The Royal Borough of Greenwich operates a strict housing waiting list. There are more people looking for council and housing association homes in Royal Greenwich than there are properties available. As a result, you may experience a long wait before we are able to assist you.

We would encourage you to consider other housing options.

Please note: If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness within the next 28 days, the information on these pages may not be relevant. Do not complete an online application form. Instead, please telephone the Housing Inclusion Service as soon as possible on 020 8921 2863.

How to apply to join the housing register

Apply to join the housing register now

The online housing register will be unavailable from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 3 June while we carry out essential maintenance. We apologise for the inconvenience.

Evidence of address and identity

After we process your online application, we may ask to see proofs of identity and address for all household members before we make any offer of accommodation. We do not need proof at the time you apply.

Find out what proofs of identity you need to provide if we ask

Applying by post

If you are unable to apply online, you can request a paper form from the Access and Allocations Service. You can return completed paper forms to the service by post or in person.

When we receive a completed application form from you, it will be registered on our computer within 30 days of reaching us.

If you do not qualify to be included on the register, we will explain why, and how to appeal if you do not agree. You can reapply if your circumstances change. We will then reassess your application and tell you if this changes your rehousing prospects.

Applicant number

If you qualify to be included on the register, we will send you:

• an applicant number to use when looking for property under the Greenwich Homes scheme
• the housing band (A, B1, B2 or C) you fall into. Some property adverts have restrictions on who can apply, for example 'only band A'.

We may need to complete further assessments before we can confirm your housing needs.

Bid for a council property

What if I lose my number?

If you have lost your number, contact the Access and Allocations Service.

Who cannot join the housing register?

The 1996 Housing Act says that you cannot register for housing if:

• you are from abroad and subject to immigration control
• you are from abroad and you are not habitually resident in the UK or
• you are a British citizen and you are not habitually resident in the UK
• you do not have five years' continuous residency within Royal Greenwich.

Exclusions and suspensions

Applicants can be excluded and people on the housing register can be suspended from the register. If we decide to exclude or suspend you from the register, we will tell you in writing. If you disagree with the decision, you can ask for a review. We will then give you more information about the review procedure.

Full details about housing register suspensions and exclusions can be found in the housing allocations scheme.

Download the housing allocations scheme

Exclusions from the register

Applicants can be excluded from the register:

• for anti-social behaviour such as harassment or causing a nuisance
• if they have a history of high rent arrears
• for making fraudulent applications.

Suspensions from the register

If you are already on the list, you can be suspended from the register:

• for anti-social behaviour
• if you have a history of high rent arrears.