New to housing association

[Lauralizzie]

Hi

Me and my partner have split up (he had an affair) and I currently live with our kids in his house. He needs us to move out, because he needs his house back.
I've applied to local housing association. This is my first time, so just wondering if anyone knows how long it takes for them to assess my application so I can start bidding on houses. And then how high up would I be in my situation with 3 kids?

Am I expecting to wait years?

I believe it depends on what area your in, my DSD is in HA and she was on the list for several years. When she finally got offered the house we had to pay a deposit think £2500 and we went guarantor. Not sure if this is standard as this was a new HA with only a few properties at the time. She also didn't get to bid, think 5 people went to view the house and she was the only one who had the deposit, rent upfront and guarantor. They also look into if you can rent around here

Depends where you live but yes in my area you are waiting 5+ years even on a “priority” very much depends where you live

Agree it depends on your area but also on your circumstances.
Are you homeless? In need of temporary council accommodation? How are you splitting custody of the dc? Do you have family to support you? Being classed as homeless would make you higher priority but even so, we’re talking years before getting anywhere permanent.

Are you claiming benefits? Working? The other option is to find a private rental and your universal credit housing element will cover the cost. It is however very difficult to find landlords willing to let to benefit claimants.

Id advise making an appointment with the CAB (or phoning/ speaking to an online advisor) they can point you in the right direction and advise. The organisation “Shelter” may also be helpful x

Shelter

Yeah not sure of how long people wait in my area. I do know that renting a 3 bed is £1200 minimum here, but local housing allowance is only £750. So I will have to cover the short fall some how.
I don't think I'm classed as homeless, even though he needs me out.
But I'm guessing this will be years in the waiting lists

Local housing allowance will cover 30% of properties so there must be some, however the area may cover parts of town you aren't keen on.

If he issues you with a legal eviction notice it will help a bit. The main factor is whether they have new properties coming up, my town had 120 flats built so it cleared most the list in one go

I was 7 years waiting, two children and living with my parents following the break up of my marriage. I didn't have to put down a deposit or provide a guarantor.

Is your partner prepared to help you with a deposit of with the shortfall in rent? It’s his dc after all that need a home and he will be paying maintenance I assume?

Alternatively he can issue with an eviction notice. This will massively help your case and your local council will be obliged to place you and dc in temporary accommodation until they can offer you permanent social housing.

Once you have the eviction notice, you can follow the template email I sent in the Shelter link above and send it to your local council. You don’t have to be actually sleeping on the street to be recognised as “homeless”.

im sorry you’re in such a difficult situation.

There’s a massive shortage in social housing and huge waiting lists so you need to do everything you can to strengthen your position.

If you say you have somewhere to live and will wait, you’ll be bottom of a very long list. If you say that you might be able to privately rent (which sounds quite impossible for you right now) they will disregard you.

The Citizens Advice bureau can be really useful when you’re trying to navigate the social housing system and will also help with benefits you’re entitled to and child maintenance.

There's about 2 houses in my whole area on rightmove. And they do not go below £1200 anymore. It's a nightmare, not enough private rentals. Otherwise I'll have to move to the city, which would mean change schools and job

The maintenance he will pay will cover the short fall, but I'll have nothing left of his maintenance. But that might just be the only option

That may have to be my next step. Thank you

I really feel for you.

Getting into social housing with 3 young dc is the best thing to aim for. As a single parent on low income you are eligible.

Moving into temporary council accommodation can be pretty grotty but will speed up the process.

Wilk your ex cooperate with getting an eviction notice together?

Private rental homes are a possible option but less secure- your tenancy may not be renewed once the contract period ends, you can be issued with an eviction notice should they wish to sell and the rent can be put up to unaffordable levels once you’re living there. Some letting agents wont touch you with a barge pole when they hear you’re in receipt of benefits.

Its difficult!

I hope you have some real life support from family and friends. X

West Yorkshire here.. it's about 3 to 5 years...but if you have SEN kids/ social worker etc could be sooner.. there just isn't enough houses.. might have to rent private or be put in B& B..
I wish you all the best x

If you're in London it will be 5+ years

Just been sent my assignment letter. I've got band 5, the bottom band!!! So basically the only way I'll get a house is when my ex evicts us.
So does that mean I have to leave the house and go to them homeless? Or can I say I've got an eviction notice and then say he's given me 2 months and they'll put us up in some temporary accommodation?

You are eligible for emergency housing if you’re going to be homeless in the next eight weeks.

I think you urgently need advice on how to navigate the social housing system. It’s very important that you do and say the right things to strengthen your position.

Look into the definition of “dependant children” in the housing act.
If you say that the children could live with their father for example then they will try to force that.
You really need someone fighting your corner to get anywhere because you’re up against a lot of other people who know how the system works.

You need to be aware of your rights and the obligations your local council have to meet under the Housing Act.

You also need to resign yourself to hours of waiting on the phone and fighting to be heard.

Shelter give excellent impartial advice which is very easy to follow.

I know this isn’t what you want to hear- but also be realistic about what council temporary accommodation will be like and where it might be situated.

Im sorry you’re in this situation but things will get better for you x

Thank you, very helpful advice x

Housing association - financial check 😭

I’m a single mum of 3, been given a section 21 bidder on a new build housing association house and was successful, I was nominated by the council they took a landlord reference and landlord confirmed no rent arrears whatsoever paid on time for 6 years..

However 😭 I have lots of debts stemming back from a relationship breakdown and marriage ending, pay day loans that sort of thing and defaults. My landlord gave an amazing reference and we only have 3 weeks to find a house. I’ve passed every stage however this financial check I’m petrified about.

I have recently signed into a debt management plan for one single payment of £90 per month for my debts, I’m petrified it’s going to be intrusive and they’ll refuse based on things from my past. My rent has never ever not been paid and no complaints against me as a tenant.

It depends where you are in the country however if you’ve been placed in the lowest band then that’s not great news.

The best thing for you to do is contact your LA and fill out a homeless application. If you inform the LA that your ex partner is kicking you and the children out and you have nowhere to live, they will help you. This will mean going into emergency or temporary (depending on how long your ex may keep you in the house) accommodation.

Because there’s so many people in temporary accommodation, many LA’s are pushing people into private rentals instead. The initiative usually is that if you’re happy to place you in a private property, then they pay the deposit and you’ll be moved up a band on the bidding list. Remember that your banding will immediately become higher once in emergency/temporary accommodation anyway because you’ll no longer be adequately housed.

Again, depending on your area it may be best to stay in temp accommodation until you successfully secure a social housing property. Where I am in SW London, it’s about a 7-10 year wait. Where my friend is in Leeds, it’s a 12 month wait. I’ve been through a similar situation so feel free to PM for any advice. Shelter will be helpful also

😘😍😅😁