Council house worrys!

garyj123

Hi all , hello again, i have posted a couple of times about my situation which looks like i will be going bankrupt. After posting on here i feel a lot better about it all and actually reckon it will do me and the family the world of good, getting rid of all that stress and worry which we eventually take out on each other. We were wondering since we have a mortgage on our house if we were to loose it how do the local council/ housing associations look upon people who have gone bankrupt? Would we be a the bottom of the priority list for a house or would looking for private lettings be an easier route? I can afford to keep up my mortgage payments anyway and it does seem daft as most private/rented properties cost more than my mortgage at the moment.
Any help appreciated as always.
Best regards
Gary

deedee_3

Unfortunatly most councils/HA will deem that you have made yourself intentionly homeless so you will be low on the list.

If you can afford to stay where you are I would do so.

skylight

You would be at the bottom of the list. Not paying your mortgage is regarded as making yourself intentionally homeless and with most council housing stock stuffed full with huge waiting lists, you will be lucky to be offered temporary accommodation. If you have kids then you will definitely be offered temporary accommodation. All does depend on council to council.

Bear in mind, that in my council, we are regarded as horrendously overcrowded - 4 kids plus preg with 5th in a 2-bed house. We are important, but not priority and have been waiting 4years on the list for a new place - even when SD lived here making us 5 kids at home, we were still not priority. If the council decided they had an obligation to house you, you would be classed as homeless and would be higher priority than us (as we have a home) but you have no choice in the housing offered to you (when it eventually happens).

You need a strong stomach to get on the housing lists and you could be at best in a hostel for a year or more. I had to do this many, many years ago (was subsequently offered this place). Its difficult but not totally horrendous, but I don't know your area.


If you want to keep up your mortgage in BR, then you need to keep up any secured debts or charging orders as well. Bear in mind what may happen if the interest rate goes up 2% or more - can you still manage? And do you have any equity? In both names and both going BR?

Broken_hearted

Been there council couldn't care less, if you end up losing your home you get little to no help. One of the reasons I fought so hard not to go under.

dodecanese

Hi Gary
Im in a similar situation- I contacted Housing associations/councils and I was way down on the list. Some letting agents said renting to bankrupts was a no go area- but others (smaller ones), were not too bothered.
After agonising about it for months I decided to try and hang on to house for now. Its in neg equity and (for now), the mortgage is affordable- the OR let me pay it despite it being high. I think if I had been seriously struggling I would have let the house go.
I worry about int rates- some say they will go up, on the other hand some predict cuts next year- who knows. But it would probably be wise to think about worst case - if rates DO go up- can you cope??
I decided to take the risk- worst case scenario yes I'll end up losing the house but- its a risk Im prepared to take.
Its a difficult decision and Im still not sure Im making the right choice. Good luck with whatever you decide.

maxmycardagain

in my experience (actually that of a close relative) id say the opposite, the LA and HA's have simply wanted to see the paperwork for eviction, BR wasnt even an issue, after all its not called WELFARE HOUSING for nothing.

too many going BR (and losing a house) find it hard to swallow their pride without gaggling on it, personally id advise first getting on the housing list as soon as things look grim, dont wait, then when the repo notices come in start pestering the LA/HA officers.

skylight

The problem with that though Max, is that some areas (like mine), the council will not even put you on a list as a homeowner. However, my Aunt in Taunton was offered about 10 places before she settled on one and they couldn't do enough to help her!

In situations like this, you should always contact the council first and see what their stance is, fill the forms in anyway - cos you never know, and contact the CAB to see what your rights are and see how they can help. If you have kids you are in a better position, but never expect anything.

maxmycardagain

Precise Planning Prevents P.iss Poor Performance

very old saying, still very true

"if you fail to plan, you plan to fail"

he who dares wins

fools rush in where angels fear to tread


fact:- as you grow older you realise how apt all these old sayings are

purplepinhead

Hi, I hate to say that you wont go to the top of the list as they will see you as making yourself homeless ( I know i work for a large HA) don't hold it against me.:rolleyes: