Council house and disability

[Gerrygiraffe]

My cousin has MS, and it has started to mean she is really struggling.

She and her DH own a gorgeous old house and have loads of equity but it is increasingly unsuitable for her.

She was told today that she has been placed at band one for a council house and when a suitable one comes up she will be allocated it and any necessary changes made by the council so she can live there. She doesn't have to sell her house.

She and her DH are really pleased as they were struggling and I am delighted her life will be easier soon.

However, their plan is now to rent out their house echo which will give them a nice income every month. Whilst I understand them being given priority over housing a big part of me thinks that they should have to sell their house and use the equity to buy a more suitable property rather than take a council house which someone else may need

AIBU?

[theywillgrowup]

if the details are correct then i think the council's policy is wrong

why cant they sell the house and buy a bungalow or a more suitable house

imo they are denying another disabled person in need a suitable home

[paragirl1981]

How do you go about seeing if you are eligible for a council/ha house? Is there a restriction on how much you can earn to qualify for one?

[BumpyGrindy]

Para I don't think the restrictions apply so much if you're looking due to a disability. For the disabled and also for people over 55 it is easier.

All local authorities are different but the first thing to do is to phone up and ask...it's not hard to apply if you do fit the criteria. Most are managed online nowadays and have a bidding system where you are shown a changing array of properties and you "bid" for them...those with the highest eligibility will be seen to first.

[Stripyhoglets]

Usually people who own a home would be expected to sell within a certain period of time of getting a. House in these circs. She must live in a generous local authority area!

[PatrickStarisabadbellend]

I know of one person who got a HA retirement flat even though she owned her own home. She is disabled.

The rent she got from her bought house covered the HA rent plus a bit left over.

[PatrickStarisabadbellend]

I must point out that the housing benefit people said that her rent from her home was an income so she has to pay full rent for the HA home.

[GarlicMarchHare]

I don't see the problem. Her disabilities must be severe - would you rather she had to go live in an institution? (Assuming there were any left.) The council would have to pay for that.

Council houses aren't free. They will be paying rent. The point of what they're doing is that it's more efficient than rehousing her permanently in a medical facility, and more practicable than reconfiguring an old house.

YABU.

[WooWooOwl]

I don't see how it would be better for her to sell her home and then have to live on full benefits. At least if she has an income from the house they own then she will be paying rent on the council house and will hopefully be able to afford to live as well.

MS is a horrible and unpredictable illness, I'm amazed that anyone would begrudge someone who has it a council house, especially when they will be paying rent on it.

[theywillgrowup]

she has £££££££ in equity to be able to buy a smaller place and adapt

imo she is taking away from a disabled person that dos not have this choice and will be denied a better home for their needs

i say this as a 43year old with a house and no morgage,that is what i would expect if i was in these circumstances

the op's relative has choice,the person on the la list does not have this and will have to wait longer

[EurotrashGirl]

Is her house a listed building? This would make modifying it difficult/impossible.

[sashh]

They would have adaptations done to their existing property under disabled adaptations scheme, aimed at keeping people in their home

Is that like the 'independent living fund' that was axed last week?

[Booboostoo]

It seems very sad to me that your cousin has MS, that her condition is seriously worsening and that she has to move out of her house and all you can think about is her "gorgeous old house and loads of equity" and how much she should be made to pay. You sound really jealous of your very sick cousin.

[PrimalLass]

Just be thankful that you are not the one with MS.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

I am embarrassed for you that you posted this tbh.