to think council housing is a last resort

[nailak]

we have been given notice, everyone keeps saying go to council, but i don't want to deal with the uncertainty of being in temporary accommodation and not having a choice over where i live and so on, even though in the long run after a few years we would probably be better off once i am housed an am settled in a new area (which takes a couple of years to make friends). Am i being precious? Obviously we need like 3k for deposit and first months rent and we dont have that so need to find it etc, and if we have no choice then i will have to go down this route. But absolutely as a last resort. aibu?

YANBU. But given the circumstances you wouldn't be unreasonable to go council either. You sound in dire straits and that's what council housing is for (it doesn't have to be forever). Hope you find somewhere soon

depends on the area. I know people living in very nice council areas, though probably most of the houses have been bought now and then there are areas where I would never want to live. I grew up in council estates and loved it but don't know how much they have changed. Most of the people who could bought and moved out when they could.

If you're looking for choice then yanbu.

There's a lot of council house envy/sneering on MN, but I reckon many who do it would not like where they were allocated - it's not usually lovely houses, or houses at all, in good areas.

I lived in council for several years, it was fine. Could have found the deposit for private rented, but wanted the security and rent we could afford without needing to claim housing benefit. Area was fine, council are good landlords, and neighbours were mostly fine too. If you don't like it you can always move to private rented from it.

BUT - worth finding out what the typical wait in temporary accommodation is like in your area - some places it's just a few weeks, or even no wait at all if they find you somewhere before your notice expires. Other places, like London, you could be there for years. Ask around, or ask the council themselves (though they may try and put you off if they think you might manage to find yourself somewhere).

Be aware too that some areas have started putting people from temporary accommodation into private rented places (they can do this legally since last year) - not most areas but some do - so worth checking that out as a spell in temporary and then private at the end of it is probably the worst of all worlds.

Trust me ,your pride will long have disappeared when you unfortunately find yourself homeless, temp.housing is a godsend (to some) don't knock it sister.

I never understand the whole council estate snobbery - it used to be when I was growing up, you had to be a decent upstanding citizen to get a council house - and you were slung out if you weren't and went into Rachman style accommodation.

This time last year I spent a fortnight in the a B&B in Slough. We were homeless, so no choice. So yes, it is a last resort & quite extreme but it isn't all that bad.

We went through that and a period of adjusting etc and we're now very happy & settled elsewhere, in temp accommodation (but we'll be here for a few years yet).

You may get to the point where you have no choice so I'd advise you hop on that list asap...As all it means is you're on the system & it'll be easier if the worst were to happen (plus you get 5 points per year of being on the list, which can make the difference when it comes to 'choice' ).

I live in a council house area I was given it when i was homeless I mean properly homeless and pregnant I could have kissed the housing officer when she handed me the keys, where I live is truly nice and quiet and not the sterotypical estate you see on shameless or whatever, you sound desperate go to the council see what they can offer you, a private let isnt secure either

or housing association is usually in 'nicer areas'

I know social housing is different now and not all tenancies are secure but I think if you wait a certain amount of time you can get secure tenancy and you will get on your feet dont be proud

nothing wrong with the council housing - but will you get such a place? Get on the list anyway.

any chance of a budgeting loan for the rent/deposit? (Because you'll get your current deposit back).

You are only being U in thinking of Council housing as a 'last resort',there are some fabulous council houses and you make it your own.
Most areas have very little housing stock and you'll most likely eventually be housed by a Housing association after temp accommodation which can be up to two years.
But as andubelievedthat said,you will be very grateful for it if you become homeless.

I don't get the CH snobbery on here.

The thing is with council/social housing is it is so diverse. From large sprawling estates, to small blocks, to street properties. I have lived in all 3...and now in a street property in a house of 3 flats, mine being the only LA owned. You could walk down any road, and be really surprised what is a council property. It doesn't always fit the 'stereotype'.

I would love to have a HA or CH property,we are private rental and while our LL is great and do any work that is needed,you still lack the security that CH gives you.
If you don't like the area or want to move you can try to swap i believe.

your right nana it doesn't my whole village has council houses in it it is nothing like the sterotype however go a few miles down the road and jeez it is rough

That was the original intention, HollyBerry, but it's long since been turned on it's head, unfortunately.

some people assume if you live in a council house you are a pleb scum a chav or taking housing from somebody in need and should be saving for a mortgage, or all of the above

oh and claiming thousands a week on benefit and never paid any rent in your life

OH indeed shocking eh

mrsjay

Tres

You could get lucky and get somewhere lovely, you never know.