How to apply for housing with Cairn depends on the type of property and the area you want to live in. This guidance is also relevant if you already live in one of our houses and want to transfer to another one.

Common Housing Registers: In some local authority areas Cairn participates in a Common Housing Register (CHR), usually in partnership with the local authority and other housing associations. Instead of having to fill in an application form for each organisation, there is only one application form to be completed, which can be considered by all of the partner organisations.

Cairn participates in CHRs in:
Edinburgh EdIndex - Your Key to Choice
Scottish Borders Borders Choice Homes
Highland Highland Housing Register
North Lanarkshire
Argyll & Bute Home Argyll 

Direct Application: Throughout the rest of Scotland, you should apply for housing direct to Cairn. When you contact us we will send you an application pack. Alternatively, you can download an application form, medical form and information to assist you to complete them. When you have completed a form, remember to sign it before you post it to us.  We will process your completed application within 5 days of receipt.

Nominations Arrangements

Where we are not involved in a CHR, we may have nomination arrangements with local authorities, and on occasions we may ask them for an applicant from their list for one of our houses. If you are applying for housing to the local authority, let them know that you are interested in being nominated to Cairn. You can find local authority web addresses on our Links page.

Care Homes: To apply for a place in a care home in Edinburgh, download an application form or contact us for an application pack.

If you need assistance to complete any of the forms, contact us and we will try to assist you.

Mutual Exchanges: If you are a Cairn tenant and have found another tenant with whom you want to exchange houses, you must get our permission to go ahead. Click here to download a form and information. If you want to find a mutual exchange partner, you can advertise locally, for example place a card in a shop, or an ad in the local paper. You can register free with a national exchange scheme, Homeswapper, and/or with a local scheme such as The Highland House Exchange.