Rotherham Key Choices

Who qualifies to go on the housing register?

To qualify to go on Rotherham’s housing register you need to:

• Be aged over 16 years of age
• Have a local connection of three years to Rotherham
• Do not owe any monies to a current or former Landlord

You will be required to provide proof of 3 years local connection to Rotherham.  This will be confirmation of employment in Rotherham and/or proof of yours or a family members address history in Rotherham for 3 years. 

If you owe money to the Council, a private landlord or Housing Association for current or former tenant arrears you will be required to set up a payment plan to reduce this debt. If you owe £800 or more you will not qualify to go on the housing register you may reapply when you have cleared the arrears in full or kept to a repayment arrangement which reduces the debt by at least 25%.

If you qualify to go on the register you need to consider the cost of getting your own place to live.

Setting up home is expensive you need to start saving and buying items if you qualify to go on the housing register.  You need to consider how you will manage your income when you have bills such as rent, council tax gas and electric to pay.  You should only bid for properties that you can afford. If you qualify and are offered a property you must pay the weekly rent and other charges.  The rent and other payments are due weekly in advance.

You can apply by completing our Housing Option Plan

Who cannot use the service?

There are also some people who will not by law be eligible to join the housing register. These are:

• Certain people who are subject to Immigration Control under the 1996 Asylum and Immigration Act
• Certain people from abroad who are not subject to immigration control but who are not habitually resident in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland
• People (including members of their household) who have been guilty of unacceptable behaviour that makes them unsuitable to be a tenant.