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Original poster

Need help for council house issue!

22 replies

cumumt6 · 08/02/2022 13:51

Hi! I'm a single mum living with my 3 yr old son. I have just broken up with my alcoholic boyfriend and moved out of the flat we shared. I am in between jobs. I am now living with my aunt with my son, but I cannot live here any longer. I have some savings but they cannot support us for years. I am thinking about applying to the council house. I have no idea how long it will take since many people tell me it's hard to make it. How long do I have to wait generally before I get one? What kind of council houses can I apply for? What are other difficulties I may encounter when I'm on the waiting list? Or who can I ask for help? Thank you all for your help! I really appreciate you guys.

OP posts:

gamerchick · 08/02/2022 13:53

How long you will wait depends on what area you're looking in. Not all waiting lists are the same.

RedCandyApple · 08/02/2022 13:56

No one can really tell you as everywhere is different, It depends where you live.

bigbeatmanifesto · 08/02/2022 13:57

Based on recent experience,
From application date to approval can be upto 28 days then your allocated a priority banding. In my area it's from A-E with A being highest priority.
Your then allowed to bid on houses and based on your priority you'll be in a queue if your bid is accepted it can take 28 days to move in pending possible renovations.
It can be anywhere between 2-3 months & a year before you get a house.
If your being evicted, being made homeless or in a situation where you need emergency housing you can be put in a hostel, flat or shelter until you are able to move in to a suitable property.
Good luck.

AwkwardPaws27 · 08/02/2022 13:57

It all depends on your local borough and what provision you have. In London you'll probably have a long period in temporary accommodation.
Your aunt will need to write a letter or something to say you cannot stay and have to leave by whatever date, to show you are in need of housing.
Are you on the tenancy of the flat you moved out of?
Have you spoken to Shelter or the CAB?

CorrBlimeyGG · 08/02/2022 14:01

It can be anywhere between 2-3 months & a year before you get a house.

Make that second figure a decade and you'll be more accurate.

Waiting lists vary considerably between areas.

Inspectorslack · 08/02/2022 14:02

I don’t live in London and it took me 10 years to get a council house!

RedCandyApple · 08/02/2022 14:02

My borough of London has a 10 year waiting list minimum and you need to live in the area 5 years before you can apply. So just goes to show how much it varies.

bigbeatmanifesto · 08/02/2022 14:09

@CorrBlimeyGG

It can be anywhere between 2-3 months & a year before you get a house.

Make that second figure a decade and you'll be more accurate.

Waiting lists vary considerably between areas.

Wow I had no idea I was basing on my area but 10 years is crazy. The housing crisis is very real.

Original poster

cumumt6 · 08/02/2022 14:11

Thank you so much for the information! You all are so sweet! I am now living in Newham and thinking about continuing living here. Any advice from the Newham area? Thanks again!

OP posts:

AwkwardPaws27 · 08/02/2022 14:13

A friend who was in a similar position with a young child managed to get a tenancy and apply for benefits until her daughter was a bit older & she could go back to work.
I think her dad may have acted as a guarantor - do you have any family who could help you with this?
Your local council may have a list of landlords who accept tenants who will be making a benefits claim to cover the rent too.

gamerchick · 08/02/2022 14:14

Is that London?

Soberfutures · 08/02/2022 14:14

Phone your council for their advice as each will have different allocation policies. Some lists will be decades. Some will only let u a 1 bed flat/bedsit so unless you speak directly to your council it is only a guess. My council currently has a 8 week backlog even to process your application to get a bidding number.
I wish you well and good for leaving an abusive relationship.

CorrBlimeyGG · 08/02/2022 14:16

Newham has far greater demand for properties than it has available. They may offer temporary accommodation or support to move outside the area. You can start the application process here:

www.newham.gov.uk/housing-homes-homelessness/apply-council-housing/2

RedCandyApple · 08/02/2022 14:17

Yes it’s London so longer wait than most places, your council will be able to tell you average waiting times for people in your area (years)

Original poster

cumumt6 · 08/02/2022 14:19

And what should I do while I am waiting for council housing (if it would take me for years)......

OP posts:

RedCandyApple · 08/02/2022 14:20

You will be put in temporary accommodation

gogohm · 08/02/2022 14:22

You need to approach your council for emergency housing help- whether ultimately you end up with a council house is unlikely in London in the short to medium but they will help you find housing now. You need to apply for universal credit unless you have substantial savings in which case you won't be eligible. Once your housing is sorted you can then return to work - at 3 the uc rules are that you get work ready, from 5 they expect you to work at least part time.

So sorry you are in this situation though, it's tough but there is help, just rarely council houses,you just need to navigate the system now. Just a word of warning, they may not offer accommodation in your borough or even London, if you are claiming ties to the area make sure you have lots of evidence as to why Newnham, a job of course is the best tie.

GingerAndTheBiscuits · 08/02/2022 14:23

Newham
Number of people on waiting list: 32,062

The average length of time a person spends on the waiting list:

Average waiting time for a 1 bedroom property is 6 years, 8 months, 3 days (01/01/2020-31/12/2020)
Average waiting time for a 2 bedroom property is 7 years, 1 month, 2 days (01/01/2020-31/12/2020)
Average waiting time for a 3 bedroom property is 9 years, 5 months, 3 day (01/01/2020-31/12/2020)

Source: www.mylondon.news/news/local-news/average-wait-council-house-each-20821054

If your aunt is about to throw you out, you can contact the council for a housing assessment. They may be able to assist you into private rented accommodation. But if you’ve only recently moved there they may direct you back to where you lived - you usually have to have a “local connection” which for some London authorities means having lived there for years, in order to get enough points to successfully bid on a property.

CorrBlimeyGG · 08/02/2022 14:24

You'll be offered temporary accommodation.

Have you had any support from Women's Aid? They may be able to offer a place in a refuge.

Bakewelltart987 · 08/02/2022 14:30

North West area took me 4 years altho I was offered one after 2 but declined it as it was a right state.

Nat6999 · 08/02/2022 14:48

Look for housing associations that let their own properties without going through the council I'm only on Band D general needs with the council for a 2 bed property but have been given priority for up to a 3 bed through the housing association.

BitcherOfBlakiven · 08/02/2022 15:21

My recent experience in the East Midlands

16 week wait for them to look at my application
10 more weeks of countless fuck ups that I had to get my MP involved in to sort out
200+ people bidding on each house, the website doesn’t tell me what position I’m in
I’m a Band A, waiting for bailiff order but now will likely end up spending fuck knows how much time in temp accommodation

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