Acceptance criteria - public housing
From 1 June 2019 the criteria for general needs housing will change for all housing authorities on the Island. The new criteria is available to read in the downloadable document on the right hand side.
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, 3 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 4 were spent living in Onchan, would apply to Onchan District Commissioners.
Combined waiting lists
The Housing Division 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.
Application form and guidance notes
Note – applicants living in Onchan and Peel should apply to the housing authority in these areas. To obtain a form from another housing authority, please see the contact list below:
Department of Infrastructure
Ground Floor
Markwell House
Market Street
Douglas
IM1 2RZ
+44 1624 685955 Please note that all calls will be recorded for quality and training purposes.
Clerk to Braddan Parish Commissioners
Commissioners’ Office
Close Corran
Union Mills
Isle of Man
IM4 4LZ
+44 1624 852808
Mr H McKenzie
Clerk to Castletown and Malew Elderly Persons Housing Board
Castletown Town Commissioners
Civic Centre
Farrants Way
Castletown
IM9 1NR
Housing Manager
Douglas Borough Council
Town Hall
Ridgeway Street
Douglas
Isle of Man
IM99 1NR
Housing Department: +44 1624 696435 Main Switchboard: +44 1624 696300
Housing Officer
Onchan District Commissioners
Commissioners' Office
Main Road
Onchan
Isle of Man
IM3 1RD
+44 1624 675564
Peel Town Commissioners
Town Hall
Derby Road
Peel
Isle of Man
IM5 1RG
+44 1624 842341
Clerk to Port Erin Village Commissioners
Commissioners’ Office
12 Bridson Street
Port Erin
Isle of Man
IM9 6AN
+44 1624 832298
Ms H Fargher (Clerk)
Port St. Mary Commissioners
Town Hall
Promenade
Port St Mary
Isle of Man
IM9 5DA
+44 1624 832101
Ramsey Town Commissioners
Town Hall
Parliament Square
Ramsey
Isle of Man
IM8 1RT
+44 1624 810100
Fixed Term Tenancies
In 2014, the Department of Infrastructure implemented Fixed Term Tenancies for new public sector housing tenants. All new tenancies will be 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 continue 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.
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.