Evidence of identity is not required to join the housing register. However, if a landlord makes contact as you are being considered for a home you will need to provide evidence of your identity within 3 working days. Failure to do this means the landlord will reject your application.

You can upload evidence by signing into your Homefinder Somerset account, clicking 'Add supporting documents to my application' and follow the instructions.

The following households must provide evidence that they are eligible to register with Homefinder Somerset:

(a) If you are not a British Citizen and are subject to immigration control, you will need to supply your passport and immigration control paperwork to evidence your right to remain in the UK.

If you have indefinite leave to remain in the UK, known as the right to reside, you will need to provide the following evidence:

Biometric Residence Permit or
Passport showing your 'No Time Limit' stamp, or 'Indefinite Leave to Enter' stamp, or 'Indefinite Leave to Remain' stamp or endorsement or
Your letter from the Home Office confirming your right to remain indefinitely in the UK.

If you have settled status or pre-settled status to be in the UK, get a ‘share code’ to prove your status from the Gov.uk website. Please note that the code lasts for 30 days

If you applied for settled or pre-settled status before the deadline of 30 June 2021 but have yet to hear about your application. Please provide your passport or national ID card and your EU Settlement Scheme application certificate, which was emailed to you when you applied.

(b) If you are a British Citizen who has been living abroad for more than two years, you need to satisfy the Habitual Residency Test by completing and returning the Habitual Residency Test form

(c) If you have not lived in Somerset for the last two years, or three of the last five years you will need to prove a local connection. You can do this in different ways:

Have worked in Somerset at least 3 months, for an average of 16 hours or more a week, and your job requires you to work in, or travel to Somerset. Evidence will be required from your employer e.g. your contract letter and payslips for the last 3 months.
Have immediate family (parents, siblings & non-dependent children) who have lived in the Somerset for five years, where there has been frequent contact and commitment. Your immediate family member will need to complete the ‘Local Connection Form’ to confirm this.
Need to move to Somerset to give or receive essential and critical medical or other support, where significant harm would result if this was not provided. Professional supporting evidence is required and the 'Care Received form' should be completed by individual receiving the care and the individual providing the care should complete the 'Care Provided form'

Other evidence that may be required:

You will need to provide additional evidence if anyone named as part of your household:

Is pregnant, the MAT B1 certificate issued by the NHS should be attached to your application.
Has health or welfare issues affected by your current home. The best evidence is from a professional who has visited you in your home and has first-hand knowledge of the person whose health or welfare is affected and the effect that a move would have on them. An Occupational Therapist can confirm the type of property or adaptations required for people with mobility issues. We do not expect you to incur charges for medical professionals to write letter, reports or letters from your Consultant to your GP can sometimes be sufficient.

Additional evidence may be required to ensure that your Band and the size of home you need is correct.

How to provide evidence

Sign in to your Homefinder Somerset account, click ‘Add supporting documents to my application’ and follow the instructions.

Prevent delays, get your evidence right first time. Ensure any document you send:

Matches the details on your application
Can be seen in full. When copying or photographing ensure the document it is not folded, covered or amended in any way