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Original poster

Council house, housing

140 replies

Mammystore118 · 30/12/2018 18:07

Hi I’m just wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction or any advice. I live in a 2 bedroom house and it’s very small I’m wanting to move for multiple reasons. My area isn’t the best and we’ve had trouble in the area with people causing trouble and theiving etc... I know you can get that anywhere but I’ve never felt secure or safe in my home I’ve lived here for 3 year and every night I’m a nervous wreck and I shouldn’t have to feel like this. I should feel comfortable and secure in my house which I never have in this house. My partner works shift work which includes nightshift so I’m on my own majority of the time with my little boy. I don’t want my little boy to be around this area as the kids around here swear, fight and cause trouble to people’s houses again... I know this can happen anywhere but rather be away from this area. I could go into detail but would be an essay. Anyway me and my partner both work. So we claim no benefits or anything at all and pay full rent and taxes etc... but I want to move closer to my family but I really want a 3 bedroom house. I wouldn’t mind paying bedroom tax. Is this possible? With me only needing a two bedroom I would like a 3 for more space and if we were to have more children in the future I wouldn’t want to keep moving my child about in different houses because I see that as unsettled so I’d like to stay in the house I next get and buy it eventually. We don’t have the money at the minute to put a deposit for a mortgage so this isn’t an option just yet. Is it possible to get a 3 bed? Or any advice it will be very appreciated.
Any ideas how we could go from a 2 bed to a 3?
Tia

OP posts:
ShowerOfClowns · 30/12/2018 18:31
Hmm
Kaykay06 · 30/12/2018 18:31

You have enough space for now. Swap for a bigger/nicer 2 bed house in a better area but if yours is awful can’t imagine many wanting to live in your area by choice tbh.

You may have another same sex child in future then they can share and you can swap up to a 3 bed if that’s possible.
We all want a nice house in a decent area, I had a lovely 4 bed house with my kids but the landlord returned and I was out so am now homeless in temp accommodation with 4 kids in a teeny 3 bed which is fine for now but even to get a 3/4 bed I’ve been waiting a year and am at the top of the list for the next house. I work btw but single parent so do get some benefits sorry about that!!
Have you tried Home swapper? You are in a good positon reasonable rent and ability to swap if someone likes your place it could be worse,

Heartofgoldheadofcabbage · 30/12/2018 18:32
Biscuit My 1st 🤭
listsandbudgets · 30/12/2018 18:35

I'm sorry OP but unless you go private you've got almost no chance. In many areas the waiting list is phenomenal with even homeless families in temporary accommodation waiting years. you would be counted as adequately housed. Even of you have another child I think they will be expected to share until the oldest is 14. Try putting yourself on the waiting list by all means but be prepared to be put in a very low priority band and to wait and wait and well wait

Sorry

twattymctwatterson · 30/12/2018 18:35

The council won't move you to a 3 bed in a nicer area just because you want it. I'm in a council flat too (and I work). My street is a bit skanky but I know that I'm lucky to have a cheap and secure home. If you want something bigger and nicer then rent privately

cooblanket · 30/12/2018 18:36
Hmm
TwistedStitch · 30/12/2018 18:38

If you are already in social housing you might be able to exchange although some LAs won't allow a swap where you will be under occupying. If you are currently in private rent you would be lucky to get any social housing, you have absolutely no chance of being housed with a bigger property than you need. And why would you think you are entitled to more space than you need when there on families overcrowded?

EMS23 · 30/12/2018 18:38

The law around mutual exchange can allow someone to underoccupy but you're not clear on wether you're currently in a council/ HA property at the moment.

Anyway, your horrible little comment about benefits claimants makes me think you'd probably rather not live in social housing anyway - after all, it's not for 'people like you' is it? 🙄

MrsG010814 · 30/12/2018 18:40

Op do what everyone else has to do and save for a deposit and buy a bigger house. You can't expect the government to hand you a bigger house in a nicer area when the house you are in is adequate and your both working. Imagine if everyone requested a bigger house when they really didn't need one, I'd like a 4 bed detached should I just go to the council and ask for one?

continuallychargingmyphone · 30/12/2018 18:40

If you claim no benefits the rent privately.

continuallychargingmyphone · 30/12/2018 18:41

*Then

WhoTookTheChristmasCookie · 30/12/2018 18:41

Since you're both working and not receiving benefits, it'll be really easy for you to get a 3 bed in any area you want.

Look on Rightmove, find a property, call the agent, view it, sign contracts/references/other admin, pay deposit and you're in.

Literally as easy as that.
It's what the rest of us have to do when we want to move house.

2019yet · 30/12/2018 18:41

OP whatever you do, don't lie to make a housing application, I know some people say "oh everyone does it"... they don't. It is treated very seriously now, and can lead to criminal convictions if houses are acquired under an application that includes lies. It really just isn't worth it and if caught you will lose your right to any council housing and fined.

www.gov.uk/council-housing/council-housing-fraud

Try your local home swap, you may be able to find something there. But as others have said it depends on the area, as in some areas you will be only be eligible to swap into another 2 bed.

thebaronetofcockburn · 30/12/2018 18:42

The law around mutual exchange can allow someone to underoccupy but you're not clear on wether you're currently in a council/ HA property at the moment.

Yeah, our HA won't allow it in swaps.

But yy, very few people want to live on a rough estate. Plenty of them work.

When our DD1 was born we lived in a rough estate and both worked FT. No one wanted to swap and it was already hard to get council housing in a decent area so we private rented.

SweetBabyJebus · 30/12/2018 18:44

So rent a three bed. Hmm

Failing to see your issue, you don't like where you live, want to be closer to family, both of you are working, therefore double income... So go look at estate agents in the area you prefer and move! You seem to be in a good position to do so.

Oh and as an aside, do you recieve child benefit by any chance? Working tax credits? Childcare tax vouchers? All "benefits"...

FoxFoxSierra · 30/12/2018 18:44

I'm ignoring the benefits comment because others will put you straight on that no doubt but register on homeswapper and you may be lucky. Plenty of people will be looking to downsize because of the bedroom tax and I don't think the usual allocation rules count with swaps

FoxFoxSierra · 30/12/2018 18:47

And don't go into a private rental fgs! You would be crazy to give up a secure tenancy however bad the area is

TheQueef · 30/12/2018 18:47

Fucks sake.

listsandbudgets · 30/12/2018 18:48

Just to correct my statement above that under 14s are expected to share a room

I've just checked our LA's rules which same 2 people of either gender who are under age of 10 are expected to share. 2 people of same gender between ages of 10 and 21 are expected to share

Russell19 · 30/12/2018 18:49

I don't understand...if you're working and not on benefits then rent privately. You'll have your own pick of houses/areas.
Why are you in a council house if you both work? As people have said there are lots of vulnerable people waiting for housing who would appreciate any area.

EMS23 · 30/12/2018 18:50

The legal ground for refusing a swap states:
'The home you want to move to is much larger than your household needs'

'Much larger' is the key phrase and open to interpretation & discretion by HA's and councils.
I have both lost and won appeals on this ground - I am an ex housing officer and have written policy on Mutual Exchange.

I don't think the OP is currently in council/ HA though so it's a moot point for this thread!

gamerchick · 30/12/2018 18:50

Council houses have nowt to do with benefits. Why shouldn't people who work have one? Hmm

Conseulabananahammock · 30/12/2018 18:51

Go rent a 3 bed house then.... what the fuck are you even harping on about!

EMS23 · 30/12/2018 18:51

listsandbudgets
And all that happens when the older child turns 10, is that you get a Priority banding. It doesn't mean you actually get a property of the 'right' size because sadly, we are desperately short of social housing!

Niceynice45 · 30/12/2018 18:53

You’ll never get one.. you’ll be bottom priority. Is this serious? My friend waited four years for a 3 bed with two children while living at her parents with 5 of them living in their 3 bed!!!

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