Your application
Apply for social housing
Apply for social housing in Derby through Derby Homefinder.
You’ll need the following information for yourself and anyone you intend to live with:
- address history for the last 5 years
- current landlord information
- National Insurance number
Once you’ve applied, you’ll be given a housing band and can start bidding on properties advertised to that band straight away. You do not need to wait for us to contact you about your application.
You need to provide supporting evidence for us to process your application:
- identity, current address, and your right to live in the UK if you are not a British citizen
- dependent children or pregnancy
- employment, volunteering or unpaid care and support
- medical needs
If you do not supply the documents, we cannot verify your application. If we cannot verify your application, we cannot consider you for a property.
Updating your application
It’s important to keep your information up to date, so you can bid on suitable properties. Most things can be updated online by logging in to Homefinder:
- change of address
- people moving in or out of your household
- your contact telephone number
- your email address
- you become pregnant
- you've had a baby
If you need to make any other changes, contact housingregister@derbyhomes.org.
What happens next
Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive an application reference number. Keep this number safe as you will need it to register your email address and create a password.
If you are currently a Derby City Council or Derby Homes tenant, your application reference number will be the same as your tenancy reference number.
You’ll receive a housing band based on your housing needs and can start bidding for properties straight away.
If you cannot remember your application reference number, contact housingregister@derbyhomes.org.
Proof of identity, address, and right to live in the UK
Identification
We need to see ID for everyone aged 18 or over on your application. You can show us any of the following documents:
- passport
- birth certificate
Current housing
We need proof of your current housing. You can show us any of the following documents:
- tenancy agreement
- licence agreement
- if you are staying with someone else, written confirmation from the person you are staying with
We also need proof of your current address. You can show us any of the following documents:
- statements for all bank accounts from the last 3 months
- Universal Credit award letter
- a utility bill from the last 3 months
If you are not a British or Irish citizen
We need your your eVisa share code.
Sign in to your UKVI account to get a share code. Select "or something else" when generating your code so we can check your eligibility for public funds.
Take clear photos or scans of your documents and email them to housingregister@derbyhomes.org.
Dependent children and pregnancy
Children who live with you permanently
We need evidence for every child named on your application. You can show us any of the following documents:
- birth certificate
- Child Benefit award letter
- bank statements from the last 3 months showing Child Benefit payments being paid into your account
Children who stay with you some of the time
If your children stay with you some of the time and you want us to consider them on your application, we need both:
- full birth certificate for each child
- a letter from the child’s other parent stating
- their name and contact details
- your child’s name
- how often the child stays with you
Most landlords prioritise applicants whose children live with them permanently.
Proof of pregnancy
If you are pregnant, and want us to consider your baby on your application, we need:
- a medical document showing your name and your baby’s expected delivery date.
Take clear photos or scans of your documents and email them to housingregister@derbyhomes.org.
Employment, volunteering or unpaid care and support
We need to see proof of your work, volunteering, or unpaid care and support during the last 6 months.
Paid or volunteer work
You can show us any of the following documents:
- wage slips from the last 6 months
- a recent bank statement showing wages being paid into an account in your name
- a letter from the volunteer organisation confirming how long you have volunteered with them
Unpaid care or support
If you provide unpaid care or support, we need a letter from the person you support including:
- their name and contact details
- what you do for them and when
Take clear photos or scans of your documents and email them to housingregister@derbyhomes.org.
Medical needs
Tell us about any medical issues that affect your housing needs.
Email us details of:
- your medical condition
- how it affects you
- why your current housing is unsuitable for your needs
You can also send supporting information, for example:
- letters from your doctor or medical professional
- occupational therapist assessments of what type of property/adaptations you need
- photos of any medication you are on
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) award letters
Take clear photos or scans of your documents and email them to housingregister@derbyhomes.org.
Appealing a decision
You have the right to request a review if your application is not accepted or if you disagree with a decision on your application. You must submit your review request within 21 days of the decision.
How to request a review
You need to email or write to us detailing the reasons you disagree with the decision. If it is difficult to explain in writing, you can make an appointment to visit us in person.
More information is available in the Derby City Council - Housing Allocations Policy 2020 - 2028
Email us
housingregister@derbyhomes.org
Visit or write to us
Head of Housing Options and Homelessness
The Council House,
Corporation Street,
Derby, DE1 2FS