We will consider your personal medical needs as part of your application to join the housing register.
If you have medical needs to tell us about, please read the information below to see if you need to fill in a medical assessment form as part of your application.
Why complete a medical assessment form?
You should only complete a medical assessment form in one of the following circumstances:
- If you are not overcrowded, but your housing is unsuitable and the housing conditions directly contribute to causing serious ill-health.
- If your medical condition and housing situation are so severe that it meets one of the criteria for Band 1. You can find further information in the Housing Allocation Scheme (pdf 508KB) (see page 39).
- If your medical condition will affect the type of property you will need to be offered to ensure that is suitable to meet your medical needs. For example a ground floor or lifted property for someone with mobility problems.
Download the medical assessment form (pdf 252KB). You will need to upload it with supporting evidence when you make your application to join the housing register.
The majority of medical assessments that we receive do not change the applicant's priority banding.
We ask that you think carefully before submitting an application and ensure that one of the above reasons applies to avoid disappointment.
Can I join the housing register because of my medical needs?
You may qualify to join our housing register if your housing is unsuitable for moderate or severe medical reasons or due to a disability.
Applicants will then join the register in Band 3, or Band 2 if they are making a community contribution (for example work or volunteering).
In one of the following exceptional circumstances, Band 1 can be awarded:
- where an applicant’s condition is expected to be terminal within a period of twelve months and re-housing is required to provide a basis for the provision of suitable care
- the condition is life-threatening and the applicant’s existing accommodation is a major contributory factor
- the applicant’s health is so severely affected by the accommodation that it is likely to become life-threatening
- the applicant (or household member) is unable to access their accommodation and requires re-housing into accommodation suitable for their use
- the applicant’s accommodation is directly contributing to the deterioration of the applicant’s health such as severe chest condition requiring intermittent hospitalisation as a result of chronic dampness in the accommodation and the condition of the property cannot be resolved within a reasonable period of time – usually 6 months
- where overcrowding in the property leaves the applicant at risk of life-threatening infection.
I am already on the housing register. Will my or a family member's medical condition give me a higher priority?
If you are already on the housing register in Band 3, you can only be awarded a higher priority on medical grounds if you qualify for Band 1.
The majority of medical assessments that are made do not change priority banding. We ask that you think carefully before submitting an application as it will only increase your priority if your medical needs and housing situation meet the criteria for Band 1. You can find further information in the Housing Allocation Scheme (pdf 508KB) (see page 39).
Band 2 is not awarded on medical grounds. Applicants are placed in Band 2 if they meet the community contribution criteria, for example, they are working or volunteering in the community. You can find further information in the Housing Allocation Scheme (pdf 508KB).
What if damp in my home is affecting my health?
Damp in your home will only be considered in exceptional circumstances where it directly contributes to causing serious ill-health.
If your health condition is severely impacted by damp in your home and you believe this should be considered as part of your housing register application, you will need to complete and upload the medical assessment form and any supporting evidence for consideration.
Please note, it is the legal responsibility of your landlord to make sure that your home remains in a good condition. If your landlord won’t fix the damp or mould in your home, or you would like further advice and assistance, you can contact the private housing service on 020 8753 1221 or email phs@lbhf.gov.uk
If you are a council tenant with damp in your home, you can request a repair online or call 0800 023 4499.