Can You Get A Council House If You Own A Property?

The rules the main eligibility criteria for getting on the housing register are set by the Government, how soon you can get a council property varies slightly from council to council. If you are looking to get or rent a council house if you own a property, this article will help you on this.

If you own a property you are often excluded from the housing register for a council property, but there are exceptions and you can join if you need shelter, you can’t live in your property following a relationship breakdown of if the accommodation is overcrowded and conditions cannot be improved.

You may also want to read this article about tricks to get a council house quicker. Included in this article is a list of those people who will be on a priority list too.

Rules to get a council house if you own a property

If you own a property but you are still homeless, you may be eligible for a council property. Just because you own a property, doesn’t mean you cannot also be homeless and the following housing circumstances are examples of homelessness:

1. Being evicted: If you live in insecure housing and you’re threatened with severe exclusion as a result of being evicted from your property, you may get on the housing register for social housing.
2. Domestic violence: If you live in insecure housing and you’re threatened with severe exclusion due to domestic violence, you may get on the housing register for social housing..
3. Sofa surfing with family or friends: If you live in insecure housing and you’re threatened with severe exclusion because you are staying with family and friends, which is known as ‘sofa surfing’ you may get on the housing register for social housing. You may be living with family or friends as a result of being evicted from your property or because you’ve been the subject of domestic violence.
4. Unfit for living: If the house you own is unfit for living you may be eligible for a council property.
5. Overcrowding: If the property you own is overcrowded and the situation cannot be improved you may be eligible for a council property. For example, if you own a flat and need a bigger place due to over crowding but you cannot afford to move, your local council may agree to find you a bigger council property for you and your family.
6. Medical needs: If you need a council house due to medical needs and the property you own doesn’t support your needs, you may get on the housing register for social housing. If your house is worsening your medical condition, you are more likely to be a higher priority on the housing list.
7. Being repossessed: If you own a property, but your property is being repossessed by the bank, it will soon not be your property and you’ll be facing eviction and homelessness or worse still rooflessness.
8. Divorce and relationship breakdown: You may own a property with your partner, but the relationship has broken down or you may be getting a divorce. Following the breakdown of the relationship one or other of you may have to leave the property and be homeless of roofless, which are reasons for getting a council house.

What is the difference between rooflessness and houselessness?

If you are rooflessness it means you are living without a shelter of any kind and are probably sleeping rough vs houselessness, which is where you have a place to sleep but it’s temporary, or in an institution or it’s a shelter.

Can you become roofless if you own a property?

It’s possible to be roofless if you own a property, which can happen if you’ve been forced to leave the property for valid reasons. Valid reasons that could make you roofless might include fleeing from domestic violence or abuse, running away from hate crime or following a relationship breakdown.

You are more likely to be roofless if you’ve had to flee from a property you own and you have nowhere to go other than to sleep rough and live on the street.

Can you become houseless if you own a property?

It’s possible to be houseless if you own a property but you’ve been forced to leave the property for valid reasons. Valid reasons that can make you houseless include fleeing from domestic violence or abuse, running away from hate crime or following a relationship breakdown.

You are more likely to be houseless if you’ve had to flee from a property you own and you are now living with family or friends sofa surfing.

To get a council house if you own a property you must declare it

When you apply for a council house and you own a property, you must declare the property you own to your local council. Owning a property doesn’t disqualify you from getting a council house, but it will be taken into account in their decision to offer you social housing.

Can you apply for a council house if you have a mortgage?

If you have a mortgage you may be excluded from the housing register for a council property, but there are exceptions and you can join if you need shelter, you can’t live in your property following a relationship breakdown of if the accommodation is overcrowded and conditions cannot be improved.

Final thoughts on can you get a council house if you own a property

If you own a property but need a council house and if you are unsure about whether you are eligible to get on the social housing register, speak to your local authority. But be aware that people who have deliberately worsened their circumstances will not be eligible for council housing.

Your local council will have its own rules on who can apply and who has priority for a council house, which is called an ‘allocation scheme’, and this will include people who own their own home. Check on GOV.UK to find out how it works in your area here: Check your council’s website by entering a postcode.

You can also contact your nearest Citizens Advice for help with getting a council house if you own a property too. The other organisation that offers help in this situation is Shelter, so take a look at this article about help with council housing.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this article about can you get a council house if you own a property

If you’ve enjoyed this article about “can you get a council house if you own a property” please share it on your favourite social media site.

Also, if you have any questions, please feel free to comment below too. Please also share any of your experiences with properties you’ve bought. Alternatively, if you need more help, please feel free to contact us on our contact us page here. Or join the discussion and ask your question in the property forum.