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Original poster

To sell my house and try and get a council house? To think I'm too poor to own?

189 replies

RedFence · 23/05/2024 06:48

I don't want to rub people up the wrong way, I know its not easy to get a council house, I've never had one before, but I am at breaking point.

I've posted a few times about my house; I bought using a government scheme which means I have 60% equity. I am a single parent to 2 sons, 9&13, 9 yo is SEN. I work PT around their school as youngest cannot attend wrap around.

I bought the house whilst we were homeless, 3 of us in my mums tiny and damp spare room.

The house had so many issues not on the home report and because I'm stupid and didn't 'see' the issues. I had to get a new bathroom due to leaking, insulation, roof repair, raw sewage coming up through pipes into bathroom, it's been awful. I am in debt. And then last night, I come downstairs to a large area of the wall wet and dripping because the roof is leaking again. I can't afford it, it'll be another debt.

I have £9 in my account. I behind on my council tax, every month just seems to be a new repair. It's unsustainable. I skip meals, I haven't had my hair cut for 9 months, I wear trainers with holes in them. I don't mind if the alternative my sons miss out, I just want them to be okay. We have moved three times in just over a year, I feel so guilty.

I feel I was never in a position to be a home owner, inevitably I bought a house with issues because that's what I could afford, but I can afford the repairs, or the upgrades.

I don't know who I can talk to about this. I don't know what to do. Private rents are rare and ridiculously expensive, we also have a 5year old dog. I am breaking.

OP posts:
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TheDefiant · 23/05/2024 07:21

Depending on area you could wait more than a decade for a council house. They aren't just hard to get, they might be nearly impossible to get.

Go to turn2us and look at the grant database. See if you are eligible for any grants that you could use to improve your home.

Check entitlements to benefits. Are there any second jobs you could do from home? Look at the earn £10 a day thread on here.

Go on the money saving expert website and learn every possible financial tool to manage your outgoings and income.

Get a referral to a food bank for food.

I think you fight tooth and nail to keep your home or at least get it ready for selling if you are exhausted.

Are there any charities associated with your DCs SEN that might be able to help with volunteers who come in and do home improvements?

TheYearOfSmallThings · 23/05/2024 07:16

If you sold the house tomorrow, roughly how much would you get from your equity in it?

soupfiend · 23/05/2024 07:16

Is there space in the house to get a monday to friday lodger?

renomeno · 23/05/2024 07:16

Who owns the other portion of the house? They surely have equal responsibility for maintenance and repair? If it's a housing association you need to be discussing the situation with them, they might be able to help. Another option would be to speak to the charity Shelter who can give you advice or point you to appropriate support. Good luck

Einwegflasche · 23/05/2024 07:14

Firstly, sorry things are so hard @RedFence.
Regarding selling your house and trying to get a council house - it's highly possible that the council will view that as 'making yourself intentionally homeless', plus there is a huge shortage of supply in relation to demand when it comes council properties. If they housed you at all you may end up in a hostel or even a hotel/b and b. Even if you had applied last year you might only be in temporary accommodation, at best.
I suggest that you speak to an Independent Financial Advisor and somewhere like Citizens/Advice to see exactly what options you might have. You may be entitled to some sort of home improvement grant if your house is in really bad condition.
Good luck.

Original poster
RedFence · 23/05/2024 07:11

I have 60% mortgage on the house, sorry, so not equity? I have to give back 40% of the value upon sale.

I get topped up a little by universal credit, and I applied for CDP for my son last year before diagnosis, which he now has.

OP posts:
Original poster
RedFence · 23/05/2024 07:09

I honestly don't know how it works with council housing, I don't know anyone in a council house. The local authority have built a lot locally recently, I know having a house right now would mean I wasn't given any priority, but If I sold its not because I'm desperate for a council house, or maybe it is? Our housing situation does not feel secure, the house is at risk of falling into disrepair, its causing us a huge amount of stress. I don't feel well enough to go to work today, and worry about project deadlines when I have all this going on at home.

I just don't know what to do. I'm in roughly 13k of debt from repairs to family and the bank. I can't afford to eat. I should never have bought a house, I should have got a council house when we were homeless last year.

OP posts:
MyOtherCarisAVauxhallZafira · 23/05/2024 07:08

Do you have 60% equity or do you have a mortgage for 60% of the property?

GeckoFeet · 23/05/2024 07:06

Talk to citizens advice and ask them to do a benefit calculator, they can do it online for you. Even though you've got a mortgage you'll be able to claim more than just child benefit.

MountCaramel · 23/05/2024 07:04

Are you claiming DLA for your son and carers allowance or carers credit to make up your income shortfall. I would look at getting a remote f/t or p/t job to increase your household income.

If you sell in order to get a council house you won't be priority for the council. You could be stuck in a B&B for years before you're housed. You will not be able to choose the area the council houses you. Plus, any equity from the house might disqualify you from council housing.

Try to find a way to keep the house or sell to buy another one than to rely on council housing.

fieldsofbutterflies · 23/05/2024 06:59

Surely if you sell your house, your council will see it as making yourself deliberately homeless and won't help you?

loudbatperson · 23/05/2024 06:55

You will need proper advice before you do anything.

Selling could likely make you intentionally homeless and the council would discharge its duty to house you.

60% equity in the property is pretty good, could you remortgage to afford the repairs? I am not sure how debts or part time working may impact this. You may need to speak to a mortgage broker.

Whaleandsnail6 · 23/05/2024 06:54

I'm not sure how this would work. You have secure housing now so would be low down in level of criteria, what would you do in the period between selling your home and being eligible for a council property? That could potentially take a very long time.

PotatoPudding · 23/05/2024 06:52

How much equity do you have in your house? You would have to sell the house first before the local authority would even give you permission to bid; then your eligibility and priority would depend on your savings and your income.

Are you claiming everything you’re entitled to? Mortgaged home owners are still entitled to UC as long as they qualify through other criteria.

A call to Citizens Advice would be a good idea. Good luck.