The Council uses a pointing scheme to assess housing applications. In awarding points, certain factors will be taken into account. By law the Council is required to give a reasonable preference on its housing register to the following groups:

• People who are homeless
• People who are overcrowded or live in poor conditions
• People who need to move on medical or welfare grounds
• People who need to move to a particular locality where failure to meet that need will result in hardship

A person can have more than one reasonable preference and if you have no reasonable preference, you will not receive priority pointing. Applications will also be assessed to take into account other factors such as your financial means, your local connection with this area and your past or current behaviour as a tenant, including your history of rent payments. Extra points will also be awarded for some urgent cases that have a reasonable preference for accommodation and these points are called additional preference points.

For more information on the registration, selection and allocation of housing, please go to the applying for housing web page.