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Original poster

How hard is it to get council housing?

157 replies

IgorThalia · 14/11/2020 20:10

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?

OP posts:
Original poster
IgorThalia · 14/11/2020 21:52

@dirtyfries I can't click on clicky links on my app for some reason.

OP posts:
dirtyfries · 14/11/2020 21:57

@IgorThalia I've PM'd you but in case you can't pick these up on the app google leeway support

ThistleWitch · 14/11/2020 21:58

I'm confused, you first say you're not claiming uc, then you are?

You obviously need some help with your finances, so go and check on entitled to like pp say

CoffeeRunner · 14/11/2020 22:00

The solution would seem to be to force the sale of your home & use your equity as a good deposit on a privately rented flat.

When you are living alone with your son you will be able to claim a proportion of childcare costs back which will definitely help.

Social housing varies hugely from area to area. Here you would be able to join the waiting list - but would be a low priority due to already having a suitable home. I am a HA tenant though & my rent is £560 a month (Midlands). Lots of HA’s are only a shade less than private rents anyway nowadays.

Smellbellina · 14/11/2020 22:04

I was told 7-10k to force a sale

Original poster
IgorThalia · 14/11/2020 22:05

I said I can't claim UC for housing costs because they don't allow you to when you love with your parents. Even if you have a contract and pay rent.

OP posts:
Original poster
IgorThalia · 14/11/2020 22:06

7-10k to force a sale, and I only have 7k equity in the property. What's the point then? This is soul destroying.

OP posts:
Original poster
IgorThalia · 14/11/2020 22:08

So basically, I was in an abusive relationship, I can't communicate with him because he is dangerous and I have a restraining order, we own a house together, I need the house to be sold, but I'm not eligible for legal aid because I own part of the house, even though I don't have access to it, I could force a sale, but it'll cost me the same amount of equity that is in the house, so basically... I'm screwed.

OP posts:
EmeraldShamrock · 14/11/2020 22:10

Is it possible to walk away from the equity, take your name off the house, let him keep it and wish misery on every penny it is causing you more misery than it is worth pass the misery on to the fucker.

DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult · 14/11/2020 22:10

Even if it costs 7k to force the sale, you are no worse off financially, and you will be eligible to apply for housing, so better off all in all. Do ask womens aid for help though

Babyroobs · 14/11/2020 22:11

I think it would be very difficult when you own a house but does depend on availability of council housing in your area. it is in very short supply in the south East. You would likely get help form Universal credit with private rent as long as you could prove it is not possible to sell the house.

Original poster
IgorThalia · 14/11/2020 22:12

I can't lose that equity, I just can't. It took so much for me to save for the initial deposit. He destroyed all of my things when I left him and I still need to replace so much stuff. I need to pay off my debts. 7k is so much money to lose. I just can't. I feel so lost and out of my depth.

OP posts:
MaskingForIt · 14/11/2020 22:12

@icedgem85

Easy to say, Masking, but in London rent on a 1 bed flat in a not-so-nice area would be a lot more than you earn. Echoing what the others say, you need legal advice but you definitely wouldn’t get council housing in your situation - not for several years at least.
The OP doesn’t live in London though, she lives in the east of England, which by-and-large is pretty cheap.
Meruem · 14/11/2020 22:13

Ultimately you have nothing to lose by applying for council housing. In a lot of areas now you can join one list for the council and the HA’s operating in that area. If you’re given a low band and told you have a long wait, then you know you will need to find an alternative. But it costs nothing to join the list so why not. Explain the full situation re your ex. If you have documents to back that up then that will help. If he’s still making threats then get support from a DA charity. They will be able to signpost you in the right direction.

lolabears · 14/11/2020 22:14

I'll be honest in that I have no personal experience of renting from the council but from what you're saying you need to speak with someone over the phone and explain that you have fled domestic household with your son and you are now homeless. If they say you've got your parents house I'd get your parents to terminate your rental agreement with them in writing. In the long run you might be better off letting go of the £7k. If you were treated as a lone parent you'd potentially be in a council house, receiving more benefits than you are now and significant help with childcare. You'd be able to rebuild your life and potentially save that £7k back up.

DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult · 14/11/2020 22:17

I can't lose that equity, I just can't.

You don't want to force the sale, you can't afford to get legal representation, you can't communicate with him or his solicitor.

You have already lost it, by the sound of things, so breaking that financial tie will leave you in a better position to move forward and get housing.

Holding on to the tiny potential to get all of that money back is holding you back here.

Redredgreen · 14/11/2020 22:17

Shelter are very good for housing advice.
Are you married? If so at least your house will get sorted if you divorce. I can appreciate your safety has to come first, but really think you need to look at forcing a sale of your house. If it goes into negative equity, (and it might if we go into recession) you could end up having to pay to get out of it. Be prepared for it to cost you, I was quoted £20,000, not sure if it would’ve ended out that much.
I do think being unable to live in your house might help you with Council housing though. If you go into private rent you could be stuck paying high rents for a long time, at least at the moment you are in a position your parents can make you homeless.
Good luck, it’s a really crap situation.

EmeraldShamrock · 14/11/2020 22:19

If you're looking at this longterm the 7000 you lose will help you access council housing and housing benefit while you wait.
HB is probably a few 1000 a year depending on where you live it will get you on the list which will save you a fortune when you get a council house, this £7000 is a curse without it you'd have no reason to communicate with him and have a right to claim homelessness.
Speak to womens aid.
I know IME you get very little from social housing if your named as a homeowner.

DC3Dakota · 14/11/2020 22:23

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

the council would have no choice but to re house you

The council could very well ask the question why she isn't living in the house she owns.

No they won't. There's a new law covering this scenario when there's domestic abuse involved
Handsoffisback · 14/11/2020 22:23

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

DC3Dakota · 14/11/2020 22:24

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

Actually as a Lone Parent isn't your son entitled to free hours now at 2yo?
That only applies if you're on full benefits and not working. It's only once they're 3yo for working parents
Flutter12 · 14/11/2020 22:24

Most councils work on banding criteria. So you can apply but depending on your circumstances you will be higher or lower on the list to get one.
It can take a while to apply and then once you ae on the list can take a while to be offered a home - the time depends on how long you have been on the list and what area you are in etc.

Council houses still cost money - you may have to pay 4 weeks rent up front but you are less likely to get evicted as the landlord won't sell up like private rent.

DC3Dakota · 14/11/2020 22:27

@IgorThalia OP speak to a housing officer at your council. There is now new regulation for women who have escaped domestic abuse, leaving their homes they own. The council WILL help you. Please contact them. This new regulation is not widely known yet as its very new, hence some of the replies here.

Please please speak to a housing officer. Even if they can't provide you with housing, they are there to give advice to anyone with regards to all kinds of housing issues.

Feel free to pm me. I know how it all works so I'm happy to advise also x

DC3Dakota · 14/11/2020 22:29

@MilyMoo

You won't get a council house if you part own a property.
It's not quite as black and white when the reason she can't live in the house is due to domestic abuse. The regulation recently changed slightly
DC3Dakota · 14/11/2020 22:30

@gamerchick

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.
OP has already stated that social housing costs 50% less in her area. As it does in mine....
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