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Original poster

Council housing - please help!

33 replies

njihb788 · 09/03/2022 19:16

Long time member, NC.

I am desperate for a council house. I have private rented for years, been though DV, no family, several children including disabilities and living what is classed as 'overcrowded'.

Please do not think I believe I should have social housing over anyone else, I really, really don't! I can only go by my own situation (and hope others in similar circumstances are successful Smile )

As mentioned, I have private rented for years, now alone and with no job due to caring responsibilities. Landlord is AWFUL and always has been, house isn't even safe. Even if I had the energy to drag them to court, with all the awful memories and knowing I would still have to fight for any sort of repairs I'm not sure what I can cope with. Other private rentals I cannot afford and tbh they don't want me due to my employment status.

I know I sound like a big baby, please be kind I am really at the end of tether and not sure what I can do.

If I tell the council this will it change anything? Any advice would be soooo gratefully received!

OP posts:
Comedycook · 09/03/2022 19:19

Loads of people need council homes... unfortunately loads were sold off and there just aren't enough to go round.

lapasion · 09/03/2022 19:21

All you can do really is apply. Waiting lists vary. Gather all the evidence you can about disabilities, poor housing condition etc to help your application. You never know, you might get lucky.

BlanketsBanned · 09/03/2022 19:22

Could you get housing association accommodation, are you claiming all the benefits you can, contact Shelter for their advice.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Benefits
Whitefire · 09/03/2022 19:22

Have you a housing application in? What ages and sex are the children? How many bedrooms in your current property? Is there anything unmanageable in your current property due to disabilities? And/or are you needing adaptations that can't be provided in your current property?

Original poster
njihb788 · 09/03/2022 19:22

Thanks, I know they do. I just wondered if anything makes a difference or its simply, you are all overcrowded so we'll pick names out a hat if that makes sense?

OP posts:
BlanketsBanned · 09/03/2022 19:23

Can you rent somewhere else and get housing benefit

Whitefire · 09/03/2022 19:26

@njihb788

Thanks, I know they do. I just wondered if anything makes a difference or its simply, you are all overcrowded so we'll pick names out a hat if that makes sense?
It really depends on your local policy. In my area it goes on Band order then datal order, so the longer you have been in a band the higher you finish in the list.
maxineputyourredshoeson · 09/03/2022 19:27

@njihb788

Thanks, I know they do. I just wondered if anything makes a difference or its simply, you are all overcrowded so we'll pick names out a hat if that makes sense?
If you go onto your LA’s housing section they will have all the policies around who gets allocated housing on what basis and who gets priority.

Are you already on the housing list? The area I live is an average of 11yrs to get housed.

Lollyfalalalalalalalalaaahhhhh · 09/03/2022 19:28

The only thing that would bump you up would be if you are actively fleeing dv/threats/violence. If you lost your home due to flood or fire or if you were street homeless. If you are already on the list you can only wait, or move to an area where the wait is shorter, and you have a local connection.

There are move caveats than that but those would be the essentials to move up a band

Lollyfalalalalalalalalaaahhhhh · 09/03/2022 19:28

More*

Original poster
njihb788 · 09/03/2022 19:29

4 children between 19 and 5. 3 bed property, I share a room with 5 year old because they can't share with the same sex sibling with disabilities.

Believe me, I know 4 beds are hard to come by and I would be over the moon to take a 3 bed and sleep in the living room. I have tried that in the current property but due to awful windows and several years of the boiler not working properly, I am end up exhausted all day and struggle with everything else so it's not a long term solution.

It makes me so upset 'Dad's' can walk away and live their lives yet I didn;t plan to be a single parent or to have children with disabilities.

Sorry, I am feeling very sorry for myself.

OP posts:
Rainbowqueeen · 09/03/2022 19:30

Go and see Shelter. They can give you advice.
Would you consider moving to a different area??

Lollyfalalalalalalalalaaahhhhh · 09/03/2022 19:30

For what it's worth OP I lived for 2 years in a private rental on band 2 (second highest banding in my area) - I was on band 2 because the roof collapsed during a storm (you could see the sky and pigeons came in to what was my bedroom)and shared a single bedroom with my daughter for those two years, with no heating apart from plug in electric ones

Whitefire · 09/03/2022 19:36

Every child over 16 is entitled to their own room. Two children same sex can share till 16, 2 of opposite sex until 10. So you are overcrowded by one bedroom at least.

It is unlikely that they would house you in a property that was of the size you would sleep in the living room, as this would be intentionally over crowding you. If you said you would accept a three bed you are unlikely to get any priority as the rehousing wouldn't relieve the need. Some areas allow for a 3 bed plus a 2nd reception room but my local council are trying to stop HA allocating like this.

In your situation your best bet is too contact the local housing department, there should be a contract for private rental issues.

Gingerkittykat · 09/03/2022 19:41

Are you on the waiting list already?

It varies where you are in the country as to how long it takes to be housed. IN my area it is reasonably quick but I know in places like London it is really hard.

It goes on a points system in Scotland. You would definitely get points for overcrowding and your son's disability may get you extra points.

It's best to contact Shelter or a local housing charity who will be able to advise you on your current private rental and the possibility of getting a council house.

AdditionalCharacter · 09/03/2022 19:43

Do you have a social worker for any of the children? They can put a letter in to support your application and need for 4 bedrooms due to children with disabilities needing their own rooms.

Whitefire · 09/03/2022 19:55

@AdditionalCharacter

Do you have a social worker for any of the children? They can put a letter in to support your application and need for 4 bedrooms due to children with disabilities needing their own rooms.
There is already a 4 bed need (at least) depending on the ages and sex of the children there could be a 5 bed need.
AdditionalCharacter · 09/03/2022 19:56

Or a 5 bed need then.

Whitefire · 09/03/2022 20:08

Likely to rule herself out if wants a 5. 4's are difficult to get, 5's are nigh on impossible.

TyrannosaurusRegina · 09/03/2022 20:20

As you already have a house, albeit overcrowded, you'd be unlikely to get housed by the council tbh.

KylieCharlene · 09/03/2022 20:27

I know someone who was living with her dc in an unsafe house. Landlord did no repairs and was difficult to get hold of.
Family made an appointment and went to speak to the local councillor who liased with housing officer and got the woman and her dc a council house within a week.
I'm not saying this will work by any means and in every circumstance but you and your family need to be safe and I'd give your local councillor a call.

Iamkmackered1979 · 09/03/2022 20:37

I think you’ll be unlikely unless you’re made homeless and even then 4 bed houses are impossible to come by. I speak from experience having being homeless with my own 4 kids for 4 years in several temporary homes and still waiting. The la are not keen to put people in smaller properties due to overcrowding issues so tend to stick to 4/5 bedroom homes for bigger families. Currently they are looking at larger 3 beds for me as it’s been so long. It’s not a position I wanted to ever be in, I work (nhs nurse) but can’t afford 2k for a 3 bed house privately. You could try housing associations? I’m currently in a ha house which is rented from the council for homeless. Hopefully I will be housed before they have to hand it back next summer.
Anyway I hope you find something, I totally understand how difficult it is in expensive and substandard housing and as a single parent on low income you are trapped to an extent.

Okeydoky · 10/03/2022 07:41

It depends what band you're in. You could potentially be moved to a different band, particularly given you have a child with disabilities. Have you spoken to your local Councillor? Submitted medical evidence etc?

ImJustNotMeAnymore · 10/03/2022 07:49

Write to your mp. It's easy to do. Give the facts and they will help.

HereComesSpringAgain · 10/03/2022 07:50

If you are sleeping in a room where there's a boiler (living room) then this would be leverage....especially an old/dodgy boiler

But with 4 kids in a 4 bed it's unlikely you'll be seen as overcrowded

What's the 19 y.o doing? College? Work?