Housing help & advice urgently needed

[CrazyNomad]

Posting here for traffic.

Previously posted on Scotsnet as I’m living and will continue to live in Scotland.

Situation has become more pressingly urgent due to a combination of deteriorating health and also current landlords have contacted me regarding extensive planned maintenance which I will absolutely not be able to cope with happening while I still live in this property.

Looking to move to glasgow preferably.

Housing association most likely option but will consider private if I have to. Shared ownership a slight possibility but the time frame might make this less feasible?

Questions I hope someone here can answer as nowhere open at weekends for me to check with.

1 can I ask current landlord to hold off on maintenance works until I can move out? It’s not a specific date they’ve given, it’s all going to be taking place over a few months I’m thinking they’re doing this in a number of their properties.
Not expecting them to hold off indefinitely or even long term just long enough I can sort somewhere else.

2 any tips/advice on finding/getting a new place, from how certain housing associations like to do things, to which areas are good/to be avoided

3 I was hoping to manage next move in such a way as new place could be properly setup and sorted before I move in as that would be much easier for me mainly due to the health issues (mainly mh). Also having a little time at least to manage moving out of this property which I will need to do in a certain way because of my health issues

Any other advice that you think may be useful in my situation.

I’m also currently under occupying which I hope may be something that helps?

Always pay rent on time, have a little money I can throw at the situation, main difficulties are that I have to do things in a certain sequence.

Happy to receive and answer queries by pm as some stuff I’m a bit wary of posting here as could mean I’m too identifiable. Nc for this post for that reason.

I’m trying desperately not to panic but have nobody available I can talk to and that’s really not helping matters.

So I really really need your help. This is causing me considerably anxiety and distress.

You would very likely be housed in a B&B or hostel while waiting

That would only be if the OP was homeless. As she is currently in adequate housing she would be looking at a long time on a waiting list. From Shelter Scotland website Housing Association page:

Your name will then be added to the housing waiting list. Waiting lists can be very long, but you will stand a better chance of getting a place soon if:

you are homeless

your current home is too small or unfit to live in

you have a serious medical condition

you need to be near your family.

I find it really hard to answer about adapted properly as I don’t know what the rules are. I know I am really struggling with getting in/out bath, I’m ok on flat floor as long as I can “cruise” and have things I can lean on to steady myself. More so as the day goes on and pain increases and I find it harder to move in the way I want

Where I’m stuck is drs can’t agree on a diagnosis!

I would not cope in a B&b or hostel situation if I were put somewhere like that then very likely I would become so ill I’d need to be an inpatient

You don't need a diagnosis for an ot/physio assessment re your mobility. Has your gp not suggested offered this to you?

But I do agree with others that there is likely to be a significant wait of years for property in Glasgow, especially if you are looking for a level access, ground floor one. Private let would be significantly quicker. What area of Glasgow are you wanting as Sighthill vs Kelvinside will be significantly different re waiting lists.

Not been able to get appointment with a GP for almost a year. Meds are on repeat.

Been trying to get ot assessment best part of 6 months

Psychologist been trying to get me one too been no more successful than me.

Don’t even get me started on how long it’s been since a psychiatrist has seen me or even spoken to me.

I’ve basically been abandoned by the health system. Very long story behind all that.

My only criteria on where in glasgow is that it be somewhere relatively good as an area, safe.

Where I am at the moment high crime and anti social behaviour.

Doesn’t need to be ground floor as long as I can access I actually like the look of the high rises I know someone who lives in one and they really like it but no vacancies in their area.

You can self refer to community/housing ot in your area, shouldn't need to come via gp, do you have a lead consultant?

Supposedly have a named consultant he’s never even spoken with me.

I think you will be waiting for a good few years op

It sounds like your health isn't a priority for health professionals so doubt you will get further up the list ahead of those with disabilities, homeless and families

Can you look for private rented? You will have to make it happen yourself by the sounds of it

Worrying situation for you

Are you in housing association now? Your best bet maybe a swap through them?
If not it might be quicker to get on the HA list where you are now then do a swap to Glasgow.

You would be best going for private rent, HA is unlikely to provide you with anything as quickly as you want it. Lots of people will be in a higher banding and even for them the wait can be months or years in a city like Glasgow (I live in a much smaller town and the council/HA waitlist is 10+ years).

Scheduled or reactive works are unavoidable, whether you rent or own but with ownership it can be on your terms. Could you rent short term with a view to buying/shared ownership?

If you can get a medical professional to agree that your current property is unsuitable (physically and/or you need to move closer to family for support) then it bumps you up the list. Typically (in England) you need to be resident in an area for 2 years before you are eligible for the local council waiting list, it's set locally and some areas are longer, disability is an exception.

Your first port of call is Glasgow housing services to see their process, but be aware they are likely to recommend you rent in Glasgow privately then go on their list for an adapted property as you have a deteriorating condition. Would warden controlled be useful? You mentioned safety, that would be safer and usually they are adapted. Adult social services can help with them potentially.

One thing you won't be able to be is picky on where in the city you are, everyone wants a nice area but be realistic, the council properties are rarely in them. Wishing you lots of luck and hope you get a nice advisor on the phone, makes so much difference even with bad news

@gardeninggirl68 your comment re my health not being a priority for hcps is worrying. My health is pretty poor but I have little support not because I shouldn’t be getting support but for other reasons mainly to do with a previous incompetent and unscrupulous hcp I had

@MichelleScarn I don’t think a swap would work for a variety of reasons not least because where I live is very unpopular outside the immediate area. It’s a place non locals avoid like the plague!

Private has other difficulties - most private landlords still won’t take someone on benefits for starters, there’s no way of knowing if the landlord is a good sort or not until you’re already with them and then you’re sort of trapped. Private properties are of course still subject to certain regulations if rented out, repairs can be hit and Miss on reliability

Made some calls here and I have been told by local services that they ONLY deal with people with physical conditions that affect housing need.

This is why I hate it here

So I’m basically being told and know from experience anyway that there is no support available in the area I am currently living for anyone with mh especially not if it is affecting their housing needs.

Does that perhaps help posters understand what I am up against?

Made some calls here and I have been told by local services that they ONLY deal with people with physical conditions that affect housing need.

Is your health condition not a physical one? Apologies I thought you'd said it was? It may change the agencies that can offer you support.

What do you feel a previous hcp has done that is unscrupulous?

My main difficulties are mh related but I also have physical difficulties but they said they only deal with people with just physical stuff

Hcp - lied, poor record keeping (some plain “vanished”), hampered me from getting support I needed, told me information that was either incorrect or untrue, late or plain didn’t appear for appointments, told other hcps incorrect/untrue things about me... I seriously could go on and on!

My main difficulties are mh related but I also have physical difficulties but they said they only deal with people with just physical stuff

Who's they? If physio or OT then they may be right that their assessment are for the physical aspect, but your GP can also refer you to the community mental health team, or you may possibly be able to self refer?

Op, this is a very long process. Even if the council say that you should be on their list to be housed it could still take 2 years for you to get to the top of the list.

Unfortunately you will not be prioritised above homeless families living in B&Bs, or single women with children. They won't prioritise you on the basis that you don't feel you can cope with having maintenance done on your current home.

I strongly suggest that you have a plan B in place - staying with family or friends.

Hi OP to apply for social housing in Glasgow, you register here www.myhousing.org.uk/ you are 'banded' by priority, homeless, single parent family, health needs etc. You can provide evidence to support what band you should be in.

The waiting list for homes in Glasgow is huge, people do wait years as there is just not enough homes. There are not many one bedroom properties either (you would only be offered 1 bedroom accomodation). Once you have your band, you put a note of interest in properties in your band only, sometimes there will be 100s of interest.

There are lots of private lets in Glasgow (try Righmove) and you will find landlords do accept benefits.

Have you tried Citizens Advice?

These are the bands

“They” was pretty much everyone I spoke to today

They won't prioritise you on the basis that you don't feel you can cope with having maintenance done on your current home.

Quite honestly that comment is dismissive and unaware. It is far more serious than this comment makes it appear. It’s not “I feel I couldn’t cope” as if it’s a choice or me just being awkward! It would literally land me in hospital!

I don’t have anyone I could stay with.

@heidbuttsupper

Thank you. I do know the basics of applying but also know it’s more nuanced than that.

I have a small glimmer of hope from the last person I spoke to who thinks they can arrange the assessment I need but they need to make some calls too.

I am aware there is a huge demand on housing.

But I am I have to confess quite hurt and shocked at some of the comments which seem to come from the perspective that because it is mental illness rather than physical which is the predominant (but not sole) issue here that this makes it unimportant or at least less serious.

I am very grateful to all who replied genuinely trying to help me at what has been an incredibly stressful, anxious and difficult time.

Seems we (as a society) still have a very long way to go as far as understanding the impact of mental illness on people’s lives go.

If I could NOT be like this believe me I’d do whatever it takes - and I have. I’ve done tons of therapy, cbt, tried many medications... and I continue to work hard every day to combat this illness.

It is not a choice, it is not some then I can simply decide whether to have it or not and how badly.

I’ve even seriously considered paying out for private treatment up to and including ect and brain surgery.

It has ruined my life in a number of ways this is just the latest.

Recently I have been doing better as a result of a lot of hard work on my part and so the timing is the worst too.

Again thanks to all those who were supportive and gave useful advice.

I’ve been trying to get through to citizens advice but no joy so far. No office near me and was on hold over 2 hours today without getting through.

To address a point someone made upthread about being “picky” I’m definitely not. All I was meaning was I don’t want to be in an area where there are major problems with crime, anti social behaviour etc that’s another issue where I am just now.

Not expecting to be in a posh area and I wouldn’t really want to be. Just somewhere where people get along with their lives without being arses to others!

I’m open to pretty much any part of glasgow as long as not anywhere too far out and so there’s not great public transport etc

Do you want glasgow glasgow or would you look at surrounding are like East Kilbride, Paisley, Johnstone?

How old are you
I’m not in Scotland but where I Iive in the Southwest if your over 50 you can generally get a HA flat within a few months
I know of 4 people since June who are over 50 and have been given really nice 1 - 2 bedroom flats and were only on the list for a few months before getting offered a HA flat

Open to surrounding areas, would need decent public transport

I’m under 50

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/110785631#/?channel=RES_LET

What about Linwood?