Apply for Social Housing

How to join the housing register

From 8 November 2024, the RBC Living & Homes website will no longer be available to make a new housing register application. 

Applications to join the housing register cannot be made until 2 December 2024 when our new system goes live. Applications will need to be made via Housing Online. We will provide information about how to access this, nearer to the time.

If you have made an application before 8 November 2024, you will need to re-apply to the register from 2 December 2024 via Housing Online.

There will therefore be a short period of time when new applications cannot be made to allow us time to prepare for the launch of the new system. Please bear with us during this time. We thank you for your patience. 


To be considered for social housing you need to be considered 'eligible' to apply.

To qualify to join the register

Not everyone can join the housing register. A person subject to immigration control or a person from abroad may not be eligible according to regulations and therefore unable to join the housing register. To qualify you will need to demonstrate a ‘local connection’ to the borough

  • You or a permanent member of your household live in Runnymede and have done so for the past three consecutive years

or

  • you or a permanent member of your household are currently employed within Runnymede and have been for the past twelve consecutive months

or

  • you or a permanent member of your household have been in continuous self-employment for the past twelve consecutive months, where the work is within Runnymede 

or

  • you or a permanent member of your household have a unique/exceptional health or welfare reason to live in Runnymede and has an immediate relative living in Runnymede. The relative has lived in Runnymede for the past ten consecutive years. This is based on a specific health service which only exists in Runnymede and cannot be accessed elsewhere. (Documentary evidence from the health professionals currently supporting you will need to be provided. It must evidence the need for you to specifically reside in Runnymede. Family support will not usually be considered as an exceptional reason to live in the borough). 

Our Housing Register IT system is changing, which means that the RBC Living & Homes website will no longer be used. This is the platform used to apply to the register, view property adverts and place bids under our Choice Based Lettings Scheme. We are moving to a system that the rest of the housing department use which will create a more streamlined service.

There is a shortage of social housing, so it is only possible to house those considered most in housing need. This is determined by the Council Allocation Scheme. An offer of housing could be either council owned accommodation or accommodation provided by a Housing Association or Registered Provider.

PDF icon Housing Allocation Scheme

Get in touch about housing allocations

The quickest way to contact us is by using our online forms which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need to speak to us give us a call during office hours and talk to our Customer Services team who will be happy to help.