housing executive

fattyrae1

Hi
I am a private tenant who has been given 4 weeks notice (no fault of my landlord, he is having money troubles) and went to the housing exec (northern ireland) and filled out homeless form etc. They are refusing to give me a house, saying different things ranging from not enough points to no houses available in my area. There are empty houses in my area, one is ready for moving in but is being renovated for disabled use and one that needs slight work on it. I have been told i will have to be put into temp accommodation outside my area but my son goes to school there and i would not be able to get him there everyday on the bus with 2 other young children. I have asked to be put in the disabled house as temp until the other house is ready but they are refusing.
Can anyone tell me if there is any help? I have contacted the dup and they told him the houses are private and for selling which is a lie. I am to be made homeless on xmas eve, i am a single parent with 3 children.

Ian_W

I've only posted to get you back to the top of the page so your post is more noticeable.

Don't know jack sheet about housing in NI but I hope someone who does will come along and advise.

Sorry to hear about your circs and sincerely hope you get something sorted soon. Best wishes.

silvercar

I don'y know if things are different in NI. In the UK you often have to be actually homeless (as opposed to having received notice) before social housing kicks in. Being homeless should give you more points than having had notice.

This is a really difficult time of year. I would suggest speaking to your landlord about giving you a few more weeks at least. After all, he can't seriously expect potential buyers to view on Xmas eve.

Temp accomodation could well be a hostel. You may have to stay there weeks until something is sorted for you.

Have you thought of looking for a private rental?

My sympathies to you managing your situation.

bettyr

Thanks to Ian W for highlighting your problem.
I am new here so I don't know if there are others from Northern Ireland that can answer you but if there are, I hope they see this and help you.
I am so sorry for you in your predicament.
Betty

NervousYetFeisty

Not knowing where you're going to live, especially when you have children, is terrible. I was in a similar predicament myself (although less extreme as I was only pregnant at the time and there were friends' sofas offered to me if it came to it) so I can empathise. I'm also posting to help keep this at the top of the forum.
In England at least I believe you have to be homeless before they have an obligation to house you. Having said that, it didn't quite reach that point for me despite being told I'd never get a flat, I'd have to go into a hostel 15 miles away from my home town and so on. The less cynical side of me thinks they say these things so as not to get your hopes up, the cynical side tell me they're trying to put you off from even bothering to apply, weeding out the less needy cases if you like, which is understandable in a way but doesn't really help you right now. It depends I guess on what housing stock is available - but don't lose hope because although there's very little here, it all turned out OK for us (even though it was a bit last minute). The flat I got had been empty for ages, despite the supposed housing shortage - it still angers me that they took so long to offer it to me.
One idea though, there are I believe funds available to help people in your position out with a deposit for a private rental. I imagine Shelter would be a good place to find out. Please contact them and see what they have to say.
Best of luck and chin up. Something will come up - let's just hope it's sooner rather than later. :xmassmile
Shelter, N.Ireland

NervousYetFeisty

Another idea. I was discussing this with Mr Feisty just now. Once your tenancy runs out you *will* be officially homeless. And if you stay there and don't move despite your tenancy ending, you will still be homeless because you will be squatting. To evict you the landlord will have to go to court, which takes time. I *think*. Please don't take this as any real legal advice, just as something to look into. So you could still be in your home over Christmas and perhaps in the New Year the housing people might come up with something. As I said, this is just a thought. I'm really hoping someone in the know will read this thread and offer some more firm advice.
Please keep us posted.

fattyrae1

Hi, everone,
Thanks for all your comments and i am grateful that there are people out there who are thinking of me. No sign yet. Saw an mp today and he has said he will see what he can do.
I asked him if it was reasonable of me to get the housing exec to put me in the empty house due for renovation until the other house is done up and he said they can't - if they do they can't get you out for 2 years? Is this right? And if i am priority and a full duty applicant, does this mean i go to the top of the list and they HAVE to give me a home if there is one?

Any replies welcome and i will keep you posted!

:santa2:

bonnie_2

more and more councils now are doing private lets as there isnt enough stock. our council have closed lists now what happens is a bidding sytem when if a house comes up and you have enough points and are in the right band you can bid on it so little chance of getting a house am afraid also you would have to be in temporary accomadation first i was for 9 months in a hostel.
your best bet is to get another private let. i presume you get housing benifit. i dont think you can rely on council to do anything quick other than a b & b not nice.

fattyrae1

Hello.
I have just found out that the so called disabled house is not for a disabled person at all, they are just telling people that so they don't apply for it. It is being kept back to house people in when the houses are being done up! I also received a letter from the housing exec telling me i am a full duty applicant. This means they have to give me a permenent home if one is available. I may have to get nasty.

Any tips?

NervousYetFeisty

Keep on their case. You don't need to be nasty necessarily but do call them every day and ask if anything's come up. I know they have points systems and so on but for some reason it wasn't until I called them again and again that something (albeit grotty but the area is OK) came up for me.
Also call all the housing associations (look in the Yellow Pages, Google "Housing Associations") and if you have a priest (or perhaps if there is one allied to your child's school if you don't go to church yourself) ask them if they know of any charitable housing organisations... not likely paths but all avenues are worth exploring. Did you call Shelter?
:xmassmile