Solihull Council’s new Housing Allocation Scheme has been implemented from Wednesday 24 September 2025.
The changes include new criteria which impacts both new applicants and existing applicants who have an active application to the Housing Register. You can read the full document here. (pdf 1 mB)
Below, you’ll find a series of frequently asked questions that will provide more information about the changes. If your question isn’t answered on this page, you can use our online enquiry form to submit a question.
The Council’s objectives for the new housing allocation scheme are to:
- Have an accessible, clear, fair and transparent scheme;
- Prioritise and allocate to those in greatest housing need;
- Make best use of social housing stock;
- Offer applicants choice;
- Reduce the number of people and families becoming statutory homeless.
We are asking all existing applicants to complete a new online application form to decide if they are still able to be included on Solihull Council’s Housing Allocation Scheme (Solihull Home Options). This is due to the changes that have been made to the Allocation Policy. You will be able to do this from 28 August 2025.
The details that we currently hold relating to you and your family will already appear on the renewal form. Please continue to answer all the remaining questions.
You will also need to provide supporting documents to confirm your situation. When you renew your application, it will be made clear what you need to provide.
You can provide supporting documents by scanning them and uploading them directly to your customer portal housing application account.
It is preferred that you scan your supporting documents, but a photo of the documents will be accepted as long as all of the important information is clear, legible, and unedited.
We need to see your supporting documents to decide whether you will be able to remain on Solihull Council’s Housing Allocation Scheme, so it’s important that you upload them.
We will now consider the income of households applying for social housing.
This applies to both existing applicants who are re-applying as well as new applicants.
If you are a single person or a couple with a gross income of £45,000 and over, you will no longer qualify to join the Housing Register.
If you are a family household and children or adults are included on your Housing Register application, and you have a combined income of £60,000 or over, you will no longer qualify to join. Income for any adult over 18 within the household will be included in the combined income.
These figures will exclude means tested benefits, but we will look at any assets or savings that could mean that you are able to meet your own housing needs.
We will be dealing with a high volume of applicants once the new Scheme is introduced.
Please bear with us and we will aim to get back to you following the receipt of all your supporting documents within 21 days. We will send you a letter notifying you if you are eligible. If you are eligible, the letter will include your banding award and the property bedroom size assessment.
If you choose not to complete the form and/or provide the relevant supporting documents to us, your housing application will be closed, and you will no longer be able to place any bids on any homes becoming available.
If you are currently a tenant of SCH or another registered housing provider, you can look for a mutual exchange through Homeswapper as a housing option to either move to smaller or larger home.
If you are not currently a tenant, you could consider looking in the private sector for a home to rent.
Let us know if there is any additional information we have not taken into consideration, or if you have had a change of circumstances, by completing an online enquiry form.
No, you will not need to complete another medical questionnaire at this stage. If you were awarded a band A or B with an urgent need to move on medical grounds, then this assessment will remain. If you were awarded a band E with a non-urgent need to move, this is no longer being considered in the new Housing Allocation Scheme and will be removed from your housing application.
Please note: If your medical condition has changed from what you have already told us, then you will need to complete a new medical questionnaire. You will need to provide supporting documents to demonstrate the how your condition has changed and how your current housing situation is impacting onto your condition.
Yes, you will still be considered for a home that you were offered before the Scheme changed.
If you refuse three suitable offers of accommodation, you will be given a reduced priority and placed in band D for a period of 12 months from the date of the final refusal. After this time, you will need to renew your housing application, and your circumstances will be reassessed. Failure to do so will mean that your application for housing will be closed.
The bedroom standard has changed with the new Housing Allocation Scheme. Previously, we allowed each person 16 years and over to have their own bedroom. This has now changed to 21 years and over. We have followed the government’s allocation of accommodation guidance for local authorities when implementing this policy.
When you complete a renewal application, this information will be provided in the letter you receive. It will tell you if you are eligible, how many bedrooms you are entitled to, what banding you have been awarded, and the effective date.
You don’t need to do anything. Your application will remain closed if you do not complete a new application or contact us.