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Original poster

How can I get a bigger house off the council?

162 replies

Dreamzcancometrue · 22/06/2019 15:38

Hi all,

In 2016 after a brief stint staying in a hostel I started to bid for a property and successfully got a studio flat. I moved into the flat in May 2017 as a single woman. It was fine then and lived there happily until March 2019 when I gave birth to my lovely daughter and there being not enough space in the bedroom area for a large cot, I have a dbl bed which takes up most of my bedroom space . The living room and bedroom area are seperated by a big wall there aren't any doors just two entry points on either side of the walls.. Its frustrating. So Im in need of a bigger property atleast 2 bed. I live in the Southwark borough of London and I know council flats are in high demand here then any other borough. Moving out the borough is not an option for me as I have mental health issues and family support is paramount for mine and my baby's wellbeing.

Sorry im so shit at writing these type of things. If you've managed to follow up until now, basically what I'm asking is due to my mental health issues and the fact that me and my daughter are in a property that no longer suits my situation. Would the council help us?

My support worker, perinatal consultant and health visitor and GP have been advised to write me a supporting letter to back up my council housing application but not sure what else I could do?

I really would like to be re-housed so my daughter can have her own room. I can't afford to privately rent and I'm not working atm it will take me a while to get back into work.

Any suggestions would be beneficial. Thanks for reading.

OP posts:
ReapersHowler · 22/06/2019 16:32

The council aren't going to see you as being in need you can have 2 people in one bedroom right now you have one person in their eyes. When your daughter turns 1 she will be 0.5 of a person.
You won't get a move on overcrowding grounds unless you have a partner move in with you. Even another child wouldn't count until your daughter is 10.

I do sympathize I was in a one bedroom flat with my DP and DD until she was 4, we had no proper heating the flat was riddled with damp and I had severe PND but we only got moved because we were on the 3rd floor.

DoYouNeedAWee · 22/06/2019 16:32

It won't hurt to get supporting letters and apply but as pp said it could be a long wait.
Could your dd cosleep with you in your double bed? My ds has coslept with me since he was 6 months old, just make sure you do so safely.
Or a sofa bed for yourself in the living room/bedroom so there's room for a cot. Not sure I fully understand the layout of your flat/studio sorry.

ReapersHowler · 22/06/2019 16:34

Oh also we did have letters from supporting agencies including my local MP and we were in a much lower subscribed area.

You just have to adjust we had a double bed in our living room and gave the bedroom over to our daughter so she had room to play. It was subsidized housing and we felt lucky to have anything so we just adjusted.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Benefits
RuffleCrow · 22/06/2019 16:34

Donajimena - the second the government suspects people on benefits have enough to start saving them for the future there will be yet more cuts to ensure this is not the case.

notso · 22/06/2019 16:34

My Auntie had to wait until my nephew with cerebral palsy was 10 before she got a two bed flat, she first applied when he was 5.

BrieAndChilli · 22/06/2019 16:35

Unfortunately when there are entire families living in tiny rooms in hostels I don’t think you will be priority for getting a bigger place.
You have had suggestions for making the best of the spade you have, alternatively you have the choice of increasing your income by working etc and paying for a private rental.
I know stuff happens but most people think about things like space and affording everything a child needs before they get pregnant.

user1483387154 · 22/06/2019 16:36

You are very unlikely to get a 2 bed for a long time

ourkidmolly · 22/06/2019 16:36

You'll get one eventually by just being on the list. You may have to wait a few years. It'll be quicker than you think as you are overcrowded as it's 2 people (once she's over 1) in a studio and that's just legally habitable for one person. Southwark won't place children in high rise anymore so that's another delay but just keep plugging away and within 5 years you'll be in a two bedroomed place. As other posters have said, keep sending letters.

RuffleCrow · 22/06/2019 16:36

You chose to come on to this thread theinvestigator perhaps you would have happier reading the Daily Mail comments section.

formerbabe · 22/06/2019 16:38

I knew a woman in a similar situation. She got pregnant again!

I'm not suggesting you do that for a moment though op.

MargotMoon · 22/06/2019 16:48

@AtSea1979
Love the notion of saving up your benefits to get a bigger place Hmm
Clearly you've never had to live on DWP income

formerbabe · 22/06/2019 16:50

even if there's only £2 a week that can be put aside

All the lolz at thinking saving £2 a week is going to help house you in Southwark!

IhaveALooBrush · 22/06/2019 16:54

Wow TheInvestivator I hope you never fall on hard times.

If you could get a sofa bed or a single bed for now OP and get on the waiting list. It isn't a perfect solution but your little one will need their own bed.
As soon as your baby is big enough ask for the supporting letters.
I hope you do get somewhere in time.
Everyone should have somewhere suitable to live. Everyone.

TheInvestigator · 22/06/2019 16:57

There's a different between falling on hard times and needing the safety net, and already being in hard times and then choosing to make your situation worse.
She got a house and she can easily fit a bed into the living room or get a single bed. Other people are in emergency accommodation; they deserve to be higher on the waiting list.

Ravingstarfish · 22/06/2019 16:57

So you decided to have a baby in a too small property assuming the council will give you a bigger place. I’m on benefits but people like you wind me up.

Sargass0 · 22/06/2019 16:59

www.southwark.gov.uk/finding-a-new-home/looking-for-a-home
"We let 1,500 properties last year, housing around 13% of the 11,500 households on our housing register. Less than half of these properties had more than one bedroom. Regrettably, even people in the greatest need often face a delay of several years before they get housed"

Sorry Op I work in housing. Its really unlikley that you will get anything for years. You will not be considered over crowded as living rooms can be classed as a sleeping space room and children under1 dont count anyway. The law also allows for natural growth of a family.
If you go back on the list you will be the lowest band but you may get medical priority and be moved up 1 band if you can show how your housing situation affects your mental health. However it is still going to take years so you might want to count what you have.
Hate to be the bearer of bad news but I advise on this every day!

LuckyLou7 · 22/06/2019 17:01

Swap your double bed for a single so there is room for a cot and eventually a child's bed, in the sleeping area. As it's a studio flat, I'm assuming it's just one big room, living/kitchen/bedroom area all in one with a separate bathroom?
Try Freegle and Freecycle and local charity furniture shops for beds.
Obviously you will need more room as your baby grows up, but unfortunately you won't be a priority right now, so you'll have to make the best of what you have for now.
Good luck Flowers

AtSea1979 · 22/06/2019 17:06

@MargotMoon yes I have. When I became a single parent I was shocked at how much money I was given. In a bigger house with nursery fees, nights out, smoking etc I can see it won’t seem much but OP wants a bigger house so clearly has money left over as a bigger place will have bigger rent, council tax, heating bills etc not to mention the moving costs. So OP could save that money, also to be sure she can afford a bigger place too and isn’t overstretching.

CodenameVillanelle · 22/06/2019 17:10

It would be nice if you could have a bigger property in the area you want to live in, and I don't think you're entitled for wanting that, but you must accept that it won't happen for years
You need to apply to your local housing department for a banding. If you're lucky you'll get B based on medical needs but not necessarily. Band B in most overcrowded areas is still a wait of years. If you get Band C or D you'll be there for a decade or more.
So you need to find ways that you can manage in the space you have. Single beds or even bunk beds when DD is old enough to sleep on the top. A futon maybe for you if you can fit one in the living area so you can have a bit of space to sleep separately.
And without sounding patronising- make sure your contraception is up to date. Another baby wouldn't get you housed any quicker.

Soola · 22/06/2019 17:11

Get rid of your bed and get a futon. They fold up during the day so you can use as a chair.

CodenameVillanelle · 22/06/2019 17:13

OP wants a bigger house so clearly has money left over as a bigger place will have bigger rent, council tax, heating bills etc not to mention the moving costs. So OP could save that money

I don't think you understand how benefits work, at least in social housing. The OP will get her exact rent paid as long as she isn't under occupying. She won't benefit personally from the lower rent she has currently, and she won't have to pay out more if she gets moved to a larger property. Her living expenses money will remain broadly the same.
Also - universal credit is absolutely not generous in the least. Tax credits were a whole different ballgame.

Nanna50 · 22/06/2019 17:17

Have your support worker contact Shelter as they will know the local housing policy and duty. With the support you have you can ask for an early help plan and they can work together in your best interests.

lolaflores · 22/06/2019 17:20

Goodness me, so many Victorian time travellers chipping in with their advice.
Perhaps a Foundling Hosoital for the child and you throw yourself on the mercy of The Local Workhose and count yourself lucky for the gruel.
Ffs

BenWillbondsPants · 22/06/2019 17:23

There's a different between falling on hard times and needing the safety net, and already being in hard times and then choosing to make your situation worse.
She got a house and she can easily fit a bed into the living room or get a single bed. Other people are in emergency accommodation; they deserve to be higher on the waiting list.

Although I may not have put it like this, this is a fair point.

The OP has been given some solutions: single bed and cot. Sofa bed and the baby has own room etc. Ideal? Nope. But definitely do-able and would make the OP's situation more comfortable for her. Her situation is not an emergency one by any means.

OP, I hope you find away to make your current accommodation more comfortable.