How hard is it to get council housing?

[IgorThalia]

Looking at getting some council housing. I need some independence from my family, and need a distraction from life at the moment. I've been toying with the idea but lacked the motivation. Currently live with my parents. Left my ex a couple of years ago due to domestic abuse. He lives in a house that we both own. I have about 7k equity in it but he refuses to sell and because I have a restraining order against him, he's impossible to communicate with. His solicitor doesn't respond to my emails re the house. I have a 2 year old who still sleeps in the same room as me. My parents have 2 other spare bedrooms but they're being prepared for lodgers and air bnb so I can't use them for my son. They need this to boost their income and it is why they bought a bigger house. I need a bit of independence and also wouldn't feel comfortable having my 2 year old in the house when parents are doing air bnb. I earn about 24k a year. Have anxiety, OCD and PTSD. That's my background. Am I likely to get any council housing or will I be way down on the list because I'm not homeless?

If you are struggling with debt repayments talk to Step Change or Pay Plan. Get some advice from the debt board on the Money Saving Expert forum.

Can you stomach living in a bedsit for 18 months to get on the list?

Yes I have reported everything. It's with the police in his local force area now. I have markers on my house. I have a restraining order. He's been ordered to go on a domestic abuse perpetrator programme. He is barred by the courts from coming near me or my son.

You need to look at your councils allocation policy.

It’s all in there. You may well be entitled to be on register with that equity and would get a decent banding.

You should be taking steps to realise your interest in the property for UC too

Get good debt advice and engage with services around your domestic abuse. Good luck.

You should be getting approx £665 towards nursery leaving you to pay the £285.

I hope you get things sorted.

If ypu have evidence of his abuse non mol ordef etc take that to hpusing officer
And get legal advice
You dont need a two bed flat
If your parents want you out then rent a one bed for now
That will be more space than what you have now

If he works cash in hand then report him to HMRC, you can do it anonymously. You will need the details of where he works etc

I've reported him and so has someone else. Nothing yet!

Willbyour contribution to the bills at home be reduced once the other rooms are rented to lodges?

I'm not sure of the legalities in the UK. Could you hand over your equity in the divorce once you are no longer a homeowner you can apply for HB and council housing, there is hope.
I second contacting womens aid for help.
He sounds nasty.
Btw your parents are charging a lot with spare rooms I don't blame you wanting out.

@IgorThalia let’s hope the Police proceed with matters then ❤️

Lots of inaccurate advice here OP
You may be eligible to join the housing register due to feeling domestic violence, theoretically you can’t be intentionally homeless if you flee DA. The fact that your child is sharing facilities with several non family members will also go in your favour as this is not considered appropriate by many local housing authorities. You will also be classed as a bedroom short according to lots of LA. The best thing is to approach your council and seek some advice around legalities from a local domestic abuse charity so you are going in aware of your rights
Good luck to you.

You need a letter from you parents saying that you cannot live there for the register.

Our neighbours have been waiting for 10 plus years (living with their parents in a tiny two bed with three children).

Personally I would rent a one bed in your situation and buy a couch bed until you get things sorted. I wouldn't go down the council house route as it is a very long process, particularly as you are living with you parents at the moment.

OP, just apply. Everybody, no matter what their salary, is entitled to apply for council housing. The sooner you apply the sooner you will hear back. And I know in my LA living in a family member’s spare bedroom definitely counts towards your case. How long it takes to find you a place is another matter. But you are perfectly within your rights to apply.

I would look at renting a one bed place you will still get up to the Housing benefit local rate for a 2 bed place.

I shared a room with my dd until she was 14 and now sleep in the lounge.

All areas differ and some have hard to let properties that you may get.

@Grapewrath the OP’s son is not sharing facilities with non family members. If I have read correctly, the rooms in the house are not being let at present.

You will likely have to game the system by having your parents kick you out of the house, with a letter signed to that extent, making you homeless. You will then be subject to councils emergency housing which could be a hotel room, B&B or other naff temp accommodation. You potentially would have to put up with this for many months or even years before being first in line for council housing of which most councils run some kind of strikes system to limit your ability to turn down horrible properties. Quite possibly you'll end up with somewhere you don't like as it is very much take it or leave it.

You won't get a council house if you part own a property.

You need to speak to Women's Aid asap.

If you can't afford 600 a month private rent, how will you pay for a council house? They're not much less than that.

@Blossomhill4

You won’t need legal advice for council housing. You can call them and explain your situation. I think you will be a high priority living with your parents..... if your parents were to give you notice because they wanted to rent your room out the council would have no choice but to re house you. Get as many supporting letters as you can OP.

The council will not rehouse her as she owns her own property

Hi op, I got my flat through social housing because I wanted to move out of my parent's and private rent takes the piss in how much they are asking for, for a crappy small place.
I registered on my local housing website and explained that my dad was downsizing so there wouldn't be room for me to live with him anymore (which was the case). A few weeks later I was accepted onto the site and given a band, because my situation wasn't urgent I was given the lowest band available and because if was just me I was allowed to apply for 1 bed homes.

I kept logging on and if anything I was interested in came on I applied for it. If anyone with a higher band applies after you they are moved ahead in the queue, but I think having a job went in my favour.
I got a call a few weeks later and offered one of the flats i applied for, its brand new and in the town I wanted to live it near my work, and its a lot cheaper than smaller, old flats in the area.

I agree with contacting womens aid, they have advisors and lots of knowledge, and they already have a good relationship with the council housing people so can help you with that, although I'm unsure because you have equity in a house already.

You should be getting around 2/3rds of your childcare paid for you.

Even though you can't save for a deposit, you're still going to need carpets, beds, cooker, couch etc, so you're going to have to find some way to get money whether you rent or get a council house.

Just seen that it costs 2-5k to force the sale of a home. Fuck.

@IgorThalia you mentioned you were in the East. Depending on where, this org may be able to help with advice www.leewaysupport.org/contact-us/

Similar position OP, I have a housing officer to ‘help’ me find housing but I can’t apply for social housing as I ‘own’ a property.