Is there even any point in bidding for council housing?

[BlondeWaves]

I don't see the point in being in the queue for a council house, and even bidding, if you're consistently place number 250 and there are always people in front of you joining the queue? I can't afford my rent now my landlord has increased it so I am being forced to stay here until I essentially get kicked out, made homeless then probably put into a dump by the council, as nobody else will take me on as a single mother when they've got 30 other couples and higher earners in the queue in front of me. Took me 6 months do consistent viewings to get this place. How did it get like this? Will something change? I'm really hoping that when the cost of living improves landlords will be forced to reduce their rents, but I suppose most won't. Just a rant really as my tent increasing really knocked me (only been here a short time) and suddenly feeling very vulnerable....

I am not a lawyer. It's possible that this might be wrong but it's to the best of my understanding. Check the plan below with Citizens Advice before carrying it out.

You are 250th in the queue because you are adequately housed at the moment. When things get more urgent for you, you will be ranked higher and get better options.

Have you signed anything to agree to the rent increase after 6 months, or to go onto a new contract with the higher rent specified. If you haven't then don't!

When you get a shorthold tenancy the official legal position is that after the 6 month minimum you go on to a monthly rolling contract. There is no requirement for the contract to be renewed but landlords/agents like to pretend that this is necessary because it's not in their interests to have people on the rolling contract.

If you haven't signed up for a new contract you can stay put and keep paying rent at the old rate. Obviously then your landlord starts the procedure to evict you. Also fine. Keep staying put and paying rent at the old rate. Eventually the court proceedings will result in an eviction order. This is good - you will then be at immediate risk of homelessness and you will be mich much closer to the top of the queue for bidding. The actual eviction doesn't happen immediately and if you are lucky then a nicer place will be available in the right timeframe. It is possible that you might have to go into temporary accommodation for a bit if the eviction happens before a property bid is successful.

Do not leave your current place without a court order, and do not stop paying rent at all - either of these could get you defined as having made yourself intentionally homeless. In which case they won't help.

@x2boys Just trying to offer a bit of hope. I was expecting a 4-5 year wait based on people like me (single mum of 2) bidding in my area. If there are housing developments being built locally, it will clear the list significantly.

So sorry to hear the stress and worry you are going through, I understand as been through it all myself and moved so much. Can you not go into a refuge if your ex is still in the area and that way it may take a few months but you will be top of the list and can get the support you need and someone who will take you to viewings and help you out. Some refuges are really ok and you have your own room etc and usually is a counsellor that you can talk to also. This is the only thing I can think of. Do you also have doctors/psychologists or psychiatrists report as that will also help you. The stress and anxiety is unreal and constant worry and that along with the trauma you have been through but please try to think it will get better even when you are feeling in that dark place as you will get sorted with your little ones and you will have peace of mind and least you are free of your ex and well done for doing that for your sake and for the children's. Sending big hugs. Moved 5 times as houses that was rented were being sold and then just settled and same thing again and it wears you down and people do not understand unless been through it as feeling secure goes out the window when have to keep moving. I would check out refugees in the area and try this route and worth it for a few months if you can get a home for you and your children as you have been through so much.

great advice from Fazzo above also and lots of people here willing to help and offer support you are not alone.

disabled people, people fleeing domestic violence, people downsizing, people whose homes have been destroyed

Overcrowded families would akdi be ahead of you.

I am a single mum with a 6 year old in a bedsit. It's 19 square metres. Apparently this isn't overcrowded though.

If you are homeless as a result of domestic violence then you should be a higher priority.

england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/homelessness_applications/priority_need_in_homeless_applications/priority_need_due_to_domestic_abuse

It's worth having a conversation with the housing officer to check that your position is accurately being reflected and ask for advice

I looked into this but it's paused in my area annoyingly as this would have been so helpful!

Please seek advice from Shelter in your area to get specific advice on how to handle this- you need to make sure you don't jeopardise being found homeless by the council. They can also advise you of the lists/likelihood of being bumped up.

Hi
I’ve just come up position 1 on a property but it has a wet room I have 3 children age 13 , 8 , 1 I would need a bath for my 8 & 1 year old really it’s putting me off keeping the bud on the cycle ends midnight Sunday we have been in temporary accommodation since January and I really want a home now for us but the wet room is putting me off! Would anyone else accept this property or not? Thanks

being in temporary accommodation sucks and it could be months before you get this high on a property that is nicer.

i would go for it. an 8yo will be fine learning to shower. for your toddler, these big rubber trugs make an excellent bath up till the age of about 6 or so. www.toolstation.com/red-gorilla-flexi-tub-75l/p79997 - just fill from the shower and empty out down the wetroom drain when done.

Go and look at it, but you'd be nuts to turn it down on that basis. Fold up baths etc are a thing - that might be a suitable stop gap until the youngest is old enough to be in a shower. Lots of families only have showers, so it can absolutely be done.

www.therange.co.uk/health-and-beauty/kids-and-baby/kids-bath-and-shower/folding-baby-bath-tub-for-toddlers-kids-with-top-cover/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAvqGcBhCJARIsAFQ5ke5K1SkZtvVnw8dzFhLs15JNSQ35m6HKA85CjUZvpTBDN3SeiFz6Ci4aAtO_EALw_wcB#1338587

I'm in a similar situation but my landlord is selling. I pay very low rent here and won't be able to afford a higher rent plus like you all the flats go to couples or high earners. The first thing the letting agents ask when you show interest in a property is what's your salary, this is usually filled with an awkward silence and then told you don't earn enough despite me never falling behind on my rent for 9 years. I applied to go on the housing list and was put on band d despite the fact my dd is autistic so I've got sod all hope of getting anything it's so crap

@Jlos it's very common on the Continent to have only a wet room/shower and not a bath. Really that seem a strange reason to turn down a permanent place to live- it would be fine for an 8 year old, and even a 1 year old can stand in a shower. But you could buy a portable bath if you felt so strongly about it. I absolutely would take any property offered right now if you can, the rental sector is imploding and so incredibly expensive, and this will push more people into temp accommodation- so if you are at the top of the list, this is fantastic news. Go and view.

@Jlos it’s unlikely you will be offered it if you have no need for a wet room, it doesn’t matter that you are first, they will go down the list and offer to the first person who has a wet room need, that person could be bidder number 50!

Thanks for all your comments just realised it’s in an unsafe area for me anyway but the housing have bid on it for me anyway and I’m number 1 goes off at midnight tonight, surely they can’t offer me that and if I did get offered it would they have to offer me something else? Or would they just remove the bid and keep me in the list? Anyone any advice on this please 🙏 thanks 🙏

If you intentionally make yourself homeless you won't be entitled to council property. It goes by need and length of wait. How long have you been waiting? Sounds like merely weeks? For context, in my area its a 3-5 tear wait on average for 3 bed, slightly less for a 2 bed

Single mothers don't take priority. Its need and length of wait

The council don't bid on your behalf, that's the whole point of the bidding system, you bid only on properties you like the sound of its called choice based lettings. Are you sure you've not bid accidently? Or it it your position if you were to bid? You can also remove bids. The reason your position 1 is likely because its an undesirable area.

@MissMaple82 the council will bid for people who are in temporary accommodation that they are providing. The councils goal is to move anyone from temp to permanent accommodation as quickly as they can.

When you posted about this the other day on someone else's housing thread, everyone advised you to accept it and look into fold up baths for the kids. The property has a place to wash your whole bodies, it is a suitable offer of housing.

@MissMaple82
hi I’m in band full duty statuary homeless band and if I don’t bid they bid for me I can’t withdraw the bid it’s a new system you use to be able too but you can’t now the system has changed the house is ok it’s the area just realised it’s a stone throw away from my ex partner would not be safe what do you think will happen if they offer it me? Have I the right to refuse it? Thanks

Can you look into local housing associations, some of them allow direct applications rather than bidding through the housing list.

@Bluerisotto yes but I’ve realised it’s a stone throw away from ex who we escaped DV from

When you go into emergency or temporary housing your banding will probably be increased and you'll be further up the queue. Will probably still take a while though as the housing stock in most areas is very low.