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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
Beckafett · 26/10/2023 23:32

I work, and have worked for HAs. Your best bet is asking for a copy of the allocations policy.
Generally speaking we wouldn't un occupy given the housing crisis.

LuluBlakey1 · 26/10/2023 23:32

Lavender14 · 26/10/2023 23:29

I would imagine you're entitled to apply but you won't be prioritised over something with a disability or a child or a joint tenancy application. So I don't see you getting one unless it's one that noone else wants.

Would you reconsider the area you want to live and maybe moving somewhere new with lower rent costs? Some areas are harder to let for housing providers because they're rural so might be the case that a low demand area would give you more luck.

Alternatively could be worth looking at swaps, maybe someone living in a 2 bed who wants to downsize to avoid the bedroom tax would consider your flat?

Could you put a complaint in to your housing provider about their management of the asb in the flats?

On a side note you can put in your own kitchen/ bathroom etc provided you get their consent. Most are happy to give consent for you to do it provided you're using a reputable contractor.

However, she pays rent so is surely entitled to a decent kitchen and bathroom provided by the housing association she rents from.

TheFairyCaravan · 26/10/2023 23:32

I don’t think a single person should be eligible for a 2 bed HA house, when they’re already housed, because there’s hundreds of thousands of families in temporary accommodation who need that house more. You already have a home, with a secure tenancy, if you want a garden and a spare room then private rent.

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Benefits
Surreyclaire · 26/10/2023 23:33

Zero but come in from another country with kids you will be fine

JayJayEl · 26/10/2023 23:33

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Beckafett · 26/10/2023 23:34

Surreyclaire · 26/10/2023 23:33

Zero but come in from another country with kids you will be fine

As in be more in housing need?

Lifeetc · 26/10/2023 23:35

@JayJayEl
Arsehole?! The op corrected my spelling earlier!

porridgeisbae · 26/10/2023 23:37

I don’t think a single person should be eligible for a 2 bed HA house, when they’re already housed, because there’s hundreds of thousands of families in temporary accommodation who need that house more.

I agree TBH.

Lavender14 · 26/10/2023 23:39

LuluBlakey1 · 26/10/2023 23:32

However, she pays rent so is surely entitled to a decent kitchen and bathroom provided by the housing association she rents from.

Show quote history

It depends on what you consider decent really. Old and dated but workable with running hot/ cold water and electricity wouldn't be seen as needing urgent work done. Even basic maintenance would be expected under a private tenancy like screwing doors or handles back on etc. Unless it's structural/ damp/ unsafe in some way etc a private landlord wouldn't be putting a new kitchen in nor would a social housing provider. You're responsible for your own decorating, op will have provided her own white goods etc so unless there's plumbing issues you're really talking about a face lift.

Rollwiththepunch · 26/10/2023 23:40

loandbeholdd · 26/10/2023 21:03

In my area (north east ) everyone is entitled.
They don't discriminate because your single or unable to have children
I pay full rent on my flat

Op, I live in north west and I’m single no kids and I’ve got a lovely HA 2- bed flat, but it’s on a rent to buy scheme so they expect to buy at least a share within 5 years of the date I moved in.

I have absolutely no guilt about doing it , it’s not always easy as a single person with no kids with the lack of support /benefits you get. And a lot of people in HA or council housing have made poor decisions and continue to do so, and I don’t begrudge them getting help. However, I don’t feel just because I’ve been careful and haven’t got pregnant or strung out on drugs that means I should have to deal with grotty private house shares?

And if I start a family in the next few years at least I won’t have to move immediately.

Lavender14 · 26/10/2023 23:41

Surreyclaire · 26/10/2023 23:33

Zero but come in from another country with kids you will be fine

@Surreyclaire you mean come in with refugee status? Because you've no entitlement to secure social housing unless you've refugee status and have been granted leave to remain in the country.

Imagine wishing children homeless because they came from a different country.

Rollwiththepunch · 26/10/2023 23:42

dorriss · 26/10/2023 22:51

some really nasty views here, should a single person get absolutely nothing at all? why are you calling her selfish? the poster has a right to some good things single or not and people who have four kids deliberately should not always get every damn thing.

Exactly!! Completely agree.

porridgeisbae · 26/10/2023 23:45

have absolutely no guilt about doing it , it’s not always easy as a single person with no kids with the lack of support /benefits you get. And a lot of people in HA or council housing have made poor decisions and continue to do so, and I don’t begrudge them getting help. However, I don’t feel just because I’ve been careful and haven’t got pregnant or strung out on drugs that means I should have to deal with grotty private house shares?

And a lot of people in HA or council aren't there because they made poor decisions- they were fleeing abuse through no fault of their own or have a disability etc.

Crumpleton · 26/10/2023 23:51

My single friend, no kids lived in a local authority flat on the second floor and is now in a 2 bed semi detached house.
But it was though joining the local house swap sites.

Angelou79 · 26/10/2023 23:51

I’m sorry I only read your posts, have I missed something?
You already get discounted housing but are a single working women expecting us to get you a discounted 2 bed?
Im a single working woman paying over £1200 for my place, cut your cloth accordingly.
when I was in bed sit at 16 I worked 7 days 2 nights & went to night school.
Make your employment better by bettering yourself instead of expecting us to subsidise you.
Im going to sleep in shock at your entitlement!

Rollwiththepunch · 26/10/2023 23:53

LaurieStrode · 26/10/2023 22:05

Seriously?

Because single, childfree people don't have home offices, guests, hobbies, things to store?

So tired of the opinions that only parents deserve anything decent. God knows it's people like the OP whose taxes finance all the benefits for those who take more than their fair share from society. Give her a break.

Show quote history

Indeed, my mental health has improved exponentially having an office to work from since I WFH for both of my jobs. One of my jobs is full time the other is freelance.

I work very hard and friends of mine who had kids with multiple useless men has been housed in a lovely 3 and 4 bed houses for years, (mostly paid for by housing benefit) while I’ve had to deal with some extremely unpleasant situations with houseshares which triggered earlier life trauma.

I could have broke down and signed up on long term disability and got ahead that way, but I didn’t.

OP I think you’ll get what you want eventually but it will take some time as pp have said.

CosimoPiovasco · 26/10/2023 23:53

Too many families in bedsits.
They will and tbh should be in front of you in the queue
Guessing if there’s none of those you have a chance.
is that likely in your area.??

Rollwiththepunch · 26/10/2023 23:56

porridgeisbae · 26/10/2023 23:45

have absolutely no guilt about doing it , it’s not always easy as a single person with no kids with the lack of support /benefits you get. And a lot of people in HA or council housing have made poor decisions and continue to do so, and I don’t begrudge them getting help. However, I don’t feel just because I’ve been careful and haven’t got pregnant or strung out on drugs that means I should have to deal with grotty private house shares?

And a lot of people in HA or council aren't there because they made poor decisions- they were fleeing abuse through no fault of their own or have a disability etc.

I agree with your statement too to be fair.

IMO The real enemy here is the government who have allowed all the council houses to be sold off and encouraged the absolute greed of the private rental sector.

Not necessarily single parents OR single childfree women. Everyone is just trying to get by and create the best life they can for themselves.

Thatsafinememory · 26/10/2023 23:57

@Angelou79 in what way are you subsidising the OP's housing?

Sweeetpea97 · 26/10/2023 23:57

Do you know if there is banding in place? What band are you currently in?

porridgeisbae · 26/10/2023 23:58

I could have broke down and signed up on long term disability and got ahead that way, but I didn’t.

The implication of this, that people with a disability could just get a grip and not have a disability, is quite insultative.

Sweeetpea97 · 26/10/2023 23:58

It’s usually something like this.
Band A – for households with an urgent need to move. Band B – for households with a high priority to move. Band C – for households with an identified housing need. Band D – for households with no other housing need but interested in affordable social housing

Rollwiththepunch · 26/10/2023 23:59

Thatsafinememory · 26/10/2023 22:31

@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.

Show quote history

if you care to share, what part of the country are you in? NE?

HerkyBaby · 27/10/2023 00:02

Absolutely zero chance of this happening- ever.

Sweeetpea97 · 27/10/2023 00:03

Certain groups of people applying to join a housing register must be given reasonable preference, giving them priority for social housing.
You should be given reasonable preference if you:

  1. are homeless, even if you have not made a homelessness application
  2. are threatened with homelessness and owed a duty by the authority
  3. live in overcrowded, unsanitary, or unsatisfactory housing. For example, your property lacks adequate heating or is in disrepair
  4. need to move on medical or welfare grounds e.g. a mental or physical health condition or disability making your current home unsuitable
  5. need to move to a particular area to avoid hardship to yourself or others. You may need to move to give or receive care or access specialised medical treatment.