Council Housing Advice

Nicola-Jayne

Hiya, Im new to this site and i was just wondering if anyone could help me.
Me and my partner are living in a 2 bedroom flat and we have a 8 month old girl, my partner has a 6 year old boy from a previous relationship, and we are going to speak to the council tomorrow as we have just found out that a boy/girl over the age of 5 cant share with the opposite sex.. they havent been sharing a room and they wouldnt be able to any way it isnt big enough. has anyone else been in this situation or know what will happen? As its unfair on my partners son as hes getting older now and needs his own space and we want him to know that he is welcome any time and theres always a room for him.
Any Advice would be very helpful..
Many thanks

chambta

Depends on the council's own points scoring system and of course the housing stock but you may well be able to move at some point.

skylight

You can but try.

You'll be knocked back as the age not-to share is 10, and both children need to be living with you full-time (I am making the assumption your step-son is only there for the weekends??)

Once he reaches 10 and lives with you full-time, you will be placed on a transfer register and may stay there for years, but waiting times vary from area to area.

As I first said though, you can but try. What's the worst they can say??

Nicola-Jayne

We have him 3 nights a week, with our council as soon as one child turns 5 they can no longer share with the opposite sex. well we've got that new bidding system now and i have no idea how that works.. but like you said whats the worst they can say?

terryw

The worst is "no"

skylight

There is also the mutual exchange program. Ask them about that when you visit. Lots of councils pay membership fees for the good ones or they may have their own.

Nicola-Jayne

Ok i will do. thank u

Jowo_2

The council will be able to advise if they even consider the step-son when it comes to allocation size, given that he's there on a part-time basis and his primary residence is somewhere else. You may find this information in the tenancy handbook.

PasturesNew

With the bidding, you're put in a band and you have to bid for every house that becomes available. Of those who bid, the house goes to the people who at that point in time have the greatest need. As the boy is a part-time visitor, that means any family that has a boy/girl combination full-time will always win over your bid. So it still could be some time.

The LHA rules work on a boy/girl being able to share up to age 10. Up to one of them being 10, LHA would say you need a 2-bed place.

magicgirl

don't count on things happening anytime soon though. it depends on housing stock but very few councils will accept a shared childcare arrangement if you are not the main carer (ie the one who receives child benefit)
i know many familys who did not get 3bed until their chuldren were well into their teens because the stock is simply not there.

children (for purposes of housing) are only counted as a half person and councils will allocate on property floorspace as opposed to bedrooms even if they agree you need moving.

magicgirl

sorry - meant to add, no harm in getting name down now if they allow you to as the longer you areon the list can have some bearing - esp if the rules do change or more porperties become availabble etc. good luck. x