Social Housing advice please!!.....

[Daisycat22]

Hi,

Just wanted some advice on my situation really. I lived in a privately rented property with my son up until August last year. I had a major breakdown (mentally) and left my job, house and gave all my furniture away.

I ended up staying at my mums. She owns a 2 bed flat, so I have no bedroom and have to sleep in the lounge.

Anyway I am seeing a therapist and being re-referred to CMHT as my original diagnosis was depression but my therapist thinks I have bi-polar disorder (hence the referral).

So, because of the overcrowding and my erratic moods/behaviour my mum has had enough and wants me out.

I just wanted to know if I go to my local council and declare my self threatened with homlessness will they find me intentionally homeless because I left my property?........(even though it wasn't intentional as I was very unwell).

Just wondered if anyone had been in this situation or worked in housing and knows how it all works.

I would think that if you have lived at your Mum's for over 6 months, that would be considered your permanent address (as long as you can prove that it is your permanent address - they'll probably want to see what address your bank statements etc., are sent to).

For you to be made homeless, your Mother would have to evict you. It may be enough for her to write a letter stating that you are no longer welcome. The council may insist that you are formally evicted through the courts.

The other thing to look at is whether the house you are living in is overcrowded legally. LAs look at all habitable areas of a house. Lounges, dining rooms and even kitchens, if they are big enough, are deemed suitable for use as a 'bedroom'. So, you would need to look at how many people were in the flat, and how many 'bedrooms' (using LA definitions) the flat has.

In my experience (have worked both as a legal advice worker running reviews against negative decisions and now work for the council) MrsM is right. You can present as h

In my experience (have worked both as a legal advice worker running reviews against negative decisions and now work for the council) MrsM is right. You can present as homeless if your mum puts in writing that you have to leave and you should get supporting evidence around why you left your last flat, letter from GP and MH services once you are engaged.

Good luck working through it all

ring these for advice
ring your CAB
ring your local housing department
go to your housing options team
here is a link to some 'mind' information there is a phone number too

the situation is that the need is such for council housing that they will probably point you int he direction of a private landlord or they might have a private landlord scheme running.

they may well have a deposit scheme to help you get housed - ASK FOR THIS - it isn't advertised, if they have one at all.

Thank you all so much for your wise words.

I will get something in writing from my mum and take all my medical reports etc to the local housing department and see what happens. Fingers crossed!!

Just to update.

Went to the housing department and they took a statement of my housing and personal history.

I had a letter from my therapist detailing my conditions and the lady said they will do a home visit (this week) and my mum has to be here.

I asked her what this will entail but she just said it was to clarify that I actually lived there!......does anyone know what to expect at the home visit?