EDINBURGH question...

[Janos]

Currently in a privately let flat, being evicted along with my wee boy.

Panicking a bit because I'm not sure what to do next.

I seem to remember some folk on here have Housing Association/Council flats in Edinburgh. How difficult are they to get hold of?

I don't have any contact details for you, but if you're going to be made homeless you need to get on the phone to your local council. They will have a homeless officer who will be able to advise you what to do next.

Don't panic, but don't put things off either, so that the wheels can be set in motion for you to be rehoused with your son.

It might be worth going to the Citizens Advice Bureau, or contacting Shelter for advice too.

Good luck.

\link{http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/CEC/Structure/Web/Housing/Housing.html\this looks like it could be agood place to start}

Thank you charliecat (love your username BTW!)

I've started looking at that stuff but unfortunately everything is shut down for the Easter weekend (I've tried). Great timing from my landlord eh?

Council flats - easyish, housing association - much harder.

If you are getting evicted you should be able to get temporary accomodation, once in there you will be put on the list for council/housing association. there is a website called scotsman.keytochoice.com (I think) and every two weeks you apply for 3 flats, the longer you apply for the higher up the list you get... it took me about 6 months to be offered a flat but I was picky - not about to be evicted!!

Housing associations will get in touch with you if they have something but that takes a LONG time as they are far better than council!

I am still waiting but luckily I rent privately at the moment...

I hope this is some help and good luck!

Landlords eh? Grrrr.

Of course if you can get somewhere privately your HB will pay for that. Just a matter of finding some one decent and open minded enough to take you...

Don't even start me on that. I want to move somewhere bigger but I can't face being treated like 2nd class citizen.

Last one I promise, here is the the website I mentioned... \link{http://keytochoice.scotsman.com/\council housing}

council has VERY slim pickings, even for the homeless. they'll offer you their direst first and then thei second direst next and you'll either have to take it or lose your silver star - gold stars are only for those who have become physically disabled or other extreme circumstances (one ex., a lady whose husband stabbed her in an argument)

if your income is £1600+/month you can get a market value HA flat and then re-apply for HB.

My income is just over £1600 expat so that sounds manageable. Are the market rent HA's easier to come by?

yes, b/c you're paying full whack for the rent. about £500/month for a two-bed. unfurnished, though.

deposit about £600, but that's the going rate, anyhow. plus you get an assured tenancy, which means they won't sell up and turf you out. and they don't discriminate b/c you have kids.

That sounds just about do-able. Thanks for the advice.

i know edinvar does them. canmore/dunedin might as well.

you just re-apply for HB once you move in. takes them about 3 weeks to process for non-council tenants.