Application Process

I have completed my on-line application form - what happens now?

Please ensure that you have fully submitted your application and have received a confirmation email with your application number on it.

Your application form will be forwarded to the Housing Options Team who will contact you within 28 working days to discuss your application further. They will advise you of the documentation you will be required to supply in order for your application form to be assessed - a list of this information is below.

If for any reason we are unable to progress your application we will contact you and advise you of the reason why and/or any right of appeal you may have.

Current Dudley Council tenants will need the approval of their Housing Manager. The Housing Options Team will contact them and arrange for this, you may be required to have a home visit. Applications for a transfer to alternative property will not normally be accepted from any Dudley Council tenants within two years of the tenancy start date. Please see Lettings Policy for more information.

If you do not provide the required information we will be unable to proceed with your application.

Any person(s) submitting an application, including current Dudley Council tenants, will be required to provide the following valid, current and original documents – photo copies will not be accepted.

Identification for yourself and all members of your moving household.

You will be required to provide one document from Section 1 for each person in the moving household:

Section 1

Valid UK or overseas passport (If non-EEA you will also require visa documents confirming status)
UK driving licence, full or provisional
Original birth certificate (issued within 12 months of birth) - if birth certificate is in previous name we will also need marriage certificate, decree absolute, civil partnership dissolution certificate or deed poll/name change documents.
Valid photo ID (EEA countries)
HM Forces ID card (UK)
Adoption certificate (UK)

Section 2

And one from Section 2 for all adults in the moving household:

Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate
UK birth certificate
Name change document or deed poll
Divorce or civil partnership dissolution (decree absolute or civil partner dissolution certificate)
P45 dated within last 12 months
P60 dated within last 12 months
Utility bill (electric, gas, water, phone - landline) dated within past month (or 3 months if quarterly)
Council Tax statement/bill dated within last 12 months
Valid TV licence
Credit card or store card statement dated within the last 3 months
Mortgage statement dated within the last 12 months
Valid insurance certificate
Certificate of British nationality
British work permit or visa issued within the last 12 months
Asylum registration card
Personal correspondence or a document from a government department dated within the last 3 months. E.g. from DWP, Employment Services, Revenue and Customs, Home Office, Job Centre Plus or social security.
Bank or building society document dated within the last 12 months ( where internet banking you would need to be able to validate any printed statement with a valid bank card)
Financial statement e.g. pension, endowment, ISA issued within last 12 months.
Valid vehicle registration document
Mail order catalogue statement within last 3 months
Documentation issued by Court Services or Probation Services
Valid NHS medical card (not prepayment/exception certificate)
Addressed payslip must be less than 3 months old
National Insurance number card

If you are unable to provide proof from Section 1 you will be required to provide three proofs from section 2.

You will also be required to provide proof of residence, dated within the last 3 months, for all adults in the moving household from the list below. Where there is duplication with the documentation above it can be used for both purposes.

Addressed payslip
Mail order catalogue statement
Documentation issued by Court Services/Probation Services
Financial statement e.g. pension, endowment, ISA.
Bank or building society document ( where internet banking you will also be required to show a current supporting bank card)
Personal correspondence or a document from a government department or NHS e.g. from DWP, Employment Services, Revenue and Customs, Home Office, Job Centre Plus or social security.
credit card or store card statement
Utility bill (electric, gas, water, phone-land line)
Child Benefit for a resident child.

Other evidence required

All applicants, excluding tenants of Dudley Council, housing associations or other local authorities, are required to provide two written references, one for conduct and one financial, per applicant/joint applicant. If you are unsure what to provide or encounter any problems please contact Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345. Please see related documents to the right - these should be printed off and return completed.

For non UK applicants you will be required to provide - Workers Registration Certificate and proof of employment or Job Seekers Allowance as applicable.
proof of pregnancy where applicable - maternity pack or letter from GP confirming expected date of delivery;
proof of Child Benefit or Child Tax Credits if you have a child included in your moving household. (Original award statement and up to date proof, within last three months).
Confirmation of intent to move from Adult Children.
Statements relating to relationship breakdowns and access arrangements for children.

If you do not provide the requested information or, where an interview is arranged, do not bring the required information with you, we will be unable to proceed with your application.

You must also supply any of the following information relevant to your circumstances:

Requests for medical priority - any documents relating to recent assessments you have received from a health or social care professional – e.g. social worker or occupational therapist.

Private tenants - tenancy agreement, rent book and reference from your landlord - a form is provided for landlord’s use – please see related documents to the right. If you are a tenant a reference from you landlord is counted as one of your two mandatory references referred to above.

Housing association tenants and tenants of other local authorities - tenancy agreement, rent book and a reference from your current landlord - a form is provided for landlord’s use - please see related documents to the right.

Owner occupiers or applicants who have owned a property within the last 5 years - an official estate agent’s market valuation and proof of any outstanding mortgage and proof of any loans secured against the property; or proof that you no longer own the property and how much equity you received from the sale - e.g. solicitors completion statement.

Owner occupiers who have sold their property between 5 and 10 years ago - proof that you no longer own the property - e.g. solicitor’s completion statement.

Former owners who have at any time transferred ownership of a property - official confirmation of transfer of ownership to include date of transfer and details of any equity if the transfer was completed within the last five years.

Prison applicants - a letter from the prison or probation services confirming your date of birth and release date.

Tied tenants - a letter from employer confirming date employment ends and reason for employment ending.

Leaving care and supported accommodation – a letter from support worker to confirm you are capable of independent living and there are no problems with your current property or tenancy.

Forces applicants - a letter confirming discharge date from commanding officer.

Applicants not living in the Dudley borough who work in the borough - proof of continuous employment of applicant or partner in the borough - contract of employment and most recent payslip.