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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think we're never getting a house.

40 replies

Roobix04 · 26/09/2014 12:37

We live in a flat in a not great area and we're on our local housing list. The thing is I bid on houses every week and when the bidding ends we're usually number 20+ in the list even if when I put the bid in we were number 5.
I just don't think we'll ever win and I'm not sure what to do. Aibu to give up hope or has it actually worked out for anyone?

OP posts:

MrsWinnibago · 26/09/2014 12:39

Is the flat a Housing Association one or are you in private rental? If either to be honest you could wait years.

As you have somewhere to live, you're not considered an emergency and there's such a shortage.

We were almost homeless and still the local authority could not offer us a house, we got a flat. That's because I have two DC under 10 and some families have more and older.

Or they may have disabilities and so come first.

If your landlord ever gives you notice you will have more chance.

19lottie82 · 26/09/2014 12:39

Can you not private rent?

On the flipside there are plenty of people on council waiting lists who don't even have a flat!

I live in a small 2 bed flat with my DH and 2 kids, I own it and we can't afford anything else. That's life at the moment I'm afraid.

MrsWinnibago · 26/09/2014 12:40

Oh and do you have any hope of buying a house? Perhaps one of the shared mortgage schemes run by councils?

Artandco · 26/09/2014 12:41

We won't ever get a house in near future as can't afford one. So we live in a flat.

Surely that's the same for you?

MrsWinnibago · 26/09/2014 12:43

19 OP hasn't specified whether she is privately renting or in housing association property.

19lottie82 · 26/09/2014 12:44

MrsWinnibago - Yes I know that. I meant there are plenty of people waiting for a council FLAT because they are homeless, not just because they want a house.

SaucyJack · 26/09/2014 12:46

From the information you've given you might as well be asking how long is a piece of string?

Are you in the north or south? Are you seriously over-crowded? Do any of you have a disability that means a house would be a genuine necessity?

MrsWinnibago · 26/09/2014 12:47

19 no you asked "Can you not private rent?" when she didn't say whether she already was or not.

Original poster

Roobix04 · 26/09/2014 12:50

We're in a council flat. I realise there are people who are worse off. We're in the transfer band which is lowest priority but so is everyone else who is allowed to bid on these particular houses iyswim so I don't get how they get higher on the list.
We live in a flat that's converted for wheelchair access which we don't need so I'm surprised they aren't more eager to move us.
We can't buy. My dp is disabled and I'm his full time carer. So it looks like I should try private then?

OP posts:

Original poster

Roobix04 · 26/09/2014 12:50

We live in Derbyshire.

OP posts:

AlpacaMyBags · 26/09/2014 12:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsWinnibago · 26/09/2014 12:52

Roobie I do sympathise. We're also in a flat that's too small etc but you have to suck it up a bit....there are not enough houses. Are you on the 2nd floor? HOw old are your DC?

If you do try private then you will need to look for a long term let. You don't want to get moved on after a year because the landlord has decided to sell for instance.

19lottie82 · 26/09/2014 12:52

MrsWinnibago - "19 no you asked "Can you not private rent?" when she didn't say whether she already was or not."

Yes, I did, but I meant in regards to moving to a house, not her current situation re living in the flat.

MrsWinnibago · 26/09/2014 12:52

Ah sorry...you must be on the ground floor if it's converted. Have you got children?

Artandco · 26/09/2014 12:53

Can you afford a private house rental if used to council flat rental?

Ie a council 2 bed flat here ( London) is about £650 a month, a private 2 bed flat is more like £2000.

MrsWinnibago · 26/09/2014 12:54

19 oh I see!

SaucyJack · 26/09/2014 12:54

How many bedrooms do you have and how many children?

No council will allow to move into a house that you're considered to be under-occupying since the "bedroom tax" came in.

basgetti · 26/09/2014 12:54

It depends on lots of factors, not least the availability of properties in your area and what banding you are. I managed to get a flat when I was in a low band after bidding for about 6 months. I only got this because about 10 other people turned it down first! Then a year later I needed to move and was given the highest banding and got a house within a week. If you are in a middle or low banding you are never realistically going to move far enough up the list as people will keep joining the list above you.

19lottie82 · 26/09/2014 12:55

OP - It's six or half a dozen. You might NEVER get a council "house", but you have the secured tenancy that comes with your flat. You could get a private let house, giving you what you want in that respect, but you lose the security.

As MrsW suggested, have you tried looking for someone who wants to swop? People who want to downsize are more common now due to the bedroom tax.

MrsWinnibago · 26/09/2014 12:55

I should imagine Derbyshire is similar to Cheshire. Houses here cost between 600 and upwards for a 2 bed in a decent area. It's hard to find one for 600 though...most are more like 650-700 for a normal semi.

Is that too much OP? Some councils have a database of private landlords willling to accept those on benefits. Have you asked about that?

MrsWinnibago · 26/09/2014 12:57

I have learned to like my flat. It's all I've got, it's affordable, secure and safe. I know a house would be much nicer but you have sometimes to make the best of things.

I feel lucky to have got a local authority home at all to be honest!

fuzzpig · 26/09/2014 13:07

Sucks doesn't it. We are on band B as our 2nd bedroom is tiny, so as DCs have to share it we are 'overcrowded'

Been on the list over 2yrs, the estimate when we joined was 18-24 months for our band soooo not feeling too hopeful. Our current rent is crippling us financially but we can't afford to move to another private rent even of the same size - as it is, our LLs haven't increased the rent for a few years now and rental prices generally have gone up since then. So we are stuck. Trying to save what we can but doubtful we could get a mortgage anyway as income is so low.

rainbowinmyroom · 26/09/2014 13:10

I'd try for an exchange.

Original poster

Roobix04 · 26/09/2014 13:15

I've looked at private and we could afford a few of the houses that are on offer. We are in a two bed and have a five mo dd.
We really want to move because we're in a bad area. There's frequently fights right outside our window and my dp is even in court soon as a witness. We don't have a safety door and because we're on the ground floor it doesn't feel safe. Anyone could break into these windows that only the council could deem as double glazing. I also really want a garden for my dd.

OP posts:

Original poster

Roobix04 · 26/09/2014 13:16

We've been on homeswapper for 2 years with no luck.

OP posts:

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