To think I have no chance with a council property?

[Magicra84]

I've just been made redundant and found out my private landlord is selling up so in a few months, unless I find employment, I'm going to be homeless. My only chance is a council/housing association property. I've seen one and bidded on it, a two bed house. There's only me and my pets going to be living there/wherever. After the shit time I've had lately I would love to be successful in my bid, but aibu in thinking that realistically I've not got a chance?

I think it depends entirely on where you live and how much stock is available.

I live in Essex/East London and there are whole families stuck in one bedroom hostels here and even they don't seem to stand a chance.

Thats tough. Have you got any savings or redundancy pay to put down. Any luck with finding a new job. Will it be easy for you to find work.

Are you actually on the council house list?

It's ridiculously hard here in Manchester. My friend is living in her mum's tiny house with her 4 children, she's been on the list for around two years.

A work colleague was on the list for 10yrs in East London. She was a phlebotomist, and although a front line health worker, didnt qualify for any key worker housing type schemes.

Depending how many pets you have, and what they are, this will certainly limited your choices even more. Do you have any savings or a redundancy payout?

You might need to flat share, move home or move elsewhere in the country for work, rather than hoping the council provides something.

It's really tough although I think it depends hugely on where you live. Flats might be more easily obtainable in your area? It took us 2 years to secure a house this way and that's with a disabled child so our band was high.

Thank you for your replies.

@HappyHammy I don't have savings and as I was in my job for less than two years I get nothing in the form of redundancy pay.

@Flyingagainstreason I've only just gone on the list.

I'm really panicking now.

It entirely depends where you are in the country as to how long you’ll be waiting. But you won’t be allocated a two-bedroom property if you’re a single adult, so yes, you’re wasting your time on that one. Plus many HAs will only allow pets in ground floor properties or those with garden access.

Look up both the HA’s allocation policy and your local authority’s policies and procedures for birdsongs and lettings, they’ll give you an idea of what kind of property you can realistically expect and how long you might be waiting.

Actually I think you should seek advice as I think the council have a duty to house you if you are being made homeless but that would involve staying put. Someone more knowledgable than me will be along soon I'm sure.

Well if you’re on the list that’s amazing
No one can even get on the list here so clearly you stand a good chance

Birdsongs?? 😀 Biddings!

Thank you for your kind replies. It's just a nightmare. Redundancy, I could just about cope with, but being made homeless too has tipped me over the edge. They barely have any flats or one bed properties on.

If youre actively looking for another job will you be able to find another rental. What sort of work do you do.

It depends on the area.

In my area they'll let anyone join the register. In others you have to pass a criteria.

In my area they won't let anyone without a dependent in a house (other than if you have disabilities). We do have a surplus of one/two bed flats in towers though.

If you are officially homeless which you will be when your landlord gives you your 2 months notice, take that and get rebanded by the local choice based letting team. You should get into the top band. Due to the bedroom tax and allocations policies you are unlikely to get a 2bed and depending on where you are, one beds can be few and far between. Good luck. Alternatively phone up every housing association and ask them where they have voids which are difficult to let. U might get somewhere a bit rubbish but a gone is better than none. Would you move up north? Or to Scotland? Consider places you might be happy living and contact housing associations in those areas. Good luck

@AuntHilda

Actually I think you should seek advice as I think the council have a duty to house you if you are being made homeless but that would involve staying put. Someone more knowledgable than me will be along soon I'm sure.

The council must ensure that people who they have a statutory duty to house are housed. This doesn’t mean they have an obligation to provide council accommodation - they can discharge their duty by helping people to find accommodation in the private rented sector by way of deposit guarantees and signposting to landlords who accepted tenants on benefits. Recent legislation means councils have very few duties towards able bodied adults who are capable of working and securing their own housing.

OP - when you were assessed to join the housing register, were you given any information about the above support available for private renting?

I have loads of admin management experience but at this time I'm open to absolutely anything that'll pay the bills.

Why not focus all this emotion into finding another job rather than expecting the state to solve all your problems? Can't think of any HA or council that will allocate a 2-bed to a single person with no dependants unless the person needs an overnight carer.

In many councils, being unemployed and homeless means temporary accommodation wherever they put you and then you get offered another private let that will take unemployed people on UC. There is no chance of council housing at all.

It's really a good idea and a good time for people to do as much as they can to avoid being reliant upon the state.

Can you claim housing benefit or UC and rent privately?
I hope you find something soon.
The council have a responsibility to you if you find yourself homeless or threatened with it. The help they give varies a lot. Good luck.

The council must ensure that people who they have a statutory duty to house are housed. This doesn’t mean they have an obligation to provide council accommodation - they can discharge their duty by helping people to find accommodation in the private rented sector by way of deposit guarantees and signposting to landlords who accepted tenants on benefits. Recent legislation means councils have very few duties to
wards able bodied adults who are capable of working and securing their own housing.

This. Putting yourself at the mercy of the council/HAs in many areas is a poor idea to be avoided at all costs.

@Magicra84

I have loads of admin management experience but at this time I'm open to absolutely anything that'll pay the bills.

Check. out your local hospital to see if they have clerical or HCA bank work for a temporary stop. Googling "(hospital name) bank staff" should get you started.

Can’t see any council anywhere in the U.K. allocating a single person a 2 bed property

@DisobedientHamster

Why not focus all this emotion into finding another job rather than expecting the state to solve all your problems? Can't think of any HA or council that will allocate a 2-bed to a single person with no dependants unless the person needs an overnight carer.

In many councils, being unemployed and homeless means temporary accommodation wherever they put you and then you get offered another private let that will take unemployed people on UC. There is no chance of council housing at all.

It's really a good idea and a good time for people to do as much as they can to avoid being reliant upon the state.

Why not do some reading about poverty before posting snippy comments eh?

You have NO idea of the OP's situation apart from what she has posted here. What makes you think she isn't job hunting? Or did you just make an assumption because she's applying for counsil housing.

The Shelter site has information on eviction. Some local authorities will say that you have voluntarily made yourself homeless unless you make the landlord go through the full court process.