Key Facts

Facts about Council Housing in Birmingham

The city council has approximately 59,000 properties, and this is decreasing each year – in 1981 the council had over 123,000 properties.
There are currently nearly 24,000 households on the housing register.
Of these, 7,101 are in Band A and 7294 are in Band B.
The council advertised only 2484 properties between April 2023 and March 2024, and this is decreasing each year.
Even if no new applicants applied, it would take many years to clear the current housing register.
8% of our properties are designated for older people – aged 55 and over (sheltered properties).
The Council has over 5,100 households living in Temporary Accommodation (TA).
There were 1,904 homeless presentations in the first 3 months of 2024.
809 (44%) of those were secured accommodation for 6 months plus.

Property Numbers Let in the last 12 months

LARGER ACCOMMODATION IS VERY SCARCE

• There were only 53 properties with 4 bedrooms let between April 2023 and April 2024.
• In the last 6 months the council only let 1 property that had 5 bedrooms but have 784
households on the housing register for this sized property.
• The Councils TOTAL stock of 6 bedroom or larger properties anywhere in the city is 14. This equates
0.02% of stock.

Between April 2023 and April 2024, only 2 properties were let with 6 bedrooms or larger but have 142 households on the housing register for this sized property.

BE REALISTIC ABOUT YOUR CHANCES OF SECURING A COUNCIL PROPERTY

• Large families – even in Band A will wait several years to secure a council house.
• All council properties are in great demand however houses are in greater demand than flats and in
some areas the average applicant will wait over 20 years to secure a property.

Please follow see here for information on the average waiting time for properties advertised through Birmingham Choice and Recent Lets:

Average Waiting Time and Recent Lets