Eligibility criteria for joining the housing register

To join the housing register you must meet the following criteria:

local connection: you must have a qualifying local connection to Gateshead
financial threshold: your household must have no more than £25,000 in savings, £50,000 in investments, £50,000 in equity in the property, or a maximum annual income of £50,000

You may not be eligible to join the housing register if:

housing-related debt: you owe rent or other housing-related debt over £3,000 (for singles or childless couples) or £5,500 (for families with children)
antisocial behaviour: someone in your household has committed serious antisocial acts or criminal behaviour

Reasons to move

You might need to apply for social housing if your current home no longer meets your needs - for example, if it is too small, too large or unsafe.

Local connection

You must meet at least one of the following criteria to show a local connection to Gateshead:

residency: you have lived in Gateshead for six of the past twelve months or for three of the past five years
employment: you have a current job contract in Gateshead
education: you are likely to be in education in Gateshead for six months or more
family ties: you have close family (for example parents, siblings, or children) who have lived in Gateshead for at least five years. Other relatives may be considered if there is evidence of a strong relationship
council placement: you have been placed outside of the borough by Gateshead Council
supported accommodation: you have lived in accommodation provided by an agency working with Gateshead Council for at least six months
support needs: you are giving or receiving support that can only be reasonably provided if you live in Gateshead
pre-incarceration/institutionalisation: you met one of the above criteria before being incarcerated or institutionalised
armed forces: you have been discharged from the armed forces

Exceptions to the rules

Exceptions to the rules exist for urgent moves in special circumstances. We examine non-standard cases one by one, using our policy guidelines.

People from abroad and resettlement

To join the housing register, you must qualify for public housing. Check your Home Office documents or visit GOV.UK - Home Office (opens new window).

We need to check if you have the right to live and rent in the UK. We'll ask for evidence during your application.

We follow government rules to help refugees or asylum seekers find housing. We check these rules every year.

Special situations for young people

If you're over 16, you can apply for social housing. However, people under 18 cannot rent alone. Young people owed support under the Children Act might get help from Children's Services. This support comes with a guarantor if you're within six months of turning 18.

You may also be able to get a tenancy with us if you nominate a suitable person as a guarantor.

Armed forces

If you are in the armed forces, have just left them, or are a family member moving out of Ministry of Defence housing, you do not need a local connection to apply.

Who is eligible for which types of housing

If you receive a decision that you are not eligible to join the housing register, or if you disagree with the property types you are eligible to bid for, you have the right to appeal