Hi, I'm at my wit's end. I left my ex partner nearly 5 years ago. We were never married. He owned (mortgaged) the house we lived in. I was never on the deeds. He downsized to a cheaper flat a year after I left to bring his mortgage payments down because he couldn't afford them. We were together 13 years. I have a 9 year old and a 5 year old by him. I moved into privately rented accommodation, but the landlady gave us notice after 18 months. We were almost homeless because my eldest son uses a power wheelchair and we couldn't find anywhere he could access. The council put us in temporary accommodation, owned by the council but let to us by a not-for-profit housing association. We were told by them we can stay here for as long as we want and they would adapt it. It's in the right area for us, a bit small, but nothing else came up. Over three years on we're still here - and still have no adaptations (but that's another extremely stressful story).
I told them I'd like Right to Buy - for the future because, like a lot of people, I have pretentions one day of owning my own home, for the security of my boys and so we are not at the mercy of the council (it is literally impossible to find anywhere accessible in the rented market). who knows, one of these days some incredible man might be strong enough to want me as a partner, I could get an amazing job, who knows.
Anyway. I've just received a letter from the temporary accommodation manager saying I cannot have RTB and because, according to them, I've stated I can afford to buy this flat (because I wanted Right to Buy) and so they want to see all my financial information and is asking me whether I pursued my ex for a settlement when I left. They will not proceed with the adaptations until this is cleared up.
I am on benefits, of course, (because I am a single parent of a severely disabled boy with no family support), and I have no money. (I am putting myself through a vocational course just in case you’re wondering). My ex does still own a flat (with a mortgage) - but that is the only long-term security the boys have - and the only overnight respite I get is when they stay there. He has no money.
If we each have half the equity, neither of us will be able to afford anywhere and we’ll both be on benefits once we’ve paid landlords for a few years. He wouldn’t be able to get any kind of mortgage with his current income and rent will be three times as high.
I feel harassed and victimised and as if they think I'm doing something fraudulent - they wouldn't be ask this information of anyone in regular council accommodation without any evidence of fraud would they?
Can he be forced to sell?