Acceptance criteria - public housing

All housing authorities on the Island apply a common approach for acceptance on to housing waiting lists. A leaflet explaining the common criteria is available (see downloadable documents). You should note, in particular, that applicants must be aged 18 or over and have been a resident on the Island for a total of at least 10 years, 5 of which must have been spent in the area they are applying to. For example, an applicant who has lived on the Island for 10 years, of which 6 were spent living in Onchan, would apply to Onchan District Commissioners.

Combined waiting list for South only

The Housing Division along with the southern area Local Authorities of Arbory, Castletown, Malew, Port Erin, Rushen and Santon operate a combined housing waiting list for the south only. You can download an application form to join the combined list along with FAQs which sets out the advantages for applicants of the combined list.

Note – applicants wishing to live outside the southern region should complete an application form and submit it to the relevant housing authority. To apply to the Department's list, download a copy of the application form (see downloadable documents) or collect one from Markwell House. To obtain a form from another housing authority, please see the contact list below:

Points scheme

A points system is applied with regard to the allocation of properties, in which applicants are awarded points in accordance with their needs. However, being allocated a home also depends on the area you have applied for, the popularity of the area and the number of homes available for allocation. Therefore, the number of points needed may vary. Points will be reviewed annually using a review form completed by applicants. They are awarded for a variety of circumstances, and these are covered in the leaflet Criteria for Allocation of Properties: Pointing System, (see downloadable documents).

Support 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 support 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.