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Draft Housing Allocation Scheme

In South Derbyshire we operate a choice-based lettings model to allocate homes (either Council-owned or Registered Providers properties) to those most in need of housing. 

As we continue to improve and modernise our service, we have reviewed the existing Housing Allocations Policy that we believe is outdated and does not reflect current local need. 

We have drafted a new Draft Housing Allocation Scheme, which will be out for public consultation from 14 September 2026 for 12 weeks. 

Take part in Draft Housing Allocation Scheme consultation

The primary changes include proposals to:

  • Change the title from Policy to Scheme
  • Update the list of Registered Providers to ensure it is up to date and relevant
  • Add new appendices to meet the Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (England) Regulations 2006.
  • Move from Emergency Band & Bands A, B and C to Band 1 (Emergency), 2 and 3.
  • Remove banding for customers who are classed as 'Adequately Housed', so only customers with an identified Housing Need will be awarded a Band on the housing register.
  • Simplify the rules for shortlisting by removing cumulative need. This will speed up shortlisting and support with quicker void property turnaround.
  • Strengthen Local Connection Criteria for Residence. Latest Policy states 6 out of 12 months or 3 out of 5 years. New Scheme moves to 2 out of 5 years.
  • Strengthen Local Connection Criteria for Employment. Latest Policy states permanent Employment for 6 months. New Scheme moves to permanent Employment for 2 years.
  • Make updates related to new Government Regulations to apply a Local Connection Residency rule for Victims/Survivors of Domestic Abuse who need to move in relation to that abuse, Armed Forces and Care Leavers. The Care Leavers exemption now covers all defined Care Leavers and not just those placed by Derbyshire County Council.
  • Reflect the recent change made by the Government which means that any Local Connection qualification rule cannot be applied to those who are currently serving, or have ever served in the Regular Armed Forces. Our current rule reflects the previous Government rule which exempts armed forces applicants from any local connection qualification rule if they are currently serving, or have left the armed forces in the last five years.
  • Move from 10 Working Days to 15 Working Days to activate applications. This is a more realistic timescale with a small Housing Solutions Team and helps to manage customer expectations.
  • Reduce the number of times an applicant can refuse a reasonable offer of a property, before a penalty is imposed. Suggest to reduce from three to two reasonable offers.
  • Change the thresholds for earnings and resources. The current policy sets a threshold that if you earn more than £60k in gross household income per year, excluding disability benefits, then you don't qualify to apply for a council property. The New Scheme proposes that this figure is more than £40k gross household income per annum, excluding disability benefits. It also suggests that anyone with more than £16k in Savings/Capital/Assets does not qualify.
  • Revise the 'Unacceptable Behaviour' section to strengthen the new Scheme.
  • Revise the 'Property Allocation Tables' in line with best practise.
  • Update the 'Complaints' section to align with the Council's Complaints and Feedback Policy, February 2025.