Autism and housing rights: what you are entitled to

Autistic people can face certain problems with housing. Some homes are hard to live in because of sensory issues. Forms and assessments can also be hard to deal with. This page sets out the housing rights and support open to autistic adults and their families.

Does autism count as a disability for housing purposes?

Yes, in most cases. Autism is a lifelong condition. It affects how people feel the world around them, how they talk to others, and how they take in sights, sounds, and other senses. For housing law and disability law, autism is likely to count as a disability under the Equality Act 2010. This applies if it has a big and long-term effect on your daily life.

This matters because:

• Local authorities must make reasonable adjustments for disabled people when they run housing services
• Autistic people may count as having additional housing needs that affect where they go on the housing register
• Assessors should think about autism during homelessness assessments and needs assessments

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

Many councils give extra points or a higher band on the housing register. This can apply to people with a disability or a long-term health condition that is made worse by their home. Maybe your home does not suit you because of sensory issues, its size, its layout, or where it is. If so, ask the council to assess your housing needs.

You will usually need to back up your application with evidence. For example, you could get a letter from your care coordinator, a community psychiatric nurse, or your doctor. The letter should explain how autism affects your housing.

You may be turned down, or given less priority than you hoped. If so, you can ask for a review of the decision. You must ask within the time limit in the decision letter.

Can I ask for a specific type of property?

You can say what you would like. You might prefer a certain area, ground-floor access, or a quiet spot. Local authorities do not have to meet every wish. But they should think about your medical and welfare needs when they make offers.

Maybe sensory sensitivity is a big issue for you. For example, noise through shared walls might cause you a lot of distress. A letter from a professional that explains this can help your request for a home with the right features.

What is supported housing?

Some autistic people need more help to live on their own. Supported housing gives you a home plus support staff. The staff may be on site or may visit. This might be:

• Supported living: a self-contained flat or house where a support worker visits often or lives there
• Shared accommodation with support: shared housing made for adults with autism or learning disabilities, with staff there to help
• Residential care: for people who need more daily support

Local authority adult social care teams assess support needs and arrange supported housing. Think you need supported housing but have no plan in place? Ask for a Care Act assessment.

What if my home is making my autism worse?

Maybe you are in social housing and the home does not suit your needs. For example, it may be too noisy or poorly insulated, or have sensory features that upset you. You can ask for a management transfer or a supported transfer to a home that suits you better.

Maybe you rent from a private landlord instead. The disrepair rules work the same way for you as for any tenant. If the home has problems with its structure or needs repairs that affect you, your landlord has a duty to fix them.

The home may be in disrepair, and that disrepair may be making your health worse. If so, you may be owed compensation as well as the repairs.

Can I get help with housing applications?

The application process can be hard to handle on your own. Maybe you talk to people in your own way, find forms hard to follow, or feel anxious about it all. You can:

• Ask the council to make a reasonable adjustment to how you apply. For example, you could ask to have a support worker or trusted person help you
• Ask for extra time to fill in forms or hand in 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 easy to use.

What if I think the council is discriminating against me?

Maybe you think a local authority made a housing decision that put you at a disadvantage because of your autism. If so, 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 not good enough
• Get legal advice from a housing solicitor or law centre

When should I contact Support for Tenants?

We help tenants with housing disrepair claims. Maybe you rent from a private landlord and have serious repair problems: damp, mould, no heating, or problems with the structure. Maybe those problems are harming your health or wellbeing. If so, 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)