Council housing - please help!

[njihb788]

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 )

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!

A three with dining room is often allocated where I live to use as a four bedroom is needed due to over demand.

I second the suggestions to seek support, advice and advocacy from someone else - local councillor, MP, any professional you may be linked in with in respect of your child/ ren’s additional needs. ‘Rules’ vary massively from area to area depending on local pressures. In some areas a living room is classed as a room that can be used as a bedroom. In areas I’m familiar with the old guidelines around children of different sexes having separate rooms at a certain age has gone out the window totally. I know of a family where 4 mixed sex siblings all over 14 were sharing a room and this was not out of choice.

I'm not sure what your question is ,council housing isn't a "right" based on circumstances anyone can apply for it ( as long as you don't own a property) it's all to do with the availability in your area ,some circumstances can push you further up the list ,apply and see what happens.

Location, location, location.

If you really want a secure council tenancy and are prepared to move areas, you could have keys by lunchtime.

Contrary to popular belief, there are empty council houses waiting for tenants.

I’ve done this myself. Literally fired up Google and found councils with available housing - and I now live in one.

My disabled Dsis was told she would never get to the top of the list. She was in manifestly unsuitable accommodation. So unsuitable, in fact, that she broke her ankle twice walking from her car to her flat.

She wrote to the council mentioning their ‘duty of care’ to her, and also wrote to her MP. The MP got on to the council for her… who came back to my sister within the week. They were absolutely explicit that her MP’s intervention had not had any impact at all , but explained that they’d reassessed her, and she was now at the top of the list. She was offered 3 different properties and moved in to her first choice 3weeks later.

It’s definitely worth contacting your MP.

What's the 19 year old doing? Are they likely to be moving out shortly?

Oh and YANBU about how unfair it is that fathers can just walk off. It stinks.

Report your landlord to environmental health at your local council. They can enforce him to carry out repairs and possibly fine him.
Obviously this may result in him serving you with an eviction notice if he's a cruel bastard, which would mean that you are in a stronger position with the council.