Direct offer - social housing & affordability checks

[user666555]

Hello,

Has anyone been offered a direct offer through their council for social housing and had an affordability check? How does the process work and how long did it take?

Thanks

Hi how did your checks go?
I have had a direct offer from council they have nominated me to a housing association

@Karly39 hello, all went well. No issues. Apparently the affordability checks aren't as scary as they sound. We were offered a viewing before we passed the affordability check. The man showing us around said it's more to just tick a box to say that the council hasn't housed you somewhere that you won't be able to afford. As long as there's some sort of income/benefits in place. It'll be fine. They're not looking to catch you out or to penalise everything outgoing expense.

I was worried sick! The guy showing us around really reassured me when he said that in his experience no one has ever not passed it.

Let me know your outcome. X

@user666555 I receive benefits as I’m my sons full time career, my biggest outgoing is car but we need it as we are in middle of nowhere.
I’m Not sure if I’m the only one who has been nominated the council said I am but housing provider couldn’t tell me much and said handover is end of May so to wait to hear from them. Did you accept your offer ?

@Karly39 I had to accept it. I was told if I didn't accept it then I'd be removed from their list (we were staying in a hostel and were homeless - so it might be different for you) I don't think the car payments should be an issue as my partner also had a car on finance. They just want to see that there's enough for rent. Whether that's through an income or benefits. They're not really interested in how you'll pay whatever else you have to pay as the rent is their only concern. It's more a tick box situation - not to catch you out! :)

@user666555 I hope what you got offered was suitable for you, was it a direct offer and was anybody else also nominated ?
I am in temporary accommodation with my 2 children and only get 1 offer it’s not the area I wanted so that’s why a car is so important to us no shop even close.
I will be waiting by my phone after the bank holiday checking it every hour 🤣

It was suitable. It needs work - the previous tenants painted all the walls black 🙄😩 so it definitely needed work and they didn't really look after the place so it's been a work in process but the house itself is suitable and we're enjoying making it own (slowly but surely).

Nope. No one else was nominated/viewed it. It was only us. It was a direct offer to us and we had to take it or be removed off of the list.

Do you know anything about it? Have you had a little nosey on Google? Apart from the location is it what you want?

Funnily enough we got offered this and the process was happening over the last April bank holiday period. I've never wanted a bank holiday weekend to end as much as I did then 😂

Black walls can be stunning with the right stuff to balance it out. Look on Pinterest. It really can be lovely.

@Karly39 any updates? X

@user666555 nope 😔
I did call and they said I’m the only one nominated and hand over is end of month beginning of June, but hopefully I get a viewing soon.