Wanting to move out

[wonderingforadvice]

Hi, this is the second time I've ever posted I was just hoping for some advice.
Me and my DH currently live at my parents with our DD 10 months, however we want to move out but can't afford a place of our own to rent or buy and our current home is over crowded with family members and we just need so much more space. Is looking at going down the council housing route a good idea? Or bad? HELP!

That very much depends on whether you would be considered overcrowded by council standards where you are op. If the council considers you over crowded you have a chance of being rehoused. The rent is likely to be less than similar private rented and you will have more security of tenure. Privately rented properties often come with short leases. A year is common. Getting two years is considered a long lease. The owner could decide not to renew the lease for numerous reasons. He/she might decide to sell. Owner could die. All sorts can happen. You don't want to put in new carpets throughout for instance because you can be back out in a year. A council owned property is far more secure and usually you can rent until you want to move o

As with any property though you need to consider location. Some council housing is in pretty good locations/areas some not so good. When the little one gets older you also need to consider school catchment areas. Some council properties have great schools nearby, others not so much. However same can be said for privately rented or bought properties.

There are usually very, VERY long waiting lists for council housing.

Go and ask to be put on the list, could be years to get to the top though expensing on where you are.

Yeah that's very true, I would like to private rent but like you say it cost more and there's so many uncertainties that could happen which put me back at square one with even less money... and yeah heard the waiting lists are long kinda read about it/ looked into it but I think if we were to through with it we would be willing to wait for as long as needed, I just don't want to be judged as a young mother in a council property (typically that's what people expect) we just want more space for DD!

Speak to council about your options. Some estate agents now offer no bond or month upfront for housing benefit on some properties so you may be surprised. Make an appointment with a housing officer and see what happens.

Thank you all for your opinions, i think I'll just have to go in and speak to them see what is said from them

What kind of income do you have? If DP works daytime could you get an evening or weekend job?

This is going to sound silly but I have health issues which mean I can't work as of right now but he earns practically minimum wage

Why would that sound silly? I’m still on Mat leave with my ten month old. What does sound silly is the judgement you are projecting on young mothers in council houses.

I'm not judging anybody in council houses as I am young mother myself all I have said is I don't want people to judge me in a typical fashion

Depending where you are you might not have that long a wait for council housing, it's worth getting on the list anyway so you have the option down the line even if you can't get anywhere straight away.
In some ways council housing is better than private renting, you have greater security of tenancy for a start and you have more rights about what you can do to the house - when I was private renting I couldn't paint the walls or put pictures up.
Talk to the council - they're not likely to hand you the keys to a house straight away but you'll at least know where you stand.