Getting a council house! is it possible anymore?

pawpurrs

My FIL has been housed as he has a semi disabled son and lived on a very nice house boat, but it wasnt suitable for the child, ok fine.........but he earns in excess of 100k a year! Plus his wife works part time.
I really dont think they should have been housed as one they own the boat, and it could be sold for quite a lot of money and two I believe that Council or social housing should be for those in need. They could afford to buy or rent privately. Now they will get the chance to buy at a reduced rent which I have no doubt they will, well you would be stupid not too, if the discount is great enough.
I do think that people should be means tested, every year, and if their circumstances have changed then yes I do believe that the housing should be made available for someone in greater need, or as with other benefits, you should have to declare any changes in your personal circumstances.
I also think the right to buy should be abolished, why should people be given huge discounts?

jay11_2

The OP seems to have disappeared.

Pawpurrs, the system is basically a mess, and some of the rules and regs beggar belief, I wonder if they're designed to test applicants ingenuity and ability to bend the truth! It does often seem that many of those in greatest need are passed over by the system.

Phantasm, any post about 'entitlement' and 'need', brings negative as well as positive comments, it's par for the course. I do think a lot of people got frustrated because in reality the OP is unlikely to be allocated a council house, but when people tried to give her advice about changing what she can, the OP dismissed most suggestions out of hand. Some really good advice was given and hopefully the OP can use some of it. Yes Somerset is pricey (I've lived in Avon and had friends in Somerset, so know only too well), but that tends to make it even more difficult to find social housing. I honestly think the majority, particularly those in similar situations to her, were just frustrated at OP's negativity. I hope she's OK and sorts something!!

jay11_2

Grimbo_Green wrote: »

Oh for gods sake im getting bored of this. STOP NIT PICKING! this isn't a court of law so no need for it?! like 'Hethmar' said you know what he means stop avoiding his points.
Anyway if you can't answer the oringinal question then kindly :lipsrsealoff!

For those of you that gave good advice - THANKYOU:p.
I have decided not to lie afterall. Instead, I will take on some of the good advice I recieved and I will go to the CAB, get a Dr's note, write to my MP again and go back to the council to speak to them to reiterate my GENUINE situation.

Also I have to point out that my partner and I pay taxes therefore WE DO HAVE A RIGHT TO APPLY FOR A COUNCIL HOUSE!
When I applied there was nothing on the form saying you can only apply if you are homeless. The only criteria was that you must be a BRITISH citizen.

So regardless to what some of you say - I will still be applying for a council house.

Now that I am not going to 'exagerate' my situation you have nothing else to get irate about now do you? so go and find someone else to shout at.

Bubbye!!!!!:D

Just seen this. Good for you hun! Whilst I'm relieved that you're not going to lie, because I'd hate you to get into trouble, it might be worth doing some research to see what gives more points. There may be aspects of your situation that you haven't thought about, which you need to 'point out' to make sure you are prioritised as highly as possible. Maybe look at your council website or ask around to find out what will push you up the list. Have you asked your health visitor for support? I have an inkling that their support (unhealthy conditions for baby) can help.

Have a look on HMRC website, here http://www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/Qualify/DIQHousehold.aspx to check your tax credit entitlement, check your tax codes too, and housing benefit situation.

Good luck , Jay xx

pawpurrs

Phantasm wrote: »

OK. I have never posted anything on this site before, but I read alot of threads on here every now and then, and when I saw this one I was so outraged I signed up so that I could post.

I am disgusted by the angry comments and insults that have been directed at the OP by some of you who are probebly twice her age, and old enough to know better (Avinabacca and welshwoofs).
In fact I would go as far to say that a few of you are nasty bullys.

What is it exactly in the original question that has gotten you so mad? I really can't to believe its due to the fact that the op admitted to contemplating telling (shock, horror!) a lie, because every single human being has told a lie at one point in their lives, and if you cant admit to that, then you are LIARS!
So what is the real reason why you are so angry???

Someone comes on here asking for advice and all you have done is judge her, call her (in an indirect way) a theif, a bad parent, stupid, racist, a chav with a baby who will recieve an asbo, someone without morals........ it is totally uncalled for.

You all say that she should basically shut up and be grateful for what she has and how dare she even consider wanting a bit more money for her family. if I remember correctly this website is called: MONEYSAVINGEXPERT! as the op pointed out herself: you wouldn't be on here if you weren't wanting to save money yourselves, this is all she is trying to do.

You say she should be ashamed...no, you should be ashamed

Also in an earlier post the op said she lives in Somerset - I don't know how many of you are aware of this but the west country is one of the most expensive places to live in England - house prices are second higest to London yet wages are low.

I am part of a generation now who will never be able to get a mortgage and will never get a council house - I will be private enting for the rest of my life yet I still have to pay hight rent because house prices are so high at the moment that I suffer too - it's not just people with mortgages who are suffering

Some of you are so pedantic it's unreal - you know who you are - stop 'nit picking'

Sorry but you sound very familar? Do I know you?:rotfl:

Welshwoofs

Phantasm wrote: »

O
I am disgusted by the angry comments and insults that have been directed at the OP by some of you who are probebly twice her age, and old enough to know better (Avinabacca and welshwoofs).
In fact I would go as far to say that a few of you are nasty bullys.

Someone comes on here asking for advice and all you have done is judge her, call her (in an indirect way) a theif, a bad parent, stupid, racist, a chav with a baby who will recieve an asbo, someone without morals........ it is totally uncalled for.

I'd be very interested if you could point out ANY post of mine where I've called the OP any of the above. In fact I challenge you.. and if you can't, I expect you'll be wanting to post an apology. I'll be waiting...

I've told the OP that I believe she doesn't have a 'right' to a better life if she's not prepared to put in any work herself. You think that's bullying? Tough excrement. Far from bullying her, I've suggested a number of ways she could help herself without resorting to defrauding her LA... I guess you didn't bother reading the parts where I gave her links to online courses and a full month's meal plan with costings to get her grocery budgets down...:rolleyes:

You all say that she should basically shut up and be grateful for what she has and how dare she even consider wanting a bit more money for her family.

Who said there's anything wrong with wanting more money for the family? I've not seen a single person. My belief is that you should do it for yourself.

You say she should be ashamed...no, you should be ashamed

Why the hell should I be ashamed, because I've suggested someone put in some effort to earn more money to make a better life? Because I suggest that someone who's worried about money try budgeting? Oh puhleese - have we really become such a cotton-wool padded, pandering, jelly backboned society that it's now considered shameful to point out how people can help themselves instead of resorting to deceit and handouts?

Also in an earlier post the op said she lives in Somerset - I don't know how many of you are aware of this but the west country is one of the most expensive places to live in England - house prices are second higest to London yet wages are low.

More than aware, I orginally come from the Cotswolds which as I'm sure you're aware is one of the most expensive places to live outside of London. There are ways out - my first job was in Princess Margaret's hospital in Swindon and earned the princely sum of £6,000 a year (late 1980s) and I took on a second evening job and grabbed every free and subsidised course I could. When I had some better qualifications I moved to London and got in on the bottom rung of my chosen industry...working nights, midnight until 8am. In order to afford the rent on my tiny, manky flat I worked a second afternoon job. Now I'm knocking on the door of 40 and life is slowly getting easier, I earn roughly double the average national salary but I support my hubby who is bi-polar and can't work much of the time. I also moved to Wales because the property was much cheaper and I wanted mortgage payments which accounted for 1/3 or less of my monthly net income to give me 'breathing space'.

So if you think I'm being hard on the OP you are right in a way... because I get frustrated with how emotionally weak people are becoming in this country. People give up easily and look for quick answers and Government help rather than digging in, working like mad and having the satisfaction of knowing they did it by themselves when they finally make it. I've seen a lot of ridiculous things said in this thread about immigrants...well you know what? Good luck to them because all the immigrants I've seen round my area (Polish in the main) work bloody hard and know they have to suffer hardships to have good times later on..whilst their British counterparts expect everything on a plate, do precious little for it and have first class honours in whining.

I am part of a generation now who will never be able to get a mortgage and will never get a council house - I will be private enting for the rest of my life yet I still have to pay hight rent because house prices are so high at the moment that I suffer too - it's not just people with mortgages who are suffering

Oh come on... who are you trying to kid? Since house prices are dropping like a stone, if you get yourself a good job with a good salary (or work a couple of jobs) you can save up like anyone else for a house deposit. I've read plenty of people on these boards who do it. Try buying something which needs a lot of work which other FTBs will tend to avoid to get on the ladder when the prices hit the deck.

jay11_2

pawpurrs wrote: »

Sorry but you sound very familar? Do I know you?:rotfl:

Aaw give her a break.

Well spotted though:rolleyes:

Welshwoofs

jay11 wrote: »

Aaw give her a break.

Well spotted though:rolleyes:

Heh you're both right and 'phantasm' is the OP herself. I noted that both have the exact same misspelt words and both use the word 'gotten' which is quite unusual...outside the US.

Of course I'll still be expecting an apology for telling blatant lies about what I've supposedly said about you... now if you'd just care to pick which account you want to apologise from...

(It's a pretty sad state of affairs when you have to create fake accounts in order to be your own fan club...)

mumonabudget

It is no longer posssible I would say, most definaltey not, if you want anything decent that is and your are a family - we've tried to get rehoused close to family in council and for affordable housing.. and is no go!

Its pretty bad even housing assocations, so we've resigned ourselves to the fact we will be looking for another private rental even though the current private landlord is selling this property from under us - we have no choice but to opt for another place like this by a privare landlord, even in this climate, either that or B&B with my partner and son. Waiting for a 'homeless' situation will not help we know this..

Can I add though, we were both became unemployed due to redundancy within 4 weeks of each other incase anyone asks, and put through the mil by local DWP office, which were completely useless and unhelpful. If I wanted to return to work, the job centre is last place I would go for help for my CV!

We had to fight for my partners redundancy pay too (employed by same employer for 14 years) for over 12 months for my partner (another topic I know !!) but again, another crap situtation, not helped by the UKs so-called legal system and slow tribunal litigation process.

I'm fed up now of reading people, jumping on the backs of indivuals on benefits and why they are dispondent to work! I dont blame them sometimes!! Ive been on both sides now to know. I dont think its about being fraudulent either. I dont condone that at all.

If I had a child when leaving school at 16, like some of my friends did, I'd be in a council house now probably, maybe no major debts (from being a student and getting an education), and amongst family and friends I now! But thats not the life I chose, as I wanted better for myself. Somehow its not paid off yet!

Do you know, we moved out of Salford and now cant get back to be close to family and friends as there is A. No council properties and B. Housing Assocations waiting lists soo long - even though we got a community recommendation letter from the local residents we wanted to live amongst. Even our local councillors didnt show interest. Not surprised really, the system is rammed.I am not surprised people get cheesed off!

My family have lived in Salford for over 47 years.

I have an 86 year old friend from Salford, who worked until she was 80 - now lives in her family home amongst property like hers, that have been turned in multi occupancy homes for immigrants (she received letters to her home with foreign names on for abut 8 people to a house from the home office!) and students, as close to Salford University - nothing against students may I add, I was one myself, but Im trying to point out the council housing is dire in may areas and their is no affordbale housing for young families WANTING OR CHOOSING to rent.

My 8 year old friend even comments about the state of the UK and how its all gone to the dogs. I won't type on here what she said properly but shes not racist, just that it all seems so one sided.

Over & Out.

mumonabudget

last sentence should read 86 year old friend :mad:

GlobalSquare

Phantasm wrote: »

*snip*

Im 28 and in the same situation as you if not worse off yet am i here asking why single moms, addicts, immergrants etc should get a house before me, do i think its unfair that if they are deemed more in need they get prioity? The world doesnt owe me an easy life and i have to accept the fact i will probably never own my own place aswell

In the OPs case she said she is paying higher rent than normal for a place that it sounds like she shouldnt be ... and yet still has money left over ... yet she planning to lie and cheat the system (possibly taking a place away from someone in real need) for no reason other than more money

Im not sure about summerset having the second highest house prices in the whole country to be honest either .. it could well be true which sucks ... nothing any of us can do about that im afraid

As for telling her she should be ashamed ... i didnt say anything like that .. the closest i said anything like that is what sort of a roll model/example is she setting for her child (re read her posts im sure even the nicest person in the world could spot the bits)
The op instead of just asking asking about council place in her very first post went of moaning about single moms etc in it whilst saying that they are not in finacial trouble

Not once have i said she should shut up and yes this is a moneysavingsite ... but its about looking for the BEST WAYS to save money ... not once have i seen Martin refere to this site a LIETOSAVEMONEY.COM, SCREWTHOSEINMORENEEDTOHELPYOURSELF.COM ... there is no section for 'things you can lie to get' .. instead there are best banks, cars, old style etc all with tips

Advice was given
Part time learning courses - ruled out because she doesnt drive?? (but maybe once the child goes to nursery)
Get her landlord to sort her current place out - shes tried he said no ... and that was it??
Budget her shoping better - no reply??
CAB - she is now going to do it

She came asking for advice but she also came moaning about single moms, addicts etc (and others about the whole immergrants thing) in her opening/very first post

And im no saint i have lied in the past .... but im a grown up now ... im not stupid enough to resort to lying now especially for something where i could end up going to court or having it on some sort of record that could effect me in the future

We are the nasty bullies? i think you will find we all want her to have a nice house/place and wish her the best of luck getting it .... but we are not the ones moaning that those who have it hardest should get a place to live and then saying we are okay financially but would rather those in need went with out possibly to make our life easier.

I dont blame you for being outraged ... but im shocked you signed up do defend the OP who was willing to lie to get a place .... to me thats like going and buying a sandwich and instead of giving it to a homeless/starving person your giving it to a person who couldnt be bothered to buy there own lunch and was quite happy going with out lunch .... i just hope no single mums, immergrants or others typical genres have read this thread .... imagen how they feel seeing all the thanks you lot have been giving each other for saying they should have less rights/prioities than someone not in trouble