Explains how you qualify to get a council home, how to challenge the council's decision on your housing application, and refusing an offer of an unsuitable council home. 

Information for older people who are already renting and are looking to move somewhere new, or perhaps are considering renting a property for the first time.

Information about when the council must help you with emergency housing if you're homeless and don't have anywhere to stay.(Content applies to England only.)

To get help if you are homeless or to to register for council housing, you must be eligible. The law is different for people from within the European Economic Area and the UK and those from outside. It is also different in Wales compared with England.

If you have been refused housing by a council or housing association but believe that you should not have been, you may have been discriminated against. Information for new arrivals to the England and Wales.

Explains your rights to housing and benefits if you are a refugee or other new arrrivals to England and Wales.

Information about when the council must offer longer term housing, what kind of offer they may make and how they must make an offer of housing. It includes information about what counts as suitable accommodation and how to challenge this. Get legal advice if you are thinking of turning down an offer of temporary or longer-term housing. (Content applies to England only.)