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

Good luck. It takes courage and planning to relocate, but you've got a lot to gain from it.

Tbh you wouldn't want to end up on the Aylesbury estate or the Albany estate anyway . Southwark has shocking disparity tbh.

Same band here and I've been on the register since 2011. Still not even getting into the top 10 on places I bid on.

No one can answer this question for you, it all depends on council tenants terminating their tenancies or horribly then passing away.

If you want moving sooner the likely hood is you go private.

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut are you in Southwark? Sorry you’ve been waiting so long!

Thanks for all your replies - they’ve been really helpful xx

Sorry I dont want to say where I live. I'm planning to just save as much as o can and try to buy somewhere. Its unlikely as I'm very low income but more chance than getting a council property.

Is there anywhere else in the uk you'd concider living? Theres a lot more council accomodation (and cheap rental accomodation) outside of london and as a nurse thed hire you double quick! I live near colchester were 1hr from London and its lovely here.

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut sorry for asking!! Good luck with everything xx

@laura246810 to be honest yes I would! Think I need to realise living in London isn’t going to work!

I was in temporary housing fleeing DV...... I was there for 2.3 years before i gave up waiting and got a private rented

Can you ask the council for help finding accommodation just outside London? Also there maybe some (admittedly not very nice) temporary accommodation available through the council.

I was on Southwark's list for many years, lived with family (it was overcrowded but not by their guidelines). I managed to buy a small flat in the end. Good luck.

@MyDogPatch, it's not the council's guidelines. They won't allocate you somewhere bigger than the bedroom tax regulations say you need as it would be unaffordable if your circumstances changed and you had to go onto benefits.

The other measure of overcrowding, as defined for environmental health purposes, is even less generous and it's statutory.

Councils no longer have the discretion to be generous.

I wouldn't go private, I think if you help yourself you will never get a council place and never have security.

I happen to know two people who are receiving housing benefit for private rent and have managed to get pretty decent flats because places that where being used for air B and B are standing empty so there should be more Dss accepting landlords at the moment

Would you consider moving to another area ie further north as you did say you are not from the area,ie no family around.There would be less of a wait for council housing.

How much does a 2 bed council flat in London cost out of interest?

I’d agree private rent in a cheap part of the country is your best option although it’s hard to move if you are settled where you are. Maybe just plan on a new start. Focus on somewhere with good primary schools because that’s your next issue in 2 years.

You have to prove a local connection to get housed somewhere different but I do here of people being giving emergency housing where their us room - Birmingham comes up a lot.

God it makes me feel so disheartened. I am with 2 dc and living between my mum's and friends, literally on a mattress and I am band 3!i come last every week, the woman who has been dealing with my case has put my application to her manager to put me on the homeless list but they are seriously dragging their heels and I have been waiting for months, aswel as having to provide soo much evidence they even wanted 3 months worth of bank statements from my ex from last year when we last lived in rented accommodation together!! I worry loads I can't live like this forever and feel I am failing my children by not giving them a bedroom! I am trying to save and would hope to be able to buy somewhere if I can't get a house, I could private rent but with rent costing upto 900pounds where I live and housing benefit covering around half of that I don't know how I would afford it! Private rent is so expensive. The housing system is worrying

Good luck OP! And everyone else going through hard times finding places! I hope it works out

Anywhere in the U.K. you’d move too?

@Idontknow23 I’m so sorry about your situation too. It’s so hard when you have children to support. I would love to buy somewhere here and just make a home for us but it’s not possible. I really hope you get sorted and get a place. It is so disheartening! I looked at a few places to private rent and they were horrible - big massive melts all over the work surfaces, doors hanging off and tatty floor. They wanted £323 per week. I just really need to reassess my situation.

@Onesnowynight I think it’s going to be my only option. It is hard because I’m settled here - I have a good job as a specialist nurse and my daughter loves her nursery.

I think you should move now - your daughter isn’t in school yet and you could have an amazing fresh start. Being a nurse is a great advantage as you could go somewhere much cheaper and maintain a fairly decent wage. Have you considered going further north to a much cheaper city or perhaps more rural? You could find an area where you can afford to rent a house with a garden in catchment for good schools.

Sorry I have no advice on the council house front but do wish you the very best of luck!

Would your council not put you into temp accommodation? If you can get private you should but I can imagine it’s expensive.

I’m in temp accommodation in Scotland. (Central) and have been for 2 years so it’s not any better elsewhere really very disheartening and stressful but I do hope your situation improves soon, you are lucky to have a good job and experience- I’m a nurse too And that really helps as I don’t have to worry re work. I hope you find something better and more secure soon

Good Luck too! Think we take for granted just living in our own home at times. Ye sits awful when you are planning to pay ridiculous rent and the house isn't even worth it!!