Apply to join the Housing Register

There is a lot of demand for social housing in Adur and Worthing.

You must join the Housing Register to be able to bid (or apply) for social housing properties in Adur and Worthing.

Joining does not guarantee you will get a property, because there are not enough available homes. Most people will have to wait several years before being offered a social housing property.

For urgent housing help

Joining the housing register will not resolve urgent housing problems such as being at risk of homelessness or at risk of violence at home. If you need urgent housing help, see:

Help if you're homeless, or at risk of losing your home

Who can apply to join the Housing Register

To apply to join the Housing Register, you must be:

over the age of 16
a British citizen or have an immigration status that permits an allocation of social housing

At least one of the following must apply:

you currently live in Adur or Worthing, and have done so for at least the last two years continuously
you are employed in Adur or Worthing, and have been for at least two years continuously
you are current or former members of the Armed Forces
you have a local connection and need to move to the area to give or receive support
you are current tenants of Adur District Council, or of Registered Providers in Adur District Council or Worthing Borough Council who have an identified housing need, including downsizing
you are currently living outside of Adur or Worthing on a temporary basis or other exceptional circumstances
you are a care leaver under West Sussex County Council and young people engaged with and supported by the House Project through West Sussex County Council

You will not qualify to join the Housing Register if any of the following applies:

you have a household income of £50,000 gross per year or more
you have savings or capital that you could use to find somewhere suitable to live
you own or have an interest in a property in the UK or abroad which would meet your needs, or you could sell to help
your housing needs are being looked after by another local authority under a homeless duty and you have no other connection to the area

The full qualification criteria can be found in the policies:

If you do not meet the criteria, you won't be able to join the housing register for social housing in Adur or Worthing. You may be able to find private rented accommodation instead:

Finding private rented accommodation

How to apply to join the Housing Register

You will need to provide:

your National Insurance number
an email address (to complete the application)

You will also need to provide copies of the following:

proof of identification for yourself and any other person included on the application (passport or birth certificate only)
marriage or divorce certificates
proof of income, benefits and any savings held
documents confirming the current living situation (eg tenancy agreement, notice to leave accommodation, court papers, letters from mortgage lender or landlord)
details of any relevant medical conditions that highlight the potential amendments needed to any housing need

Adur and Worthing have separate housing registers, and you need to apply to the area that matches your circumstances. If you need to check which council to apply to, you can find out here:

Find your local council - on the GOV.UK website

Make an application:

Apply now - Housing Register Self Assessment (online eform)

If you don't have an email address and need help setting up an account or using a computer, you can get help to complete the application form from the Housing Team. They are based in Worthing Town Hall, Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm. You can also contact the council using the details at the bottom of the page.

There are also public computers and free Wi-Fi available at your local library.

What happens next?

The council will assess your application and email you with the decision.

If you are successful, you will be given a priority band based on your circumstances and level of need, in line with the council's allocations policy.

There are four bands, A to D, with Band A indicating those who have the highest levels of housing need and have the highest priority for housing. Applicants in Band D have the lowest priority for housing.

If your application is successful, you can then bid for properties that meet your needs:

Bidding for social housing property (choice-based lettings)

How long will I have to wait on the Housing Register?

There is very high demand for property in Adur and Worthing. Most people will have to wait several years before being offered a social housing property.

The length of time will depend on your band, the type of property you need and the area where you want to live. If you need a specific type of accommodation, you may have to wait longer than someone who is able to live in any type of accommodation or area.

Change of circumstances (after applying to join the Housing Register)

If you have already applied to join the Housing Register and want to make a change to your details, you need to complete the 'change of circumstances' form so you can be reassessed. You may need to provide supporting documentation, for example, a copy of a birth certificate if you've recently had a child.

Existing social housing tenants who want to move to another property

If you are already a social housing tenant and your current home is not suitable, you can find out about your options to move home:

Move home or swap homes with another tenant (mutual exchange)

Got a problem registering or a query about how to apply? Please contact the Housing Accommodation Team: housing-accommodation@adur-worthing.gov.uk

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