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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to get a council house?

38 replies

Sweetpea01 · 12/10/2014 16:07

I am a single mum to DD (4) and DS (8) and work FT.

We've always privately rented in the past and have been in this house since just before DD was born. It's fine, but prone to damp and the windows are all still those wooden framed single panes so it gets quite cold even though the central heating works great. It's also a two bed but that's no big deal at present. The gardens wrap around and as we have two dogs, we can't let them have the run of it for fear they will get out. Can't really move as anywhere else in this area (half council, half owned) is too expensive (got a really good deal on rent as house was unoccupied for some time prior to moving in).

Friends and colleagues have been encouraging me to apply for council housing. It would be cheaper than what I pay currently per month and obviously comes with the added benefits of repairs towards boiler, pvc windows, enclosed gardens etc etc.

I know quite a few come up each year in our area on that online bidding thing, but if I signed up, what are the chances I'd even get a look in? As we're not in dire need and I don't claim benefits? I know I could apply for a 2 bed, would I be able to apply for a 3 bed though if one came up? The rent price wouldn't be an issue.

TBH it would be really nice to have a home I know we could stay in for the long haul, especially as there's no way I could buy on my own for a very long time.

Is it morally wrong that I should apply for a council house when I work?

OP posts:
wheresthelight · 12/10/2014 16:10

it doesn't hurt to apply. depending on the rules in your area would depend on whether you could bid for 3 beds.

go in and chat to your local housing office as they will give you all the info

Fairylea · 12/10/2014 16:10

Of course not. Lots of people that live in council housing work. Nothing wrong with that at all - there is a lack of secure and affordable housing, why shouldn't you apply for something you are able to benefit from?

(And I say that as a homeowner).

Fairylea · 12/10/2014 16:11

(I meant of course not as in your question is it morally wrong).

Zephyroux · 12/10/2014 16:11

I don't think it's morally wrong at all! I would apply and see what happens.

MrsPiggie · 12/10/2014 16:13

Lots of people in council houses work. It's a common misconception that they are all on benefits. As for your chances - if you don't apply they are 0. Of course you should apply, I wouldn't think twice about it in your position.

Nomama · 12/10/2014 16:14

Of course you should. That's what tare for... families to live in. Go for it. If you have a local advice centre go and talk to them about availability and how best to apply for a house.

I used to work in a Community Advice Centre and the housing/benefits woman was an absolute mine of useful information. Much better than the official council woman - oddly the council paid the salary of both of them!

Good luck.

Naoko · 12/10/2014 16:17

Of course it's not wrong to apply. If your area has a long waiting list full of people who are in greater need of council housing than you are, you simply won't get a council house, but you being on the list harms no one. It doesn't cost anything, you're not in the way, and if a house becomes available after everyone who needs it more than you do has been housed, why would it be wrong to accept it?

Babiecakes11 · 12/10/2014 16:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

camelmonkey · 12/10/2014 16:19

What area are you in? In London you don't have a hope in hell unless you are disabled or very overcrowded as the waiting lists are thousands long and only people in band A and B get a look in. No harm in applying though.

Original poster
Sweetpea01 · 12/10/2014 16:24

I'm in the North-West, so won't be too bad Camel :)

We have an online bidding system for those not in immediate need so I'll have to be on the ball about looking on that. That's where houses on our street tend to get advertised a few times a year, so it would be really great to stay close by if possible. They've also just updated all the fencing, kitchens/bathroom and gardens of the council houses in this area.

Thanks all, I'm going to do the online application now and take my supporting documents in tomorrow. If we got a 3 bed I really would be over the moon as we would not then have to move for the foreseeable.

OP posts:
avocadotoast · 12/10/2014 16:25

I don't think it's wrong at all, but prepare yourself for a long wait! As you say, you're working and can afford the house you're in, so you won't be seen as a priority.

But then there's no harm in trying. Some of my family have lived in a council house for years and they work. Nothing wrong with it at all.

x2boys · 12/10/2014 16:26

Council houses are for everyone whether they work or not where I live in the northwest,It doesn't seem to bad we have been on the list since June,we were offered one house but it was nt what we wanted some areas,you canbe waiting years to get a house but I don't think we will be wait in more than a year!

JellyDiamonds · 12/10/2014 16:30

Noting wrong with council housing, and the majority of people who live in them most certainly do work. The problem is there is a shortage how due to the Wicked Witch of the West introducing the right to buy scheme in the 80's there tends to be long waiting lists.

Council housing is far more secure than private rental, and they tend to be good solid homes with good size gardens as well.

ExpectTheVeryUnexpected · 12/10/2014 16:30

When I was working, single and no dependents age 18 I got a council flat within two months in the north west. I was band "c" and classed as homeless but with access to secure sleeping places. That was through an online bidding system. The flat I got actually had a line in the ad that said working females preferred as it was a secure complex. Definitely worth applying. X

Seriouslyffs · 12/10/2014 16:32

Go for it. You deserve a secure warm house and so do your dcs.
As others have said you have no chance at all if you don't apply!

Ticktockblock · 12/10/2014 16:33

I know someone that was private renting that has just been given a council house, they were so shocked and asked how it was so quick and the housing person told them that it went in their favour that he worked.

Chunderella · 12/10/2014 16:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HelpMeGetOutOfHere · 12/10/2014 16:55

In the north east you will hopefully get lucky. I know someone via another forum who sold their house (they were in financial difficulty and council rent lower than the mortgage they had) and moved into a council house before they had even completed!

I live in the south east and not a hope in he'll of getting a council house. I pay over £1000 a month in rent. I can't move back up north as no job then and dc are settled at school. I believe according to freedom of information act that Wokingham council has typically a 17 year wait on the list. We've been on 5 years and by the time we reach 17 yrs the dc will have left home and well have dropped right back down the list.

Good luck!

HelpMeGetOutOfHere · 12/10/2014 16:57

Even if the wait is a long one and you aren't a priority surely it's not costing you anything to go on the list so why not? You won't be using a place of a vulnerable family as they will have a higher place than you.

crazykat · 12/10/2014 17:06

I don't see why you shouldn't apply. Its a common misconception that everyone in council housing is on out of work benefits (along with subsidised rent). We are lucky enough to have a council house and have always paid full rent and council tax.

Be prepared for a long wait though as you're already housed. We're in the north east and there was me, now DH, dd1 and later unplanned ds1 sharing a room at my parents and it took us 2 years on band b priority to get a house.

As to whether you qualify for 2 or 3 bedrooms will depend on housing stock in your area. Where we are you would qualify for 3 beds as you have two children and there are hardly any 2 bed houses in this area. In other areas you would have to wait till your eldest is 11 to qualify for 3 beds as until then boys and girls can share a room.

x2boys · 12/10/2014 17:13

Where i live you can apply for two or three bed houses with two. Children the only thing it affects is the rent and bedroom tax but as you work and presumably pay full rent the bedroom tax is irrelevant!

PillForgettingIdiot · 12/10/2014 17:24

I think you are exactly the type of family council housing should be used for. Apply and see what happens.

LeftRightCentre · 12/10/2014 17:36

Apply and see what happens.

BreakOutTheKaraoke · 12/10/2014 21:58

It's worth applying now. As your eldest gets a little older you'll move up the bands anyway, as you'll be classed as overcrowded when he reaches 10.

Always hate talking about my situation on MN, as my situation always gets looked down on, but I was a 18 year old, single, unworking mum. I got given the keys to my 2 bedroomed council house when she was 6 weeks old. Wasn't the best street, but it was in the area where I wanted, definitely not the worst streets in the area either. I later had to relocate due to DV and my ex harassing me, but still in the area. I had to bid for about 10 months, but I moved to another 2 bedroomed house, in a lovely street, again in the area of my choice. My working status had no impact on either move (I was working by then, don't think I was in receipt of housing benefit either, though I was at other times).

SaucyJack · 12/10/2014 22:13

There's nothing wrong at all in wanting a council house.

In your sitch tho you should wait until your son is 10 as you'll then qualify for a three bed as you also have a daughter. Under-10s are expected to share regardless of sex.