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Social housing explained

Learn more about social housing and how you can apply for a home.

How to apply for social housing

There are three ways to apply for one of our homes:

  • through your local council
  • by transferring from another home
  • by applying to us directly.

Register with a local council

If you’ve applied to be on your local council’s housing register, they can nominate you for one of our homes.

Register with your local council

Transfer from another home

If you’re already one of our social tenants, you can transfer to another home. This is possible even if you’ve not been offered the chance to renew at the end of your current fixed-term tenancy. You can also swap homes with other social housing tenants.

How to swap homes

Apply to us directly

We advertise a number of homes on Rightmove and Moving Soon, so be sure to visit these sites regularly to check what's new. You can share an interest and application for the property on the websites themselves.

Applications will be prioritised and shortlisted in accordance with Clarion’s Allocations Policy [PDF].

Find out more 

Government website: www.gov.uk/housing-association-homes

Shelter housing charity website: www.england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/council_housing_association

Am I eligible for social housing?

To qualify for our social housing you need to:

  • be 18 or older (or 16 with an adult guaranteeing the rent until you’re 18)
  • be resident in the UK and have the right to rent
  • be nominated by a local council

or

  • be a Clarion tenant, who makes a home available when moving
  • have no other tenancy, unless you’re giving it up to be rehoused
  • have no legal interest in a UK home, unless you’re selling a home that’s not suitable for you and have less than £85,000 equity
  • have an annual household income under £60,000

or

  • be assessed by us as being in need of housing.

 

What size of home can I apply for?

You’re normally allowed one bedroom for every couple or adult aged 16 or older. Two children of the same sex get a shared bedroom, and two children of different sexes get a bedroom each if one of them is aged ten or older.

I’ve been here for about six years and I love it. It’s an absolute treat.

Anne

LiveSmart resident

Meet LiveSmart resident, Anne

“I previously lived in a big three-bedroom flat, but after my husband died I needed to downsize. I was aware of families struggling and in desperate need to find somewhere with enough space to live.

“I’ve been here for about six years and I love it. It’s an absolute treat. I have lovely neighbours and a gardener who comes once a fortnight. My home is very comfortable and I have photographs of my family all around me. If I have ever had a problem the service has been excellent and been sorted straight away.”

We have 4,624 LiveSmart homes across the country for people aged over 55. Within each scheme, residents have their own homes and can maintain their independence, safe in the knowledge that help and support are available.