Social housing

7 min read

This page provides tenants and prospective tenants with information about the different social housing options and advice on how to register for them.

Demand for social housing is high and registering for this type of accommodation is not an instant housing solution. As we house less than 10% of those registered each year, we have listed some alternative options for you to explore in order to address your housing need. If you are homeless, or threatened with homelessness, please visit out homelessness page.

On this page:

• Applying for social housing with Homechoice at Reading
• Bidding for a home
• Finding other available properties with Homefinder UK
• Swapping your home
• Finding accessible homes
• Living independently through sheltered housing

Applying for social housing with Homechoice at Reading

Homechoice at Reading is the name for our housing register and is a list of customers who have applied for social housing in Reading. Registering with Homechoice at Reading will allow you to bid on social housing within the borough.

Before you apply

Due to lack of supply of social housing and the high demand, there may be alternative options available to you depending on your current circumstances. Please use the self-assessment below to find what other options you may have and check your eligibility to join the Homechoice at Reading register.

Registering with Homechoice at Reading

Registered but your circumstances have changed

It is really important that you tell us of any changes in your circumstances as soon as possible. Not telling us may make any successful bid for accommodation invalid.

If you make a successful bid and we establish that your situation has changed, and you have not advised us, we will overlook your bid until a change of circumstances form has been completed.

You will need to complete the change of circumstances form below if you have registered with Homechoice at Reading but your circumstances have changed. This includes:

• adding a new family member
• changing your contact details
• moving home

Once a change of circumstances form has been received, we will reassess your application and this may result in your band changing.

You can request a paper copy of this form by emailing your request to allocations@reading.gov.uk.

Allocations scheme

Following consultation we updated the allocations scheme. Some changes were implemented on 4 April 2022. Further changes will take effect as part of the new allocations scheme due to be implemented on Tuesday 7 May 2024. Read about the modifications to the allocations scheme.

To get all the details, you can either read the allocation scheme summary or the full scheme available for download.

If you prefer a printed copy of the allocations scheme, we can provide this and in other formats upon request. Please send your request to allocations@reading.gov.uk, and we will do our best to assist you.

Bidding for a home

If you have registered with Homechoice at Reading you can bid for a home by selecting the button below.

Finding other available properties with Homefinder UK

Homefinder UK is an easy to use online service that matches applicants with affordable properties belonging to other local authorities and registered providers throughout the UK. This gives you more choice over where you live and how much rent you pay, and access to employment. It may be easier to access social homes outside of the South East if this is a priority for you.

How it works

Using Homefinder UK is very simple:

1. Register on the Homefinder UK website
2. Complete the online registration form
3. Reading Borough Council then receives and confirms the information you gave
4. Once approved, you will receive your login details and will be able to bid for homes

If you need any help with registering with Homefinder UK, please contact the Housing Needs Outreach Worker on 0118 937 2311.

Reading Borough Council have supported a number of customers to access accommodation through Homefinder UK. Here are some of the outcomes achieved:

Customer was living in temporary accommodation prior to their move. They secured a 2 bedroom home in Watford.

Customer was privately renting prior to their move. After the landlord sold the property, they were faced with homelessness and they were reluctant to move too far out of Reading. Eventually a property was found 2 hours outside the area which matched their bedroom needs and they were put forward for it, later viewing and accepting the property. They expressed their gratitude for the move, particularly the additional space that comes with having 3 bedrooms instead of 2, and are particularly grateful for the work Homefinder UK has done with them. They secured a 3 bedroom property in Salisbury.

Customer was living in private rented accommodation with her daughter which was proving too expensive, despite the fact that they were both in employment. Homefinder UK were able to put them forward for a property in an area that they could continue working. Regarding the move the customer said, “I am overwhelmed by all that Homefinder UK has done to find my daughter and me somewhere affordable to live. The property is lovely, and the kitchen is spacious, which is important because my daughter loves baking.” They secured a 2 bedroom property in Cirencester, Gloucestershire.

If you are able to consider moving to another part of the UK, HomeFinderUK has produced a city guide providing helpful information on different areas.

Hear what others have to say about their experiences of HomeFinder UK and how it has impacted them.

Swapping your home

If you are a social housing tenant, you have the option to exchange your home with another social housing tenant through HomeSwapper. In certain areas, HomeSwapper helps facilitate up to 80% of all social housing relocations.

As long as you have a clear rent account and are not an introductory tenant, this may be the easiest way for you to find a more suitable home. Keep in mind all parties need permission from their landlords before an exchange can take place.

This short video will help you understand the process of swapping your home.

Watch time: 5 min

Your success in finding a tenant to swap with will depend on how you market your property. Here are some helpful tips:

• take photographs of all the rooms in your home, especially the kitchen, bathroom and living space
• declutter your home before you take any photographs
• if you do not have anywhere to store belongings, you can move them to another room and put them back once you take the photographs
• touch up any decor within your home
• ensure that kitchen surfaces are clear of clutter and appliances, and the washing up is done
• list all the positive points in the advert, such as proximity to schools, shops, and essential service

You must check the site regularly to make sure that you do not miss any opportunities. In-demand properties will be quickly taken.

If you are a council tenant and find a suitable match, you should let Housing and Estate Services know immediately on 0118 937 2161. We will make various checks before we give permission for the swap. We have to do this within 42 days.

Finding accessible homes

If you cannot use vital parts of your home because of a disability, you may be eligible for a disability grant. Learn more about the Disabled Facilities Grant.

Living independently through sheltered housing

Sheltered housing, also known as independent living, allows tenants to manage their property, with their own front door, kitchen, bathroom and living space. Learn more about sheltered housing.