Housing allocations policy and scheme

12. Worsening of Circumstances

1. 12.1. Applicants must not deliberately worsen their circumstances in order to be given a higher Banding on the Housing Register. If an applicant is found to have deliberately worsened their circumstances in order be given a higher Banding, they will either be placed in the Band corresponding to their circumstances at the time of their original application or may be disqualified from the Housing Register on the grounds of unacceptable behaviour.
2. 12.2. Examples of deliberate worsening of circumstances might include:
   • selling a property that is affordable and suitable for an applicant's needs
   • disposing or gifting assets, including property
   • deliberate depletion of capital
   • moving from a secure Assured Tenancy to insecure, overcrowded accommodation, where there is no good reason for this move
   • having allowed the condition of accommodation to deteriorate to a level considered beyond reasonable wear and tear or a wilful act that results in damage to the property
   • where there is evidence that it was reasonable for an applicant to have remained in their original accommodation
3. 12.3. Where an applicant has little or no control over their move to alternative accommodation, this will not be considered as a deliberate worsening of circumstances.