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Social housing

Apply to join the housing waiting list (housing register)

Last updated: 21 January 2026

Next review: 21 January 2027

Homes are in high demand

There is high demand for housing in Waltham Forest, and only a limited number of council and housing association homes are available. Most people who apply will not receive an offer. Those who do are likely to wait a long time.

Below are some examples of the average wait time for social housing in the borough. Some areas and types of homes (e.g. houses) are more popular than others, so you can expect to wait significantly longer for these.

  • Studio / 1 bedroom: 4 years
  • 2 bedrooms: 7 years
  • 3 bedrooms: 11 years
  • 4 bedrooms: too few for an average. We rarely have any four-bedroom homes for allocation, so we are unable to say how many years you might wait for this type of home

If you need to apply for social rented housing in Waltham Forest, such as council and housing association tenancies, you must be on the housing register. This is also known as the housing waiting list.

Check if you’re eligible

To apply you must:  

  • be over 18 years old
  • have continuously lived in the borough for at least 5 years
  • be legally allowed to live in the UK and have recourse to public funds

Exceptions

If you have not lived in the borough for at least 5 years you may still apply if you:  

  • are currently a secure council tenant of Waltham Forest
  • live outside the borough in accommodation provided by the council
  • are a council or housing association tenant living elsewhere but working in the borough
  • you are a current or former member of the regular armed services

If any exemption applies, or if you cannot apply online, contact: housing-registration@walthamforest.gov.uk.  

This is a summary and there are other eligibility criteria and exceptions. The full rules are set out in our Housing Allocation Scheme. 

If you are not eligible for social housing

Explore alternative housing through affordable homes to rent or buy. 

Join the housing waiting list (also known as the housing register)

To apply, you must have a Waltham Forest My Account. 

Register for a My Account.

After you register, we’ll send you an email with a link to activate your account. Once your account is active, you can complete the waiting list form. 

Information you’ll need before you apply

We’ll ask about: 

  • your household and current living situation
  • your address history (last 5 years)
  • any health conditions or support needs
  • your immigration status
  • any connection to the council or past tenancy issues
  • why you need social housing 

Make sure you have names, dates of birth, addresses and relevant documents ready before you start.

Apply to join the housing waitlist list

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