Get dad from one council house borough to another?

Mojisola · 16 February 2018 at 2:04PM

https://www.gov.uk/apply-swap-homes-council

sulkisu · 16 February 2018 at 2:16PM

OP said her dad is in a council home, so mutual exchange is possible.

Contacting your MP is a start, but unfortunately, it all depends on availability of council homes in the area that he wants to move to. We (I used to work in social housing) received letters from MP's, doctors, social workers, teachers on a regular basis, each one stressing how important a move was for their client; unfortunately if there is nothing available - they couldn't be moved or rehoused. Tenants often assumed that a letter from an MP, etc was some kind of magic bullet which would resolve their problem, but unfortunately it usually wasn't. The idea that H of C notepaper, makes miracles happen is simply not true. Not to play down your father's situation but sadly it isn't uncommon so won't necessarily place him top of the list for rehousing.

Mutual exchange is definitely his best bet. There are websites such as Homeswapper, where you can register his details and hopefully find a suitable exchange.

https://www.homeswapper.co.uk

Success will depend on the desirability of his home - e.g location, size, accessibility. Swappers can be incredibly choosy, so it will be helpful if your dad's home is as attractive as possible - e.g. well decorated and well maintained because when you exchange, you basically accept the other home as it is.

elsien · 16 February 2018 at 2:24PM

In the interim, is your dad gettimg any support from social services to help him to manage?

Norman_Castle · 16 February 2018 at 2:52PM

I need him to be moved to a council house in my borough, but no matter who I call to ask for help, they pass me in circles. I've called his local housing office and they pass me to mine. I call them and they pass me back. I'm getting so frustrated and desperate I need to help my dad. How do I do this?

Its possible to transfer between council properties although transferring between different councils may add hurdles. Speak to the housing officers and explain you're being passed between them. Find out from them if a transfer is possible and how to initiate it.

This suggests the current landlord initiates it.

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/council_housing_association/tenancy_transfers

NeilCr · 16 February 2018 at 2:52PM

sulkisu wrote: »

OP said her dad is in a council home, so mutual exchange is possible.

Contacting your MP is a start, but unfortunately, it all depends on availability of council homes in the area that he wants to move to. We (I used to work in social housing) received letters from MP's, doctors, social workers, teachers on a regular basis, each one stressing how important a move was for their client; unfortunately if there is nothing available - they couldn't be moved or rehoused. Tenants often assumed that a letter from an MP, etc was some kind of magic bullet which would resolve their problem, but unfortunately it usually wasn't. The idea that H of C notepaper, makes miracles happen is simply not true. Not to play down your father's situation but sadly it isn't uncommon so won't necessarily place him top of the list for rehousing.

Mutual exchange is definitely his best bet. There are websites such as Homeswapper, where you can register his details and hopefully find a suitable exchange.

https://www.homeswapper.co.uk

Success will depend on the desirability of his home - e.g location, size, accessibility. Swappers can be incredibly choosy, so it will be helpful if your dad's home is as attractive as possible - e.g. well decorated and well maintained because when you exchange, you basically accept the other home as it is.

I have to agree with this.

What is your local council’s allocation policy? The first sentence of ours says applicants have to have lived in the area for five years. There are exceptions but they are very tight.

We have a huge shortage of social housing - even if someone gets offered somewhere it may well be that it will be rundown in a less than nice area. And people do have high expectations (not you OP). We have had people coming into CAB who think we can ring up the council and tell them to give them a place. I still remember one lady who asked us for a three bedroom house in one of the better areas with a sea view!

I think a swap is one way forward. Your council may have a team in their housing department who assist with finding places to live (not necessarily social housing). Ours is called housing options. If they have it may be worth approaching them for advice/thoughts as opposed to asking for council housing.

Good luck

paddedjohn · 16 February 2018 at 3:10PM

Op, have you considered moving to a larger property yourself and then moving your Dad in with you? Surely that would be the easiest solution.

seashore22 · 16 February 2018 at 4:13PM

Ames wrote: »

The idea is that the OPs dad would exchange to be near to the OP, not that the OP exchanges to be near the dad. The dad's in council housing so he can exchange.

OP, I think exchanging is done by a website but I don't know the address. The council in both areas have to agree to it.

Sorry, I misread and thought the op's father was in the private rental?

My parents have done council house exchanges numerous times over the years. It's almost a hobby for them. Not for some years though, but I assume it's still possible.

System · 16 February 2018 at 4:20PM

Get him on the mutual exchange register but I think people stay on them for years. Also get him on your local housing waiting list (preferably for disability/ sheltered accomodation).

I think social services would be your best bet at moving along. I suppose you've missed the boat now but when they are an inpatient you can say it is unsafe for him to be discharged as he hasn't got care etc then they refer them to social services and things would have been put into place prior to leaving hospital. Just rimg them yourself as he is a vulnerable adult.

Nullboris · 16 February 2018 at 4:28PM

Does your Dad have any disability aids in his present place? As they would need to be replicated at his new address .. also they may make it less desirable to a swapper.
Your dad sounds like he has severe? medical problems , does he require home help or home visits ..?
imho the fastest way would be as mentioned above, to rent a larger place and have him live-in, that at least would start him on the five year residency rule, and with extenuating medical problems ???
You haven't mentioned whether there is a deadline to all this ....

t0rt0ise · 16 February 2018 at 4:50PM

I agree with those who have said that https://www.homeswapper.co.uk/ is the way to go. I got a swap from one area to another through that site. You can swap with any council or Housing Association property of the correct size for needs. When you've found an exchange the council can't refuse unless you have rent debt or have been a problem tenant, as in noisy neighbour etc.

Get dad from one council house borough to another?

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