If you are unhappy with a decision about your housing application or an offer of housing, you can ask to have the situation looked at again using the appeals procedure.
If you wish to review something related to your homeless application then please visit the homelessness appeals page.
In order to submit an appeal, you must have grounds and it must be within the given timescale. It will not be reviewed if it is out with this timescale.
| Grounds for appeal |
Timescale for appealing |
| The Council has refused to make you an offer of housing |
You can appeal this at any time |
| The priority Band you've been awarded doesn't match your situation |
You can appeal this at any time |
| You have been suspended from the housing list |
Up to 21 days from the date of suspension |
| Your application has been cancelled |
Up to 21 days from the date of cancellation |
| You have been offered a property that is in unreasonable condition |
Up to 21 days from the date you were offered the property |
| The property you've been offered doesn't match the choices that you've made on your application form |
Up to 21 days from the date you were offered the property |
| Your Band 1 or Band 2 priority has been removed because you have not bid for 3 months |
Up to 21 days from the date your priority was removed |
| Your Band 3 or Band 4 priority has been removed because you have not bid for 12 months |
Up to 21 days from the date your priority was removed |
| Your priority has been removed because you have refused offers of housing or a direct match |
Up to 21 days from the date your priority was removed |
If Falkirk Council has refused to make you an offer of housing or the priority Band you've been awarded doesn't match your situation, you can appeal this at any time. For all other grounds for appeal, you can appeal up to 21 days from the date the decision was made.
It is important to note that during the appeals process properties cannot be held for applicants, ensuring that the allocation of housing remains timely and responsive to community needs.
Before submitting an appeal we suggest reading the frequently asked questions.
What happens next
The review will be carried out by a Senior Officer not directly involved with decision making on your case. We will notify you of the result and aim to write within 28 working days with the outcome of your review.
If you are thinking of putting in a review, we would recommend you get independent, professional advice. Once the review has been carried out, you cannot appeal this decision. Should you remain dissatisfied with our decision the next step is applying for a judicial review.
Judicial review
Judicial review is a specialised type of court procedure that can be used to challenge the way we have made a decision that affects you. By going down the route of judicial review, you're asking the Court of Session to:
- look at how the decision was made (and not whether the decision itself was right or wrong)
- check that we did not abuse our powers
- check that we acted lawfully.
To request a judicial review, you must raise a 'petition for judicial review'.
If your case gets to this stage, we recommend seeking legal advice.
There are also other organisations who can give advice.