(long-ish post) is moving between councils impossible ?

jasonwatkins

about 3 and a half years ago, i was living in a private rent and the landlord decided to sell it out from under me.

he issued me with all the correct paperwork at the correct time and was completely within his rights to do so, but it basically left me in a situation where i was potentially going to be homeless.

to cut the middle part of the story short, the council (thurrock council in essex) dumped me in a sink estate in a 1 bedroom flat - i was/am grateful because i was literally about 7 days away from having nowhere to live, but over time, the whole area i'm living in has just gotten on top of me.

it's causing various medical problems, along with various emotional and psychological problems (i start therapy in two weeks) and i just feel like there's really no hope.

thurrock council operate a bidding system where you can bid for vacant properties in the area, but it's a 3-tier system for tenants with gold being the most dire need, silver being a strong need and bronze basically being everyone else.

since 95% of people are bronze it's somewhat akin to a lucky dip for the decent places out of the area because so many people apply for them. if i wanted to move to another part of the estate, i probably could though .. those places usually have few bids !

i've also joined pretty much every council exchange site going to try and get a mutual exchange privately but 3 years down the line i'm still looking.

the other council (kent county council) operate a points system, and you can only earn points if you live in the county. and you can't be considered for a council flat unless you have points - and you can't earn points unless you live in the county .. and so on ....

local connections mean squat as well since i'm 'adequately housed' and don't live in kent.

if i could magically summon about £1500 quid out of thin air to get a private rent near to my family in kent, i'd be out of this place so fast it would make your head spin but it's just not possible. loans are out, borrowing off family and/or friends is out so short of robbing a bank, it's just not an option.

i've asked around and been to the local CAB where my family live about possible schemes that can guarantee the deposit, or cover the first month's rent e.t.c, but there's nothing.

i've also advertised locally to my family but no takers either. if i had 2 or 3 bedrooms and/or a garden i'd probably have no end of possibilities but it just seems that nobody wants to swap a 1 bed for a 1 bed

so i was just wondering/hoping if anyone had any ideas or suggestions ?

my doctor has offered to write me a letter to the council, providing i stump up £20 :rolleyes:, but with my income being as it is, i don't really want to pay out for one if it's not going to do any good.

i can't move in with my family over in kent either, that's just complicated to say the very least ...

so if anyone has any ideas or anything along these lines, or any experience in swapping council properties through "the system" then i'd be extremely grateful to hear anything .. thanks

Morglin

Most councils, if you have some connection with that county or borough, and you say your family are in Kent, will let you join their housing register, although you may well be placed in a lower band, which may be a problem with having to bid.

If you have medical needs that mean you need to be near to your family for support (and you say your GP will write a letter), then your points will take accord of that, and they should allow you to join the register in Kent. Pushing it on medical grounds may be your best option.

But, most councils are overloaded with people waiting for a property, and you may wait a very long time for a place.

We recently managed to get back to this area from Sussex, because it's where I came from before Sussex, and we have family connections up here, but it took us about 2 years, and we both have 'high priority' physical health issues.

SHELTER are good at giving advice on all sorts of housing problems, and it might be worth asking them if they have any ideas of your best way to go:

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice

Lin

jasonwatkins

thanks for that lin

the council in kent are happy for me to join the housing register but they made it clear to me when i spoke to them that i would start with zero points and not earn any points either, and since you need points before you're considered for properties in kent you can see where that one is going to go ...

i'll certainly have a look through the shelter site though -thanks.

clutton_2

most councils have a Bond/deposit scheme to enable folks in your position to move into private accommodation - ask to speak to your councils private sector housing officer

carefullycautious

If you only need a one bed try advertising in the local paper of the area you need. Focus on the positives about your flat. Is it close to transport links amenities etc. Keep your flat well presented. Someone who may need your area for job reasons may apply.

Are you able to work? another way is to check the 'Lady' magazine which has may live in jobs for handyman,caretaker etc.

If your GP is willing to support your need to be closer to family take this offer up and go to a local councillor in the area you require and have a chat with them, they also will be able to liase with the council on your behalf.

Try to remain positive there are options out there and at least you have a roof over your head albeit not one you want.

Sometimes you have to think outside of the box. There was a thread recently about housesitting properties maybe this could be an option. Im sure someone will be able to put the thread up.

Good luck, I know that it feels as if you are wading through mud at present but if you can keep positive you will find another path in life.

jasonwatkins

carefullycautious wrote: »

If you only need a one bed try advertising in the local paper of the area you need.

Been doing this for a couple of years now.

carefullycautious wrote: »

Are you able to work?

Unfortunately not.

carefullycautious wrote: »

If your GP is willing to support your need to be closer to family take this offer up and go to a local councillor in the area you require and have a chat with them, they also will be able to liase with the council on your behalf.

I'm probably willing to do this, but as i said, i'm just cautious because at the moment I can't really afford to lay out £20 quid for a letter on a chance that it might help. If i go to see a councillor and he/she just basically repeats what the housing department have already said then it's £20 quid down the drain.

carefullycautious wrote: »

Good luck, I know that it feels as if you are wading through mud at present but if you can keep positive you will find another path in life.

I do appreciate that, thanks

I hate it when i read some of the exchange websites about people who join on monday, find an exchange on tuesday and are packing by wednesday - after 3 years of looking, it just makes me curse them very, very loudly ...

Morglin

I'm amazed that your GP charges you for letters - no GP I have ever had, has charged me.

If you have a consultant, ask him/her to write.

The only other thing I can suggest is to try and get an internal transfer (on health grounds) in your area to a better place, and then perhaps it may be easier to transfer out of the area.

But, Kent CC cannot put you on the list with 'nil points' if you have health grounds to move - once they accept you, and once you submit evidence, they have to award you points in line with everyone else on that list.

If they say they can, consult your MP or the CAB.

Lin