West Dunbartonshire Council is the largest provider of social rented housing in the area. Our housing stock is well distributed throughout the area. There are concentrations in Clydebank, Dumbarton and Alexandria. Our Housing Allocations policy aims to address housing need and make best use of our housing stock.
Who can apply for housing?
Anyone 16 years of age or over can apply for a council house and be placed on the housing list. In line with the Housing Allocations policy we will assess everyone and in a fair and consistent way and will treat everyone applying equally.
Housing Allocations Policy 2010 (270KB .pdf document)
What is the Housing Register?
The Housing register is an open housing list; the list is split into four groups, General Housing list applicants, Transfer applicants, Strategic Housing Need / Redevelopment applicants and Homeless applicants. Homeless applicants are those who have requested assistance under the provision of the homelessness legislation. The council has a statutory duty to house homeless applicants who have been assessed as homeless and in priority need under the terms of the legislation.
How do I apply?
If you would like to apply for a council house, or if you are already a tenant and would like to transfer to another WDC council house, please fill in a housing application form and an equal opportunities monitoring form. We have also produced a housing application guide which will assist you when applying for housing. You can download the forms below;
Housing Application Form 2010 (175KB .pdf document)
Wyłącznie do użytku Urzędu (245KB .pdf)
Housing Application Guide 2010 (212KB .pdf document)
Informator O Wnioskach Mieszkaniowych (211KB .pdf document)
Housing Allocation Policy 2010 - Summary (201KB .pdf document)
Zasady przyznawania mieszkań/domów Podsumowanie (288KB .pdf document)
Alternatively you can phone, email or call in at your local area housing office for a housing application pack.
How do I complete the Application Form?
You should answer all the questions on the application form using CAPITAL letters and black ink. It is very important that you give us as much information as possible. Please answer all relevant questions so that we can accurately assess your application. If a question does not apply to you, leave it blank.
Will I have to provide any other information?
We may need other information when you apply for housing. For instance, you may be asked if you have shared access arrangements, are separating from your partner or are a Non UK citizen. Please refer to the housing application guide for more information.
What is a joint tenancy?
A joint tenancy is when two or more people sign a tenancy agreement and jointly agree to keep to its conditions. This is a legal agreement between you and one or more people, and us. It means that you and the other joint tenant (or tenants) are equally responsible for keeping to all the conditions of the tenancy agreement, including the payment of rent.
Who can apply for a joint tenancy?
You have the right to apply for a joint tenancy with one or more people, but they must be at least 16 years old and either live or intend to live in your house as their main home.
Medical Need & Disability Assessment Form
If your current housing is making your health worse you can complete a medical priority assessment form. A dedicated and trained officer reviews all of these forms and can award medical points. If you have any questions about how we work out how many points we will award, please contact your local area housing office. You can download a medical priority assessment form below.
Guidance Notes for Applicants
Priority Form
Re-Assessment Form
What if I require particular accommodation?
There is housing that has been adapted to accommodate specific groups of applicants with particular needs. We will allocate houses to applicants who can make best use of the facilities available.
If you want to apply for sheltered housing, you should answer yes to the appropriate question on the housing application form. Any assessment for sheltered housing will be carried out by staff within by WDC Health and Social Work department using a Single Shared Assessment.
If you would like advice on the options available, please contact your local area housing office.
What if my circumstances change?
If your circumstances change, you must let your local area housing office know as soon as possible. You can do this by phone, e-mail, or calling at your local area housing office. We will ask you to confirm this in writing. If you have moved, we will need you to complete a change of circumstances form so that we can reassess your points from your new accommodation. If your circumstances change and you do not let us know, this may affect a future offer of housing.
How long will I wait before being offered a house?
Unfortunately there is no average waiting time for applicants. How long you wait for a house depends on;
▪The number of points we give you on your application
▪The turnover of houses within the area you apply for
▪The size of house you need
Can I apply for a mutual exchange?
You can apply to exchange your home with another of our tenants, with council tenants form another local authority or with housing association tenants. You must ask our permission and the permission of any other landlord. We will not withhold permission unreasonably. If you wish to be considered for a mutual exchange, please complete the relevant question on the housing application form. We hold information from interested tenants who want to move.
If you exchange with another West Dunbartonshire tenant you will usually keep the right to buy but some of the terms will change. In particular the amount of time you have been a tenant and the amount of discount. If you exchange with a tenant of a housing association in Scotland, you may not be able to buy your new home.
It is illegal to pay anyone to persuade then to exchange tenancies with you. It this happens all the people involved could be made to leave their homes. If you exchange without asking for permission you can be forced to move back.
What happens if I disagree with the decision on my application?
If you are not satisfied with the decision you can appeal. You can appeal in writing, in person, or by a third party. If the appeal is made by a third party, appropriate permissions must be in place so we can discuss personal information. You can make your appeal to the Section Head of Allocations and Homelessness. You can download the Allocations Appeals Procedure below
Allocations Appeals Procedure (67KB .pdf document)
Procedura składania odwołań od decyzji ws. Wniosków mieszkaniowych (109KB .pdf)
Information on Other Housing Associations in West Dunbartonshire
There are a number of Housing Associations who also have social housing in West Dunbartonshire. You can find more information about these Housing Associations by downloading;
West Dunbartonshire Housing Associations leaflet
