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Lone parents

Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

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Original poster

Band d social housing help

30 replies

november90 · 03/07/2021 03:39

Hi all, just after advice about being out in band d social housing?
My application is still in process but on my online form it says in my band d and after a quick google search that seems to suggest I cannot bid for housing and unlikely to get a house?
I don't know much about the process so I'm a bit confused!
Feeling a bit disheartened really. I'm a single mum to 2 boys age 1 and 4 and currently living in my mum and dads house. There's 5 people in this house who need a bedroom but the house is a 3 bed and my mum, bless her, sleeps on the sofa so my eldest son can have his own room (I have very much told her not to do this but she will not take no for an answer!!!!). I had thought that I may finally have found a way to be secure in my own home by putting this application in but now feeling a bit hopeless :(

OP posts:

Rainbowqueeen · 03/07/2021 03:47

Biggest issue is where you live. At a guess you will want to stay in the area so that will restrict you sorry.

Shelter is a charity set up to advise on housing rights. I would have a chat with them as a first step

Rtmhwales · 03/07/2021 03:51

5 people in a 3 bedroom? Can it not be your parents in one room, the children in another, you in third? Or baby in with you and your son in his own room? It might be quite a while before you get housing as you aren't technically homeless.

CiaoForNiao · 03/07/2021 04:01

5 people in. 3 bed won't be classed as over crowded, and you aren't homeless hence the low band.
Your parents could make you homeless. AFAIK a letter informing you of a date you have to leave by is what you have to show the council. But they might then house you in temporary accommodation, which could be a B&B. It depends how much housing there is in your area.

Have you looked into the deposit guys scheme if it exists in your area (or at all these days). That way you can private rent. That's how I got my house.

Good luck.

Original poster

november90 · 03/07/2021 05:45

@Rtmhwales my mum likes to have her own room for her own health reasons, gotta respect that, it's her house! My 1 year old currently shares a room with me.
So does band d basically mean I'm not eligible?
I guess I'll have to private rent :(

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Original poster

november90 · 03/07/2021 05:51

Thanks for all the replies everyone.
My mum and dad would never write. A letter asking me to leave. They would have me here for the rest of my life but I'm starting to feel claustrophobic and I just feel it's impacting their grandparent relationship with my boys so it's getting time to move on.
I work PT and I'm on UC and I don't have the best credit rating so I just fear that private renting will be very difficult for me :(

OP posts:

PumpkinKlNG · 03/07/2021 13:03

5 people in a 3 bed house wouldn’t be overcrowded where I am! It’s 8 to a 3 bed for overcrowding so depends where you live

Original poster

november90 · 09/07/2021 18:57

Hi all so it was confirmed today I've been out into band c... I'm hoping this may be more promising for me! The reason noted for band c was because I'm working and have worked in the area for over 3 years!

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osbertthesyrianhamster · 09/07/2021 19:01

Really going to depend on where you live. Even Band C might not count for much if you live in some places, but in some areas 2-bed flats are easier to source.

PumpkinKlNG · 10/07/2021 16:47

Yes definitely depends where you live as my council only do a b and c and band c is no priority in my area and 10 year minimum wait. Either way good luck

Orf1abc · 10/07/2021 16:54

The only thing Band C would get you in my area is a flat in a pretty unpleasant block. Ask the council for an estimate of how long you might be waiting.

(The local connection points are basically to stop people applying for accommodation in more desirable areas outside their own. It's usually that you've lived or worked there for a certain number of years. You're not getting points for working, but because you have a need to be there.)

Original poster

november90 · 10/07/2021 18:31

Oh goodness it's not sounding promising :(
I find this whole situation stressful because the more and more people I talk to all o seem to hear is how difficult it's going to be for me as letting agency's and private landlords a are often hostile towards single mums on UC. I've heard this from SO many different people... :( I think it's about finding someone who will have me instead of finding the place I want seemingly 😢

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Original poster

november90 · 10/07/2021 18:31

Appreciate the replies though guys ☺️

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princesslarmadrama · 10/07/2021 18:32

What area are you in OP? Ask your parents to write that letter.

MaxwellsChocolate · 10/07/2021 18:35

Just look for a letting agency that accepts benefits and guarantors. They do exist.

SpnBaby1967 · 10/07/2021 18:41

I work in social housing and being a band c your chances are extremely low, not impossible but extremely low.

Our average wait time for a 2 bed house (which is all you'd qualify for is around 8 years. You have to remember most councils have around 20,000 people on their waiting lists and each week on average get maybe 20 vacancies and most will be the high turnover properties so benefits and 1 bed flats.

Some councils will help with rent deposits, and you may get a UC allowance for housing for private rented. But of course no tenancy security.

bebarkered · 10/07/2021 18:49

I thought if you are sofa surfing you are homeless?

Original poster

november90 · 10/07/2021 19:09

I'm in Lancashire!
I rang up the council as I was really dishearteebrhw other day and they seemed quite positive but maybe they just wanted to get me off the phone!
Perhaps I just need to ring up and ask more realistic questions on Monday and then maybe speak to citizens advice!

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PumpkinKlNG · 10/07/2021 19:12

You should be able to find out on their website the average waiting times

SpnBaby1967 · 10/07/2021 19:20

@bebarkered

I thought if you are sofa surfing you are homeless?

A lot depends on if you're homeless or intentionally homeless. If you're the latter, the council wont help you.

bebarkered · 10/07/2021 19:25

Thank you SpnBaby

Original poster

november90 · 10/07/2021 19:47

@PumpkinKlNG I've had a look on the website and I can't seem to find anything... but I have found plenty of other councils giving time frames on their websites 🙈

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PumpkinKlNG · 10/07/2021 19:53

On my councils website there is a “home results” section where they publish the weekly successful bids so from there you can see how long someone waited and what band and what they were awarded to get a rough idea of how long you will be waiting. Certain bands have general wAiting times like for a 2 bed house in my area on band c would be roughly 10 years

fantastaballs · 10/07/2021 20:02

Op, don't be disheartened. I'm in Lancashire and we seem to have quite a high turn over and shorter waiting lists than LOTS of other areas, especially down south. My brother in law waited 7 months for a 2 bed flat and his kids don't even live with him. He was band b. My sister was in band c and despite only needing a 2 bed a house came up in "dodgy" area and they let it go to two bed applicants. She got it (only bidder) and 8 years on she says is the best thing she ever did. The area doesn't deserve the reputation at all and her house is actually done up lovely now. She was in band c!

I would get the letter from your mum and dad. It will help to up your points C and get you moved quicker. If your mum had health issues sleeping on the couch won't be helping her.

inmyslippers · 12/07/2021 19:19

It all depends on area op. I'm in Preston, band d and could get a 2 bed straight away. However, I was very fussy only going for properties in nice areas with a garden. Waited a year and got a lovely new build
In an area I could never afford to private rent or buy.

Original poster

november90 · 12/07/2021 21:25

Thanks for the replies everyone :)
I'm in the Lancaster area... I read an article in 2020 saying 2000 people waiting for for housing at the minute.... but when looking at the bids it's doesn't seem a massive number bidding in band C 🤷🏼‍♀️
I suppose I just need to try and keep positive! There are some new builds not too far away from my parents currently so fingers crossed the council might buy some of those 😬

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