Apply for a council house
Midlothian Council operates a common housing register in partnership with Melville Housing Association.
This means you only need to complete one form to be housed by either the Council or Melville Housing Association.
To apply for council housing you should download and complete a Housing Application Form. The same form can be used to apply for all properties including specialist housing.
Completed forms should be returned to the address at the end of this page.
Important
Please ensure you sign the form before returning it to us. If you are joint applicants you must both sign the form.
What happens next?
We aim to process to your application within 28 days of receipt, but it may take longer if we need to ask you for more information.
We process your application according to our Housing Allocation Policy (PDF). The date we receive your application and any supporting evidence will be the day that you join the housing waiting list.
We will write to you each year to check you still wish to remain on the waiting list, and that your circumstances remain the same. It is important you return the review letter, otherwise your application may be cancelled.
Change in circumstances
You must tell us if your circumstances change by completing a change of circumstance form (PDF). You can also use this form if you wish to change your application at any time.
Things you must tell us about include:
- moving house or any other change of address
- having a baby
- other changes to your household
We aim to process change of circumstance forms within 28 days of receipt, but it may take longer if we need to ask you for more information.
Medical Needs Assessments
We aim to help people who have a health or housing need to move to a property more suited to their needs, or provide adaptations or support to help them stay in their current home.
Contact us to request a health/housing needs assessment.
Housing areas
You can choose as many areas as you wish when applying for housing. The housing areas shown on the map of council housing (PDF) are:
- Auchendinny including Glencorse
- Bilston
- Bonnyrigg
- Carrington
- Cousland
- Dalkeith
- Danderhall
- Gorebridge
- Loanhead
- Mayfield
- Newtongrange
- North Middleton
- Pathhead
- Penicuik
- Poltonhall
- Roslin
- Rosewell
- Temple
Apply for a council house (PDF)
When will I be offered housing?
We cannot say exactly how long it will take to offer you housing. It will depend on:
- your position on the waiting list
- the areas and property types you selected on your application
- and the number of homes that become empty in those areas.
A few factors affect your position on the waiting list. e.g. your household circumstances, how long you've been on the list, and the circumstances of other households on the list.