Allocations Policy Review 2025

This consultation has concluded and the responses are currently being evaluated. An options paper outlining proposed short term and longer term changes to our Housing Allocations Policy will be developed shortly.

This paper will be put forward to a meeting of the Council's Cabinet in early September 2025 for approval. 

The changes we intend to take forward will reflect the responses given by residents and applicants to those proposals we outlined in the consultation. 

We will update information here to let subscribers know the outcomes of this consultation and what the views of the public were. We will also share information on which proposals have been agreed and the timeline for implementing these changes. 



Have Your Say on Proposed Changes to How we Allocate Council Houses


East Renfrewshire Council is proposing some changes to the way we let our homes. Across Scotland, there is insufficient social housing for those who need/want it, i.e. homes for rent from Councils and Housing Associations. This means that all social landlords must have a system that prioritises those in greatest need, including those that we must prioritise by law.

As a small council with a very limited supply of homes for rent, we introduced “Homeseeker”, our Choice Based Lettings service in 2019 to improve the choices for those on our housing list and for existing tenants. Despite building more homes, and having a programme of new build into the future, demand for council housing is still far greater than supply in East Renfrewshire.

We have again reviewed our current policy on how we prioritise the allocation of our homes to ensure we consider those in most need of council housing, whilst continuing to provide choice for applicants. We are also conscious of making best use of the homes we have and meeting the needs of our local residents, so the proposed changes reflect the need for a more flexible approach in places.


This consultation is open from May 1st until June 13th 2025


  • Please let us know your views on the proposals by taking the survey below, but first click here to read our summary of the proposed changes.
  • If you have questions on any aspect of the proposal or need further information, please click the 'Questions' button below. There you can submit a question and a member of the Allocations Team will get back to you within three working days.


Have Your Say on Proposed Changes to How we Allocate Council Houses


East Renfrewshire Council is proposing some changes to the way we let our homes. Across Scotland, there is insufficient social housing for those who need/want it, i.e. homes for rent from Councils and Housing Associations. This means that all social landlords must have a system that prioritises those in greatest need, including those that we must prioritise by law.

As a small council with a very limited supply of homes for rent, we introduced “Homeseeker”, our Choice Based Lettings service in 2019 to improve the choices for those on our housing list and for existing tenants. Despite building more homes, and having a programme of new build into the future, demand for council housing is still far greater than supply in East Renfrewshire.

We have again reviewed our current policy on how we prioritise the allocation of our homes to ensure we consider those in most need of council housing, whilst continuing to provide choice for applicants. We are also conscious of making best use of the homes we have and meeting the needs of our local residents, so the proposed changes reflect the need for a more flexible approach in places.


This consultation is open from May 1st until June 13th 2025


  • Please let us know your views on the proposals by taking the survey below, but first click here to read our summary of the proposed changes.
  • If you have questions on any aspect of the proposal or need further information, please click the 'Questions' button below. There you can submit a question and a member of the Allocations Team will get back to you within three working days.

This consultation has concluded and the responses are currently being evaluated. An options paper outlining proposed short term and longer term changes to our Housing Allocations Policy will be developed shortly.

This paper will be put forward to a meeting of the Council's Cabinet in early September 2025 for approval. 

The changes we intend to take forward will reflect the responses given by residents and applicants to those proposals we outlined in the consultation. 

We will update information here to let subscribers know the outcomes of this consultation and what the views of the public were. We will also share information on which proposals have been agreed and the timeline for implementing these changes. 


 

If you have questions on any aspect of the proposals or about the information in the survey, please submit them here and a member of the Allocations Team will get back to you.