To want housing help ?

[EllasCloset]

Hi all ,
I'm writing because I'm not sure what to do for the best and I was hoping someone might have some experience in this field .
I moved in with my partner 4 years ago with my daughter who was then 8.it is his house and I am not on the tenancy only as an occupant.
I made an appt with a solicitor and she informed me even if he left the property the h/a could seek possession and I wouldn't be awarded tenant status.
It's been two years since I wanted to separate so I went to the housing and was awarded band c with my local council .
I thought given band c was medium priority I'd be housed pretty quickly however this is not the case as I've been waiting over two years!
I want to separate as my x has been emotionally abusive past and present gets angry very quickly ,for trivial things and has punched one of the doors in our current home .
I am feeling despondent and also depressed I would love a p/t job or to go to uni but I need to sort a home out first .
I've thought of leaving myself and going into a temporary accommodation like a hostel not sure if it will help my claim though .
I do not have enough money to go to a private landlord and would struggle to find guarantor etc as not working.
Thanks for taking the time to read this post any advice appreciated

That sounds bad. Where did you live before?

I don't think you can wait to sort out the house before you get the job. It works the other way round. If you would love to get a p/t job, then just do it now and earn enough money to pay rent for somewhere for you and your DD to live away from this man.

I had a private rental in my name only ,it wasn't a good experience tbh the landlord would inspect my home every 3/4 weeks with 30 mins notice via text I felt uncomfortable and couldn't settle as it didn't feel my home so I was glad to be out tbh.
My daughter is on the asd spectrum ,I receive carers
I think A job at a school would suit but no previous experience

Hello. You could apply to the HA to become a named tenant on the tenancy. If they were willing to - and your x will almost certainly have to agree to the first bit, then you may then be able to be eligible to be re-housed with your child via a SS referral. It is worth contacting the HA directly as they may be able to help you stay in your current home if the x has anti-social behaviour. Or you can present yourself as a homeless family which the local authority has a statutory duty to house. However, you will have little/no say in the accommodation you are offered. Because of your situation they may try to find intentionally homeless - do you have any evidence of your x's abusive behaviour to you? Finally, it may be wise to talk to Refuge who help, support and find routes into safe accommodation for vulnerable women and their families. Best of luck OP and stay safe.

Go to the HPU at your council. Getting put into TA or a hostel will only benefit your situation, you're likely to be put up the list, especially if you explain there is domestic abuse at home. You might end up in a refuge for a little while but this is no worse than a hostel and you'll at least likely have private cooking facilities, so better than bed and breakfast.

However please be aware the local authority can discharge its duty to you by finding you an 'acceptable' private rented property, as long as it's at local housing allowance level rent-wise or below. This is classed as a reasonable offer and if you refuse it because you're holding out for social housing you could end up being classed as intentionally homeless.

You would then be picked up by SS as they have responsibility for intentionally homeless families with dependant children. And the whole process of bed and breakfast etc will start again

If I was in your shoes I would probably take TA/hostel but all the time look for a decent private rented place myself, and if I couldn't find one, accept what they offered first time.

This is a shit situation, I am sorry. I've worked in homelessness for 15 years and the so-called safety net is looking pretty threadbare. And no, in answer to your first question, you have no right of assignment over the HA tenancy your not so 'D' P has (unless you are married - in which case come back and ask me more.)

Thank you to the above posters for the sound advice.
To answer a couple of questions,I have investigated succeeding the tenancy ,it's a no go unless he is willing to leave ,which he isn't .
I also am not married to him we just live as a couple finances are all joint aswell.
I will look into private rentals although in the past it's been quite difficult .maybe the council will pay the bond ,I can only try can't i
X

I know it's not a good option but sadly the only way to get housed quickly is to leave the house, go to a woman's refuge ( as he is being emotionally abusive ), you will then be classed as homeless and vulnerable and will be housed much quicker, only problem being is you won't get much choice in where you are housed ( you will have to take what housing they can find you ), whilst you are housed where you are you won't be classed as a priority and you could be waiting for some time.

So sorry you are going through this and your partner is refusing to leave, I hope you manage to get something sorted out for you and your dd.

Oh ,I forgot to add the x has no anti social behaviour,
He is quietly aggressive comments under his breath kind of thing .
The only slight give away is the hole in the door ,which I could take a photo of I suppose

My abusive ex started with holes in doors, then progressed to faces and arms. Huge red flag - I think you should leave.

Does your daughter's ASD mean you could qualify for extra medical points that would bump up your banding with the aid of a friendly social worker in conjunction with the advice already given?

I'm asking cos it's been over 2 decades since I last had contact with any sort of social housing application, but it used to be the case that disabled children were prioritised.

I'm not sure as I was originally band e which is second to last in priority ,but I successfully appealed and got band c.
Whether I could ask the housing to re assess to see if I can get higher I'm not sure it may be worth a go .

and would struggle to find guarantor etc as not working.

Maybe this is the place to start? A job of some sort would give you some income, get you out of the house and maybe improve your self esteem. Housing might well take years to sort out, it isn't a reason to delay looking for work. And a job would make you a more attractive proposition for a private landlord.

I agree a job is the place to start, you then have options you're in control of, such as private rent, as opposed to being at the mercy of the council.

"I had a private rental in my name only ,it wasn't a good experience tbh the landlord would inspect my home every 3/4 weeks with 30 mins notice via text I felt uncomfortable and couldn't settle as it didn't feel my home so I was glad to be out tbh."

^

Landlords have to give at least 24 hours notice, and even then can inspect only by consent. This is unlikely to happen again. Lots of LLs (like me!) are very reasonable and kind people.

BTW, did your LL have some good reason to inspect every 3/4 weeks? - it must have been a pain for him/her too.

No ,there was no reason why my previous land lord wanted to inspect the house so frequently ,except that his previous tenants left owing £1000s and I had no idea that 24 hours notice needed to be given I will bear that in mind for next time .

Yes, do

Basically, a tenant has the right to "quiet enjoyment" which means that the LL can't disturb them all the time (or any of the time, frankly). It's a serious obligation on the LL and the good ones will know all about it. you should always be able to feel that your house is your home, even when renting.