Bailiff's Warrant here

[BarbJohnson5]

I guess i should have been relieved that its finally arrived, but i froze, felt sick inside and ended up crying. I think it was the shock of actually seeing this notice on the floor and knowing its the final count down. We have 3 weeks from today. I wish i was celebrating with triumph and joy, but because i have no choice other than to approach the council for help- i'm terrified as to where we could end up. I've read and heard some really horrible things about B&B's that would make you want to run away, so i know thats what's making me fell so vulnerable.
I am trying to keep and open mind and do my best to not think about it, but when you're future is in someone else's hands, especially as they don't know you or your history its hella scary.

Worsened by the fact that those who have some control over where we live - lies, cares and give out mis information. I was told that there are no more social housing for anyone by the assessment officer on Monday. She said there was a new law which came into effect in Nov 12. According to her no one will get social housing and everyone has to find private rentals. I didn't believe her because i thought about disabled people or those who cannot find the money for a deposit or even a property where HB is accepted.
I spoke to someone else in a different borough and found out the woman exaggerated the 'Localism Act'. I really hate my LB and want to move out. I just can't get how they're allowed to lie so blatantly and get away with it.......

Sorry to hear you're in this situation. I am in a council flat and it's actually pretty nice, a very convenient location, good neighbours and the condition is probably better than most private rentals. There are a lot of stereotypes about how awful council estates are, but many of my friends/relatives are in council housing and have nice homes. B&Bs aren't nice, but it's something you have to tolerate and it should only be for a short period.

Have you been in touch with Shelter? Or the CAB? I really would take anything the housing office say with a pinch of salt, I'm not surprised to hear they were exaggerating. You will hear lots of half-truths and the best way to assert your rights is to be clear what they are - either by looking into the legislation yourself (most of the information is freely available online) or by getting advice from an impartial body.

Hi Bluepapertest, Thanks for reading. Yes i agree with you regarding some of the properties. Which area are you in?
I got in contact with Shelter after i got the Sect.21 notice in August of last year and the CAB as well. The advice i got from Shelter wasn't anything i didn't already know. I just can't believe these people are allowed to lie and get away with it. Its nothing but pure evil and wickedness and they do it with a smirk on their faces. I wonder what was going through that woman's mind as she sat there and talked the trash she did......Its disgusting.

I will do some more research, because i know they're telling me a story and perhaps its time i spoke up, instead of sitting there quietly knowing its a load of bull.

It sounds like you're pretty up to date on your rights, so that's great .

I'm in a London borough - where it's supposedly impossible to get a council tenancy. I've had mine for ten years now, but my friend got one last year, so there are still properties around. I got messed around by the housing office when I first applied, but you just have to make sure you chase things up, get receipts for any documents you submit, double check everything. Once my property was allocated, things have run pretty smoothly since then.

Hi Blue, I'm in London as well, but i want to move from where i am. I do read and research alot, just to stay informed, you know. I just can't wait for this phase of my life to be over. Its so stressful and can become depressing if i let it. I make sure to get names, receipts because i don't trust my council. They have asked me for the same documents several times, because they're so incompetent when it comes to paperwork as well. I'm happy that you got things sorted out and can imagine it must have been hell to begin with. They don't make this process smooth for anyone i don't think. x

Not all B&Bs are horrible. I used to have a few clients in them (I'm ex-SS) and some were OK. They would call if anyone was hassling my clients or if they were worried about them. Some are fine (and this was Croydon so not a fancy LB). Good luck, I hope things look up soon.

They have flats too for these situations, they won't put children in a B&B unless they absolutely have to. As I say there are flats, ask about them.

Sorry to hear that Barb. Bloody misinformation. Do you know the name of the person telling you this info? A letter to her department wouldn't go astray. Also the local journal in the LB where I work is always having a pop at the council. Not that they can help your situation, but publicity can sometimes bring about changes to procedure/behaviour of organisations. Good luck!

MrsTerryPrachett - Thanks for replying. I'm preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best.

Mosman - Thanks. The council will not relay such information to me. They made it out to be a clear cut 'No social housing for anyone and 'ONLY B&B' out of the borough'.

Zoobaby - thanks for responding as well. Yes i have her name. What people are saying is that these people are told to say there's no social housing and to get people into private rented accommodation, regardless of whether they can afford it or not. I don't think they care. It seems to be a case of get rid of them now and face the consequence later. I know i'm not the only one in this position and it bothers me something chronic to think of how things will be once the universal credit comes into effect in my borough come april. I know there's going to be lots of folks being given section 21 notices or other notice to quit because they wont be able to afford the high rent.

They cannot house you in a property that you cannot afford according to their own housing benefit calculator because if you then lost your job you would be homeless again and you cannot be overcrowded I believe.
When it comes to finding you somewhere i'd be very surprised if it's a B&B if you have children, they do have empty properties around the borough for exactly these situations.

I don't imagine there are flats sitting empty these days as there are so many people struggling. I'd bet social housing in all LBs were at capacity a year ago. It's absolutely terrible. Meanwhile you read articles about families of 10 being put up in mansions. Argh! How convenient that the B&Bs are out of borough (though I can't imagine inner London B&Bs needing to rely on the council to fill their rooms).

Mosman - they have housed single parents, but the only ones i've read about had a max of 2 children. There's a hotel not too far away, that was on the news sometime last year, because it caught the attention of the local media as the families were surrounded by rats, drug addicts etc and they had been housed there temporarily by croydon. Its hard to guess what will happen with us, but i have to keep believing something good will come out of this.

Zoobaby - I agree with you again. I know there's a scarcity with social housing and i get that we may have to be in a B&B for some time. What i don't get is how they can be alright with the fact that God forbid, if i were to let them pressure me back into private renting i would be back in this predicament as i can't see my situation changing rapidly enough. I have one good thing come out of that meeting on monday and thats the long overdue back to work help that i asked for 8 months ago via the jobcentre, but was sent home with a measly adult education brochure. I couldn't even do the course because i didn't have childcare, so even though someone like desperately wants to be financial independent, i am blocked by barriers. I haven't stopped crying since getting that bailiff's warrant yesterday, because i feel like a failure and that i've let my children and myself down for not being financially stable to have the choices we had 4/5 years ago. It hurts so much, because i've always been independent and although my now ex was the one working, i was always there supporting him. Now i'm left out in the world with my children and in a negative financial situation. I'm staying as positive as i can, but when i think about our situation, it brings tears to my eyes. I feel that i've been strong since August last year when we got the Sect.21 notice, remained strong throughout the possession order and dealing with the council and now that its the final, i'm breaking down because i am exhausted mentally and sometimes close to giving up. I know i can't do that, because its not an option, not with children looking up to me to give them security. Sorry for the rant, but i needed to get that out.

Don't forget that throughout all this upset, you need to look after your emotional wellbeing too. Yes, keep strong for your children but try to recognise if it is getting to be too much.

It all seems very bleak right now and your emotions will be reflecting all the trauma and disappointment and sheer frustration of the last six months. You have the right attitude, now you've got to catch a break. It might not be immediate, but let's hope it is forthcoming. Fingers crossed for you and your family!

zoobaby, sadly there is quite a lot of empty council housing in all parts of the country, including London. Most aren't in a state to move into immediately, but many have remained empty for an unacceptably long time while the councils work out redevelopment deals. It is a shocking waste. Here's a story about it from my local paper. I believe the London-wide figure for empty properties is over 72,000.

Agree with looking after your own emotional wellbeing. My own situation was very stressful and in fact that triggered help for me, as I was referred through my GP to MH services who wrote a letter to support my housing application. Don't be afraid to reach out for help wherever it is offered.

Sorry for not being online lately. I have had all sorts of emotions since receiving the bailiff's warrant and i can't tell you how angry it had made me. I never thought i'd feel or even think of suicide(not that i would do it, but it made me 'get' why some people would commit suicide). I am feeling a lot better now and have moved some of our stuff into self storage. I'm still worried because i don't know where we're going to end up on Wednesday, but i keep telling myself it has to get better and as long as my children are with me, its alright. Thanks for all the comments and well wishes, they haven't fallen by the way side.

Just wanted to say good luck and I hope you are housed quickly. It's an incredibly upsetting and fearful time. It will get better OP.

NellysKnickers - thank you hun. x