence to support your application – see the 'Before you start' section below.
If you have a medical condition or disability that means your current home is unsuitable for your needs and/or will affect the type of property you need to move to, you’ll also need to complete a housing medical form.
Separate medical forms should be completed for each member of your household suffering with a medical condition or disability that impacts upon their housing need.
When we receive your completed application form we’ll carry out an assessment, including a home visit.
Our decision
We’ll write to let you know where your application sits on the priority list, as well as telling you how to bid for vacant council or housing association homes.
If you’re unhappy about the decision we make, you have the right to ask us to review it.
If you want us to review a decision we have made regarding your application please put your reasons in writing and send to the Allocations team, Luton Council, Town Hall, 4th Floor Extension, Luton, LU1 2BQ within 21 days of your decision letter. This should include why you feel the facts of your case have not been sufficiently taken into account when calculating the priority that has been awarded to your application.
Changes in your circumstances
If your circumstances have changed since you originally applied for a transfer (for example, if somebody has joined or left your household or if your income has changed) you will need to let us know by completing our online housing change of circumstances form.
You will need to provide us with evidence of this change in your circumstances before we can update your application – see 'Before you start', below.
Before you start
Please note that your application cannot be processed unless you provide the following documentary evidence Copies of these documents can be uploaded as you complete your online application.
Please do not send original documents through the post.
For the main applicant and, where applicable, joint applicant:
- passports or driving Licence
- proof of your National Insurance number such as your National Insurance number card,
- payslips or P45/P60, benefit award letters or books
- a passport style photographs with your name on reverse
About children:
- copies of all birth certificates
- Child Benefit notification letter
- CSA maintenance notice, where applicable
About your household’s income - the following are required for all family members, where applicable:
- proof of all state benefits received, including Tax Credits
- confirmation of earnings, where applicable (this can be your last two payslips if you are paid monthly, or last four if weekly/fortnightly; alternatively a copy of the contract of employment)
- evidence of any other income
About your household’s savings and investments - for all family members, where applicable:
- bank/building society statements or passbooks (showing two month’s transactions)
- share certificates
premium bonds - national savings certificates
ISA/PEP/TESSA statements
redundancy notice - solicitors letters regarding proof of inheritance/sale of property
There’s a limited supply of council and housing association homes in Luton and this means that most people who join the register won’t receive an offer of housing. Unfortunately, even those with the greatest need could be waiting several years before being offered a home.
If you already live in a council or housing association home in Luton, you can apply for a transfer or exchange (see above).
Our housing allocations policy, tells you more about how housing decisions are made.
Can I apply for a council or housing association home?
Anyone over the age of 18 is eligible to join the housing register unless:
- you’ve done something in the past that means you may not be a good tenant - for example you’ve committed a serious crime or been found guilty of antisocial behaviour
- you have recently arrived in the UK or your immigration status means you are not eligible to join the housing register
You can get
How do I apply?
In order to apply you need to complete our housing register application form.
You’ll need to provide us with evidence to support your application - see the 'What documents do I need section below'. If you don't provide these documents we won't be able to process your application.
If you have a medical condition or disability that means your current home is unsuitable for your needs and/or will affect the type of property you need to move to, you’ll also need to complete our online housing medical form.
Separate medical forms should be completed for each member of your household suffering with a medical condition or disability that impacts upon their housing need.
Changes in your circumstances
If your circumstances have changed since you originally applied for housing (for example, if somebody has joined or left your household or if your income has changed) you will need to let us know by completing our online housing change of circumstances form.
You will need to provide us with evidence of this change in your circumstances before we can update your application – see 'Before you start' when you open the online form.
Our decision
We’ll write to let you know where your application sits on the priority list, as well as telling you how to bid for vacant council or housing association homes.
If you’re unhappy about the decision we make, you have the right to ask us to review it.
If you want us to review a decision we have made regarding your application please put your reasons in writing and send to:
Review Manager
Housing Solutions team
Luton Council
Town Hall
George Street
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 2BQ
What documents do I need?
Please note that your application cannot be processed unless you provide the following documentary evidence. Copies of these documents can be uploaded as you complete your on-line application.
Please do not send original documents through the post.
For the main applicant and, where applicable, joint applicant:
- passports or driving Licence
- proof of your National Insurance number such as your National Insurance number card,
- payslips or P45/P60, benefit award letters or books
- a passport style photograph with your name on reverse
About children:
- copies of all birth certificates
- Child Benefit notification letter
- CSA maintenance notice, where applicable
About your household’s income - the following are required for all family members, where applicable:
- proof of all state benefits received, including Tax Credits
- confirmation of earnings, where applicable (this can be your last two payslips if you are paid monthly, or last four if weekly/fortnightly; alternatively a copy of the contract of employment)
- evidence of any other income
About your household’s savings and investments - for all family members, where applicable:
- bank/building society statements or passbooks (showing two month’s transactions)
- share certificates
premium bonds - national savings certificates
ISA/PEP/TESSA statements
redundancy notice - solicitors letters regarding proof of inheritance/sale of property
Next steps
If we decide you can join the housing register, we’ll also tell you:
- where you’ll sit on the priority list
- how long you might have to wait for a housing offer
- how to bid for council or housing association home
Ask for a decision review
If you’re unhappy about the decision we make, you have the right to ask us to review it
You can request a review verbally or in writing. A request for a review can be made by another person on your behalf. Send your request to this address:
Review Manager
Housing Solutions team
Luton Council
Town Hall
George Street
Luton
Bedfordshire, LU1 2BQ
To be considered for available council or housing association properties you must be on our housing register, or on our transfer list if you’re already a tenant (see above).
How do I bid for a home?
Once your application has been assessed, we’ll give you login details for our lettings service, Bedfordshire Homefinder. We’ll also tell you which property types you can bid on.
'Bidding' means you register your interest in a vacant property that will meet your household’s needs.
You can only bid on the type of properties of a size that you are eligible for.
We may let you know in writing if there are certain types of properties that you won't be considered for, such as properties with stairs if you have a medical problem that means you need ground floor accommodation.
Properties will be advertised for six days every week (from Thursday to Tuesday). This is known as the ‘bidding cycle’. You can bid for up to three properties in each bidding cycle.
If you don’t bid, we cannot consider you for any properties.
Login to Bedfordshire Homefinder
Property adverts on Homefinder will use both text and symbols to describe available properties.
Read a guide to Homefinder symbols
If you have any questions about bidding, this quick guide should help.
Homefinder bidding quick guide
I don’t have internet access at home
You can find out what properties are available this week by downloading our Homefinder leaflet. This is updated every Monday.
See latest available properties
Bid using the Home Connect app
The Home Connect app makes searching, bidding, and managing your property bids easier than ever. Download the app using the links below. See the app user guide for more information.
Let the system bid for you
If you don't have access to the internet, you can let the system bid for you.
If you genuinely can’t make bids for yourself, there is a way the HomeFinder system can place bids on suitable properties for you.
Speak to our Allocations team on 01582 546646 or call Customer Services Centre on 01582 510370 if you’d find this service useful.
Will I get the home I bid on?
There aren't enough empty properties for us to help everybody on the housing register and transfer list, so placing a bid does not guarantee that you'll be offered the property.
We allocate properties by placing bidders in order of their banding priority. When you place your bid you'll be shown your bid position on the property shortlist.
You can bid on up to three properties in each bidding cycle.
See top tips for successful bidding
Adapted or accessible homes
Very few council or housing association homes are suitable for applicants with disabilities or mobility problems.
This means it's important that these properties are let to households who really need them.
If you need a property of this type we would have awarded your application a ‘MOB’ code under the terms of our accessible housing register when your application was assessed.
Available properties that are suitable for applicants with disabilities or mobility problems will be clearly labelled on the Bedfordshire Homefinder property advert
Bids placed by applicants with 'MOB' codes will be prioritised on the property shortlists.
If you need help using the register or placing bids for available properties, please contact the Allocations team on 01582 546646 or call Customer Services Centre on 01582 510370.
Anyone over the age of 18 can join the housing register unless:
- you're subject to immigration control - this means that you aren't entitled to public funds such as benefits, tax credits and/or housing assistance because of your immigration status
- you or anyone in your household has been found guilty of unacceptable behaviour serious enough to make you or them unsuitable to be a council tenant
There aren’t enough homes for everyone. A limited supply of council housing means the waiting list in Luton is very long. Unfortunately, even those with the greatest need could be waiting several years before being offered a home.
Most people who apply may never even get an offer of a council or housing association home.
Please note that your application cannot be processed unless you provide the following documentary evidence (NB. please do not send original documents through the post):
For the main applicant and, where applicable, joint applicant:
- passports or driving Licence
- proof of your National Insurance number such as your National Insurance number card,
- payslips or P45/P60, benefit award letters or books
- two passport sized photographs with your name on reverse
About children:
- copies of all birth certificates
- Child Benefit notification letter
- CSA maintenance notice, where applicable
About your household’s income - the following are required for all family members, where applicable:
- proof of all state benefits received, including Tax Credits
- confirmation of earnings, where applicable (this can be your last two payslips if you are paid monthly, or last four if weekly/fortnightly; alternatively a copy of the contract of employment)
- evidence of any other income
About your household’s savings and investments - for all family members, where applicable:
- bank/building society statements or passbooks (showing two month’s transactions)
- share certificates
premium bonds - national savings certificates
ISA/PEP/TESSA statements
redundancy notice - solicitors letters regarding proof of inheritance/sale of property
Unacceptable behaviour is where an applicant, or a member of the applicant’s household, has carried out an act that makes them unsuitable to be a tenant of the council or a housing association.
Unacceptable behaviour includes:
- being convicted of using the home for immoral or illegal purposes
- harassment eg racial, sexual, religious etc
- acts of domestic violence
- acts of violence in relation to forced marriages
- persistent, serious antisocial behaviour
- persistent failure to pay the rent or mortgage when it became due
- making a false statement to obtain a tenancy
Please note: this is a list of examples of unacceptable behaviour but does not include ALL types.
Perpetrators of domestic violence, honour crime or hate crime
An applicant will be not be permitted to bid for vacant properties if there is any evidence (not necessarily a conviction) of domestic violence, honour based activity or hate related crimes:
- by the applicant
- by a member of the applicant's household
- at the instruction or direction of the applicant or a member of their household
Supporting evidence will be sought from the police and/or other involved agencies.
How long is this restriction in place?
Applicants will not be permitted to bid on advertised properties for an initial period of two years from the action for unacceptable behaviour.
The applicant may apply to have this suspension lifted after this period, and will be required to provide evidence of improvement in the behaviour, for example successful maintenance of a tenancy.
Violent or aggressive behaviour towards employees of the council or its agents
Where an applicant, or a member of the applicant’s household, is verbally, physically or sexually intimidating or abusive, they will not be permitted to bid on advertised properties for a period of not less than two years from the date of the most recent incident.
This suspension will be reviewed after this period when it will be assessed whether or not the offender has improved their behaviour and no longer presents a threat.
In order for an applicant to be permitted to bid for properties there will have been no further incidences of abusive behaviour.
Contact us
For more housing advice please email: [email protected].