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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How long to get council house?

133 replies

kvtie · 17/01/2022 18:24

So i’m in the north east and I’m on band B, I have been on there since the end of November. I’m bidding atm and I’m usually coming around 10th for properties. I’m just wondering how long other people waited?

OP posts:
BitcherOfBlakiven · 17/01/2022 18:27

I’m curious too.

Midlands here. S21 finishes end of Jan, and due to more than one monumental fuck up by the council here, I’ve only been able to bid since last week, despite having the S21 since summer.

I’m in the highest band due to their errors but I can’t see me getting a house any time soon, and I’m still chasing any private rentals that come up. Which is always a no as I’m a student, work part time, claim UC and a single parent. Despite having a Guarantor. It’s depressing.

skintasabint · 17/01/2022 18:30

I've been on the list for 6 years, always in the top 10 when I bid and I bid weekly.

I have family who have been on for 10+
We're in the northwest

RedCandyApple · 17/01/2022 18:31

Different areas are different, my area of London you would be looking at 10 years minimum

JDaytona · 17/01/2022 18:31

Took me 8 years in the east.

CorrBlimeyGG · 17/01/2022 18:32

The council should be able to tell you how many of your type of property are allocated each year, so you can get a rough approximation that way. There will be people that join the register ahead of you due to their circumstances, but that can't be predicted.

x2boys · 17/01/2022 18:35

Nobody on here can tell you ,it depends on the availability of houses and how big the list is all areas will be different.

skintasabint · 17/01/2022 18:35

I have been first a couple of times but not got the house due to families who need it more. Say, due to domestic abuse or other circumstances.

The process is not fit for purpose in my opinion.

Crazykatie · 17/01/2022 18:36

The only way to get higher is to have literally nothing and an eviction notice, if you are “just managing” - no chance.

iamjustlurking · 17/01/2022 18:37

South East took me 12 years to get 3 bedroom. Because I was in private rented I assume I was not a priority.
Even though I privately rented as was made homeless.

LakieLady · 17/01/2022 18:37

Things may have changed, but a couple of years ago Brighton council were telling people that realisitically they would probably never get a council place.

When you bid, you've got more chance of success if you bid on the least attractive properties, as there will be fewer people going after them.

Faevern · 17/01/2022 18:37

It depends how many people get Band A and homeless priority and which area you are bidding for. Nicer areas take longer and each North East council is different. I would say end of November is no time at all with the Xmas break.

gamerchick · 17/01/2022 18:41

Just keep bidding. The north east is a lot different to the south. Might be a bit of a wait like.

LakieLady · 17/01/2022 18:47

@iamjustlurking

South East took me 12 years to get 3 bedroom. Because I was in private rented I assume I was not a priority. Even though I privately rented as was made homeless.
You were only homeless until you took on a private tenancy though, once you're in a property, you're no longer in the top priority band.

Here, very few people get housed unless they've been homeless and placed in a B&B, temporary accommodation or are in a refuge. Councils locally are leasing properties from private landlords to use as temp accommodation, and helping people access private rentals by making referrals to private landlords and providing loans for RIA and deposits.

People in TA still count as high priority, so they can get it vacated and then move the next family out of B&B, but people who move into the private sector go back down to the lowest band because they're adequately housed.

It'sm absolute shit, but until councils are allowed to borrow to build council housing, it won't get any better.

Nidan2Sandan · 17/01/2022 18:54

3 bed houses round here have an average wait of 8-10 years for band B down. Band A, which is urgent need is 2 years.

Christinatherabbit · 17/01/2022 19:02

In South East it took me 6 years. I know some that waited longer. I left my ex partner due to domestic violence in debt and with the clothes on mine and DCs backs and the wait was around as long as I was initially told it would be.

kitcat15 · 17/01/2022 19:11

Took my DD 5 months...she was band A+ in NW .....she has just bought it 3.5 years down the line.....although on council list its a housing association property

canyoutoleratethis · 17/01/2022 19:17

@kitcat15

Took my DD 5 months...she was band A+ in NW .....she has just bought it 3.5 years down the line.....although on council list its a housing association property
And this is half the problem. Whilst it’s great that your DD was given a place to live, now she’s brought it, nobody else can ever have it. Council properties should stay council properties
Rubyupbeat · 17/01/2022 19:24

@canyoutoleratethis
I totally agree. Its one of the worst things Thatcher did, giving right to buy, those houses and flats were never replaced and a high per centage of those encouraged to buy in the early days were repossessed, not long after, so needed housing again.
It should have been stopped years ago.

lastqueenofscotland · 17/01/2022 19:26

I worked for an HA for a spell in the north west. 2/3 years was the norm and that was seen as “quick” for the region.

Danikm151 · 17/01/2022 19:29

Try and apply to housing associations directly. Sometimes they have properties that they don’t have to put on the council list.
That’s how I got mine.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 17/01/2022 19:39

@RedCandyApple

Different areas are different, my area of London you would be looking at 10 years minimum
In mine, it took 17 years with medical evidence and OT involvement to be referred to a HA. I'm sure it's got worse since then.
esloquehay · 17/01/2022 19:40

3 months, Band A, SW.

SnailAndAWhale · 17/01/2022 19:44

We’re HA but was advertised through council. South east and was band D2 but got housed in under 6 months - check with the HAs if they offer any priorities. Ours was key worker priority (this was pre covid times so had a shorter list of ‘key worker’ criteria) and although our properly had lots and lots of bids, we were the only ones who met the priority criteria so we were lucky enough to get it. I know some other HAs offer similar so worth checking if there’s anything you’re eligible for. Good luck :)

Okbye · 17/01/2022 19:53

It’s literally a ‘how longs a piece of string’ question. I’ve worked in social housing for 15 years and all the places I’ve worked (councils and housing associations) are just so badly oversubscribed the wait is indefinite (sad but true).

Unfortunately it’s just a waiting game till you come up for something suitable. Just make sure everything’s up to date on your app, let the
council/housing associations know if your circumstances change as it may affect your banding.

Also, make sure you tell them if you change your number for whatever reason! I’ve spoken to numerous customers complaining that they haven’t heard from us for ages when it turns out they had a new number and never told us.

StartingGrid · 17/01/2022 19:58

@kitcat15

Took my DD 5 months...she was band A+ in NW .....she has just bought it 3.5 years down the line.....although on council list its a housing association property
Why would you even share that here? People waiting 10+ years and you casually bragging she's bought her HA property that quickly? You may be proud of her but read the room FGS
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