council housing problems

Xaviera

See if the council have a duty to house you once you become homeless, this helps http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/downloads_and_tools/does_the_council_have_to_house_you

If you push it they'll put you in a B&B or a hostel, expect to stay here for some months/years/until a place becomes available. It will help you up the list living in one of these.

Otherwise, the council may offer to help you out with something like rentstart to get you off their list and into private housing, or there may be housing associations that you can join.

robin_banks

The sinmple fact is there are far more people with a greater need than yourselves, I know it saounds harsh but that's life.

You are in employment ( I think) and are not overcrowded or living in substandard accomodation. You are not homeless or needing sheltered/supported housing. You have no need for temporary accomodation or a place in a hostel. So really what can the council do, it's not them being useless they simply haven't the resources and you don't really have the need.

Reagrding your comment about 'the polish' , this shouldn't be a 'problem' for too much longer as many are returning. I'm not accusing you or your relative of lying but there is an element of only seeing what you want to see.

Besides what's so desireable about a council house?

thefellow

Well council housing in Perth is around £300 per a month for a 2 bedroom house as most of my family live in council housing.

I make (after tax) £1,020 and my wife makes £303 per month.

Our rent is £410 council tax is £160 heating for the month is about £160

We dont have a lavish lifestyle(dont drink,dont smoke) we are down to the bone living a very basic lifestyle.

Sorry for going off on one earlier but its when you see others getting things and not puting anything into the system it really does anger me!!!

Wife has just reminded her cousin got a new 2 bedroomed house(3 kids all different fathers) i know that is a society issue but i just feel let down

sorry once again.

Ms_Chocaholic

Income = £1,323 (have you included Child Benefit, WFTC, CTC in these figures)

Council Tax, Rent and Heating = £730

Leaves £523 to spend on everything else

Heating costs seem high at £160 pcm, ours is only £85 but not sure what heating you use (ours is mains gas)

Council Tax also seems high at £160 (which suggests it may be a large property so £410 rent for a large property seems reasonable)

milliemonster

Right, I think you need to stop being angry about what other people get or don't get in society and start concentrating on your own situation, so your income is £1323 a month your rent and council tax is £570 a month (C Tax seems a bit high for a property with a rental value of £410 though?), your heating bill is extortionate! £160 a month????? what on earth are you burning £5 notes??????, your rent isn't the issue, it's the other things you CAN control you need to look at cutting back on, heating is one, but even including that you are still left with £593 for 'everything else' you should be able to budget sensibly to live within that, have a look at www.makesenseofcards.com and fill in the SOA calculator on there so you can see exactly where your money is going and where you can cut costs

Zelie

Those figures seem to be too low to be realistic. I think you've forgotten to include other income such as tax credits, child benefit etc.

Can your wife not up her income? That seems low. Leave the kiddie with your relatives for an hour or two and get cleaning/bar work. You could look at second jobs too.

It might also be worth considering downsizing anyway. Why would you need a property as big as your council tax implies it is? There's only the three of you.

grannysmither

I know people who were in privately rented accomodation and couldn't afford it - they gave their landlord their notice and said to the council "we cant afford the rent any more and on this date we WILL be homeless" they were then put in temporary accomodation until something permanent came up. its a risk to take especially when you've got children but if you really cant afford your rent any more then it might be an option. I'm not saying they will definitely give you a place if you do this (there may be nothing available) i'm just telling you what other people have done.

robin_banks

Yuo could do this, though you run the risk of 'intentional homelessness'.

Believe me, 'temporary' accomodation really, really ain't nice.

silverchair

thefellow, I can understand where youre comming from. When you feel that you are in need & that you have worked hard & not taken from the system, you do start looking at what others have got without supposidly working for it.

Life isnt fair!

A couple of years ago I went on a job exchange abroad for 3 years. The scheme was a maximum of 3 years. When I got back I wanted to do a PGCE, but was told that I would not be eligible for funding (bursary & free fees) & would have to pay the overseas fees, which were 9,000 pounds. I was told that it was because I'd lived out of the EU for 3 years previous. I was fuming, I had worked during sixth form & throughout uni & was born & brought up in this country yet had to pay international fees.

OH & myself were also planning on getting married. He is from the commonwealth & because of this we needed to get permission from the government to get married (more money). OH found it hard to get a job due to having difficulty opening a bank account, so he did voluntary work, he then got a job 9,000 a year (in London). After paying out for different visas, bills etc we felt like we were just existing not living. We didnt go out, drink, smoke. All food was discount, flat was freezing.
And you do start looking at what other's have just got without working for it. And you do start getting really bitter. However, you forget that those people may be in more need than yourself.

You cant change that, so theres no point in wasting your energy on focusing on what other's have.

You need to look at what you can do for yourself & family.

This site is fantastic for ideas on how you can help tighten your outgoings. Even little things help.
Can your wife do a bit of childminding. Online surveys. Do a bit of cleaning & ironing.
This may seem a bit mean, but dont buy pressies for people or do a secret santa amongst your family. Buy things in the sale for presents.
Go to the MoneySaving Oldstyle. Very good ideas.
Do you have any draught excluders by your doors, heavy curtains to keep the heat in. The heating does seem expensive. Are you using the immersion heater?

Hope this helps.

Good Luck!

poppy_f1

find a cheaper place to rent with cheaper council tax
by my reckoning you must be in what band E/F if your paying 160 a month

and theres no automatic entitlement to a council house, i have been on the waiting list for about 8 years with no hope of ever getting one as i am not priority, (single and childless)
my friend has not long moved into a council flat wiht her OH after being on the list for 12 years and priority homeless for 2.5 years and they have kids