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Original poster

Council house

24 replies

Bambi99 · 20/08/2018 00:02

I am planning on leaving my emotionally abusive partner. We have a dd 5 and ds 3. My ds has disabilities would we be likely to get a council house? I am unsure if we could afford private rent in my area they are around 800-900pcm. If I was also likely how long would I be looking at, I just want to know if this is realistic and figure out where we wud stay in the mean time :s

OP posts:

AjasLipstick · 20/08/2018 00:14

You need to speak to your local council to get put on the list but if you're still in the house you share with your partner, then you are in their opinion safely housed unless you get evicted.

I know that's wrong but they're under huge pressure and there is a countrywide shortage of council housing.

Lots of people who are on the list and homeless are given temporary accommodation in bed and breakfast houses....a room or two for a parent with children is common.

Can you not ask your partner to leave? Are you currently renting or is the house owned?

I also advise you to speak to Womens Aid today....Women's Aid is a charity for women in abusive situations.

Also SHELTER....they're a housing charity who advise.

Call Women's Aid first.x

Feltcushion · 20/08/2018 01:13

It depends where in the country you live?

there are thresholds for housing benefit for private rental-are you working?

GreenTulips · 20/08/2018 01:17

Some councils are 10 years plus other are 6 months -

Speak to them and get in the list, inform them if you situation changes.

You may get lucky, but won't you get housing benifit anyway?

19lottie82 · 20/08/2018 12:56

You sound like you would definitely be eligible for social housing, but no one can advise how long it would take you to get one, it depends what the waiting lists are like in your area (and if you want to remain in that area). You would need to speak to your local housing team.

AjasLipstick · 21/08/2018 02:37

She's not eligible whilst she's housed Lottie. She needs to leave and then she'll be eligible but she will need to prove that she hasn't made herself intentionally homeless....which Women's Aid can help with.

19lottie82 · 21/08/2018 13:42

Ajas I would say she is as she’s in an abusive relationship, and has children, but I suppose it could vary from area to area.

SingaSong12 · 21/08/2018 19:23

As PP say there is no specific timeframe. Here is some information from Shelter. Depending on your finances you may qualify for legal aid advice from a family solicitor if you have evidence of the abuse. Examples could be a letter from doctor - see the government link below. They may talk to you about options where the abuser is excluded, or other orders you might need such as injunctions.

england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/homelessness/your_situation/domestic_abuse

www.gov.uk/legal-aid/domestic-abuse-or-violence

AjasLipstick · 21/08/2018 23:12

Lottie you'd imagine so wouldn';t you but unfortunately, councils see people who are in housing as "housed" no matter what state their relationship is in. I think OP has to leave and prove she had to leave. Or get her partner removed from their current home.

Original poster

Bambi99 · 22/08/2018 08:45

Thank u for your help. We have a mortgage together and there is no way he would leave. He would also be vile taking the kids away all weekend me not knowing where they are playing nasty games. I wud go stay with family when the time comes to tell him. All my money is wrapped up in the house and I have no access to the household money he likes to control all that. I'm just worried as he will be able to provide the kids with suitable housing and I won't, he cud get more custody then x

OP posts:

AjasLipstick · 22/08/2018 08:47

You need legal advice OP. He has no choice to leave or not if you want to sell.

You can force the sale of the house or he has to buy you out. That's it.

Call Women's Aid today. They';ve seen and heard it all and will know how to help you/

19lottie82 · 22/08/2018 09:47

Ajas while the above is true, it will be no means simple if he does not want to sell / leave. Forcing a sale can be VERY expensive in regards to legal fees and take years.

OP, in regards to the mortgage, if he was to leave, is your income sufficient that you could take on a new mortgage in your name only?

Do you have a family member who he has a good relationship with that could maybe act as a mediator?

SingaSong12 · 22/08/2018 22:11

If you do not have access to money, even if you in theory own them you would financially be able to get legal aid. Emotional abuse is abuse and if you have no access to money that can be financial abuse - please get help from a solicitor to at least find out the options. I know it will be hard.

There are others on MN who can speak from personal experience. All I can do is encourage you to look for help. The following link will allow you to search for local solicitors, use extra options to specify that they do legal aid work

solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk

motheroreily · 22/08/2018 22:21

I left my husband. He was emotionally abusive but hadn't been physically abusive for 2 years.

I moved out but the local council told me i wasnt entitled to housing as i had a mortgage and owned property and physical abuse hadn't happened recently.

I had to privately rent. I couldn't get housing benefit but got tax credits. Was very difficult financially and got into debt. But have now sold the property we owned and am buying on my own.

Sorry That's not helpful. Get as much advice as you can from women's aid and local housing office

Babyroobs · 22/08/2018 22:23

As others have said you need legal advice. If you have equity tied up in the house then you will be entitled to half of that and whilst you might get housing benefit to rent somewhere for a while they will expect the house to be sold. They will not pay housing benefit indefinitely when you have a property to be sold.

AjasLipstick · 22/08/2018 23:11

Lottie I never said it would be simple.

19lottie82 · 23/08/2018 09:22

Ajas your post could easily give that impression. It certainly doesn’t state who timely, stressful and potentially expensive forcing a sale is likely to be).

Why the ? My post was a valid one.

AjasLipstick · 23/08/2018 09:44

Lottie We don't all have time to post detailed responses here. I was simply outlining facts. Not that I have to justify myself to you. was because you keep taking my posts apart.

poodle12345 · 23/08/2018 10:05

Please don't just leave without sorting this out first.

I fled my council home I shared with my abusive ex and went to live with my mum, three children in tow.

When I went to the council and asked to be rehoused, they asked for proof of DV. Unfortunately I never reported the incident to the police as I was too scared back then. Had I have done that, they could have evicted my ex and rehoused him in a bedsit and I would have been able to go back to my home with the children.

As it stood, to them it was all hearsay and without solid police documented evidence, in their eyes I had voluntarily left my home.

I was dealing with women's aid at the time but it wasn't enough.

Just be careful how you do this, but please do make plans to leave you abusive partner.

Wishing you all the best.

poodle12345 · 23/08/2018 10:07

Sorry- I've just seen you have a mortgage together!

TheQueef · 23/08/2018 10:28

Ring Woman's aid. That's the one call that will give you any realistic answers.

No one can answer about social housing (in my area you would be housed immediately as they have vacant) you need to know your LHA local authority housing allowance, how much they will pay for private lets.
Shelter can tell you if you qualify for their help.

19lottie82 · 23/08/2018 10:31

Ajas I’m a bit bemused to what your problem is And why you think I’m “taking your posts apart”. I just pointed out that forcing a house sale isn’t a simple matter at all, which you didn’t mention and IMO is important to note. It’s a discussion board and I am discussing.

Relax.

AjasLipstick · 23/08/2018 12:13

Don't patronise me Lottie you just make yourself look silly.

You might want to relax but I already am...I'm just fine thank you.

19lottie82 · 23/08/2018 14:13

I’m not patronising you. I’m just pointing out that I am discussing and it’s a discussion forum. I don’t see what’s silly about that or why you have taken offence.
Honestly....... I’m seriously baffled!

MingeUterusMingeMingeYoni · 27/08/2018 09:23

Social housing allocations vary so much across the UK that it's completely pointless anyone speculating about how long you might wait. There are some areas where you can be the most deserving candidate there's ever been, but they just don't have a property suitable for your needs. There are other areas where it's easy to get something. Then lots in the middle.

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