Finding a home

There is a very high demand for affordable housing in Tower Hamlets and a very limited supply of it. This means many people on the housing list can wait for a very long time before being able to get a home.

You will increase your chances of getting a home if you widen the choice of properties you apply for each week. For example, by not limiting yourself to a particular floor level or property type like a ground floor or only bidding for homes in one area.

If you want to rent a home managed by Tower Hamlets Homes or a social landlord in Tower Hamlets – you must ‘register’ for housing.You do this by applying to join the Tower Hamlets housing list.

You can bid (apply) to rent a home if you are accepted onto the housing list.

You must register a bid for a home to be considered for it. (If you are a vulnerable resident and have applied to auto bid you will automatically be considered for the property types and areas you have chosen.)

The council advertise homes that become available to let each week including the homes of partner social landlords in:

• East End Life
• Tower Hamlets Homeseekers website
• housing offices  
• one stop shops
• partner landlord offices
• homeless services reception

How to bid

• Log onto the Tower Hamlets Homeseekers website
• Use the automated telephone line on 0845 270 2400
  (available in Bengali, Somali, Cantonese, Vietnamese and Urdu as well as English)
• Autobid (only available for vulnerable residents)

Other housing options

There are other ways to find a home which might be right for you and which may help you move more quickly -  Seaside and Country Homes, Cash Incentive scheme, Mutual Exchange, LAWN  Mobility, Homebuy and Key Worker scheme.

If you have a question about the Housing List or other housing options please visit the council’s web site or contact the council’s letting service on 0207 364 2826 or email:lettings@towerhamlets.gov.uk