I have an interview with a housing association

DisneyLyn1

Hi everyone!

This is my first post so I hope I have done it right.

My husband and I have been on the waiting list with a housing association for the past three years or so. We currently live in a small one bedroom council flat, however would like to move to a bigger property in order to be able to start a family at some point.

Last week we received details from the housing association of a two bedroom property which has become available (the first we have heard from them in the whole time we have been on the list). After confirming that we are interested, we have been given an interview this Thursday. We have been told to bring along proof of i.d. and our last three months payslips.

The house is ideal, and in a nice area so I would love to be offered it, however there are other applicants being considered. My questions is, does anyone know how likely we are to be successful. I am unsure what the criteria is for who they offer houses to. Any help/advice would be gratefully received.

Many thanks.

silvercar

In a lot of areas, property is so much in demand that you would already have to be classed as overcrowded to be offered a bigger property.

I don't know whether your chances would be increased if you thought you were pregnant.

Fran

Housing Associations usually inform you of their criteria when you apply to them. Look back through letters they have sent. If not, ring them and ask!

Murtle

Each housing association has its own criteria. The ones I have seen usually like nice respectable people, leaving the others to be housed by the local council, ie the serious drug addicts, the young adults to young for a rent agreement etc! The fact you have been offered an interview is a good step. From experience, the housing association will request to see maybe 3 sets of applicants, in the hope that one will be suitable. You should have been selected because the property is suitable for you, ie correct number of people to room allocation, length of time on list may factor, ground floor property if that is required, or matches any stipulations you gave when registering. They will want to see if you suit the property/area they are to place you in ie if there are lots of children around, some elder people may visit the area and say they don't want that property cause x children are nearby but a property somewhere else would be better for them. If they think that by placing you there you are likely to cause complete unhappiness for all their other residents then they are unlikely to offer you the place. If you show you are unlikely to cause them problems, this will work in your favour. If they think you are unlikely to be able to pay rent/bills in time this is likely to work against you. It is a two way meeting, as often people view the properties and the HA wants to offer the place but they don't want it and would prefer to wait for another one to become available.

Good luck though and will keep fingers crossed.

x

DisneyLyn1

Thanks for the quick replies, feel a bit more optimistic now after reading Murtle's post. I reckon if they only see 3 sets of applicants we have a fair chance of being successful. We are decent people, both have good jobs and excellent credit histories and would be generally good neighbours. I really, really want this house!

Thanks again.