To turn down council property?

[Dipitlow]

I have been offered a council flat (recently split with partner) 2 children,
living with parents at the moment. If I decline what are my chances of being offered another one? I didn’t bid on it they have bidded for me? Do I just take it? Or should I private rent?

What was your basis for turning it down?

Turn it down for what reason? Either you need housing or you don't.

I’m very surprised you were offered a council house if you have the means to private rent. Seems almost unbelievable….

Be very careful. It may be a one and done offer. As in, if you turn it down, they may no longer take responsibility for housing you.

Check your status with the council before doing anything.

Also, check private rent costs in your area. UC won't pay all of private rent so you could end up much worse off financially. And presumably your parents don't want you and your children living with them forever.

It is miles away from where I need to be, the area is awfully rough, I am desperate for housing, my parents don’t drive and I need them for childcare

You can't refuse because it's too far from your parents, that's ridiculous. You're clearly not desperate for housing.

It"s too far from her childcare arrangements! I'd contact the council and let them know this and see what they say about whether it would affect future offers of accommodation.

You need to check with your council, if you refuse suitable accomodation they may discharge their housing duties to you.

Around here you get one refusal, then you have to take the second one or you're off the list.

You would be really daft to turn down the security of a council property imo.

They won't take your childcare into account at all.

You're the one who has to live in it. But it will probably be much cheaper than private renting.

If you're really desperate then you wouldn't turn it down and if you do the council will shunt you to the bottom of the list.

Surely OP can be desperate for housing and not drive? Those 2 are not mutually exclusive.

OP could be sleeping on a sofa at their parents, with 2 children (ergo desperate for housing)... and not being able to drive is them consodering transport options for their childcare is pretty key when considering their housing location.

Getting taxis everywhere soon becomes unaffordable, how else is OP meant to manage working? if their parents are their only support bubble and neither of them drive? Teleport? Just not work? get another job...

Your parents don't drive but do you? How far is too far? How long would it take them to get to you in the bus or you to get to them?

If you can afford to private rent in the area you want to be in then do that but if not you might have to make some compromises.

It’s too far from childcare, which her parents do!!!

It's unlikely you'll get offered another if you turn it down.

Presumably if you’re desperate and can afford to private rent you’d already be doing that. If not, then your options are council flat or staying put. Check with the council to see if you’ll get any more offers if you turn this down. Some places permit a refusal but there’s no guarantee of another better offer any time soon. There’ll be people further up the list than you as it may seem on paper that you can live anywhere, even if it means sorting other arrangements for childcare.

Do you mean the council bid for you, or your parents?

If the former, the council will probably say they have discharged their duty to you and you'll lose your priority band on the housing register, or possibly your place on the register entirely. If this is the case, you might get away with it if you contact them and explain that your childcare arrangements wouldn't be possible from that area.

If the latter, tell them it wasn't you that bid!

Yes, so you need to show why it's unsuitable.

I'm living in my second choice. It's fine - but it was vacant for a reason. Neighbours with the better places held out for a third choice, but I was warned I might not get another offer 😬 The first offer was so ghastly, they shouldn't really have been trying to house people there.

Down here you do not get a choice - if you are eligible for a property and are offered one that is suitable for your needs - you take it.
if you turn it down that's it ! you are off the bidding list. Doesn't matter if you bed for it or you are offered it as a result of automatic bidding or if you are offered it as a direct let.

Good luck to you if you feel private renting is affordable in the long term and if you believe it will give you long term security of a roof over your head - many landlords end tenancies for many reasons, you could privately rent somewhere and in one years time be looking all over again.

Speak to your housing officer they will be able to advise you of the process in your area.

If you can privately rent, then presumably you don’t need the council property? So problem solved?

I can totally see your predicament with childcare. You need to speak to them to see what would happen if you turn it down.

Private renting is an absolute nightmare. At least a council property is secure, rent won’t be extortionate and your landlord won’t decide to sell up. Plus you can decorate it to your taste.

How far is it from your parents?

Ask the council. They will have a current policy. Each council will be different. Some may put you to the bottom of the list. Others let you reject one property before accepting one. Find out.

She has the money to private rent...

If you don’t need it and can private rent then turn it down by all means but you go back to the bottom of the list.