Can I apply for social housing if my landlord is not registered?

He’s doing you no favour by not registering you. He’s not a decent guy.

The landlord pays taxes.

he may try to raise rent but is restricted by the amount he can raise

tje landlord tries to evict the tenant who then gets a pay out for an illegal eviction

OP do you want HAP, ie a subsidy for your current rent?

Or do you want a tenancy for life in a council house?

For the former, your tenancy certainly needs to be registered.

Not sure about the latter, though. Provided you meet the income criteria it shouldn't matter.

Best to approach the council then, and see what they actually need in that case.

Fun fact:

Once upon a time, you could apply when your income was low, and when you got to the top of the list, you were aeeessed based on your income at the time you applied not your current income.

This has changed: you now need a low income to be accepted on to the list, and a low income when you are offered a property.

So keep that in mind.

But if you're eligible now, then absolutely do apply: there's nothing to lose.

yeah not sure thats correct - offers are made based on your application/position on the list. Well for choice based letting which is what mostly offered now. And it is net income.