Overview
You can apply to go on to the housing register at Kent Homechoice, you can also ask the council for a paper form.
Once you have completed your profile information including your family details and address history along with a pre assessment, you may be asked to complete and submit a housing register application which you will do online.
Because the form is lengthy and asks you lots of questions about yourself and your circumstances, you should a use a computer rather than a mobile phone to complete this. Ashford Advice are unable to assist with completing the forms
Once you have submitted your form and details you will receive a request to provide some supporting information which you will be able to upload to your Kent Homechoice portal.
Once you have provided all of the information and this has been received by the local authority housing team (the council), and if your application meets the criteria set out in the relevant housing assessement policy
Ashford Borough Council housing assessment policy
Dover District Council housing assessment policy
Folkestone & Hythe housing assessment policy
Note: These policies are subject to update following changes to the law in 2026 you will be informed of your band, bedroom need and registration date.
You should also note that all local authorities across Kent are currently receiving extremely high numbers of applications so it may take some time for your application to be assessed.
At this stage you will be able to login to your account to see if there are properties that you are eligible to express an interest or ‘bid’ on. If there are you will be able to bid on as may properties as you can and you will be able to let us know which of the properties you would prefer but selecting the icon to tell us that one is your favourite.
Once the closing date for the property is reached you will be able to see your position on the shortlist of those that have bid on the property.
What to say on the application
Tell the council if you have problems where you live now, for example:
- disrepair
- overcrowding
- violence or harassment
- you need a home adapted for disability or health issues
For example, you might need a home with a wet room, handrails and lower kitchen work surfaces if you are disabled.
Include information about any:
- disabilities
- mobility problems
- health problems or welfare needs
Get letters from your doctor or a health professional as evidence. A support worker or occupational therapist could write a letter saying how your housing affects your health or wellbeing.
If your application is refused
If you disagree with the decision, you can initiate a review through your Kent Homechoice account. Submit any additional evidence or information to support your case.
If you are still dissatisfied after the Stage One review, you can submit a Stage Two Rejection Appeal.
If you need help understanding the decision or with the appeals process, contact your local council’s housing team.
If you are still unhappy with the outcome after exhausting the internal appeals process, you can escalate your complaint to the Housing Ombudsman.
Who gets priority for council housing
The council’s lettings policy says who gets priority on the waiting list.
Some groups of people must get ‘reasonable preference’.
This means they must get priority for council and housing association homes.
You must get reasonable preference if you:
- are homeless, at risk of violence or likely to lose your home in the next 8 weeks
- are overcrowded or live in very bad housing conditions
- need to move for health, disability or welfare reasons
You might get more priority if you need to move urgently.
Homeless or at risk of violence
The council must give you some priority on the housing register if you are legally homeless.
This includes:
- if you might be homeless in the next 8 weeks.
- when you’re at risk of domestic abuse or other violence
Overcrowded homes
You could be overcrowded if you do not have a separate bedroom for every:
- couple
- single adult aged 21 or over
- 2 young people aged 10 to 20 of the same sex
- 2 children under 10 of any sex
This is called the bedroom standard.
Bad or dangerous conditions
You should get more points or a higher band for council housing if your home:
- needs urgent repairs or is in a very bad condition
- is a health risk – for example, has bad drains or sewerage problems
- does not have what you need to do basic washing and cooking, like a sink or oven
You might get more priority if a council environmental health officer says your home is unsafe or affecting your health.
Health, disability or welfare reasons
You must get some priority if you need to move for health or welfare reasons.
For example, if you or anyone in your household needs:
- sheltered housing for older people
- supported housing because of a learning disability
- things like a wet room, low sockets, lifts or handrails because of a disability
- a larger home because you’re a foster carer or looking after someone else’s children
Tell the council if:
- you have problems walking or climbing stairs
- you need to move because of a physical or mental health condition
Get supporting letters from doctors, healthcare workers or social workers that say how your home affects your health.
If you need to live in a particular area
You should get some priority if you need to live in an area for a special reason.
For example, if:
- your child can only get support for special educational needs in that area
- you need to be close to a relative to give or receive care
- you’re leaving care and need to be close to your support
Members of the armed forces
You get extra priority on the waiting list if you’re in one of the situations on this page, have urgent housing needs and either:
- you have served in the regular armed forces
- you are in the regular or reserve forces and you’re seriously injured, ill or disabled because of your service
- you have to leave forces accommodation because your married or civil partner died in service
This should mean you are offered a council or housing association home more quickly.
Other urgent housing needs
The council may give extra priority to some people with very urgent housing needs.
For example, if you need to move because of:
- a sudden disability or life threatening illness
- overcrowding or repair problems that put your health at serious risk
- violence or threats, including domestic abuse, witness intimidation or serious antisocial behaviour
If you’re not in a priority group
It will probably take a lot longer to get a council or housing association home.
The council generally gives extra priority based on how long you’ve been on the register.
You may get extra priority if:
- are working
- do voluntary work
- have a good tenancy record
Last Updated on May 26, 2026 by Ashford Advice