Everything you need to know about applying for a Gentoo home, with clear steps and support at every stage.
We allocate our homes fairly and transparently, focusing on people who need social housing most, while creating safe, balanced communities. We know starting the application process can feel overwhelming, so we’re here to be as clear and supportive as possible. We allocate our homes in line with our Allocations Policy.
Most of our homes are in Sunderland, but we also have properties across five other local authority areas in the North East. This includes homes we let through Durham Key Options, Sunderland City Council and Northumberland County Council, as well as a small number in South Tyneside and Middlesbrough.
To apply, you’ll need:
Have this to hand:
If this feels difficult, you can visit a Gentoo office and we’ll help you.
You’ll create an account using your email address and a secure password.
At the end of your application, you’ll upload your ID. Later in the process, you’ll be asked to bring this into a Gentoo office so we can verify it in person. This is a legal requirement to confirm the Right to Rent and prevents tenancy fraud.
We carry out checks to make sure homes go to the people who need them most and that tenancies can succeed.
This includes:
These checks help us place you in the right priority band.
If you’re not sure whether this applies to you, please contact us and we’ll discuss your individual circumstances.
We accept the following: Passport, Driving licence, Provisional licence, Birth certificate, UC journal showing name and address, Share Code (if applicable), Letter from a local authority or government body dated within 3 months.
Please note, all household members over 18 will need to do this.
You can bring your ID into a Gentoo office if uploading feels tricky.
When you first register, you will be placed in Band 3. This will stay the same unless we receive a request from Sunderland City Council, or we review your circumstances to assess your housing need.
Your band shows how urgent your housing need is, with higher bands given priority for homes.
Band 1+ – Renewal
You must move because your home is in a Gentoo renewal area.
Band 1 – Urgent need
You have an urgent or statutory housing need (for example homelessness or serious risk).
Band 2 – Priority need
You have a high housing need, such as health or welfare reasons.
Band 3 – General need
You want to move but do not have an urgent housing need.
When you apply, everyone starts in Band 3. Your band can change once we receive the right information to understand your housing needs.
If you already rent a home from Gentoo, your neighbourhood coordinator can talk through your situation and help assess your housing need.
If you’re not a Gentoo customer, your banding can be updated following a request from Sunderland City Council’s Allocations or Housing Options team.
Available homes are advertised weekly:
Each advert includes a property label.
A property label explains who the home is suitable for.
It may include:
You can only bid for homes where you meet the essential label criteria.
Bidding simply means: “I’m interested in this home.”
Use filters to find homes by:
When adverts close:
Bids are ranked using:
You can see your shortlist position on your online account.
We match your household size, and any medical or mobility needs, to the home.
If you’re successful:
Applicants will be given 48 hours notice of a viewing. We will contact you by text message and/or email, depending on your contact preference, to tell you:
If you can’t attend, let us know and we’ll try to help where possible.
If you do not attend or do not respond, you may be bypassed and the next person considered. You may also lose your priority banding.
If you have specific needs, please let us know so we can assess how suitable the property is for you.
If you accept a provisional offer after viewing, Gentoo will carry out checks including:
If checks are not passed, the offer may be withdrawn and your application may be suspended.
If all checks are successful:
You will need:
Electronically, you will be given:
If you need documents printing or in another format, please let us know.
Your local office can support you if you:
If you need support or have any questions, you can:
You are a current customer if you already rent a home from Gentoo and want to move. This means we can check your rent account, tenancy history and conduct directly.
You may be given priority if you:
You must:
You are an applicant if you do not currently live in a Gentoo home. You will usually start in Band 3 (General Need).
We will ask for:
If you have health or housing needs, these may be assessed and could change your priority. This is assessed by Sunderland City Council.
If you are nominated by Sunderland City Council (for example due to homelessness), your priority band will be awarded by the Council. Applicants are subject to the same offer checks.
If you are no longer interested in a property that you have bid on, you must withdraw your bid before the advert closes. If the advert has closed, you can still contact us to let us know you want to withdraw your interest.
For properties advertised on our housing register, you can use your online account and housing application to withdraw a bid.
Or you can call 0191 525 5000 and select option 3.
The team provides support and advice for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. They can help with:
You can register for housing with Sunderland City Council by completing the online application form
You can contact the Housing Options Team by calling 0800 234 6084 or emailing housingoptions@sunderland.gov.uk
By law, landlords in England must check that all adults living in a rented home have the legal right to live in the UK before a tenancy starts. This is called a Right to Rent check.
All adults aged 18 or over who will live in the property, including people not named on the tenancy.
You can prove your Right to Rent with:
You can prove your Right to Rent with a valid online share code
You must update your application if anything changes, for example: