If you are asking us to consider a medical condition as part of your housing application, you will need to provide clear and relevant clinical evidence.
Having a diagnosis, disability or health condition does not automatically mean that medical priority or an additional bedroom will be awarded.
The evidence must explain how the person’s current housing circumstances are affecting them and why a particular housing solution is medically necessary.
This is because we must award medical priority based on the impact of someone's health needs on their current housing situation, not on a diagnosis alone.
What the medical evidence must show
The evidence should come from an appropriate medical or healthcare professional who is directly involved in assessing, treating or supporting the person whose needs are being considered.
It must be based on the professional’s own clinical assessment. It should clearly explain:
- the person’s medical condition or needs
- how their current accommodation or sleeping arrangements affect their health, safety, recovery or day-to-day life
- the specific risks or likely impact if the current arrangements continue
- what change to the accommodation is medically needed
- why that change is necessary, rather than simply preferable or beneficial
- what other reasonable options have been considered and why they would not safely or adequately meet the person’s needs
A general letter saying that moving would be beneficial, or simply confirming a diagnosis, is not enough. The evidence must clearly connect the person’s medical needs to their housing circumstances.
Evidence for an additional bedroom
If you are asking for an additional bedroom because two people cannot share, the clinical evidence must directly assess the need for a separate bedroom.
The medical professional must explain:
- why sharing a bedroom is not possible or would be medically unsuitable
- the specific risks and likely impact of sharing
- how the arrangement would affect the person being assessed and, where relevant, the person they would otherwise share with
- why a separate bedroom is clinically necessary
- why no other reasonable arrangement or solution would safely meet the person’s needs
The evidence must reflect the professional’s own clinical opinion. For example, a letter saying “Mum tells me that her son needs an extra bedroom” would not be accepted if the professional has not assessed whether the child clinically requires a separate bedroom.
Who can provide the evidence?
The evidence must be provided by a professional who has a direct professional relationship with the person whose medical needs are being considered.
The professional should have sufficient knowledge of the person’s condition and circumstances to provide an informed clinical opinion.
Evidence cannot be accepted from a professional who is not assessing, treating or supporting the person in question. For example, a midwife supporting an unborn baby cannot provide clinical evidence about the needs of another child if they have no direct professional relationship with that child.
Evidence we cannot rely on
We will not be able to use evidence that:
- only repeats what the applicant, parent or carer has said - "dad tells me that his son needs/would like a separate bedroom"
- confirms a diagnosis but does not explain the related housing need - "John has ADHD and autism and occassionally lashes out in anger"
- says that a move or additional bedroom would be helpful, without explaining why it is medically necessary - "Amber would like to move to a new home as she feels it will make her feel better to have a fresh start"
- does not assess the risks or likely impact of the current arrangements
- does not consider whether other reasonable solutions could work
- is provided by a professional who is not directly supporting the person concerned
- recommends a particular housing outcome without explaining the clinical reasons for that recommendation
Why detailed evidence is important
Accessible homes and larger properties are in very limited supply. We must make decisions fairly and consistently, based on verified need.
Detailed clinical evidence helps us understand the person’s needs, assess the risks associated with their current accommodation and decide whether a move, a particular type of property or an additional bedroom is medically necessary.
Providing medical evidence does not guarantee that medical priority or an additional bedroom will be awarded. We will consider the evidence alongside the housing application and the requirements of the housing allocations scheme.
Where appropriate, we may refer the evidence to Now Medical, an independent clinical assessment service, to support a fair and balanced decision.
Examples of evidence that is helpful
Evidence that clearly explains the specific housing need arising from the person's medical condition or disability, the impact of the current housing arrangements, the risks if those arrangements continue, and why the housing change being requested is medically necessary - from a clinical professional who has worked with the person involved.
The evidence should also explain what alternatives have been considered and why they would not adequately address the identified need.
Example 1: Mobility and safety
"Mrs Smith's severe mobility difficulties mean she is unable to safely access the bathroom located upstairs. This has resulted in several falls over the past six months and places her at ongoing risk of further injury. In my clinical and professional opinion, ground-floor accommodation or accommodation with a level-access bathroom is medically necessary to reduce this risk and enable her to carry out daily living activities safely."
Example 2: Children unable to share a bedroom
"I have been directly involved in supporting Tom and his family over the past 18 months. Tom's diagnosed mental health condition is associated with episodes of extreme emotional dysregulation, aggression and unpredictable behaviour, which are most likely to occur during the night. There have been multiple incidents where this behaviour has placed his younger sibling at risk of physical harm and significant emotional distress when sharing a bedroom. The family has worked with mental health services and implemented recommended interventions, including behavioural support, medication reviews and sleep management strategies. Despite these measures, the risks associated with the children sharing a bedroom remain significant. In my clinical and professional opinion, separate sleeping arrangements are clinically necessary to protect the welfare and safety of both children, as no other reasonable measures are available within the current accommodation to adequately manage the risks."
