Aibu to give up council property for private sector?

[SparkleClub]

I need some advice on my housing situation. I am willing to be called stupid but this is really getting me down.
Dh and I have 6 children. We live in a 3 bedroom council flat in a run down area.
Last year dh was assaulted where we live and I was assaulted outside our home in front of the eldest of our children(both attacks were being in the wrong place at the wrong time,not anything to directly do with us) Both of these assaults lead to us both spending some time in hospital. Police statements were made and after many months we have been successful in putting DH's attacker in prison, mine is going to crown court later on in the year. This has changed our lives and our children's. We are frightened to go out of the house but of course we have to. We visited the council explaining what had happened and how we are not safe in our home, they we had to make an application for a managed move so we did straight away. We produced all the police reports, social services reports and school reports to show how desperate we were to leave the borough and the effect it has had on all our children's lives. They were and still are petrified of the area and leaving our home.
The council wrote to us 3 months later saying we had been given highest priority for a managed move. Would still only be allowed a 3 bedroom which is fine with us as we were not doing this for a bigger property but would have to remain in the borough as that's all they could do. We started bidding straight away and have done for the past 9 months. We are not getting any closer to getting a property and it's getting me down.
Now this is my question. Would I be absolutely stupid to give up our council property and move to the private sector where we would have to scrimp to be able to afford it. But we would be moving to the other side of the country where it is a nice area (have done lots of research) and not have to fear for our safety.
I understand that once we give up our flat we will intentionally be making ourselves homeless in the councils eyes and we will not be allowed to carry on bidding for another property. Nor will we be given another council property in the future if the private sector doesn't work out. I understand this but am I crazy to give it up and move for our sanity, safety and for a fresh new start?

Yes, in a word. I'm in private rented and it is incredibly unstable. A friend of mine ended up back at her parents house after having to move twice in 3 years due to her landlord selling up.

If you are moving to another area, do you or DH have a job lined up? The council in that area might house you fairly quickly as you are coming to the area to work, I know this is the case with Scottish LA, maybe you could find out the policy for the area you are thinking of moving to.

Can you not try move via home swapper or the like?

I don’t much about this but won’t the council from the area you are wanting to move to help you? Do you have employment in that area?
A managed move to a different area is what I’m trying to say?

Are you able to get the deposit together quickly if the landlord sells?

Tbh, We have terrible neighbours, I hated leaving the house, would wait till she was inside and hating bumping into her, it was awful, and I wasn’t directly involved with her at all.

We moved and my over riding feeling was sheer relief, I hadn’t realise how much the screaming, drug dealing, dogs roaming etc had affected my mental health. It’s only now I’m away from it.

Yes you would be mad...will they not let you bid for other areas? Could you ask?

Have you been to Shelter for assistance on challenging the LA and being moved sooner. I know LAs differ in both their approach and availability but maybe you need some professional input and support with this?

We have tried home swapper etc but no one wants to move to this area.
I dont have a job lined up in that area but there is a family business (aunts) who has said I could start of working there till I find something more permanent. Dh works from home and would remain with the same company so would only need to travel to the office maybe twice per month (not in our area) so not a problem really.

Are you absolutely certain you will be able to privately rent in the new area? Will you meet the affordability criteria set by the agents referencing? You could come a cropper, move and not be able to get work, or have your rental fall through and with no link to the area be left high and dry. Be very careful.

I'd start lobbying your council harder to move you, look up any local housing advice/charity groups that could help with advice, writing letters etc.

No haven't tried shelter I will have a look into that
Thank you.

I guess finding a deposit and rent in advance again in a year or so if the landlord decided to sell would be a challenge.

You would be insane to do this, private renting is unstable and expensive and you still cannot guarantee nice neighbours or an area remaining 'safe'. I've had to move over 10 times in 6 years in private rentals, and it has almost bankrupted us with only 1 DC. We've paid through the nose to live next to crack/smack dens, have had numerous stabbings and murders nearby etc. all in expensive, 'safe' upmarket areas.

Don't do it if you have priority in the bidding, you may have had
reasoning if they had refused your application to move but I say stay with it.

I have no clue what the areas are, but sometimes they are mentioned on threads.
But while a lot of councils are extremely oversubscribed, there are some in the UK that will apparently let anyone on.
Or, move to an area which has a much smaller waiting list and add yourself to the list once you've been in the area long enough to have "local connections".
My area its 2 years, and i got a house within weeks of my 2 years being up.
Most councils won't let you move into a house if it'll immediately be overcrowded. So you'd need a house with 4 bedrooms if the council were to house you (in most areas) so if you don't mind location too much, do some research and find an area with lots of council houses and more 4 bedrooms than other areas.

(Just to add, my borough I "won" during my 3rd or 4th week bidding, BIL was really picky and got housed in about 10 weeks. But I lived in the borough next over growing up, so my sister and friends are all under that borough and they all live in high rise flats or with parents because their council has alot more applicants and a lot less houses, about 3 miles between us and it all makes a difference).

Yes. Private sector rentals are insecure and most landlords will steer clear of large families. So you are likely to end up with a terrible property with a rogue landlord who is unable to rent to anyone else. Your life and that of your children will become very precarious.

Can you identify what exactly you are frightened of? Are you worried that the people who assaulted you may come back and find you on release from prison? If so, could you discuss it with your local policing team. You may find that that is less common than you think, or that there steps you can take to mitigate the risk eg restraining order as a condition of parole.

Or is it a more general concern about the neighbourhood in general? If so a move - even within the borough - should help.

Is it possible to swap a local authority property in your current area with one elsewhere in the country?

YABVU but it's entirely Understandable. You've been through an awful situation.

Unfortunately the Council are taking the piss, because you're likely being too reasonable with them.

I was a Homelessness Manager for years. & sadly, clients who knew their rights were steadfast and kicked up a fuss were rehoused quicker. No matter what anyone tells you, that's how it goes.

(a) Make an appointment with a good housing solicitor and go for Judicial Review of your case.

(b) Go to your MP. Explain your situation produce GP letters, police reference numbers and letters etc. Your MP will contact Council on your behalf.

2 things Housing Dept absolutely hates: Members Enquiry (that's what contact from MP is called), &. Judicial Review. When those come in staff have to drop everything and deal with them as a priority. Members Enquiries and Judicial Reviews cannot be ignored.

By the way you'd win on Judicial Review because the Council have failed in their duty of care to you. This crosses over with The Childrens' Act, as they are also vulnerable living in a dangerous situation which has impacted their parents as well as they.

I'm rushing out to work in a mo so will end here but please - contact solicitor and MP today. Don't delay.

You should never have been left in your situation and caused to bid for housing. But if you say nothing you'll likely still be bidding next year. By the way visit your GP this week explain how this situation is making you and your H feel, and how it's impacting your life so negatively. It's good to have it noted ad you can refer Council to your GP too.

Yes Council can house you outside the area - These things aren't impossible. But if it's easier for them to let you sit there as a 'completed case' then that's what they'll do.

I am a home owner and I would say don't don't it, just focus on getting a different council property. If you enter the private market you will face housing uncertainty and pressure for the rest of your life. Can you afford that and what happens when your children have all left home?
You will be swapping one dilemma for another.

Do not give up a council property. It’s madness as private rented isn’t secure

Yes. Your predicament sounds awful. But yes.
Happened to catch a location location location at the weekend (try to avoid them, it’s depressing) that ssaid private rentals are expected to rise 15% in the next 5 years.
At least you are a little bit protected from that as a council tenant.

My last landlord put the rent up 40% with one months notice whilst still refusing to do repairs (he expected us to fund them). We also had to move within a month from that one.

I know your in a shitty position but genuinely long term, you will kick yourself for letting it go. O

Maybe go to the drs and explain how ill it is making you and make an appointment at the council again and try and explain the urgency of the situation and you may get more points or something. X

Private renting is insane at the moment. The previous town I lived in got gentrified and we ended up moving 4 times in 5 years. Eventually, we moved to a less desirable town, but that meant going through the whole process of schools for our sen child... ugh just don't do it!

Also, letting agents can be very snooty about affordability, so your DH will need a decent salary if you're only just starting a new job. Although its illegal, some lets miraculously are 'unavailable' once you mention you have children. You may struggle with six.

I think YANBU. One of our friends was similarly fed up of the area he lived in. He properly shocked us by renting a really expensive house in a different area of our city. It was approx 3x the rent paid previously and much larger. They had to give up some things, including a car, but they now live in a really lovely area, walking distance of plenty of amenities and public transport, kids now in catchment for a great school and just really enjoy their home. The rent they pay makes me feel a bit sick, but the difference it’s made to them is worth it to them.

I think you would end up having to move very frequently. Realistically with six kids you may not get your deposit back - would you then be struggling to find the money for a second deposit?

Could victim support help as well as your GP? The more people that you have fighting your corner the better

Do exactly what DeeCeeCherry above has advised. Get straight to the Dr, housing solicitor and MP and contact the liaison officer at the Police station. You could let the school know and Social Services that you're fearful for your children's safety. You need to agitate a lot more. With top priority you're looking at a years wait in London to be rehoused but it's still better than private renting. Hopefully, eventually you'll get a better area property which you can then swap to move out altogether.