Challenge the council’s decision about your housing application

If you think the council got their decision wrong about your social housing application, you should challenge it by asking for a review.

For example, you could ask for a review if:

• the council says you can’t be put on their waiting list for social housing

• you think you should be given a higher priority for social housing

If you can show that the council was wrong, they could change their decision.

The council should have sent you a letter or email showing their decision about your housing application. Check the deadline in your decision letter to find out when you’ll need to ask for a review by.

If you don’t understand the council’s decision or need help asking them to review it, talk to an adviser. Make sure you bring any letters the council has sent you about your housing application.

Check your council's allocation scheme

Your local council will have its own rules on who can apply and who has priority for homes - this is called an ‘allocation scheme’.

It’s important to check the rules to make sure the council got their decision wrong before you ask for a review - you can usually find them on your council’s website.

If you can’t find the rules, email the council and ask them to send you the link.

Find your local council’s website on GOV.UK - you’ll need to know your postcode.

Asking for a review

You might need to write a letter or email to your council to ask for a review - sometimes you’ll need to go to an interview.

Check the rules on their website to find out what you need to do - email them to ask if you can’t find the information online.

If you need to write a letter or email, give as much detail as possible about why you think the council should change their decision.

It’s best to have evidence to support your request for a review. This could be a letter from a doctor or support worker. Some councils need you to send evidence with your letter - others will ask you to come for an interview and bring evidence with you.

If the council says they won’t put you on their waiting list

It’s important to check your council’s allocation scheme to make sure you qualify to go on their waiting list before you ask for a review. If you don’t qualify, the council won’t add you unless your circumstances change.

You’ll need to explain why you think you should be added to the council’s waiting list. If anything has changed since your application, mention anything new that would make you more likely to get on the list.

What you'll need to put in your letter or explain at the interview will depend on why you're asking for a review.

If you think you should be put in a higher priority band or given more points

When the council adds you to the waiting list you’ll usually be given points or a priority band. The points or band you’re given depends on how urgently the council thinks you need housing.

It’s important to check your council’s allocation scheme to check if you were given the right priority before you ask for a review.

If you think you haven’t been given enough points or you’ve been put in the wrong housing band, you should explain why in your letter.

If you're sending a letter to ask for a review

If you’re including evidence make sure you send copies and not original documents.

Ask for free proof of postage from the post office when you send your letter.

If you’re close to the deadline it’s worth calling the council to tell them you’re planning to ask for a review. Ask if you can email your request or take in your letter by hand.

After the council gets your letter they might ask you to go to come in for an interview with a housing officer. Make sure you bring any evidence you have to support your request for a review.

Getting the council’s decision

It can take a while for the council to review their decision. It’s worth checking other housing options while you’re waiting.

If they won’t change their decision you should talk to an adviser for more help.

You can re-apply to be put on the housing list if your circumstances change.

Complaining about the council

If you still aren’t happy with the council’s decision after the review, you can complain.

You can complain about the council if:

• you don’t think they followed the rules of the housing allocation scheme

• you think they discriminated against you - read more about the different types of discrimination in housing

• you think they took too long to make a decision about your application

Check how to complain about the council on GOV.UK.

You should also complain to the Welsh Public Services Ombudsman.