In Maidstone subsidised housing, or social housing as it was previously known, is provided by housing associations. It is an alternative to private renting.
It provides a relatively small number of new tenancies each year, and these often have much less choice than you can find with privately rented properties.
If you're interested in this sort of housing you will need to be eligible and apply to be on the Housing Register. You can also take a look at our Find an Affordable Home pages if you would like to look into other types of housing.
The housing register is for anyone over 18 who qualifies to go on our register. To qualify you will need to have a housing need and have a local connection to Maidstone.
You will have to fulfil at least one of the following housing need criteria:
You will need to fulfil at least one of the following local connection criteria:
If you are eligible you can apply to the housing register. If you are not eligible you can take a look at our Find an Affordable Home pages.
To apply to the housing register you will have to fill in our online application form and provide information to support your application and confirm your circumstances. A list of the documents you will need to provide can be found here.
You can supply these documents by emailing them to housingoptions@maidstone.gov.uk, or by bringing them to The Maidstone Link.
Once we have processed your application we will send you a letter with your bidding number and tell you which band you have been placed in.
If you have any questions about completing the application or the housing register please take a look at our FAQ's. If you or someone you know needs access to the internet or support to complete the application please see the list of publicly available computers and computer support.
The last day for receipt of paper applications is Monday 30 June 2014. Any applications received after this date will not be processed, and you will need to submit a new application online.
When we have processed your application we will place you in one of the bands below:
This band is for those people who provide a service to the community. This includes through employment, volunteering, fostering, carers and members of the Armed Forces.
This band is if someone in your house is unable to access the bathroom, bedroom, kitchen or living room.
This band is for households that have a local connection and a housing need.
This band is for those who are defined as homeless under the 1996 Housing Act (this includes rough sleepers).
Once you have been placed in a band and given a bidding number you can start bidding for properties through the Kent Homechoice website.
In Maidstone subsidised housing, or social housing as it was previously known, is provided by housing associations. Priority is given to those in most need of housing. For more information on how we allocate the properties see our Allocation Scheme Policy.
Once you’ve filled in the form and have been told what band you are in, you’ll be given a bidding number which means you can bid for properties in Maidstone. Houses are advertised daily and you can bid on a property at any time before the bidding closing date.
You will need to tell us of any changes in your circumstances.
You can complete our form and return by email to housingoptions@maidstone.gov.uk
Housing Options,If you cannot find what you are looking for in our search facility, you can use our A-Z index to find the service you require.