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.

Ha Ha at some people thinking that people live in free houses! Well I suppose if you have had a sheltered life and ever only read the Daily Maily it would be an easy mistake to make.

Although to be fair, I have never met anyone rich like a lord or mp and I actually thought that they too lived in free houses and not only that I thought that all their furniture and everything was paid for by the tax payer, silly me oh wait

at mrsscoob.

No Daily Mail here, assumptions assumptions.

I was going to ask, who does run/operate housing associations?

too.

Housing associations operate themselves they are not for profit and independent. Although you get a tenancy via the local councils housing waiting list. Or that's how it works in my area.

I live in a HA place. It's a registered charity just like any other.

It's brilliant. Rent is affordable (just!) and maintaince is generally good. I'm on first name terms with most of my neighbours and there is never any trouble. Most of us also work.

When social housing works, it's fantastic.

Well in fairness some people do live in 'free' houses. My cousin doesn't work and gets about £5 a week stopped from er benefits to pay her 'rent'. Doesn't pay council tax either, free school meals etc so I would say that is pretty free living!

I too didn't understand the differences betrayal social housing, housing association housing or council housing. I thought they were all the same. Call me sheltered if you like.

I also believed that although they were originally built for the working public, they are now mostly inhabited by those who cannot afford to rent privately or buy a house. I also thought due to shortage of this type of housing (have no idea what to call it now!) that you had to be in 'need' somehow.

So I don't understand how (or why!) some of you who work full-time with DHs who also work full-time ever got a house in the first place!!

In response to the OP. Given that at this moment of time, you rely on your DH for everything, keep your house. Because if you ever lost your DH you would have nothing, no home, no money. But by keeping your house you know you will always have a roof over your head. However, if things pick up for you when you go back to work, maybe then is the time to think about moving/buying etc. In the meantime houseswapping is always an option.

Because people who work full time with DH's who work full time can still be unable to rent or buy.

You get social housing based on housing need, which doesn't always have anything to do with your employment status.

Yes I understand that. I just thought because of the demand for housing, there would always be a family with a greater 'need' than a couple working full-time.

I have never met anyone rich like a lord or mp and I actually thought that they too lived in free houses and not only that I thought that all their furniture and everything was paid for by the tax payer, silly me oh wait

There are plenty of people in "private" housing who claim benefits too, Mrs Ozz.

I know people who get their full rent paid, reduced or no council tax, as well as other benefits, who are live in houses which are private rentals.

More and more people these days dont have the money to put down as a deposit for rental, never mind a deposit for a mortgage, and social housing is a bigger requirement than ever.

I think it is going that way, most of the people I know in their 20s to 30s who cannot buy have to privately rent. I imagine they would stand no chance of getting a council place.

not if that couple are homeless, overcrowded, living in unhealthy conditions(damp, mould etc). You don't get points for being on benefit, it's not means tested.

Homeless can mean temporary accommodation as well as sleeping rough.

You'd be surprised. Maybe in the south east it's impossible, but it only took me a few months to get a flat here. It can be done.

You do need to research the council first - find out what their criteria actually is before you fill out the form. Then, you make a pest of yourself but remain within the rules.

Round our way the rent on a family house is way in excess of what our mortgage costs, so the words rock and hard place spring to mind.

How your priority is determined in my local area here

We are in the SE. My stepdaughter was offered a council property within a month of being on the waiting list. She had a baby, so obviously this increased her chances.

As a single person or a couple, with no children, you are highly unlikely to get anywhere on the council waiting list, and rightly so.

So I could be a millionaire, but without my own home, and get a council house with reduced (compared to private rentals) rent!?

Now I'm starting to see why
A) There is a shortage (not suggesting millionaires do live in council houses, but why pay more if you don't have to!?)
B) There needs to be a reform to the system if the neediest in society are to be cared for properly.

I've never read the daily mail in my life. Why is it so hard to understand people thinking that council housing is paid for by the council for people in need?

What happens to families that can't pay? Surely there is some provision?

Private rents are out of control. We're buying a house next year and the mortage is going to be less than our social rent - so how the fuckety fuck landlords justify charging so much for private rentals I do not know. They should be shot with shite.

Also - if there is a shortage in council housing what would be so wrong with means testing it? - wouldn't that mean that those who need it most get it?

Housing benefit if you can't pay - which is means tested.

Yes manic there is. Families who do not work receive income support to live on, do 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.

As an ill single mother on benefits , outside if the SE I was told I could wait ten years for a council house and two years for a housing assocication house. I had to sell what little I had and go to loan shark who was a very unpleasant piece of work, so I could rent privately.