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AIBU?

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Original poster

Council housing eligibility

113 replies

user125 · 11/03/2025 19:46

I know this post is probably going to receive a lot of hate so I have changed my username. Please know I am not trying to be controversial or begging etc.
Me and DH were lucky enough to have put enough savings aside in our very early twenties to buy a small two bedroom terrace. Originally it was our plan to be here for 5 years and then move on to something bigger. Life had other plans. After struggling with infertility and lots of treatment we are now a family of 4. Currently the children share a room and me and DH have the other room. One of our DC's is awaiting an asd and ADHD assessment. He is a gorgeous sweet boy but struggled with being unregulated a lot and can get very violent towards his sister. This is a regular occurrence and is getting worse as he gets older.

We are desperate to be able to give them their own room but we have an appalling credit history and are unable to get approved on a higher mortgage. Someone mentioned applying for council housing. I assumed we would not be eligible because we own our home (with two mortgages on it). I don't know what else we can do. The downstairs is not big enough for me and DH to move a bed in to so the kids could have their own rooms. Would we be eligible or would it be a case of being on the list for years and years and never getting any further?

I know there are people in much higher need than us as we have a roof over our heads, but I need to be able to give both children a safe space of their own.

OP posts:
Original poster
user125 · 11/03/2025 19:58

@mumofoneAlonebutokay no we aren't in London we are in the West Midlands x

OP posts:
Overthebow · 11/03/2025 19:57

You could join the list if eligible but very u likely you’ll get something anytime soon. You may need to look at other options, move somewhere cheaper to buy a higher house, buy a different configuration of house so 2 bed with one large bedroom you could split, sofa bed in the living room in your current house.

Original poster
user125 · 11/03/2025 19:57

Thanks for the replies. I assumed this would be the case. We are currently considering selling and renting privately and then applying. We are in so much debt that once we sold we would have no equity left over and would be in a similar position renting privately so that may change things slightly. Unfortunately loft conversion or splitting a bedroom isn't an option, we bought a new build so it is tiny for a two bedroom.

OP posts:
mumofoneAlonebutokay · 11/03/2025 19:55

Bushmillsbabe · 11/03/2025 19:53

Could you look at applying for a disabled facilities grant to convert your loft into an extra bedroom? Your child's OT could help you with the paperwork.

Or could the largest bedroom be split into 2?

How old are the children? I think once teenagers you would count as overcrowded as children are different genders

Edited

Yeah I wonder if, if you talked to the disability social worker in your area, they'd find a way to secure funding for an extension?

Do you live in London? Can you completely relocate?

You'd not be unreasonable at all to go on the waiting list, on the basis of overcrowding but its tough girl 🥺

Disability social worker, local charities to put you in touch with someone who knows about grants for things like this xx

Mingenious · 11/03/2025 19:54

You wouldn’t be able to join the housing register where I am but you could sell your property and rent somewhere privately and then apply. Or you could do a loft conversion.

Bushmillsbabe · 11/03/2025 19:53

Could you look at applying for a disabled facilities grant to convert your loft into an extra bedroom? Your child's OT could help you with the paperwork.

Or could the largest bedroom be split into 2?

How old are the children? I think once teenagers you would count as overcrowded as children are different genders

LolaLouise · 11/03/2025 19:53

Very unlikely, you would maybe be accepted to the wait list on the lowest band. I was homeless with my children when i applied having just left my marriage. Over the next 6 year we lost multiple private rentals due to landlords needing the house back due to their own marriage breakdown, a landlord passed away and the children wanted to sell up, and another just wanted to sell for no reasons given to us as tennants. I was in our 4th rented house when i finally received a council house offer. I dont live in an area where there is considered to be high demand either. and waited nigh on 7 years for one i accepted purely for the secure tenancy and stable home for my children.

Wakeywake · 11/03/2025 19:53

Why don't you check your council's eligibility rules? You may be able to apply if you're overcrowded. You're not going to be high priority anyway so might have to wait years.

Dontletthebedbugsbite2 · 11/03/2025 19:53

I've been on the list for 18 years & never got anywhere. I'm a private tenant & the area I live is highly desirable & I will never be able to afford to buy here. I'm hoping to just get DC through secondary school then move to a cheaper area.

YouveGotAFastCar · 11/03/2025 19:51

You can join the list. Where I am; you wouldn’t be considered overcrowded and you’d be lowest priority, so the average wait appears to be 20 years, but they are planning more houses and I don’t know if the wait time takes that into consideration… and all councils are different. There’s no harm being on the list

I suspect that unless you live somewhere with very low demand for council housing, it’ll take less time to fix your credit than it will to get a council house.

Changeissmall · 11/03/2025 19:51

Not an expert so my reply is probably pointless but I think in most areas there is too much demand so you’ll never be at the top of the list. What area is it? Can you move somewhere cheaper? Do you have any equity?

Iamallowedtodisagreewithyou · 11/03/2025 19:49

I think you'd be waiting a very very long time indeed but there can't be any harm in applying.

TaupeMember · 11/03/2025 19:47

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