What is a local connection?

Sometimes local authorities will expect housing applicants to have a local connection to an area – this is explained below.

You will have a local connection with a local council’s area if you fall into one of the following categories.

You live in the area

If you have lived in the area for six months out of the past 12, or three years out of the past five, you have a local connection.

To have a local connection, you must have lived in the area by choice.

You have close family in the area

You will have a local connection if you have close family who have lived in the area for at least five years. Close family is usually limited to your mother, father, siblings or children.

You may have a local connection if you were brought up in the area by a different family member such as an aunt, uncle or grandparent.

You work in the area

You will have a local connection if you work in the area.

Other reasons

There are other special reasons that the council will consider as a local connection. For example, you may need to live in an area to receive specialist health care or because in the past you lived in the area for a long time.

Please not:e that this information is for guidance only.