Council tenant

seven-day-weekend

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

Every time I come on these types of posts the OP's have abuse slung at them, you may as well close these help boards down, if this keeps going on people will be afraid to ask for advice.

As far as I can see no-one has slung any abuse.

A question was asked, answered and the situation commented upon, politely in most, if not all, cases.

Maybe ideally it should now be moved to Discussion Time.

viktory

McKneff wrote: »

I really cant see the difference between council housing and housing association properties, could someone enlighten me.

There is no difference really - both are social housing, i.e a house/flat/bungalow, whatever, considerably cheaper to rent than private rental. Council houses are the cheapest to rent, HA properties are roughly £50 a month more (varies from area to area though). Also, it is felt that HA properties are better maintained as HA's have more money than councils although the Decent homes Standard is looking to eliminate this divide. Exitroute is splitting hairs.

Oh and the right to buy is different for HA tenants - although I know I have 'The Right to Acquire' my home after 5 years tenancy I think it is different to RTB.

exitroute?

OK..lets calm it down and have a discussion then. Let me give you an example. A lady yards from me is living in a 3 bed house..both kids long left home. She doesnt want to leave her home of many years and as long as she pays her rent..no one is going to move her out. I live in a large 2 bed house..built to accommodate up to a family of 4. Its too big for my needs a such. My son works out of the area has a good social life and is away most weekends. I DO want to move to a smaller place but they wont move me..I am viewed as adequately housed. I have joined several Choice Based lettings schemes and am in the lowest band because I am CHOOSING to move and am able to bid on one bedroom bedsits and places for folks over 60. Occasionally a bungalow or house that they cant let comes up with 2 bedrooms. I need 2 bedrooms and am not 60..plus I have 2 cats and cant take pets to some places. I bid on a 2 bed place a couple of weeks ago and was gobsmacked to be contacted about viewing it..then..she asks if I have a local connection to the area its in. i was honest and said no and subsequently have lost it. You have no idea of the efort I have made to move..including correspondence with my MP. Lots of folks in underoccupied homes DO want to move and in my town..they are completely ignored. To answer the question..rent and community tax are the same no matter who the tenants are..unless only one adult and then they get CT rebate of 25%.

McKneff

Is there an exchange list you can go onto.

exitroute?

Mcneff..you have no idea!! yes there is. Would you do me a favour and see what the problem is first hand? Take you about 2 mins. Go onto www.sarh.co.uk and click on the mutual exchange register page. Now..I have written a letter of complaint about it but see if you can see whats wrong with it. bear in mind the aim is to find a suitable match BEFORE contacting tenants. The fact that you can access it without any codes etc is wrong for a start but please..anyone..feel free to have a look and see the problems we face. I have been on this list for about 15 years!!!! I have had letters published in the local press about it..been to area forums and moaned about it...no one gives a monkeys.

DX2

exitroute? wrote: »

So, if anything happened to the parent, would this person be made homeless? My son was made a joint tenant several years ago. He is 23 now and will have a roof over his head if I pop me cloggs.

From your own link

Succession

What is it?
For tenants who transferred from Stafford Borough Council on 6 February 2006, there is a right of succession on the death of a tenant, including the death of a joint tenant to :

• the spouse or partner of that tenant; or
• another member of the tenant’s family who has lived with the tenant throughout the period of twelve months up to the tenant’s death. The 12 months period relates to living with the tenant, not in the property. If the tenant has moved within the last 12 months, the period the successor lived with the tenant at the previous address would count, providing there was no break in them living together.

For those who signed as tenants of Stafford and Rural Homes after 6 February 2006, there is a right of succession on the death of a tenant, including the death of a joint tenant, to the spouse or partner of that tenant only.

unless, in either case, the tenant was himself a successor after the transfer to Stafford and Rural Homes on 6 February 2006.

At the time of the tenants death, the applicant must have been occupying the dwelling as their only or principal home.

Who is a "Family Member"?

A family member is defined by law as:

• a spouse or person with whom the tenant lived as husband or wife
• the tenant’s parent, grandparent, child (or stepchild), grandchild, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew or niece
• A cohabiting partner (of the same or other sex)

Who has priority for succession?
Only one person can succeed to the tenancy. There can be no joint succession.

The tenant’s partner will always have priority over others if there is more than one person qualified to succeed. However, if there is more than one family member qualified to succeed, they must agree amongst themselves who will succeed to the tenancy. Normally, a cohabitee in residence for over 12months would be the obvious choice. If they fail to agree then Stafford and Rural Homes would make the final decision.

Joint tenancies will not be created on succession as this would lead to complications on the death of one of the successor joint tenants.
Can a child succeed?
A child can succeed to a tenancy. It is sometimes the case that a minor is the legal successor despite a more ‘sensible’ successor being apparent. For example, a single parent (of, say, a 7 year old child) takes a cohabitee. The single parent dies after 11 months of cohabitation. The cohabitee would not be eligible to succeed; the 7 year old child would be the successor. In such cases it is usual for a guardian to hold the tenancy in trust for the successor until the minor is of age to hold the tenancy in his/her own right. When a tenancy is held in trust, the guardian is not a tenant but has use and occupation of the property. Monies are due in respect of the use of the property. Housing Benefit can be granted to the occupier in such circumstances.
What are the consequences of succession?

A person who takes over a tenancy by succession becomes responsible for any existing breaches of the tenant’s obligations e.g. rent arrears, and has to perform those obligations from the date he becomes tenant. A new tenancy is not created and the successor becomes a tenant, not a lodger in possession or any other type of occupant.

viktory

exitroute? wrote: »

Mcneff..you have no idea!! yes there is. Would you do me a favour and see what the problem is first hand? Take you about 2 mins. Go onto www.sarh.co.uk and click on the mutual exchange register page. Now..I have written a letter of complaint about it but see if you can see whats wrong with it. bear in mind the aim is to find a suitable match BEFORE contacting tenants. The fact that you can access it without any codes etc is wrong for a start but please..anyone..feel free to have a look and see the problems we face. I have been on this list for about 15 years!!!! I have had letters published in the local press about it..been to area forums and moaned about it...no one gives a monkeys.

I'll concede that it is a crap mutual exchange board - sketchy details and no photos but I fail to see why there is a problem with people's details being listed. If you want to find an exchange you have to get your details out there on as many sites as possible. I had my details on loads of websites before I found my mutual exchange.

exitroute?

There are no property types and no bedroom sizes. I happen to know that many folks on that list have already moved and know that most object to their confidential info being printed..especially property numbers. whats to stop someone knocking on your door on pretence of an exchange interest and you letting them in to view? I wouldnt but lots of desperate would..especially older folks in large houses. I am on several exchange lists...have joined 4 CBL schemes to date..have applied directly to other RSL..and it goes on. In this area..once you have a Council or HA home, you may as well regard it as a home for life. Other points to make..my mother died at 50 and my father died 3 years ago...this is what prompted my concerns about my son. He is employed but cant afford to rent/run his own place yet.

viktory

exitroute? wrote: »

There are no property types and no bedroom sizes. I happen to know that many folks on that list have already moved and know that most object to their confidential info being printed..especially property numbers. whats to stop someone knocking on your door on pretence of an exchange interest and you letting them in to view? I wouldnt but lots of desperate would..especially older folks in large houses. I am on several exchange lists...have joined 4 CBL schemes to date..have applied directly to other RSL..and it goes on. In this area..once you have a Council or HA home, you may as well regard it as a home for life. Other points to make..my mother died at 50 and my father died 3 years ago...this is what prompted my concerns about my son. He is employed but cant afford to rent/run his own place yet.

I agree it is a rubbish mutual exchange board. It would be far better with photos and far more extensive descriptions.

I still don't get your point about people randomly knocking on doors though - what is to stop someone calling a number and pretending to be interested to arrange a viewing? Obviously, ALL cold callers should be treated with caution.

I am very, very surprised you have not found a mutual excange though - especially as you are down sizing. I had loads of interest in my house- perhas you are being a bit too choosy?

exitroute?

I am on several exchange websites too. I have given a full description of my home and simply requested a smaller 2 bed house with its own garden and parking facilities. Dont think thats being choosey. I am on one website..https://www.underoneroofexchange.co.uk which is brilliant. Not sure if you can access the full site without registration but if you could, you would see many many thousands of tenants in the same situation nationally..some very depressed and asking what they are doing wrong. Its wrong to detail tenants names and addresses and is why most exchange sites and lists dont do it. A street name and post code is all that is needed and a contact number...plus property type and bedroom size. My dream job would be to have full responsibiltiy for that list on SARH and feel sure folks would be moving in weeks if I did, not in their dreams. The thing is, folks like me who cant find an exchange are filling up the CBL schemes so that everyone has less choice in the end. They should improve the exchange register and that would help in lots of ways.