Acceptance criteria - public housing

The criteria for general needs public sector housing are changing from 1 October 2026. Further information about the changes and how they may affect existing and new applicants is available in the General Needs Allocations Policy FAQs in the downloadable documents on this page.

All public sector housing providers on the Island apply a common approach for acceptance onto housing waiting lists.

Applicants should note, in particular, that they must normally be aged 18 or over and have been resident on the Island for a total of at least 10 years, 3 of which must have been spent in the area in which they are applying.

From 1 October 2026, a housing provider may, where it considers there are sufficient reasons, exercise discretion to reduce the 10-year Island residence requirement or the 3-year local residence requirement. Any request will be considered on the individual circumstances of the case.

Applicants must also meet the relevant financial criteria. Please see the application form and guidance notes, and the General Needs Allocations Policy FAQs in the downloadable documents, for further information.

Combined waiting lists

The Housing Agency along with the Northern, Southern and Eastern Local Authorities are now operating shared lists. You can download the application forms to join the combined list along with FAQs which sets out the advantages for applicants of the combined list.

Northern Area FAQ

Eastern Area FAQ

Southern Area FAQ

Application form and guidance notes

Applications and guidance notes can be downloaded from the downloadable documents section. Please select the appropriate form for the area of your choice.

Note – applicants living in Douglas, Onchan or Peel should apply to the housing authority in those areas.

To obtain a form from these areas or if you prefer to receive a copy of an application form by post, please see the contact list below:

Fixed Term Tenancies

In 2014, the Department of Infrastructure implemented Fixed Term Tenancies for new public sector housing tenants. All new tenancies are normally fixed for a period of five years.

A fixed term tenancy will provide a natural contract break where the terms of the tenancy can be re-evaluated according to the tenants housing need and eligibility at that time. It gives all public sector housing providers the opportunity to update details of the households and check for continued eligibility for tenants in public sector housing.

Existing weekly tenancies will be renewed where there has been a change in your circumstances, for example an increase or decrease in household and the new terms will apply.

The changes taking effect from 1 October 2026 include changes to the financial thresholds used when carrying out relevant fixed term tenancy reviews. Further information for existing Fixed Term Tenancy tenants is available in the General Needs Allocations Policy FAQs in the downloadable documents on this page.

For more information on Fixed Term Tenancies, visit it's webpage.

Points scheme

A points system is used to determine priority for the allocation of properties. Applicants are awarded points according to their circumstances and housing need.

The availability of suitable accommodation will also depend on factors such as the area applied for, the type of property required and the number of properties available. Applications and points are reviewed periodically.

Further information about the points system, including changes taking effect from 1 October 2026, is available in the General Needs Allocations Policy FAQs and accompanying guidance.

Priority for Housing form

Points are available with regard to the adequacy of an applicant's present accommodation. This applies to:

• Unfit housing (this must be certified by Environmental Health)
• Statutory overcrowding (this must be certified by Environmental Health) and
• Unfit in respect of health/welfare considerations (this must be supported by an appropriate health/welfare professional)

To demonstrate any of the above 3 scenarios it is necessary to complete a priority for housing form, which is available from the documents section on the top right side of this page. It is important to read the guidance notes, also in the documents section, before submitting the form to the relevant housing authority.

Negative points

Negative points can be issued in certain cases such as unjustified refusal of a property, and existing public or private sector rent arrears.