council housing transfer...help required

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I live in a pretty rough area of town in council property. Over the past year or so, the area has deteriorated due to anti-social behaviour being the main problem.
I'm going to apply for a transfer to another area of town, and I will fill forms from the council and housing associations.
I just wondered if anyone had this kinda form filling in experience, or maybe works for a local council housing department who could offer guidance in the best way to complete these housing forms.

Thanks

jellyhead

might not help any, but my council has a list of people wanting to transfer. you can look at all the cards to see if you want to swap with anyone. some people want to move closer to family, get a smaller or bigger house etc. and a swap like this is their only option because the council only help in the most extreme circumstances. you arrange these swaps between yourselves.

Rachel85

I would say you probably need to find a genuine reason why you need/want to move other than not liking the area you are currently in. Don't get me wrong, I understand completely why you want to move, but as JellyHead said, the council will probably only help in the most extreme of cases and so you need as much information as you can to support your application. Think about all the reasons you might want to move: nearer to family who need care, kids needing special education at other side of town, perhaps even fleeing personal persecution in the area? Obviously I don't know your circumstances, but I'd say think very carefully about all the reasons you want to move and help them to make your application stand out.

At the end of the day, its worth a try but not sure what your chances of success area.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Thanks to both replies. It's not just a case of not liking the area. The kids/parents in the area are a big pain in the backside, we have to tolerate motorbikes racing about at all hours, + I'm not originally from this part of town, I moved here after a huge falling out with my family after my dad died 5 years ago. So, I don't really know anyone here.

I'm now speaking to my family again, but they all live on the other side of town to me, so would be a whole lot better to live nearer to them.. I'm also in the process of getting a sterilization reversal, and I really don't want to bring a baby into the world whilst I'm living on this estate.

I've been an excellent tenant. Rent always up to date, house kept in good repair/well looked after. Whoever moved in, would have nothing to do in respect of decor ect.

+ the council would still have a home to offer someone as desprate as I became 5 years ago.

loopylass

In our council offices there is a exchage biook where you can do a swap but if the area is as bad as that then i wouldnt hold too much hope but saying that the people may need to move to your area for various reasons so ask if they have an exchange book
If you dont get any joy then you really need good reasons for the council to transfer you e.g if this is giving you ill health a doctors letter would support this, if children are being kept awake or dangerous area for children etc health visitor letter
Years ago my parents done an exchange to a smaller place from the countryside didnt know the area they were moving to but the flat was lovely they moved and had drug addicts next door my parents had years of abuse needles on the floor late night visitors noise etc the council took 3 years to move them and it was only because my parents started getting their windows smashed etc
I hope you get it sorted
Good luck

xmaslolly76

How bad is the area you live in do you fear for your safety is it causing you stress or depression. If so you will need to visit your doctor and get medical proof the council will give you medical points and you may then have enough to move. I was told once that if a house is sat empty and the council havent offered it to anyone they cannot refuse to let you live there if you have enough points however finding out if the property if under offer is a completely different matter as the council are unlikely to give the information out without a fight.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I suppose the area is causing me to feel depressed and stressed. I'm not fearing for my saftey tho', would take a hell of a lot to get me to that level. I am fearing for my car's saftey tho. My last car got ruined by kids playing football in the street, and not caring where they kicked the ball.

I hate the stupid points system tho', it's too rigid and dosen't take into account true personal circumstances.

I'm gonna take a chance, and write a good sob story. I'm even gonna apply to local housing associations. My home what I live in now, was only supposed to be a tempory measure, until I got myself back on my feet.

homersimpson_3

i often see cards in our local newsagents and post offices from people who want to move to my area from outside- just say what you presently have and what you are looking for. may be another option.

squibbs25

When my sister was looking to move (from London to Somerset) she found this site very helpful.
http://www.council-exchange.org.uk

It covers every area possible in England, Scotland, and Wales.
There will be litrally hundreds of people wanting/needing to move listed on it.
Good luck.

Spendless

The council certainly helped my nan in 2000 when she was widowed and wanted to move from Sheffield to Doncaster to be nearer family. She was in her mid 70s at time and also mentioned health problems she had. The council suggested a place in the village where my parents live. She didn't have to swap her old place. She was only given one chance though, if she refused they wouldn't have continued trying to find her somewhere. The place she was offered was a bit of a wreck but she took the chance she'd been offered and had it decorated and it really is lovely now. She went on to buy it but that's another story.:D

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Thanks folks, any help is appreciated

I'm not bothered whether I have to swap or not, I just need to move for all the reason explained above.

I'll just spend my days pestering the coucil/HAs until they get that sick, they give in. At least they can't complain I owe them rent. I think if I left and rented privately, the council would owe me money