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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Housing help

207 replies

Love29 · 15/08/2017 21:42

Long story I have been on the Council list (Basildon) bidding for the last 3 years to get me and my son our own place, I've now gone down as homeless and am currently in a hostel waiting for temporary acc. Once in my temp place I will continue to bid on a perm place but will be in a higher band, my fear is that I have to put 2 bids in and if there's a week where not so nice places come up ie 6th floor flat rough area, no garden arc comes up and I don't bid the Council will now put bids in for me. I know I should be grateful for any where but I still have the right to a home that I would like as I've been able to chose what I've bid on for the last 3 years so has any one been in this situation what's the chances I'll get the properties I bid on over getting one they bid on for me

OP posts:
Original poster
Love29 · 15/08/2017 22:51

I'm
Not being unrealistic at all I didn't ask for people's rude options if you read my post I'm asking if any one has been in this situation and how it worked out

OP posts:
LetBartletBeBartlet · 15/08/2017 22:53

Why would I privately rent with no security?

Because plenty of us have to?
Because you have the means to?
Because then you can pick and choose the area and the property?

Letstryagainshallwe · 15/08/2017 22:54

My council doesn't allow you to refuse any offer of accommodation in a priority band as they see it as your not desperate then. Not all councils allow you to decline places. Mines get what your given unless your can prove it unsuitable and unsuitable isn't not having a garden for your dog.

coriliavijvaad · 15/08/2017 22:55

Are you only bidding on houses in nicer areas with gardens? I think this policy is designed to make you lower your expectations a little. So yes they will put a bid on you behalf on the least nice places. You are bidding on but not getting the nicest places. There must be places that are at a mid-point between those. Bid on those. Even if they only meet one or two of the criteria on your wishlist - that's better than nothing.

Original poster
Love29 · 15/08/2017 22:55

By the sounds of it half the girls on this thread would be over the moon with an 8th floor rough estate flat lol not once did I say I'm any different I just said I believe I should still be entitled to continue bidding my self and for the Council not to put bids in for me and if any one else had been through this situation but perfect brigade come out in force

OP posts:
Original poster
Love29 · 15/08/2017 22:56

No the only reason that the council will now put bids in for me is because I've moved up bands as I'm
Now in a hostel

OP posts:
Original poster
Love29 · 15/08/2017 22:57

You can bid on what ever properties you like when your on the housing list until made homeless then it changes

OP posts:
Letstryagainshallwe · 15/08/2017 22:57

I wouldn't be happy with it. But the point is no one would and the list has thousands of people on it with children someone with a child will end up on the 8th floor. But if that's there policy, Why are you special?

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 15/08/2017 22:58

When you become homeless and move into temporary accommodation the council are accepting they have a duty to house you. They will have a target to meet. So a maximum amount of time in which they are expected to get you into permanent housing. This will vary from region to region.

If they let you carry on bidding only on the most desirable properties then they would more than likely miss their target and be penalised for it. Besides which you would be tying up emergency temporary accommodation which another family will have need of.

Social housing is about providing you with an adequate, secure, roof over your heads at an affordable price. It is not about picking & choosing where that home must be (not when you are deemed to be in desperate need of housing anyway).

Surely a permanent, secure, home is better for your DS than staying for a long time in temporary accommodation?

KanielOutis · 15/08/2017 22:58

I live in a flat with no outside space in the rough part of town (Southend). It's fine. It's not what I would choose if I could afford the nice areas, but I can't. Once you are inside and the door is closed it doesn't matter where your flat is it's what you make of it.

Pleasedontdrawonyoursister · 15/08/2017 22:58

If I were you I would ensure I use my 2 bids every week, then they can't bid on your behalf. Of course you might not end up with your perfect home, but at least you won't end up with the 8th floor flat.

MumIsRunningAMarathon · 15/08/2017 22:58

Yes it changes

Is it a shock to find you are no longer 'entitled' op??.....

Original poster
Love29 · 15/08/2017 22:59

Yes people do but I'm not going to keep moving my child around etc because a landlord sells the propertie or because a landlord decided he wants his home back to live in, privately rent and your could be chucked out every few years

OP posts:
GreenTulips · 15/08/2017 22:59

You must be working so have options -

Save and buy
Rent locally
Move to a cheaper area
Take what you are offered

There are loads of people in flats - that's life

Original poster
Love29 · 15/08/2017 23:01

Sorry? You almost knocked me over from
Being up there on your high horse

OP posts:
Pizzaexpressreview · 15/08/2017 23:01

That's how most people who rent live? Nearly everyone I know who rents rents privately. If you aren't entitled to any benefits at all surely you should rent like everyone else or not complain at what you're given.

Pizzaexpressreview · 15/08/2017 23:01

green tulips has it.

Original poster
Love29 · 15/08/2017 23:02

if any Ones been in this situation and has anything worthy to add then please let me know

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 15/08/2017 23:02

I wouldn't be happy to live in a hostel for very long either. I think I'd rather take something the council offered. They can't all be terrible.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 15/08/2017 23:03

Love it's not that I would be thrilled with an 8th floor flat on a rough estate. It's that if I were homeless with a child, then any permanent, secure, home with our own front door would be better than being homeless Sad.

Your temporary accommodation must be pretty good if you'd prefer to spend years there bidding for your chosen property?! Confused

GreenTulips · 15/08/2017 23:03

I've lived in my fair share of rough council estates -

Plenty of down to earth people who happy to help each other.

First night in one property the police called and advised us kot to go out after dark.

Same night a neighbour was murdered for his pension - kicked to death on his door step by teens

I'm not on a high horse - you are

Original poster
Love29 · 15/08/2017 23:03

So working people are not entitled to a council home only people on benefits lol that makes sense

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 15/08/2017 23:03

Sorry if my post wasn't worthy enough. Didn't see yours.

HelenaDove · 15/08/2017 23:03

The OP dosnt want to privately rent due to the uncertainty and the possibility of having to move every couple of years.

Akire · 15/08/2017 23:04

I live in a grotty social housing flat, so not saying it's shame you don't have more of a say. BUT they are rules you signed up too and every area has different rules. In perfect world you could hang on and chose something that suits you best but that's just how it is. You can always try move/exchange after. But if you do already have a garden nice area noones really going move into worse flat.
maybe you could ask council how many top band get moved per week and how many houses come up. That way at least you maybe have better idea. So 10 homes a week free but 100 families waiting.