Anyone been refused a council house?

[zoflirter]

This was the most suitable board, sorry if I'm wrong to post this here.

My landlord recently served us a section 21 with two months notice. This was at the four month mark in to a six month lease that was supposed to become long-term.

Our neighbours have been a nightmare and, being friends with the landlord he has believed all sorts of complaints about my daughter (13) and I.

We fled DV to move here so moving again is a huge upheaval.

Anyway, it's at the stage now where we are presenting as homeless (although not actually homeless until 20th November). The council have agreed we are homeless but say they need to do all kinds of "investigations" before offering us a council property.

Everything is in order apart from the reference from the landlord which is still outstanding.

I'm at my wits end wit bc worry that they won't house us if this reference comes back bad. They've said amongst other things that I'm working as a prostitute (?!) and that I have visitors all hours of the day and night. This year has been a living hell and now I'm terrified we'll be homeless.

Wondering if anyone knows how all this works? Do they regularly turn people away?

I'm unemployed (signed off with trauma/PTSD) and under psychiatric care post DV if that makes any difference

The investigations are financial and to do with how you've payed rent etc. Do not worry about the complaints. If you can, get someone else of standing (teacher, nurses or similar) to write you a character reference and also write down a one page summary of the Landlord and next door neighbour's behaviour. Keep it calm sounding and factual.

How is the housing situation in your area? Is there a shortage of council housing? If there's only two of you, you should be prepared to be put in temporary accommodation or at best, a 2 bed flat.

I can't give advice because I have not been in your situation but you sound unbelievably brave and I hope you get a place to live.

I don't think you should be overly concerned about the potential references. They will be looking into your eligibility, priority need etc. And how you will be able to pay the rent on temporary accommodation.

They may encourage you to find private rented accommodation to suit your budget, and help you out with a deposit, first months rent & generally act as a guarantor.

Where I live you wouldn't be put into a 'council house' as the waiting list is years & years long. Though you could join the housing register with homelessness points (200 I think). I'm sure the waiting list depends on area.

Temporary accommodation is often awful. Private rented, though less secure, could be a better option as you'd at least have a say in where it is / what it's like. Good luck.

Thanks very much for replying all of you. I don't know how long the waiting list is... I've been kind of scared to ask. But I probably should.

I can definitely afford the rent on a council place... tho private is crippling me. It's £825 maximum housing allowance here but rent is between £950 & 1200.

Trying to stay positive x

I will definitely use that idea of a reference. Thanks for that. I have a teacher friend and a health visitor friend. Our social worker has already written me a reference.

Have you joined the housing register? If you've done a homelessness application that's different to a housing register application (here anyway).

There you go...they can't use them in relation to the actual let but they WILL show you're a reasonable person making every effort to show them that. What about your last landlord? Did you rent previously?

Oh and feel free to share your summary of the situation with landlord and neighbour too...you can leave out identifying information. I'm a copywriter and would be happy to read it over and edit it if needed.

A few years ago my LL gave me notice but I couldn't find another property to rent so I told her I couldn't move out.
She evicted me as that was the only way she could get me to leave, but it was fairly amicable, so I took the court papers to the council and they put me and my 13-year-old daughter into temporary accommodation where we stayed for three weeks before being offered a housing association flat.
Of course, it may not be that easy these days, but might be worth you staying put so you get evicted and then you'll be homeless and eligible for a council place.

Thanks you so much all and especially BHNW for the offer of proof reading.

That's kind of my only plan at the moment Wheeley so I'm please to hear it worked for you! Even if I have to go in to temporary accommodation for weeks or even months, I just want to be settled eventually. She's been through so much bless her heart.

It also worked for me OP. About 8 years ago DH had been made redundant and I was on stat maternity...basically we were poor. Then our landlord decided to sell...GREAT timing.

We could not afford a deposit...knew we would not get ours back until after moving out...so we went to the council who made us stay put till' court papers came.

Then we got a council flat. We left just a year later and came to live in Australia...but it's horrendous I know. You feel insecure...but it will pass.

My prob is I suffer from insomnia and sleep very little sometimes 1hour perhaps 2 hours. We applied to local councils for a 2bedroom house (we are in a 2bedroom flat at the moment) . We don't receive any benefits of any kind. Therefore we pay all rent council tax. A house would help cos when not asleep I can go downstairs enabling my hubby to have sleep. We both have illnesses. They said NO it isn't fair. Anyone else know nxt Mary ve availabilit???

Hi, you may be able to get medical points due to trauma and PTSD. Do you see a counsellor at all? A GP letter will also help your case. I wish you all the best x

Hi the local authority will speak to your landlord to find out why a notice was served. And they should then discuss this with you. They may try negotiate with your landlord for you to stay, they may ask for evidence of any anti social behaviour... They have a duty to try and prevent your homelessness and if they can't they may need to help you find alternative. This is likely to be private rented. If your refuse they will discharge their duties.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in may .had my operation in july
I have been living in a motorhome for a few years .I went to the council about housing due to my circumstances. But they are trying to say I made myself homeless intentionally. But it was doctor who mentioned it and also wrote a letter.

In case you aren't aware, DO NOT move out until you are evicted! If you move out beforehand the council will not re-home you.

When was your notice served? It might take months to evict you, so although it'll be a stressful time, you'll probably be in your current place for a while yet.

Not sure if my second comment posted? In case not here is again..

Are you sure your S21 is valid? As many times they aren't. Reasons like your LL not putting your deposit in a scheme, or not giving all the right docs when sign the contract can invalidate it.

checklist here - england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/eviction/section_21_eviction/how_to_check_a_section_21_notice_is_valid

If it is not valid you will be able to stay where you are for a while, until the LL sorts everything out.

Temporary accommodation is often awful. Private rented, though less secure, could be a better option as you'd at least have a say in where it is / what it's like. Good luck.

Not a very helpful comment, OP it depends on where you are and if you are willing to move area. Not easy I know if you have a child and medical support.

A number of my neighbours moved from London (I'm in Wolverhampton), they were basically given an offer of stay put in a flat or move to a house with at least the same number of bedrooms. The council houses by me have huge gardens so were popular with Londoners with children.

A friend got a council flat in a week.

Don't be scared to ask about waiting lists and also have a look at housing associations. Some HA's use the council waiting list some have other criteria so I was way down the council waiting list but because I have mobility issues and a HA had just built some bungalows I was able to apply directly.

The only person I know who was refused sas someone who would not let their london flat go. How she shought the council would let her have a house while she sat on a property London I can't work out, or how she thought she would get two lots of housing benefit.