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How long are council housing waits for growing families?

388 replies

99Samblaze · 30/04/2026 18:13

Hi
We moved to a one bedroom flat in Stockport a year ago. I had my son and now expecting again near Christmas. How long did people wait to get a council house of flat.
We can’t afford a two bedroom flat on the private market so having council house would help a lot.

Thank you

OP posts:
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5
SkipAd · Yesterday 19:32

MermaidofRye · Yesterday 19:21

So, is there no advantage to council housing then?

It's not any cheaper or better value in any way? The Op even said she wanted it as having it would allow her to save a bit. Is she going to be in for a massive shock when she finds out that it is no cheaper at all?

My goodness, I'm scratching my head as to why all those lists for it are so long then.

If there is no difference cost wise to private renting or getting a mortgage, then why oh why do people try so hard to get it?

Security of tenancy is one reason

sickofthissick · Yesterday 20:06

xxxlove · Yesterday 17:05

Usually given for free and paid by the government through the benefits system

Funnily enough people in private rents often get their rent (at least some of it) paid for by the 'benefits system'. Are they awful too?

EmmaOvary · Today 10:39

MermaidofRye · Yesterday 19:21

So, is there no advantage to council housing then?

It's not any cheaper or better value in any way? The Op even said she wanted it as having it would allow her to save a bit. Is she going to be in for a massive shock when she finds out that it is no cheaper at all?

My goodness, I'm scratching my head as to why all those lists for it are so long then.

If there is no difference cost wise to private renting or getting a mortgage, then why oh why do people try so hard to get it?

You really can’t see why a secure tenancy might be more appealing than one that the landlord can terminate at short notice?

Threesloths · Today 11:48

xxxlove · Yesterday 17:02

ok, let's see then how fast the council house people on waiting lists are going to be living in reality waiting for all these imaginary houses

‘Council house people’? Really?

gamerchick · Today 12:09

EmmaOvary · Today 10:39

You really can’t see why a secure tenancy might be more appealing than one that the landlord can terminate at short notice?

And one where if you lose your job you don't have to worry about being repossessed.

Security.

MermaidofRye · Today 12:21

EmmaOvary · Today 10:39

You really can’t see why a secure tenancy might be more appealing than one that the landlord can terminate at short notice?

Yes, I can. So is that the only reason that people wait up to ten years-there are no other benefits at all?

Is it really no cheaper than a mortgage or private rent? Is it really no better maintained than a private rent or just as expensive to maintain than a house bought with a mortgage?

No other reason than that it is secure and for this people are prepared to wait in cramped accommodation for years?

Council housing is not cheaper than private rent or a mortgage and it isn't any better maintained than private housing, so apart from secure tenancy no financial advantage at all.

Well, I live and learn...

MermaidofRye · Today 12:23

sickofthissick · Yesterday 20:06

Funnily enough people in private rents often get their rent (at least some of it) paid for by the 'benefits system'. Are they awful too?

Actually, I think having any of your rent paid by the public purse should be an exceptional circumstance, not the rule.

If you can't afford to put a particular roof over your head then, unless there are exceptional circumstances, choose one you can pay for, move in with family or buy a tent.

Threesloths · Today 12:34

MermaidofRye · Today 12:23

Actually, I think having any of your rent paid by the public purse should be an exceptional circumstance, not the rule.

If you can't afford to put a particular roof over your head then, unless there are exceptional circumstances, choose one you can pay for, move in with family or buy a tent.

We need more people like you; the backbone of society

RedTagAlan · Today 12:41

MermaidofRye · Today 12:23

Actually, I think having any of your rent paid by the public purse should be an exceptional circumstance, not the rule.

If you can't afford to put a particular roof over your head then, unless there are exceptional circumstances, choose one you can pay for, move in with family or buy a tent.

Tent cities. Cool. Can we pitch them outside your house ?

x2boys · Today 12:50

MermaidofRye · Today 12:21

Yes, I can. So is that the only reason that people wait up to ten years-there are no other benefits at all?

Is it really no cheaper than a mortgage or private rent? Is it really no better maintained than a private rent or just as expensive to maintain than a house bought with a mortgage?

No other reason than that it is secure and for this people are prepared to wait in cramped accommodation for years?

Council housing is not cheaper than private rent or a mortgage and it isn't any better maintained than private housing, so apart from secure tenancy no financial advantage at all.

Well, I live and learn...

Its variable across the uk ,in London and the south East ,private rent is usually way more then council/ social housing ,
In other parts of the country there might be no discernible difference

I live in a two bed housing associaton house for years my rent was comparable to private rent ,
Private rent has gone up now though and whilst my rent is cheaper than private its not loads cheaper
Its swings and roundabouts ,on one hand i have a secure home for as long as i need it
I also have some adaptions due to having a disabled child that i have not had to psy for
On the other hand the area is less then desirable
Repairs can be barely adequate .

gamerchick · Today 13:04

MermaidofRye · Today 12:23

Actually, I think having any of your rent paid by the public purse should be an exceptional circumstance, not the rule.

If you can't afford to put a particular roof over your head then, unless there are exceptional circumstances, choose one you can pay for, move in with family or buy a tent.

Is that you Nigel?

sickofthissick · Today 14:49

Brilliant. Especially where I live, there is such a HUGE choice of ever so cheap rented properties. Let's see- average is 1600 pcm for a 3 bed house, over a thousand for a one bed flat.
So the awful benefits people getting help with rent are really not making good decisions eh? People like you need to be living in the real world on occasion.

VikingsandDragons · Today 15:22

I think you need to take a step back and look at your current situation and commitments and where you want to be, and then work out a solution to get there. At the moment you've found a solution but it may not get you to where you want to be anyway (timescales, availability, proximinity to family or good schools).

Completely aside from the waiting lists for the council housing, and the possibility you won't qualify due to your husband's visa status, waiting on an offer of a council house leaves your future entirely out of your own control. If and when you get offered a property it may not be near a good school (unfortunately schools in areas with high levels of social housing often seem to be performing more poorly than those in more affluent areas), or they might offer a property not near enough to your parents. It may also not have other features you'd consider desirable (parking, well insulated, access to a garden, up many flights of stairs, have noisy neighbours etc).

There is nothing to stop you joining the waiting list (assuming eligibility) and seeing what happens. However in the meantime I'd try to find a time when the little one is asleep to sit down together and make a plan. Where do you want to be realistically in 2 or 5 or however many years time. So for example if your priority is being able to rent a 2 bed property of your own that's an achieveable goal, what kind of monthly income after tax and self employed expenses for your DH do you need to have to make that a reality in the area you'd prefer to be in? If your priority in life is near a good school, parents, and having enough space then it's likely something else will have to give and usually that's time. You don't get to be a SAHM might be a compromise for example, you go back to work after maternity leave and your DH shifts his hours to work 3 week days and the weekend, and takes care of the kids the two week days you're teaching, they have 3 days in nursery under the free/cheaper hours and you look after them at the weekend. This is not a forever plan, it's a few years plan. You might decide actually the area is something you're willing to give up, and live near a worse school, or further from family so that your rent is cheaper. You might decide that your goal is actually bigger and you're prepared to sacrifice more now to make it happen, you want to be in control of your property and you want to buy, so for a few years you're both going to work extra hours, a second job, whatever it takes to buy your property and have cheaper living costs and more security that way instead.

I am a firm believer that sometimes we're just too close to the problem to see all the possible solutions, and sometimes we need to step back and evaluate all the options (even if some of them are an absolute no for you, they are still an option to be considered and it can help mentally to know you've looked at everything).

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