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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Council house waiting times

81 replies

munchsmum2017 · 21/05/2019 19:19

I am currently on Band A for Leeds homes and Yorkshire housing. I have been on Band A for 3 months now and my position is still fairly high ie (50s-100s). The reason I need to move is extremely urgent and personal , I understand that there is a lot of people on the housing register and I am happy and grateful to even be on there , I can understand it can take a while.

What I’m posting for is to find out any stories regarding waiting times and what priority you may of been on or are on?

Just out of interest and curiosity but also to see how long it can roughly be until I’m offered somewhere ?

Thank you

OP posts:

newusernameforthis · 21/05/2019 19:21

Hello, I've name changed for this as don't want to put myself, I work for housing Leeds and have done for some years. The wait can still be quite long depending on what your bidding for, what kind of area are you after and how many bedrooms?
Despite what many people think band A isn't actually the top priority, band A+ is for really dire situations and direct let's are sometimes needed when we have police telling us someone needs somewhere safe to live urgently etc.

BrieAndChilli · 21/05/2019 19:38

How long is a piece of string?
Depends on
-If any properties become available

if you are bidding on just popular properties (3-4bed with gardens) or are bidding on everything - flats etc
if you are the only person in category A or if there are 10 others or 1000 others all with similar reasons for being in band A.

makingmiracles · 21/05/2019 20:27

I’m not in Leeds or anywhere, in fact different area of the country(not London) and I’ve been band b for 9 years and been in the top 8 on the bidding list for everything I’ve bid on, sometimes being 2/3rd and still not moved! 50s-100s I wouldn’t say is that high and I suspect you’ll be waiting for a while yet!

Original poster

munchsmum2017 · 21/05/2019 22:37

@newusernameforthis - I wasn’t aware that there was a band A + but that definitely makes sense , I understand there’s people in higher need so I completely understand I just can’t live in this situation for another year or more. I’m bidding on two bed houses and flats in all areas apart from the one I live in at the moment (as it isn’t safe for me). I have been sort of restricting my self to flats with gardens as that’s what I’d like for my lo.

@BrieAndChill - thank you for your response !

@makingmiracles - that’s actually appalling I didn’t think that on band B you’d be waiting that long , fingers crossed & I hope you get somewhere soon! I’m assuming it might be to do with where your placed as I know there’s a high demand but I’m not entirely sure . That is really bad though

OP posts:

romany4 · 21/05/2019 23:05

I'm in Wakefield and was Band B. I moved recently after waiting
nearly 5 years.
Good luck

CarolinaChina · 21/05/2019 23:36

I work in social housing but not in Leeds. I don’t know your circumstances, but we have a thing called a Management Transfer that can be used on an exceptional basis when someone has a serious housing need that’s not already addressed in the allocations policy. This can only work, of course, if there’s a void property that meets your needs. Social housing really is in short supply despite the govt going on about investment.

I’m not sure of your financial position, but would shared ownership/shared equity or mid market rent be an option? They’re not necessarily available in all areas, but you could always Google them to find out more.

Good luck!

kierenthecommunity · 21/05/2019 23:59

Are you on leedsface? This question gets asked quite a lot. You could search previous posts for others experiences.

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 22/05/2019 00:16

I also work in social housing (England) as another poster has advised Band A isn’t the top band it’s A+, there is no simple answer to this, it could be months or even years.

Have you also tried looking at direct exchanges OP? It’s another avenue, and as your looking for a gardens it may give you more options (obviously if your circumstances allow it)

My own mother is currently in a homeless unit in Scotland, she’s in Band A+ (125 points) and has been for 6 months now, no sign of her being housed any time soon.

TeddiesAreTakingOver · 22/05/2019 00:59

If you’re restricting your bids to garden flats, that’s most likely going to take longer. If you need to move urgently, it might be worth just bidding on anything in the hope it can happen quicker. You can always do an exchange at a later date. I did an exchange from a flat to a house because it was a completely different area, so could be something to keep in mind? I hope you get something soon.

rededucator · 22/05/2019 01:07

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

DoctorHildegardLanstrom · 22/05/2019 01:38

I live in the South East, so its probably very different, but I didn't restrict myself on the main basis that I knew once I completed a 12 month tennancy I could then get on the swap list.

I am not sure if it is the same everywhere in the country, but I was only in emergency accomadation for 7 weeks.

Because I bid on everything and anything as long as it was 2 beds, We made the decision that it would be better for something and be able to exchange in the long run (hopefully) then stay where we were.

I will say what we got was a 2nd floor flat with a balcony and a communal garden, none of that was mentioned on the council ad, so you maybe limiting yourself

KissUntilTheyDieOfRabies · 22/05/2019 01:54

I think you're limiting yourself too.

In the last year I've gone from single parent in a council property to a home owner and I hope that doesn't sound like I'm bragging. I actually feel awkward.

But trying to get on the property ladder reminds me of when I first applied for housing. Despite my health condition it was a second floor flat or nothing. And I took it. The flat itself was actually lovely. It's got a stack more room than the one I now own. Well, have an extortionate mortgage for.

In the last move into a different council place we got lucky and had a garden but the workmen the council employed to put up safety fencing in it, left it in a terrible state and I couldn't maintain it so we couldn't get out and use it properly anyway.

Our current flat has no garden, even communal. But there's a grewnsoace they're doing up opposite us. And we have green spaces near and around us. Despite being in a town now.

Sometimes you just have to make the most of what you can get, you can always work to upgrade.

I'd be loathe to take this flat if I'd been offered it by a housing association. As a place we have a mortgage on it's less of a blow. But I'd still take it if I was back in my old position. Because I was desperate.

If you're not desperate you can afford to be picky. A friend of mine waited over a decade and now has her perfect place for her family. It's only worth waiting if you're not in urgent need of change.

Marge2019 · 22/05/2019 06:47

OP tey this site tuetebis social houses and some times places in Leeds come up.

homefinderuk.org

Sweetdreamer93 · 22/05/2019 06:57

*BrieAndChilli

How long is a piece of string?*

Twice the length from the middle to the end.

You’re welcome

Original poster

munchsmum2017 · 22/05/2019 11:22

@CarolinaChina I wasn’t aware of that but I’ll give it a look, I’m basically fleeing serious dv. I’m not working at the moment but I am looking for employment so shared ownership etc isn’t really ideal at the moment

For all the others
I am aware I am restricting myself and been offered something or anything is better than nothing but I have been on house exchange for over a year now and my flat is a first floor with a communal garden and I haven’t got anywhere so I don’t want to be waiting years and years doing an exchange and not getting anywhere when I could wait an extra 5/6 months or so and get my dream house. I know my circumstances are urgent but they’ve sort of settled down as bail conditions are in place and social services are involved . So I guess I could wait that little bit longer to get my dream house. I just really wanted others stories and waiting times . But thank you all for your help and advice

OP posts:

Jemima232 · 22/05/2019 11:26

OP, now you're on the waiting list, you're entitled to look at housing association properties as well.

x2boys · 22/05/2019 11:52

@rededucator, you are aware many peop!e pay there own rent for social housing? ,maybe if you are doing university research, you should research the basics first.......

rededucator · 22/05/2019 11:56

Yeah reduced rates. I mean proper rent.

x2boys · 22/05/2019 12:04

Council,social.rents are proper rents, and in many parts of the country comparable to private rents, we don't all live in London, you havent done much research have you?

DHhasahobbyanditsnotcycling · 22/05/2019 12:09

Either your circumstances are urgent, and you try to find something asap, or you can afford to be picky because you are not in a rush.
You can't have it both ways though.

dirtystinkyrats · 22/05/2019 12:19

Does your local authority publish average waiting times per band? That would give you an idea although if varies a lot.

I wouldn't hold out for a dream house - almost no-one from homeowners to private rent or social housing live in their 'dream home', everyone makes compromises somewhere.

Original poster

munchsmum2017 · 22/05/2019 13:01

@DHhasahobbyanditsnotcycling

I understand I can’t have it both ways and never said I can ? my situation is quite serious as I literally live in the same area as the perpetrator and used to constantly be harassed and assaulted, I have a two year old son I’m saying my situation has got a bit better since social services and a conditional bail has been put in place . And due to this I can wait a little bit longer than I originally could in the first place (if that makes sense) by a little bit longer I’m not meaning a year or two I’m meaning I can hold out for an extra month or two.

@dirtystinkyrats

They usually say band A is 6 months - 12 months I think ? I’m not too sure . I understand I can’t have my dream house , I just would like to have a flat / garden / maisonette with my own garden for my little one , I can make compromises ie a house with no garden / maisonette with no garden and that’s fine . I’m just stating my preference would be a garden as I’m pretty sure most individuals would like that for there child / children.

@reededucator to answer your question I’ve been in my council property for two years , once I move I’m looking for another two - three years (depending on when I get back into work) as my long term plan is to save up for a mortgage / shared ownership.

OP posts:

Original poster

munchsmum2017 · 22/05/2019 13:03

Just to state my ‘dream house’ isn’t even a high expectation I.e new build etc. I literally would just prefer a garden for my son which would be my dream house!

OP posts:

DHhasahobbyanditsnotcycling · 22/05/2019 13:07

I completely understand your wishes, and you looking at mid to long term.

As a home owner, I had 2 kids in a flat because I couldn't afford anything else, which was completely fine to be honest, so I am not that sympathetic about waiting for a garden.

MyDcAreMarvel · 22/05/2019 13:10

Your sons safety is more important than a garden. You should be bidding on everything.

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