Advice on Council Housing

[xLondonLeighx]

Please see below

It clearly varies from one area to another, but you do sound overly optimistic that there will immediately be a selection of homes that you can select from.
Get the application submitted and see what they say.

Friend recently got to top of CH list after a wait of several years - he was outraged that he was only offered bedsits (is a single male, currently living in a flat that his parents provide FOC), turned everything down, then felt he was being 'picked on' because council decided he was lower priority and reduced number of points.

You would be much better off private renting as your chances of getting a council property are pretty much non existent.

Why on earth do you need a council house if you earn that much. Surely you should be renting if you can’t afford to buy somewhere. I can’t see how you would qualify. You earn a very decent wage, you have savings and you have somewhere to live now, albeit not ideal.

someone has been listening to friends too much i think!

Hey @xLondonLeighx I think you need to give more info. Different boroughs do have different criteria. As many pps have said dining rooms can be used as bedrooms, some boroughs have bidding, some don't, some take baby into consideration before he/she is born, others will not. Your savings will definitely matter, you will need to show all bank statements. Between making an application and being housed bar emergency circumstances, it all takes time. In London you would most definitely not get a 2 bed for temporary accommodation, for your permanent property that would be a different matter. There are so many variables, but the main ones would be how overcrowded is your mum's and she would also need to come to the council and be interviewed to say you can't live there anymore and most definitely how much you have saved.

Social housing is so scarce especially in London boroughs that it's very unlikely they will help you from the off. You will have to show that you're actively exploring other options as you work and you will either be encouraged to go down the private route. If you're placed in temporary accommodation it's not a cheap option by any means and because you both work it's unlikely you will receive any help with the cost.

No i do owe a little bit to the landlord but he has said not to pay it and he won't chase me for it so

You and your boyfriend have got 8 months to save like mad. I’m assuming your outgoings are very low living with your mum so if you saved £2K per month you could have a decent deposit, even bigger if you stay as long as you can. It may be cramped and you may have to sacrifice going out/luxuries etc to save but it’ll be worth it to have the security of your own house!

As others have said, people earning decent wages like yours don’t become eligible for council housing just because their current situation (safe and with family) is a bit cramped I wish there was far more social housing available for anyone who wanted it, but unfortunately that’s not the world we live in. You’re choosing to bring a child into the world, you’re able to work and you have a partner and family support. There is literally no reason you should qualify for SH when there are so many people in genuine need sleeping in grubby hostels (but I think you realise that now, which is why you’ve left the thread). Get saving, OP, and good luck.

Unfortunately if you're savings are between 10.000+ sometimes can be less depending on where you live in the UK. You are over the their threshold. Also they can put in touch with affordable rental. Maybe not be a council home. Your wages will definitely push you over the threshold. You could afford private housing. Also the council won't class you as desperate as you live at home. If you're mum's is a three bed house they will then class you as not overcrowded so you won't get to far to be honest with you

Would part ownership be an option?

In our area you would be entitled to a one bed as a child can share with parents until they are one. They do not take any savings into account.

You can afford to privately rent so do that.

Your savings have nothing to do with it unless you want to claim benefits to help pay your rent.

What you are eligible for depends on where you live and the properties available. I'm in Wolverhampton, here you would be allowed to bid on flats or houses with 2 or 3 bedrooms, this is because most of the property is houses with 3 bedrooms but due to the bedroom tax one and two bedroomed properties are most popular.

I was at the bottom of the council waiting list but due to mobility issues I was able to apply for a HA bungalow.

I was already in a privately rented ground floor flat, so adequately housed, but as I know my mobility would reduce further I was eligible for where I am now.

A few of my neighbours moved up from London, their council did some sort of deal with Wolves a few years ago, so people swapped a flat in London for a house with at least the same number of bedrooms.

Moving out of London when you have social housing or homeless is a lot, lot, lot easier than getting a place in London.
If I moved up north to be near family I would get a house and help with relocation costs. I could be moved up there in a matter of months.

Sorry i have been looking for private rental but nothing in my price range yet. So let's get it straight it's not as easy as that with no family or friends to help so we all wernt brought up with a silver spoon in our mouths love

And oops don't get affended

And who are all you people to judge me as the property was a slum and yeah I saving my self so don't want charity thanks

The council don't ask how much you have in savings to be accepted on the waiting list. You need to have a letter saying that you can't stay where you are any longer to get priority. You only have to declare savings & income if you claim housing benefit. Have you got a Maternity certificate that proves you are pregnant, with some councils & housing associations this may entitle you to a 2 bedroom property, others you may have to take a 1 bed property until your baby is older. If you live close to more than 1 council, it may be as well to apply to both councils to improve your chances of getting somewhere.

My mental health started not long after my 12 year old daughter was hit by a drunk driver in 2009 in Ashford Kent and was left brain damaged for the rest of her life read up on it the driver was called stefon stanko he also killed two people at the same time so that's a hard thing to come to terms with I don't want money or hand outs I need to be pointed to someone who can help me

I'm on the waiting list

And for the record my children father passed away in January this year so but its neither here nor there I wasn't even offered temporary help or anything

I thought that this site was for advice not to be slatted did I ask any one for any think but advice

@Vivvyb48 I'm confused, who are you talking to and who is apparently slating you?

vivvy I am guessing that you are not the op with a name change, it may have been better to have started your own thread (in chat)

I am sorry to hear about your daughter. Where are you actually living at the moment? Do you have other family nearby? I am guessing Thanet is very high demand, are you on the housing register?

@Vivvyb48 that's a lot of identifying information you've posted there. Who are you responding to? Your posts are very scattered and don't make a lot of sense.