Advice on Council Housing

[xLondonLeighx]

Please see below

Hello, just looking for a bit of advice.

My partner and I have recently found out we are having a baby, due in August 2020.

We currently live with my Mum and my younger brother however this living arrangement will not be practical when baby arrives as there is simply not enough room. I have begun filling out an application for council housing but my partner is concerned we will not be eligible as we have a decent amount of savings between us (most of which is in his name) that he says would put us over the threshold.

Our savings are not enough to get a mortgage as of yet & would not last us with renting for very long as it is incredibly expensive in my area. It’s so frustrating as it’s nearly impossible to get on the property ladder

We earn between £2,600 - £2,900 between us a month currently but this varies and this will obviously change once baby has arrived.

I have spoken to and know a lot of my friends who have got council properties and not declared their partner as living at the property. I have no desire to do that myself as I do not want to live in fear of them finding out.

I was mostly just wondering if we would be still be eligible with our savings and earnings and if not could I apply without him and then declare him living there once I have moved in?

I also just wondered what the bidding process is like once we were to be accepted. I have been told that you only get 3 chances to bid on a property but does that mean I have to bid on the first 3 properties offered or if I can chose which properties to bid on and when?

Also, can I apply without my MATB1 form and attach that later or do I have to wait until I get that to finalise the application?

Thank you!

Congratulations on your pregnancy! You will be able to bid on one bedroom properties.They have a list and you can bid on up to 3 a week. If you are offered one you've bidded on and turn it down, I think you can do that 3 times then are put to the back of the the que.

Sorry meant to say it depends on your area if you'll be entitled to one or two beds.

Thank you :)

Would I not be entitled to a two bed with a child?

Not til the child is born

Properties are few and far between. With decent savings you will be most likely pointed towards private renting. They consider you able to share with a child until they reach toddler age. It took me 5 years with 3 sharing one bedroom, one of them disabled and still I only had silver banding and ended up finding an exchange.

It's a long slow process, so expect a long wait.

And very likely not even then - age 5 is the point for my council. And if you're already in a bedsit/1 bed by then, it's not grounds for a transfer, so people can and do end up living in a one bed with their 15 year old, as the living area is counted as a second bedroom.

It's not just about the savings you might have, but also if they think you are suitably housed at the moment, so depends on your mums tenancy and how many people can live there. Mine says 5 people in a 3 bed.

The types of property also vary, at the moment you would be looking at a bedsit here whilst still pregnant and until the baby is a year. Then you could bid for one-bedrooms.

If your mates are claiming they live as a single adult, presumably they also claim various benefits/discounts. Honestly, I hope they get caught.

And usually a pregnancy isn't taken into account until the child is born and the property you are currently residing in, is considered over crowded. Lots of families are currently in B&B accommodation as a temporary solution as there just aren't enough social houses for the amount that need them

As you're currently safely housed, you'll be bottom of the list.

It's a county thing. Different county's different bidding systems. I couldn't possibly say one way or the outher. In my county it takes a lot to even apply for a housing association property as there ore next to no council properties left. Even if you are homeless they could say that you have made yourself intentionally homeless. My DD was in the same position as you and I had to save from when she told me she was pregnant to when my GS was 2 years old to get her a privately rented flat. The council didn't help. It cost me 2 K for rent deposit and a little furniture. If I was you I would start saving money now. Becouse my DD is extremely greatfull that I did. Congratulations on your pregnancy and all the best for 2020.

A two-bedroom with one child?
Not a chance unless you find someone willing to exchange.

Stay where you are. Save, save, save to get the mortgage.

In most parts of the country, I'm afraid you'll stand no chance of getting a council place. The demand outstrips supply by miles and so most councils can only place families who are actually homeless.

Because you have savings, they will expect you to use them on rent in advance/deposit/agent's fees and find a private rental.

Much depends on where in the UK you live. Some areas, particularly in the north, have more social housing (council and Housing Association) available than others that are vastly oversubscribed. I'd go and talk to your local housing department and find out if they let all social housing in your area, or if there are separate applications for other RSLs (registered social landlords). Housing policy varies within government guidelines, so it would be stupid of me to give information about one council that may be different to where you live.

Perhaps look into housing associations? Prices are still cheaper than rent and they aren't against higher earners

What county are you in?

Will you be classed as overcrowded in the house you currently live in once the baby is here? And I mean by your council's guidelines not just feeling overcrowded. In the London borough I live in, they count living tooms/dining rooms as potential bedrooms. It is extremely hard to get housed by the council but best of luck.

If you are earning £2,900 a month between you, you can privately rent. You can rent a one bedroom property in central London for around £1,300 a month so even if you live in central London, that's less than half of your income. You earn more than me and my DH and we have a mortgage and home improvement loan that comes in at £1,050 a month which is just less than half of our income.

I think you need to be realistic here. You aren't going to get a council house and you actually don't even need one really. Your baby is due in August 2020 and you're living at home so why not save up in that time and add to the savings you have and buy somewhere or you know, do what the rest of us do 🤨

Where do you live. I’m most LAs you could be waiting years to get a place. How far off are you from being able to buy a place. Could you afford to do shared ownership now or buy a one bed or a do-er upper or use help to buy?

I know of someone who recently got 2 bed new build council house for her and 1 baby.

Totally depends on the area, but if property is as expensive as you suggest, I would expect council housing to be in very high demand and therefore as you’re currently a couple with a safe place to live I would imagine you’re not high on the list of priorities, especially as you have a decent income and savings.

It all depends upon where you live OP. In my area they would definitely let you join the list.

They will also look at where you are now so if your Mum’s house is assessed as being able to House you (they will only count the baby once he/she has been born and may consider it can share with you for 12 months) they will give you less priority.

If you can then stay with Mum and save, save, save. It isn’t easy but it won’t be forever.

Thanks everyone for getting back to me!

What do they class as a decent amount of savings?

As I said, the money saved that we do have will not go very far private renting. I appreciate there are people in more need than myself, I’m not expecting to be top of the priority list.

I also have friends that have only had to wait a short time to be housed. As I mentioned before the living arrangements as they are currently are hardly practical now and most certainly will not be when a baby comes. I would not be able to fit a baby in my room as well as me and my boyfriend as I would not be able to open and close the bedroom door with a cot or moses basket in there.

If someone came round to see if the property is suitable I would expect they would agree that it is not.

OP call your local housing department. They'll tell you all the answers. You have to show your bank account and balance when you apply...and your income....so there's nothing to hide anyway.

You'd be surprised what they will deem as "suitable" op. There are families living in dirty B&B's with drug addicts and prostitutes sharing the same bathrooms. So a cramped room at your Mum's house will seem positively luxurious.

Things might of changed but round here if your pregnant you'll be offered a 2 bed.