need to get a council house

mavric

hi my name is steve ive recently split from my partnerof 11 years i still get to see my son the problem is i live in a 3 bedroom house from a private landlord the rent is very steep for me to afford on my own so i need a council place in the same area the only problem is when we were kids we always lived in flats and i dont want to go back to that i dont mind a 2 bedroom house i need 2 bedrooms because my son will stay over night twice a week what i need is help on how to get a house off the council im in full time employment as a train driver you may ask why i cant afford the house im in now this is because of all my out goings for my bills and to my ex partner any advice would be gratefully received regards steve.

oldMcDonald

Sorry, but you won't get a 2 bed house, I don't think you would even get a 1 bed flat. There are families with 2 or more children in 1 bedroom flats - a single male, no children living there full time, who has a roof over his head, will not even be considered by councils. There is far too much pressure on housing stock as it is and there are many families who will have much higher priority.

Is there no way you can find a cheaper place to rent? Move to a 2 bedroom house / flat that is privately rented?

LittleMissAspie

Why do you need a house off the council? Can't you downsize to a 2-bed rented house, or even a 1-bed with enough room for a decent sofabed?

tanith

I agree with oldMcdonald... get yourself on the list by all means but it could be years of waiting....

I know someone in similar situation with an 11yr old son , he is in a shared house and just has the one bedroom and shared kitchen and bathroom , when his son stays they share the room.. its the only way they can be together as he has been in and out of work and no chance of getting a council place .. this has been his situation for 5yrs now .. but they manage to take camping holidays together and enjoy what time they can..

So you see you are in a better position than lots of others who just have to compromise to spend time with their kids... its difficult but not impossible... as the other poster says maybe you could rent a small flat , even one bedroom where your son could 'camp' in the living room... if you make it an adventure it might not seem so difficult.. sorry to not be more positive but I think you are going to have to make the most of a bad situation...

dopester

tanith wrote: »

I know someone in similar situation with an 11yr old son , he is in a shared house and just has the one bedroom and shared kitchen and bathroom , when his son stays they share the room..

That is pretty much what I did when staying with my Dad every so often as a 10 - 13 year old, at different places over north-west UK.

Quite often bedsit things with a kitchen in the room, shared bathroom, the double bed folded in to the wall, and the leccy meter took 50p coins. I didn't mind because times were difficult, money was tight, and needs must.

PasturesNew

You can go on the list, but in most/many areas you wouldn't stand a cat in hell's chance of getting a council/equivalent 1-bed place even for maybe 20-30 years.

Your son staying over is not a consideration.

Find yourself a private rented 1-bed place and get yourself one of those bunkbeds that has a double and a single. Or have a blow up mattress bed for when he comes.

He's your son, you're both male, he's not there often, it'd suit you forever.

Or, sleep in the living room when he's staying and let him have the bedroom.

mavric

thanks for your help in understanding my situation ill have a look at down sizing but i dont want a flat as you say needs must I MIGHT EVEN FIND SOMEONE WITH THERE OWN HOUSE LOL:beer:

mummytofour

Sorry mate I think your on a none starter. I would suggest a cheaper private rental.

Your lucky you have not be slated for this post yet...

Merlot

mummytofour wrote: »

Sorry mate I think your on a none starter. I would suggest a cheaper private rental.

Your lucky you have not be slated for this post yet...

I think to slate him would be unfair really, he is obviously ignorant of the council housing situation like many others, they seem to think if they get pregnant/divorced they will get one handed to them....sorry but Maggie Thatcher saw to that one!

PasturesNew

mavric wrote: »

I MIGHT EVEN FIND SOMEONE WITH THERE OWN HOUSE LOL:beer:

Unlikely. Us girls don't want a complex bloke with all that baggage.

You're on your own mate.

paddy's_mum

A friend of mine goes only for ladies who own a property. He thinks that someday he'll find one who will let him move out of his grotty place into their nice one. Perhaps he'll even end up owning a part of it, if he stays there long enough and does the decorating and maintenance. Consequently, he is constantly finding that young and promising relationships falter and collapse once his hidden agenda shows itself.

I wouldn't be putting money on getting rehoused in that way - most women who own a property got there by their own hard work and going without - and any woman with that amount of savvy will work you out almost instantly!