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Original poster

Council House Help! Shortlisted

15 replies

Alexis03 · 23/07/2021 10:46

Hi! This is not only my first time posting on Mumsnet but my first time having to ask the council for help.

Brief overview:
I was with my children's father for 8 years. I have two children, a two year old & a 6 year old. I fled their father due to domestic abuse. He would mentally torture me but also he'd bust my eye socket, broke my nose & bust my lips on multiple occasions. So he was physically abusive. I only stayed with him because our house was mortgaged in his name. The cars were in his name. Everything was and how stupid was I not to see what he was doing.
Long story short, I ran for the hills when he one night started on my daughter. I just got some basics and fled.

I am staying at my parents house. They are foster careers, there are 9 people in this house. A 10 month old, 2 two year olds and a 6 year old. 5 adults. It's ridiculous and myself and my children are sleeping on the dining room floor.

They recently said I only had a few days before I needed to find somewhere else. It's just too much here for everyone. I rang the council, they gave me a homeless relief duty. The council fast tracked my application so I could start bidding on houses.

I was recently shortlisted. A lady came round and did a pre tenancy assessment. She said I was in the shortlist with 2 others.

Has anyone any experience with what will happen next? They said when she came here, they would hopefully contact me by the end of the week if I had been successful. That was Tuesday. It's only Thursday evening but I am absolutely loosing my mind. I suffer with anxiety and reoccurring depression at the best of times. I am the highest dose of Sertraline and honestly, being here with the kids is pushing me over the edge. I have no where to escape to. No money. I am just so desperate to find out if I was lucky enough to get a house. The rental market is absolutely crazy since the last lockdown. Every estate agent I've spoken to have said they are putting properties online, the next day they have had 60 applications. It's just I don't stand a chance.

Anyone with council house experience, please please PLEASE for my own sanity, tell me your experience.

Thank you xx

OP posts:
PumpkinKlNG · 23/07/2021 11:07

Yes I was second for my council house and I went to few it with another family but they declined it and I ended up getting it. I’m taking it you are number 3? As then usually it’s the first two that get to view (where I am anyway) so if that’s the case they would both need to decline it

Original poster
Alexis03 · 23/07/2021 11:43

She wouldn't tell me we're I had placed. She just said I was in the top 3. She came to the house and it felt very positive. She was talking me through the agency that would help me with the tenancy etc. She did say I'd hear back by the end of the week hopefully. Obviously it's Friday lunch time now, no post and no phone call so its not looking too great.

How did they contact you? Thanks

OP posts:
Wegobshite · 23/07/2021 12:44

Is it council property where the council is your landlord or a property that’s privately let to the council by a private landlord -
There is big difference as the rent will probably be higher and while you get a secure tenancy it’s not the same as having a council / Housing association property

Only asking as you mentioned an agency
My niece was 8 on the list for a council house but she needed a level access bathroom . She already had a council flat but was struggling as no lift in the building .
None of the people who were in front of her had a medical need for this so she got the house due to her medical need for a level access bathroom

HirplesWithHaggis · 23/07/2021 12:57

My ds and his dp were recently allocated a council house because of overcrowding, not as severe as yours. It took about six months from the overcrowding starting (new baby) but they got the house (three bed end terrace, huge garden!) a couple of months ago. They were in the top 3 for one area, top 5 in another couple. If they'd only needed a two bed, rehousing would have been faster.

But I have pointed out to them that they have been incredibly lucky, not every council considers a baby to need space til they're about two, and in eg London they'd have been lucky to get a one bed flat.

HirplesWithHaggis · 23/07/2021 13:49

I should also add that they were not under threat of eviction, and there was some delay in processing their application because the council lost paperwork/covid - your council may not take that long, and your situation is an emergency.

PerciphonePuma · 23/07/2021 14:30

@HirplesWithHaggis

I should also add that they were not under threat of eviction, and there was some delay in processing their application because the council lost paperwork/covid - your council may not take that long, and your situation is an emergency.
That's incredible.... Where I live, women with children are waiting 10+ years for anything!

It took 19 years for me to get somewhere. I only have a 6yr old but I've been disabled since my teens.

Men without children were & are told not to bother.

HirplesWithHaggis · 23/07/2021 14:41

I know! I've read so many horror stories. But we're in a rural-ish area in Scotland, with pretty good council housing. Ds had a pal who left home at 18 and got a one-bed (in a seriously shit block of flats). They know how lucky they are compared to others.

MrsTxx · 23/07/2021 14:48

Hi chick, so sorry to hear what you’re going through. I am currently in social housing and I’m in the north east of England if this helps. I was in a over crowding situation at my grandparents due to very random circumstances. I did my bidding online and was offered a house when I was 3rd in the queue. I did a financial assessment with them (affordability) and if I had local ties to the area (work, family, friends). I did get a phone call to offer us the house, and then signed tenancy etc in person at the house on the first visit (2018 so pre COVID, not sure what happens now). I really really hope you get offered the house, it’s nice and you and your family can heal and move forwards x

MrsTxx · 23/07/2021 14:52

Also sorry to pry, but you mentioned you didn’t have any money. Have you looked at any benefits calculators online to see if your entitled to anything? You could be missing out on funds to support you and children x

PumpkinKlNG · 23/07/2021 17:26

the council wrote to me offering me a viewing, I hadn’t actually bid on the property and it was never up for listing but my council do state they can make you direct offers, which is what it was but I was in a 3rd flat with 3 kids so wasn’t going to refuse finally having a garden! We had been on priority banding for 3 years at the time (London)

Original poster
Alexis03 · 23/07/2021 19:07

@MrsTxx

Also sorry to pry, but you mentioned you didn’t have any money. Have you looked at any benefits calculators online to see if your entitled to anything? You could be missing out on funds to support you and children x
I have applied for benefits, Universal Credit. I will get my first payment in about a week x
OP posts:
Original poster
Alexis03 · 23/07/2021 19:12

@PumpkinKlNG

the council wrote to me offering me a viewing, I hadn’t actually bid on the property and it was never up for listing but my council do state they can make you direct offers, which is what it was but I was in a 3rd flat with 3 kids so wasn’t going to refuse finally having a garden! We had been on priority banding for 3 years at the time (London)
I had no idea this could be a possibility! We really are desperate, it's about to get even harder with it being the children's summer holidays. I don't know how I am going to do this. I am struggling as is. How long after your pre tenancy interview did you get offer a property? She was here Tuesday and nothing today. She had said it's most likely I would hear if I had been successful by Friday. They don't call you if your unsuccessful. I know I'm maybe being impatient but I feel like it's cruel they don't let you know if you didn't get it! I'm sat by my phone every bit of the day. This is torture. I am going to have to go into temporary accommodation in the next couple of days I think. There is too much pressure x
OP posts:
PerciphonePuma · 23/07/2021 21:12

@Alexis03 😕💕

Sorry if you've already said, but what part of the country are you in? Just wondering if you're near me x

Original poster
Alexis03 · 24/07/2021 06:20

[quote PerciphonePuma]@Alexis03 😕💕

Sorry if you've already said, but what part of the country are you in? Just wondering if you're near me x[/quote]
I am in West Yorkshire, Wakefield x

OP posts:
Anon2289 · 20/02/2023 14:45

Hi does anyone know what it means to be in the top of your band ? I'm in band 2 and my housing officer said I'm top of my band does this I may be offerd a property? Thank you

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