Apply for social housing
If you want to move into Council or Housing Association social housing, then you may be able to join Dartford Borough Council's Housing Register. Kent Homechoice has produce a short video to describe the process for applicants that wish to apply for properties in Kent.
Who is eligible to join:
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You must be living in the UK
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If you are already a council or housing association tenant, then you must have a clear rent account, your home and gardens must be in an acceptable condition, and you must have written permission from your landlord
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You cannot join if you are subject to immigration control
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You may not be able to join if you or your household included in the application have a history of anti-social behaviour, which affects your suitability to be a tenant
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You must have lived in the Borough of Dartford for the last 2 years or more
How to join
To join the Council's Housing Register, you will need to complete an online application form on the Kent Homechoice website.
Please note paper applications are no longer accepted.
Need help to join
If you require assistance to join you may nominate a friend, relative or advocacy worker from an appropriate agency to apply on your behalf, by completing an advocacy form or you can contact the Council on 01322 343907 where we will be pleased to help.
Medical needs
If you have any medical needs that should be considered in relation to your housing situation, you will need to complete a medical and welfare form. All medical forms and supplementary evidence are considered by the Council's Medical Panel. We'll write to you to let you know the outcome of your medical assessment once a decision has been made.
What happens after I register?
Once you have registered you will receive an email or letter, which will explain how you can start bidding on homes. Homes that you can bid on will be advertised via the Kent Homechoice website.
There is no limit on the number of bids you can place and you can make a bid in the following ways:
- Online at www.kenthomechoice.org.uk - family and friends may assist you if necessary
- Via automatic bidding - you will need to contact the Allocations Team on 01322 343907 to set this up.
If your circumstances change
If your circumstances change at any time you must let the Council know by updating the information you have previously provided via your KentHomeChoice.org.uk account. If there is a relevant change then your application will be reassessed and if appropriate, placed in a different band.
How long will I have to keep bidding for?
Due to a shortage of accommodation and high demand, the wait for social housing is often many years long.
For those who are successful, the wait will vary according to the priority band and date awarded, availability of vacant properties and your preferences. Some property types are much more popular than others. For example you will wait much longer for the offer of a house and less time for the offer of a flat. Some areas are also more popular than others.
If you have any specific queries about waiting times please contact the Housing Allocations Team via allocations@dartford.gov.uk or by calling 01322 343907.
Important:
Each year you remain on the housing register, you will be contacted and asked to review your application. This will usually be on the anniversary of your application. Please engage in this process as failure to respond could lead to the closure of your account.