Council house advice

[Soph30363]

Hi,

I’m new to this forum and would really appreciate some advice.

I’ve had an awful couple of years with my now ex partner. Our daughter is two. He has been very abusive and I’ve barely held it together however now I’m coming out the other side.

We live in Southwark and I don’t have any family here so have been pretty much alone. I am a nurse and have a good job and I’m happy here. We live in his flat (he owns it) and he kept throwing me and my daughter out, causing lots of upset. After a visit from the police (my friend called them) everything came to a head and they were really helpful. I finally feel like I’m getting control back.

Southwark council are offering me help with private renting and I’m being placed on the housing register. They have advised I’m in ‘band b’ however I’ve been told it’s unlikely I’ll get a council property.

I just wanted some advice - has anyone been in a similar situation? How long did you have to wait for a property?

Thanks,
Sophie

Are you living in his flat currently? If you're not homeless you won't be a priority and will be very unlikely to be housed. I'd try and take the private rent help if you can.

Have you looked at keyworker housing schemes in Southwark as you're a nurse. Do work offer family accommodation to rent.

Which Trust do you work for

You are very unlikely to get offered a council place in Southwark any time soon. I would take the private rented help and see if you can stay on the list for council or housing associatoon place. Peabody has a lot of flats in southwark but I expect they operate alongside the council. Good luck xx

It varies from council to council. At the council I worked at in Kent, band B would have been quick. You need to take advice from the Housing team at your local council, they are the ones best placed to advise you. They wouldn't tell you you're unlikely to get a property unless that's the case.

10 years is the waiting time here for band B apparently.

Didnt Southwark have a plan to offer reduced rents for keyworkers during covid. The housing department at the hospital will have info on the various housing options available

I happen to know that homeless residents of southwark are being put up in rat infested over the pub accommodation in the further reaches of Lambeth council area.

In fact I have been there I wouldn't wish it on any child

Thanks for your replies. I’m currently staying with a friend but have to be out by 01/07. I’m looking for somewhere to rent privately and I’ve been told I’ll be be in band b. I just wondered if I would ever get a council property being on the list. I just find the information from the council vague and I want to be realistic.

@Destroyedpeople so sorry to hear that xx

I didn't stay there myself just visited. My son lives there. He spends a lot of time blocking up the mouse holes in his room with wire wool. He told me some mums and kids are staying there. It's dreadful really there are boxes of rat poison all over.

@Destroyedpeople it sounds horrendous. Not sure how they can let people live like that. Hope your son is ok!

Oh he is fine ty...it's a bit different for young single men than young families. When he told me there were a couple of toddlers there with their mums I was horrified tbh.
I just thought you should know that that is where the homeless of southwark are accomodated

He also spends quite a bit of time looking for replacement kitchen equipment when their frying pans get stolen....

Do try and stay on the list though

@Destroyedpeople glad he’s ok!! Thank you - I’m going to stay on the list and just see what happens. It’s hard in London with everything being so expensive.

I’m not sure what you’re asking as everyone’s experience will be different depending on where they live. Your best bet is to check your councils website for there weekly housing results to see who got what (what band they were in/how long they waited) that’a clearly displayed on my councils website weekly.

If you can go private go private. Otherwise you are looking at weeks or months in b&b and then months or years in a Bedsit. Not ones in good condition either as PP said. Unfortunately I have been in the position of not being able to private rent and having to sit it out in b&b etc. Despite being on the council list for many years I have never had a council house.

You're best going private. Do have a look at schemes mentioned by PP's

Short term: private rental. Longer-term, if you have no ties to the area, it may be worth moving. As a nurse, you will be in demand wherever you go and it's a lot easier to rent a 2-bed in a nice area outside of London.

@3LittleMonkeyz are you in London? Sorry to hear about your situation. I’m going to give private renting a go and then I may end up moving areas next year.

@TheABC yes, think you’re right. I’m happy here but being realistic I can’t afford it. I think moving cities is going to be the answer.