To hold on to my council house?

[Memoo]

10 years ago I fled a very abusive marriage. DD was 2yo and ds was 3 months old. I lost my home, my savings and all dc's clothes and toys. Basically dc and I were left with nothing.

After being homeless for 3 months I was given a council house and I slowly built up a good life for the dc and I. I went to college and got a job. I supported myself and my children and I was really proud of that. Not being dependant on anyone was the best feeling I've ever had.

6 years ago I met my now 2nd DH. He moved into my house and although things have been tough at times we have got through it. I've also had another baby and dd is now 2.

The problem is we live in a really crap area. Crap schools, anti-social behaviour, drug dealer a few doors down, you get the picture.

DH is adement that we should give up this house and try and rent privately in a better area. I hate the idea of this. The way things are at the moment I know whatever happens with dh and I, this is my house and no man can take that from me. It gives me a sense of security knowing the dc and I have a home for life. If we rented privately I would once again become dependent on somebody else and the thought of that scares the crap out of me.

MrsOzz .may I suggest the Daily Mail comments pages

I don't read the Daily Mail unfortunately!

I think you should read it ,sounds like your kind of paper

Too busy working!

Families who do not work receive income support to live on, do not pay council tax and do not pay rent (they have small amount stopped from their benefits, about £5 a week). And they live in council houses.

In the UK the LL charges rent and the tenant claims housing benefit. The housing benefit is paid to the tenant and they pass that on to the LL. I don't think it's any different for council tenants. Council tax benefit is paid direct to the council. The £5 that's stopped could be because of arrears, or there are services provided that aren't classed as rent. E.g if the rent includes hot water, heating, electricity, laundry services.

HB is paid direct to the LL if there are arrears or, I think, you can opt to have it paid direct.

Families who don't work could receive Job Seekers instead. Income support is for those who can't work for various reasons.

It's interesting to see how the criteria for banding varies between councils. I suppose the size of population and local issues affect this.

council home swap maybe?

Op just be aware if you exchange then that is a new tennacy so the new rules will apply even on a exchange

And no don't go private I have had 2 miserable years at the mercy of a bastard LL ( not saying all are just mine ) who thought was ok to leave me days without hotwater or heating and not do any repairs in 2 years

I got my keys to new h/a house on Weds and I cried when I got them best Christjas present ever :) and I will never leave it ( fortunate as is adapted for me I got. Lifetime tennacy )

Note will I if ever meet anyone , allow them to join my tenancy this is my security for the dc always have a roof over their heads

If your current partner is violent or abusive he shouldn't even be living with you now.
But if he isn't and you feel secure in the relationship you have to let go and allow a relationship to blossom.
But it's ultimately your call in the end.

Here it is very hard to get a property , your awarded amount of points and then you need to bid on properties

Several things can influence it ,where you live now , type of tenancy , state of repairs if in private , if over crowded if facing homeless so been given a section 21 and they agree that you can not afford private ,local connections gets more points

Here some property's are council owned ,the ones that H/a are Same list as council the H/a take nominatio s from the council list only do not hold their own list

I'm on a new build section of the 9 property's 7 have gone to working families ( no clue ob what they earn obviously ) is only my neighbour and myself that do not work , I know she spent 6 months jn hostel before housed ( only knew as the hostel was next to my dd old school and her son was in dd class so was pleasant suprise to find we are neighbours

There is a lot of jealousy , when I was told mine be pre allocated I was advised by my OT and the council to keep it quiet as it's in normal not to have to bid also the fact I got one so quick As people would complain to them

Yet I'm pretty sure no one would have wanted to be in the circumstances as to why I shot to top of the list

But I'm warm dry and now have security for my dc and that feeling well is best Christmas present ever

I private rent, which was fine with my partner, he had a good stable job earning plenty, sadly he passed away 3 years ago, I've been on the list since with 3 children, though I get housing benefit I have no security, I work but will never be able to afford the rent on what I earn, Though I could in social housing, it beggers belief really, My landlord gets richer at the taxpayers expense, with a sub stantard house which I cannot complain about without fear of being out on my ear. Keep your house you don't know what's around the corner

Hi Memoo, haven't read the whole thread so sorry if I repeat something someone else has already said!

Yanbu you should keep your council house for the stability of the kids, no matter how stable your relationship seems at the moment things can change and the one good thing about council houses is the stability in the life time tenancy. As you don't like the area perhaps you could register on home swappers? It's a website where council tenants can exchange properties with one another.. Good Luck in whatever decision you make!