what is the different between a "Council" and "Housing Association" Houses/flats?

[biglips]

as its for my mum and i dont know whats the different is

Housing associations are nothing to do with the council, but are run in a similar way. Seperate organisations, but just like council housing - sometimes a little nicer, and sometimes they use the council to do the dirty work for them (finding tenants etc)

flats or apartments? houses or mews?

A housing association is a registered social landlord who offers a percentage (or all) of its housing stock at lower (government subsidised) rates of rental OR accepts housing benefit from tenants. 'Council' is local authority housing.

In many places, 'council' is no longer the owner or landlord for any socialised housing, and has transferred all its housing stock to a housing association (usually in return for the Treasury writing off its housing debts).

so which one is more "looked after" ?

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HA properties are generally nicer IMO and more looked after.

It really depends on the HA. Some do more than others - some do more than the council, some less. Sorry, not the answer you want, probably.

depends on the particular council or housing association really. I think generally though, HA is preferable. Seem to be nicer places.

Really depends on the area you are in though.

I think you are more likely to get a new/recently built place with a HA.

True, it does depend on the HA. In some areas where there's a large concentration of council or former council housing, a majority of the homes are now privately-owned and may or may not be better maintained.

so can she put her name down on for both and which one she likes best? (as ive never done it before, ive only lived in a private flat)

In our area you can't put your name down for HA directly. You have to apply for council housing, and say on the form that you are happy to go to HA accomodation too. Our housing situation is pretty dire here though, all our general HA lists are closed except for sheltered housing.

Oh, and here you will only get offered one property, which might be council or HA - there is no choice. If you refuse the property you won't get offered another one for at least a year!

What area is your Mum looking in?

In my area, HA properties tend to be in better areas which look better maintained than their council counterparts.

in her mums area as its close to her work than from here but maybe in my area too (can she apply in both councils/HA?)

when she apply for one, does she have a ticklist form of what she is looking for?

bump

She will be able to tick which areas she wants, unless its emergency accomadtion and then she will have to take whats shes given.
If she has disabilitiys they will try and place her in a lower ground flat/bungalow etc, but you need evidence to back this stuff up.
1 person on thier own is entiteld to a bedsit/flat. Do you know the name of the HA? They may have a website with all this info.

Yes. Most apps I've seen have a ticklist or you check what requirements you have - for example, if you have a physical disability and need a flat/house all on one level w/lift or no stairs, if you have kids and need more than one bedroom, adaptions for physical disabilities like wider doorways, worktops that can take a wheelchair under them, etc.

But tbh in most areas there is such a huge wait list and need for affordable housing to rent that choice can be somewhat limited.

And as another member pointed out, there are rules governing how many times you can refuse an offer of accommodation until you lose priority.

In our local paper there was a Q+A about H/A housing.
Situation 1 was a man who was splitting up with his wife leaving her in the house with the kids. He wasnt entitled to be on the H/A list.
Sitution 2 was a 16 year old arguing with her mum. There was LOADS of servives and support for her...Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Interesting, charliecat. Single men seem to be at the lowest priority for housing. Over-crowded, low-income families aren't too high up the totem pole, either.

round here too HA properties are a lot newer and nicer. the rent i think, is more expensive than a council property. you cant apply for one here either, you have to be "nominated" by the council...though how that works i wouldnt have a clue.