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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Calling all Council HA housing experts!!

27 replies

InceyWinceySpider · 12/09/2013 19:33

I know this is off topic but I need to write an email a.s.a.p and I need some help.

I got told I was shortlisted for a 3 bedroom house ( am currently in 2 bed ) but it needed a local connection. I have a cousin in the area but it's not classed as immediate family.

Anyway I found out after posting on the (dreaded FB) that i was upset on my missing out , explained why etc.. Anyway I then find out my eldest child's Dad is living in one of the areas that would be classed as a local connection.
I informed the lady I had been in contact with explaining and she said it didn't matter as wasn't my immediate family.

I have been told by various people I know that they have either been in same situation or know someone who has used a childs dad in the same situ as me.

I asked her if she could provide me with the policy and she didn't reply
( we had been in constant contact for the last 20 mins with her replying straight away eachtime ), so it makes me wonder if she is just saying that... Yes, I know I have a suspicious mind lol!!

Just after being told the same thing by about 10 diff people that it should count, it seems funny she then didn't reply when I asked for confirmation.

Are there any experts out there that can help me, pretty please Grin

P.s Please don't lets turn this into a council house bashing thread ; )

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 12/09/2013 19:35

But you don't have a connection. You are using fraud to get the home.

ILetHimKeep20Quid · 12/09/2013 19:36

It should count but I think each la can set their own conditions.

Am I right in saying you didn't know he lived there until now?

HeySoulSister · 12/09/2013 19:38

no,that cant be used as a local connection with my HA either.....

RhondaJean · 12/09/2013 19:38

Each la and ha can set their own rules about this so you do the right thing asking to see their policy.

But tbh, if you didn't even know he was living there, it's not really a local connection is it? If you are completely honest with yourself?

Original poster
InceyWinceySpider · 12/09/2013 19:41

How do you explain that expat? I have told the woman that it's my childs father, how the hell am I trying to defraud them? I have been totally honest with them!

Thanks ILetHim, no as they haven't had contact for about 6 months, I assumed he was still living at his Mums in our City.

OP posts:
HeySoulSister · 12/09/2013 19:41

and he doesn't even see his dc

wonderingsoul · 12/09/2013 19:42

I would question why they let you bid on it if you couldn't be moved there?

It could be they are looking in to it?

expatinscotland · 12/09/2013 19:42

'How do you explain that expat? I have told the woman that it's my childs father, how the hell am I trying to defraud them? I have been totally honest with them!'

Because your child isn't in contact with them. He doesn't see his child. You are not connected to him.

expatinscotland · 12/09/2013 19:44

Someone else who needs the home to be a carer for a close relative might lose out on the house because you used this when this man isn't even in your child's life. Wow.

Original poster
InceyWinceySpider · 12/09/2013 19:46

Well it is a connection, obviously..Whether it counts or not though..

I am being totally honest with myself and them thanks, it's only been 6 months with no contact, it's not years and if it can be counted as a local connection then why can't I use it?

If it isn't I shall accept that too, I just wanted to know where I stood.

OP posts:
lougle · 12/09/2013 19:50

It varies. Example:

"you need to move to the district to give or receive support from a close family member (for these purposes immediate family encompasses a parent or parents, a child or children, a sibling or siblings or other relationship where it can be demonstrated there is a genuine need to give, or receive support). This person should have lived within the Thanet area for 5 years and proof will be requested." THANET

"1.6 local Connection
The local connection criteria will be met by a customer if they:
· are currently living in the area and have done so for more than 6 months
· have lived in the area for 3 out of the previous 5 years
· have employment in the area
· have close family in the area
· if the customer, or a member of their household, needs to receive long term or life-long medical and / or
welfare treatment in the area" HAMPSHIRE

"Do I have a local connection?

You have a local connection if:

You are living, or have lived in the area, by choice, for 6 out of the last 12 months, or 3 our of the last 5 years
You are employed in the area, (although not on a casual basis or as a member of the armed forced)
You have a family association with the area (which means that you have parents, adult children, brothers or sisters, who have lived in the area for 5 years)
You can point to special circumstances, which the Council will consider on an individual basis." SURREY

I don't think that a man you haven't had contact with for 6 months will count. Even if he did, they normally specify 'and has lived there for x years'.

IneedAsockamnesty · 12/09/2013 19:51

Some LA's will allow you to use the local connection of a minor child BUT for it to be the other parent you would be expected to demonstrate that the child is in regular contact (usually more frequent than once a month) with the parent he has PR and there is an extenuating reason for needing to reside close to him

It does not sound like your situation.

lougle · 12/09/2013 19:51

Can you name the County?

Original poster
InceyWinceySpider · 12/09/2013 19:56

I'm not going to go into the reasons for no contact but it's been 6 months and it isn't going to be no contact forever, that isn't the issue here though.

I have been in contact with him by text about our child but considering I didn't need to know his change of address he didn't tell me.

He's unreliable to say the least, but they have always been in on and off contact, don't even know why I am explaining as you have made your judgement!

As for the medical aspect I actually have a child with learning disabilities and have moved up the list because of this and life at home is a nightmare.

The place the new home is in is about a 10 minute drive from my City and about a 20 min to half hr for the local connection, it's just a different council that's all. I could of registered with the other council when using Home Choice. So it doesn't make sense what you are saying about taking away from someone else needing a carer nearby.

If someone in my City was reg with the other council then they could have it as well...

Gotta love Mumsnet!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
InceyWinceySpider · 12/09/2013 19:57

Devon lougle

OP posts:
Original poster
InceyWinceySpider · 12/09/2013 19:59

That previous message was to expat by the way, slow typing...

OP posts:
MammaTJ · 12/09/2013 20:01

Not aware of all the circumstances because you are being cagey but, is there a hope that being near him may encourage contact?

can you all tell I'm in a good mood, not going down the lying by saying it is a connestion route?

expatinscotland · 12/09/2013 20:03

Don't see how it's judgey to point that out, but hey ho, it's your lookout. Best of luck. If you've been bumped up the list then soon enough something will come up (shrugs).

lougle · 12/09/2013 20:08

Devon HomeChoice Policy Document

"To demonstrate a local connection (defined in Part VII of the Housing Act
1996) with Devon applicants will:

  • Normally be resident in Devon. Local Government Association guidelines define this as having resided in the area for six of the last twelve months, or three out of the last five years, where residence has been out of choice.
In line with the forthcoming Housing and Regeneration Act (2008) service personnel who have been based and living in Devon will be considered to have local connection with Devon.
  • Work in Devon. The Local Government Association guidelines define this as employment other than of a casual nature. For the purposes of this policy this will be defined as having had permanent work with a minimum of a 16 hour contract per week for the previous 6 months, and without a break in the period of employment for more than three months.
  • Have family connections in Devon. The Local Government Association
guidelines define this as immediate family members (parents, siblings and non-dependent children) who have themselves lived in the area for five years. Applicants will be required to provide proof of their local connection to Devon before their banding is assessed. A number of housing associations with homes in Devon operate across a wider regional or national area. Tenants of such associations may on occasion wish to transfer to Devon from outside the county, but will not meet the local connection criteria (e.g. they do not have a local connection to Devon). In such cases the local connection to Devon criteria shall not be applicable. In such circumstances the tenant will be placed in the band determined by their housing needs, in the same way as applicants with a local connection to Devon. They will then be able to bid for homes in the same ways other applicants.

If a home is subject to more specific local connection to Devon criteria
however these will still apply. For example Section 106 planning conditions that mean the home can only be let to someone with a local connection to a specific local area."

I think you'll find that your child's father would have had to live in the area for 5 years before they would be 'connected' and even then the fact that he is in sporadic contact with his child would further weaken your case.

Sorry Sad

Theincidental · 12/09/2013 20:09

On Devon home choice website there is a page on what constitutes a local connection. But, there are also other ways they can short list local depending on the house. For example, some new houses are only available to those with a parish connection as well.

From memory the general terms were:

Immediate family with five history of living there
A job in the area/county/district held
Already a resident in the district/county

If it's Exeter, you may be whistling in the wind as the demand is extremely high and others shortlisted may be higher up the list anyway.

basgetti · 12/09/2013 20:13

My ex partner tried to move to my area to be nearer to DS but was told it didn't count as a local connection. And he sees DS regularly.

purpleroses · 12/09/2013 20:15

Unfortunately you are the applicant, not your child. So unless they specifically state "the applicant or a member of their household" (and louge's post above suggests they don't) then it won't count.

If he were in regularly contact you might be able to make a special case for it, but as he's not, you're probably not going to be able to.

Unless your DC is old enough to be a joint tenant (at least 16, probably 18) and could be a joint applicant with you, that is.

IneedAsockamnesty · 12/09/2013 20:41

Not a chance if its Devon I know I've tried with a few clients

Original poster
InceyWinceySpider · 12/09/2013 21:05

I'm already in Exeter Sock ; )

Thanks everyone for your help, much appreciated!

I did look at the home choice website and google a bit but nothing was definitive so good to know before I shot off an email.

Back to bidding!!

OP posts:
IneedAsockamnesty · 12/09/2013 21:30

Why do you need a local connection if your moving within the same area?

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