Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Is there any chance of a single woman getting a 2 bed housing association house ?

420 replies

loandbeholdd · 26/10/2023 20:39

I'm 35 and I'm currently in a 1 bed flat on band 3 (general needs )
I've been on housing list for 7 years now (same housing list my flats with )
I'm bidding on 2 bed houses and getting up to 20th position
Sometimes 15th ish
Do you think I'm wasting my time ?
What's the chances of me getting a 2 bed house ?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Lifeetc · 26/10/2023 22:27

£100,000 for a two bed house could be a reality for a lot of people who work full time.

Original poster
loandbeholdd · 26/10/2023 22:29

@Lifeetc it could be but I clearly stated I couldn't afford it
I would love a Chanel bag but I can't afford one

OP posts:
Jk987 · 26/10/2023 22:30

How much is a 2 bed HA house compared to a privately rented one? Rents seem cheap up there.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Benefits
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 26/10/2023 22:30

loandbeholdd · 26/10/2023 22:29

@Lifeetc it could be but I clearly stated I couldn't afford it
I would love a Chanel bag but I can't afford one

Surely there’s a list for a cheaper one you could go on!

Original poster
loandbeholdd · 26/10/2023 22:31

@Jk987 it's not just about the rent
It's about having no long term security
Not being able to decorate or make it your home.
The landlord can just sell up whenever
With h/a you have lifetime security

OP posts:
Original poster
loandbeholdd · 26/10/2023 22:31

@OnlyFoolsnMothers I'm looking on vinted for one as we speak Biscuit

OP posts:
Thatsafinememory · 26/10/2023 22:31

housedramas · 26/10/2023 22:18

I work in the sector. Unless something comes up that they literally cannot give away, at which point you'll be assessed for affordability anyway, you have zero chance. You'll get to the top of the shortlist and they'll just skip you and keep skipping you. Too many families in TA or overcrowded at the moment.

@housedramas this might be your experience but it is not universally true. I'm a single woman who was offered a two bedroom HA flat, moving from a one bedroom. It's in a highly desirable town not far from the OP, with almost no private rents (because of Airbnb's) and very expensive to buy. I'm in a quiet, settled newish-build block of four flats. The flats are very big, with balconies. Beautiful. £105pw rent. The HA decided to stipulate 'no children' because they wanted it to stay quiet. Also no dogs, which suits me too.

LaurieStrode · 26/10/2023 22:32

sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea · 26/10/2023 22:24

Funnily enough, had I foreseen 20yrs ago that I'd end up unable to continue in my very high-paying job owing to severe PND, and that my exP would turn out to be a violent, abusive arsehole who left me & the DC homeless & penniless, I might have been a bit more 'prudent' too.

But don't forget to hoik your judgeypants just that bit higher up your arse crack. Believe me, the mild discomfort you'll feel is nothing compared to what we went through - and none of that was the fault of my DC. They didn't deserve less than what I've had to fight for for them.

They have at least turned out to be wonderful, decent, compassionate people.

Show quote history

I do judge, believe me.

Vinrouge4 · 26/10/2023 22:32

What’s wrong with a bed settee for friends?

Lifeetc · 26/10/2023 22:35

@loandbeholdd still not sure why you think I'm being shitty, plenty of other ppl have said basically the same thing.
Anyway this is pointless so I'm bowing out.

tillytoodles1 · 26/10/2023 22:38

I live alone in a 2 bed ground floor flat. My husband had MS and we only got it in case he needed overnight care. When he died I took over the tenancy, but I doubt that you will get one just because you want one.

RiderOfTheBlue · 26/10/2023 22:42

I hate the fact that expectations are so low in this country now that people are outraged at the temerity of a single person hoping to get a modest two bed house. It's like we've been conditioned over the years to expect nothing more than the absolute bare minimum. And to feel we should be grateful for having that.

Good luck @loandbeholdd, I hope you get a nice place soon.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 26/10/2023 22:42

OP is paying full rent; think about that for a minute before disparaging her. She's bidding on a list with everybody else. It used to be very much the 'done thing' to get pregnant just to get a house. How is that fair?

Good luck, OP, I hope you get your 2-bedroomed house.

Cheeseandlobster · 26/10/2023 22:43

In my area a single person can bid for a 1 or 2 bedroom flat or a 1 bedroom house. Not a 2 bedroom house though. You have absolutely nothing to lose by carrying on bidding though op. Would you consider a 1 bed house if one came up?

Twilight7777 · 26/10/2023 22:43

No you won’t, and I speak from experience as a single woman who has been on the housing list in the past. I was took aside by a housing officer when I asked a similar question and they basically said (bluntly but kindly) that I had next to no chance of getting a 1 bedroom or a studio let alone a 2 bedroom and to take what I got offered. That was more than 5 years ago and I know the housing situation is like 80% worse since then.

Cheeseandlobster · 26/10/2023 22:44

RiderOfTheBlue · 26/10/2023 22:42

I hate the fact that expectations are so low in this country now that people are outraged at the temerity of a single person hoping to get a modest two bed house. It's like we've been conditioned over the years to expect nothing more than the absolute bare minimum. And to feel we should be grateful for having that.

Good luck @loandbeholdd, I hope you get a nice place soon.

Agree with this 100 percent

Comedycook · 26/10/2023 22:44

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 26/10/2023 22:42

OP is paying full rent; think about that for a minute before disparaging her. She's bidding on a list with everybody else. It used to be very much the 'done thing' to get pregnant just to get a house. How is that fair?

Good luck, OP, I hope you get your 2-bedroomed house.

A property is not a reward for getting pregnant. It's so that a child is housed

Turefu · 26/10/2023 22:44

OP, you’ve got lost harsh responses. True is, it really depends for housing situation in the area you live. If there’s enough houses, there’s no harm to apply for two bed property. Two people I know, single , got 2beds places. We are semi-rural located, maybe it affects the situation. So it can be done.

AInightingale · 26/10/2023 22:45

Is the area considered really bad? Sorry OP for your predicament, but if you are in a bad block of flats in a crap unpopular area I don't think you've even much chance of a swap. You could consider complaining about anti social behaviour/impact on your mental health, I suppose, and they might consider you for a transfer to another flat that comes up in a slightly better area, then they could move some other waster into yours. If you are considered a good tenant with no arrears etc, you could discuss it with the housing officer & they might be sympathetic.

Cheeseandlobster · 26/10/2023 22:45

Twilight7777 · 26/10/2023 22:43

No you won’t, and I speak from experience as a single woman who has been on the housing list in the past. I was took aside by a housing officer when I asked a similar question and they basically said (bluntly but kindly) that I had next to no chance of getting a 1 bedroom or a studio let alone a 2 bedroom and to take what I got offered. That was more than 5 years ago and I know the housing situation is like 80% worse since then.

But where do you live? It's so different from area to area. Just because this was your experience it doesn't mean it will be the same for the op

WednesdaysChild50 · 26/10/2023 22:46

@loandbeholdd it’s not arsey comments it’s the reality.
If we all said yes of course you should/will get a house and you didn’t you’ll be starting another thread bleating about it.

Iwasafool · 26/10/2023 22:47

I would imagine it depends what the housing situation is where you live. I'm sure it would be impossible in some places but it might happen in others.

Miyagi99 · 26/10/2023 22:49

loandbeholdd · 26/10/2023 20:59

They never spend any money updating the flats
40 year old kitchen /bathroom etc
Most of the people in flats are on drugs /etc
The houses seem to have decent people in them
I hate where I am

Look at renting somewhere else, 2 bedroom houses are for families.

KenAdams · 26/10/2023 22:50

What's your income OP?

MinnieL · 26/10/2023 22:51

You’re getting a lot of comments stating that you shouldn’t be able to have a 2 bed if you have no children. I agree but realistically, if you’re coming bid position 15-20, you’ll get something very soon depending on how many properties are released each week.

I see you’ve said you came bid position 8 recently. That’s a really good position so I’m sure you’ll get it soon tbh. A lot of people commenting probably don’t even know how the bidding system actually works