Contents
Assessment of eligibility : Contents

Including other person or household unit as a signatory to the tenancy agreement

When an existing tenant requests that another person or household unit be included as a signatory to the tenancy agreement the person or household joining must meet the following qualifications to be allocated social housing:

In addition, the person or household unit must establish that they qualify to be allocated social housing in their own right (that is they have a need for social housing).

Assess housing need for person or household unit

When a person or household unit requests to join an existing tenancy a full assessment of the need for social housing must be completed and that person or household must meet the qualifications for social housing.

Note that a full assessment of the need for social housing is not required when a partner requests to be included in the tenancy agreement.

MSD must notify the social housing provider of the outcome of this assessment.

Future review of eligibility for social housing will be joint

Any future review of the joint tenant's eligibility for social housing will be a joint assessment (that is an assessment of their housing need is undertaken as one household). The combined circumstances of joint tenants may mean that they move into the group identified for Tenancy Review, in particular their combined household income may result in an Income Related Rent equal or near to market rent.

Reviews of decision

A client can apply for a Review of Decision when they have received formal notification of (and do not agree with) the outcome of the eligibility review and/or review of their housing needs.

For more information see:

Legislation

  • Agency may review housing eligibility section 117 Public and Community Housing Management Act 1992
  • Agency may review housing needs of a tenant section 118 Public and Community Housing Management Act 1992
  • Rights of appeal section 132(1)(b)(i) and (ii) Public and Community Housing Management Act 1992
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Formal notification is:

Housing need refers to households lacking their own housing or living in housing which is inadequate, unsuitable or unaffordable, and who are unable to meet their housing needs (property requirements) without assistance.

Note to be eligible to be allocated social housing a client must be assessed as being at risk (A priority) or have a serious housing need (B priority).