Apply for a council or housing association home

You will need to submit documents as part of your application to join the housing register. Make sure that you have these documents ready.

Proof of identification

You must provide copies of passports and long birth certificates for adults, children and dependents.

Alternatively, you can provide the front and back of a residency permit with an immigration status letter from the Home Office.

If an individual does not have a valid passport, you can provide a photo of that person.

If relevant to your situation, you should also provide indefinite leave to remain letters and a valid UK residence card. 

Proof of income

If relevant to your situation, you must provide:

• statements from the last 3 months for your bank, building society or savings accounts
• a child benefits entitlement letter with the names of the children and the entitlement start date, as well as the amount that is being paid
• documents from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) 

Proof of residency 

You will need to show that you have lived in the borough for the past 6 years.

You can submit any of the following documents:

• bank statements
• utility bills
• your TV licence
• a GP medical card
• a letter from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
• household insurance documents
• confirmation of pregnancy (MATB1 form or antenatal records)

Documents must be dated within the last 3 months, and clearly show your name and address.

We will also need to see a copy of your most recent tenancy agreement.

If you are living with friends or family, you can provide a host’s tenancy agreement.

Alternatively, you can provide a letter from the host and proof of their identity.

The letter from the host should explain:

• when you moved in
• how many bedrooms there are in the property
• how those bedrooms are being used

Health conditions

You may need to provide:

• a GP patient summary, which can be provided for free by your GP
• outpatient letters related to your health diagnosis
• hospital discharge summaries, if you were discharged from hospital

You should not need to pay for any letters from healthcare providers.

You will have the opportunity to explain how your health conditions impact your housing needs when you complete the application process.

Proof of employment status

We need to confirm your employment status to approve your application to the housing register.

If any of these situations apply to you, make sure you submit the required documents.

If you are employed

If you are employed, you will need to provide your P60s for the previous 2 years, as well as your most recent 3 months of payslips and a copy of your employment contract.

If you are self-employed, you will need to provide audited accounts from the last 2 years.

If you are currently out of work or on disability benefits

Provide proof of your benefits.

If you are a carer

Submit proof that you receive Carer’s Allowance.

You will also need to submit proof that the person you care for is receiving a Disability Living Allowance, or Personal Independence Payments (PIP).

If you are in training or education

Request a letter from the organisation that is providing your training or education.

The letter must be on headed paper and addressed to Croydon Council.

It must contain:

• the details of your course (subject and level of qualification)
• the course start date for each year of education taken
• an explanation of how long the course will last
• the hours of study required each week
• the contact name and number for the organisation

If you receive a student loan, you must provide proof of this loan for each year that you've received it.

If you have previously served in the Armed Forces

You must provide:

• a certificate of discharge or service, or a statement of service from the British Armed Forces
• a valedictory letter signed by the Commanding Officer showing 6 years of unbroken service in the British Reserve Forces

If you are a foster carer or adopter

You must provide:

• proof of registration with the fostering or adoption service
• proof of placement of adoption
• a special guardianship order

Submit your supporting evidence

You must scan or take a photo of each document and submit it when you apply to the housing register.

You need to upload your documents when you reach the ‘Evidence’ section of the application process.