Autism and housing rights: what you are entitled to

Autistic people face specific challenges in housing, from sensory issues that make some properties unsuitable, to difficulties navigating applications and assessments. Here we set out the housing rights and support available to autistic adults and their families.

Does autism count as a disability for housing purposes?

Yes, in most cases. Autism is a lifelong condition that affects how people experience the world, communicate, and process sensory information. For the purposes of housing law and disability law, autism is likely to be a disability under the Equality Act 2010 if it has a substantial and long-term effect on daily activities.

This matters because:

• Local authorities must make reasonable adjustments for disabled people when delivering housing services
• Autistic people may qualify as having additional housing needs that affect where they are placed on the housing register
• Assessors should take autism into account during homelessness assessments and needs assessments

Can the council prioritise me on the housing register because of autism?

Many councils give additional points or bands on the housing register to people with a disability or long-term health condition that is affected by their current housing. If your current home is unsuitable because of sensory issues, size, layout, or location, you should ask the council to carry out an assessment of your housing needs.

You will usually need to support your application with evidence, for example, a letter from your care coordinator, a community psychiatric nurse, or your general practitioner confirming how autism affects your housing situation.

If your application is refused or not awarded sufficient priority, you can ask for a review of the decision within the time limit stated in the decision letter.

Can I ask for a specific type of property?

You can express preferences for location, ground-floor access, quiet areas, or other factors. Local authorities are not obliged to meet every preference, but they should take medical and welfare needs into account when making offers.

If sensory sensitivity is a significant issue, for example, if noise from shared walls causes significant distress, a letter from a professional explaining this can support a request for a property with specific features.

What is supported housing?

For autistic people who need more support to live independently, supported housing combines accommodation with on-site or visiting support staff. This might be:

• Supported living: a self-contained flat or house where a support worker visits regularly or lives on the premises
• Shared accommodation with support: shared housing designed for adults with autism or learning disabilities, with staff available
• Residential care: for those who need a higher level of daily support

Local authority adult social care teams are responsible for assessing support needs and arranging supported housing. Ask for a Care Act assessment if you think you need supported housing and do not already have one in place.

What if my home is making my autism worse?

If you are in social housing and the property is unsuitable for your needs, for example, it is too noisy, poorly insulated, or has sensory features that cause distress, you can request a management transfer or a supported transfer to a more suitable property.

If you are in privately rented accommodation, the disrepair rules apply in the same way as for any tenant. If the property has structural or repair problems that affect you, your landlord has a duty to carry out repairs.

If the property is in disrepair and the disrepair is making your health worse, you may be entitled to compensation as well as the repairs being done.

Can I get help with housing applications?

If the application process is difficult to manage alone, for example, due to communication differences, difficulty understanding forms, or anxiety about the process, you can:

• Ask the council to make a reasonable adjustment to how the application is carried out, such as allowing a support worker or trusted person to assist
• Ask for extra time to complete forms or provide documents
• Ask for information in a format that works better for you

These are rights under the Equality Act 2010. The council must take reasonable steps to make the process accessible.

What if I think the council is discriminating against me?

If you believe a local authority's housing decision was made in a way that disadvantaged you because of your autism, you can:

• Ask for a formal review of the decision
• Make a complaint to the council
• Refer a complaint about a council to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman if the council's response is unsatisfactory
• Take legal advice from a housing solicitor or law centre

When should I contact Support for Tenants?

We handle housing disrepair claims. If you are living in a privately rented property with serious repair problems, damp, mould, no heating, structural issues, and those problems are affecting your health or wellbeing, we may be able to help.

Call us on 0800 030 4669. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.

Sources

• Equality Act 2010 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Autism Act 2009 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Care Act 2014 (legislation.gov.uk)