Applications to the Waiting List will close to the current Housing Register at 11:59 pm on 6 December 2026 as part of the transition to Rugby Borough Council HomeSelect.
Rugby HomeSelect will reopen for new applications on 25 January 2027. This will include a re-registration period for existing Housing Register applicants.
The first properties bidding cycle will be advertised through the new scheme from 27 January 2027.
Social Housing, is for people who cannot afford or who cannot find suitable housing to rent or buy on the open market.
Rugby Borough Council owns and manages its own housing stock. In addition, social housing within the borough is also provided by a number of registered housing associations.
Council and Housing association properties that fall vacant will be advertised and allocated through our new housing register, HomeSelect. Further information can be found
Acceptance onto Home Select is subject to eligibility. For more information, please see the HomeSelect Allocations Policy or visit the HomeSelect website.
If accepted, we will send you confirmation of the band you have been awarded, information on the bidding process.
If you experience any problems bidding or have any questions, please contact the Waiting List Team:
You do not need to take any action at this time.
We recognise that some applicants may need assistance to complete an online application.
Independent support on offer for applicants
Customers with no access to the internet or who need support completing an application can contact:
Yes.
The Council will continue to allocate properties through the current allocation process before the new system goes live.
There maybe be a short period when no properties are allocated while the new system is implemented. During this time, exceptional direct matching may take place where there is an urgent housing, homelessness, safeguarding or management requirement.
The first bidding cycle on Rugby HomeSelect will start on 27 Janaury 2026.
No new Housing Register applications can be made between 7 December 2026 and 24 January 2027.
However, applicants who are homeless, threatened with homelessness, or who have an urgent housing need can continue to access housing assistance through the Council's Housing Support Team. Applications may also be considered in exceptional circumstances where there is an urgent housing, medical, welfare or safeguarding need.
If you have any questions about the transition to Rugby HomeSelect, please contact the Waiting List Team.
Telephone: 01788 533832
Email: waitinglistapplications@rugby.gov.uk
If you don't have an email address and want to set one up, click on the following links:
Q) Why is the Housing Register closing temporarily?
A) The Housing Register (Waiting List) will be closed from 6 December 2026 to allow the Council to implement the new Rugby HomeSelect Housing Register, Allocations Policy and Allocations Scheme
This will help ensure applications are assessed consistently under the new arrangements and support a smooth transition to the new system, while ensuring homes continue to be allocated fairly, transparently and in accordance with legal requirements.
Q) When will the current Housing Register close?
A) The current Housing Register (Waiting List) will close to new applications after 7 December 2026.
This means that only applications received by 11:59pm on 6 December 2026 will be processed and assessed under these interim arrangements.
Q) Why is the Council closing the Housing Register?
A) The temporary closure will allow the Council to:
Q) If I submit my application before 7 December 2026 but it has not yet been assessed. What happens?
A) Your application can still be assessed during the transition period.
If the Council has requested further information or supporting evidence, you must provide this within the required timescales. Once your application has been verified, assessed, it can be considered for nominations and allocations during the transition period.
Q) Can I submit a new Housing Register application between 7 December 2026 and 24 January 2027?
A) No. The Housing Register will be closed to new applications during this period.
However, if you are homeless, threatened with homelessness, or have exceptional circumstances, please contact the Councils Housing Support Team as soon as possible.
Q) I am homeless or at risk of homelessness. Can I still get help?
A) Yes.
The temporary closure of the Housing Register does not affect the Council's homelessness duties. If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness, you should contact the Council's Housing Support Team immediately for advice and assistance.
Q) Are there any exceptions to the Housing Register closure?
A) Yes.
In exceptional circumstances, the Council may accept and assess an application during the closure period where there is:
Any decision to accept an application during the closure period must be authorised by the Waiting List Team Supervisor or another nominated officer.
Q) When will Rugby HomeSelect open?
A) Rugby Home Select system will open on:
25 January 2027.
From this date, applications will be registered and assessed. However, properties will not be advertised through the new scheme until the first bidding cycle commences on 27 January 2027.
Q) I am already on the Housing Register. Do I need to apply again?
A) Yes.
Existing applications will not automatically transfer to Rugby HomeSelect. All existing applicants must re-register so that their housing circumstances can be reassessed under the new Allocations Scheme and Allocations Policy.
Q) How long do I have to reapply?
A) The transitional re-registration period runs from:
26 October 2026 to 22 November 2026
Q) What happens if I reapply between 26 October to 22 November period?
Applicants who reapply after 22 November 2026 will still have their application reassessed; however, they may not receive their new assessment in time for the first bidding cycle on the 27 January 2027.
Q) What happens if my circumstances have changed and I qualify for a higher band?
A) If you are awarded a higher band because of a change in circumstances, your band start date will normally be the date the Council received the information supporting the change.
Q) What happens if I do not reapply within 26 October and 22 November 2026?
Applicants who reapply after 22 November 2026 will still have their application reassessed; however, they may not receive their bidding number in time for the first bidding cycle on the 27 January 2027.
Q) Can I bid on properties through the new system as soon as it opens on 25 January 2027?
A) Yes, I you have received your bidding number.
If you have re-registered and received your application number and instructions on how to place a bid.
Rugby HomeSelect will open for new applications on 25 January 2027.
Q) How will properties be allocated during the no-advertisement period?
A) Most properties will be allocated using the current allocations process.
Where necessary, the Council may use exceptional direct matching arrangements.
Q) What is direct matching?
A) Direct matching is when the Council allocates or nominates a suitable applicant for a property.
This is often used for urgent cases, adapted properties, management transfers
Q) When might the Council use direct matching?
A) Direct matching will only be considered in exceptional circumstances where:
Q) How will the Council ensure direct matching is fair?
A) Any direct match will:
Q) When will property advertising begin on the new system?
A) The first bidding cycle on Rugby HomeSelect will start on:
27 January 2027
Q) Will housing associations continue to request nominations to their properties during the transition?
A) The Council is working closely with Registered Providers to ensure that as many nomination requests are completed before the new system becomes fully operational.
Q) How will I receive updates during the transition?
A) The Council will provide information and updates through its normal communication channels, including its website.
Q) I have been offered a property. Will the new Housing Register and Allocations Scheme affect me?
A) No, unless you decide to refuse the offer of accommodation.
Any allocation, nomination or offer made under the current allocation arrangements will continue to be dealt with in accordance with the existing Allocations Policy and procedures that applied at the time the property was advertised.
The introduction of Rugby HomeSelect and the commencement of the new Allocations Scheme and Allocations Policy will not affect allocations already made or offers already issued.
Q) I have already been on the Housing Register for some time without being rehoused. Is this right?
A) Yes, this can be the case.
There are significantly more people on the Housing Register in borough of Rugby than there are social housing properties available.
Waiting times vary depending on:
Because demand for social housing substantially exceeds supply, some applicants may wait for a considerable period before receiving an offer and some applicants may never be offered social housing.
Being accepted onto the Housing Register does not guarantee that you will be rehoused.
Q) Will my banding change under the new Allocations Scheme?
A) It is possible.
When Rugby HomeSelect opens, all existing applicants will be required to re-register so that their circumstances can be reassessed under the new Allocations Scheme and Policy.
As a result of the reassessment, your application may be placed in a higher band, lower band or remain in the same band, depending on how your circumstances meet the new criteria.
If you are awarded the same band or a lower band and you reapply within the transitional period, you will normally retain your existing band start date or application date.
Some applicants who currently qualify for the Housing Register may no longer qualify under the new arrangements, depending on their individual circumstances and whether they meet the revised qualification criteria.
Applicants who do not qualify will be notified of the Council's decision and advised of any review rights that may apply.
Q) Will everyone who is currently on the Housing Register qualify under the new scheme?
A) Not necessarily.
All applicants will be reassessed against the qualification and eligibility criteria contained within the new Allocations Scheme.
Some applicants who currently qualify may no longer qualify under the new arrangements, depending on their individual circumstances and how they meet the revised criteria.
Applicants who do not qualify will be notified of the Council's decision and advised of any review rights that may apply.
Q) Can I join the Housing Register now, or should I wait until the new scheme opens?
A) You can apply now.
If you wish to join the Housing Register, you should submit your application before the current Housing Register closes to new applications at 11:59pm on 6 December 2026.
Applications received before this date will be assessed in accordance with the current Allocations Policy and may be considered for available housing opportunities during the transition period.
Please note that all existing applicants will be required to re-register.
Q) What happens if my circumstances change before the new Allocations Scheme begins?
A) You must continue to report any changes in your circumstances as usual.
Until the new Allocations Scheme is implemented, the Council will continue to assess applications and changes in circumstances in accordance with the current Allocations Policy.
If your housing, medical, welfare, household or other relevant circumstances change, you should notify the Council as soon as possible and provide any supporting information requested.
Q) What support will be available for applicants who need help applying to the new Housing Register?
A) We recognise that some applicants may need assistance to complete an online application.
Independent support on offer for applicants
Customers with no access to the internet or who need support completing an application can contact:
The Council is committed to ensuring that applicants are not disadvantaged because they need help accessing or using the new system.
Q) Why can no longer select the areas I wish to live in on the application?
A) Under the new Choice Based Lettings scheme, applicants will be able to bid for available properties that match their household's assessed housing need. This means you no longer need to select preferred areas as part of your application.
Q) Why am I being asked where I would like to live within the borough?
A) Although you will no longer select areas for housing allocation purposes, we are still asking applicants about their preferred locations within the borough.
We collect this information to help inform future housing development, planning, and property acquisition decisions across Rugby Borough.
To make this process simpler, we have updated our location preferences to reflect the borough wards rather than smaller geographical areas.