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Original poster

Son off to start an apprenticeship and wants the both of us to move into council housing.

31 replies

User221 · 26/10/2018 20:10

It's been a tough life for my son, as a single-mother who escaped an abusive family, I feel ashamed that I wasn't able to provide for him the necessary rights that every child should have. Coming here to London in the late 90s, to this day we're living in a 1 bedroom rental flat, not even a 2 bedroom!

My son, who is turning 18 next year and will be starting an apprenticeship which would earn him £22k a year for 3 years, I've been on the council housing list for 15 years however in 2015 I was taken off because I was deemed ineligible as I was told I wasn't exercising my treaty rights as an EU citizen, despite nothing having had changed the previous checks that had be done upon me.

My son argues that if we put some effort in, I could reclaim my 15 years plus additional which would give me a great priority over others when it comes to bidding on a council property, additionally because afaik there is no limit on eligibility for council housing, my son would also hop on the list and hoping to Labour's victory in 2022, we'd be able to get a council housing for 2 bedroom.

Any advice and thoughts would be appreciated, thank you so much in advance.

OP posts:

Original poster

User221 · 26/10/2018 20:12

I don't know how to edit because I'm new but my son really went through a lot, I'm not just talking about the lack of a stable roof, it's more than that which would take a long time to list, so really any help would be great.

OP posts:

NerrSnerr · 26/10/2018 20:15

I don't understand what you mean about reclaiming the 15 years? Surely priority is about current need?

I would be very surprised if you'll get a 2 bedroomed house especially as by 2022 your son will be in his 20s and likely to want a house of his own (and possibly have a partner etc).

Notacluewhatthisis · 26/10/2018 20:18

There is several things to think about.

Such as would you even be offered a 2 bed property? Would he? He is earning money and doesn't need to live with you.

Has he had legal advice about the 15 years? Do3s he know what it will cost, how much effort will need to be put in? Really how much effort?

Banking on a Labour win is ridiculous. You can't bank on anything happening in 4 years. Nor can you assume that because Labour win, that a grown man with a job will automatically jump up in priority. He thoughts around this makes me think he hasn't thought it through or doesn't have enough life experience to understand politics, political climate, the issues around housing, how difficult it can be to fight a council and how housing works.

If you want to try and fight it, do it. But just don't expect everything to be sorry and all his plans cone to fruition so easy IF you win and/or labour win in a future election.

PrincessHairyMclary · 26/10/2018 20:19

I doubt 2 able-bodied adults will get any offers of a 2 bedroom property. They will be offered to small families /single parents with young children. Possibly if you both applied separately for 1 beds that will be in less demand (if the council even have any) then you might be offered those.

user1457017537 · 26/10/2018 20:21

It would have been easier 20 years ago when you had your son to get a Council tenancy. It’s nearly impossible now. However it depends on the area.

CubanHeels · 26/10/2018 20:22

Sorry, OP, I agree with the previous posters, and doubt you would be a priority -- I don't think your son fully understands the issues.

I don't understand the EU 'treaty rights' point?

Racecardriver · 26/10/2018 20:24

The reasoning makes no sense. At all. I don’t think hdhbderstands his the process works. I am also nuclear about how a labour government would make any difference.

PickAChew · 26/10/2018 20:31

So you think that Labour will get in and shake their fairy dust everywhere and lots of new social housing will appear overnight and you'll be at the front of the queue?

Ohapples · 26/10/2018 20:44

Could you both get a mortgage together?

ivykaty44 · 26/10/2018 20:50

I would suggest putting a joint application in for social housing, or certainly look into this being s better option. What system does your council use? Do you have to bid each week?

fuzzyduck1 · 27/10/2018 11:33

This has been in the news. Some councils have 20,000 + people on their waiting lists and lots of people waiting for emergency and temporary housing. Some people are being offered housing 100s of miles away. If he is earning, why can’t he rent a room in a shared house
, if he doesn’t want to live with you

AnonaMouse1 · 27/10/2018 11:36

Er, you don't stand a chance!!

Not in London

Are you working?

NC4Now · 27/10/2018 11:36

Alternatively, with an extra £22k coming into your household, can you now afford to rent a 2 bed privately?

Babyroobs · 27/10/2018 11:37

I thought council housing was allocated on need and not how long you have been waiting? Not sure what on earth you mean about your son being able to hop on the list ??

insancerre · 27/10/2018 11:39

With his extra income can you not now rent a 2 bedroom place?

FrazzyAndFrumpled · 27/10/2018 11:40

What I don’t understand is why you think you’re entitled to a council house at all?

insancerre · 27/10/2018 11:45

Frazzy
Anyone can apply for social housing and go on a list, doesn't mean that will.ever get a house, as other people will take priority, but why the biscuit?

Bombardier25966 · 27/10/2018 11:45

So you think that Labour will get in and shake their fairy dust everywhere and lots of new social housing will appear overnight and you'll be at the front of the queue?

This^^ Labour are committed to building social housing, but that's going to take a generation to get anywhere near the levels we need. The only immediate priority they have committed to in this respect is support for those that are homeless, which neither of you are.

(Are you actually serious OP?)

MyDcAreMarvel · 27/10/2018 11:51

I don’t understand why you didn’t get a council house in 2000/2001 was much easier then. It’s a pipe dream now , sorry.

PencilsInSpace · 27/10/2018 11:51

You might have been able to challenge the decision to remove you from the list in 2015 but you've left it way too late to challenge now. Check your council's housing allocations policy to be sure.

Unless you can show some sort of priority need you have no chance of being housed anyway, even if you were able to reclaim the 15 years.

SushiMonster · 27/10/2018 14:01

You’re living in dream land. There is no way two able bodied adults will get a 2 bed council flat in London in any kind of timeline that will be helpful to you.

VimFuego101 · 27/10/2018 14:04

Where do you live? I'd love to know what area has an abundance of council houses just waiting for you to prove your right to bid for one. Presumably when he does his apprenticeship he will be able to secure a job and rent privately.

FrazzyAndFrumpled · 27/10/2018 15:08

The biscuit is because they can obviously afford to pay their own way, yet want to rely on the Government to house them.

SilverySurfer · 27/10/2018 18:45

I assume you are both working, in which case why can't you find a private 2 bed rental? Alternatively your son moves out and finds himself a house share and you stay in the one bed flat.

You haven't a hope in hell of being on a priority list and getting a 2 bed council house in London regardless of whether you were on the list previously.

As for Labour winning the next election - it's unlikely but if the country was unfortunate enough for that to happen, I think you should know that they will do fuck all.

MyDcAreMarvel · 27/10/2018 19:38

but if the country was unfortunate enough for that to happen
I know all those disabled and poor people not being treated like scum. How terribly unfortunate.

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