Do the council have a legan responsibility to move us?

[Deleted User]

Something similiar happened to us. A reject decided to try and steal our car, he was seen by the police and arrested, the family decided we'd seen the reject and that we were grasses. 8 months of hell followed. Police told us unless we had a mob in our garden threatening our lives, they would not move us, and then it would be on an emergency basis. Council (got Councillors involved) would not do anything unless police said we needed to move, no matter how high up I got in my phone calls. In the end I found us another 'hard to let' but tenant managed estate who gave us somewhere to sLive. Once we'd been given a place.., I slept for two weeks solid (literally) because I was keeping watch all night every night. I am happy to say, we have lived here for years, with few problems.

It was a nightmare.., and u do have my sincere sympathies, but the only way u'll move is if u find yourself somewhere to move to. It seems to be the way things are set up I'm afraid.

puddy

refer your family to childrens social services because of your sisters age and refer under child protection to say that your sister is at risk of murder and severe injury, make a big noise, get an initial assessment completed and document all this, give them the name of your housing officer etc etc, ask them to make your sister the subject of a child protection plan under the catagory of risk of physical harm. at the chlid protection conference there should be a multi agency response to the concerns, from police, health, housing and social services. the child protection plan may suggest that to effect this child's safety, she needs to be moved and housing will then have to comply with the CP plan

however, remember that this plan will also be just as effective with housing or social services (or a combination of them both) giving you the deposit to use for a privately rented property, in fact that may be all they can do if they dont have suitable council accommodation for you. and if you are an adult you will not be in the calculations for housing, so sounds like a 2 bed property is all you would be given.

however, i also agree with what others have said, because to avoid this all you need to do is find somewhere that uses a small deposit and then rent, if you are low on income then you qualify for hb/lha so you can afford it

surely thats better than putting yourselves at risk?

what area are you in, we can help look for rentals if you need

Mrs_Z

Hi
Well I think it comes down to the grim reality at the end of the day, in that even though the Council might accept you on their rehousing list - they only have limited number of housing stock and the houses are usually tenanted. So you can be waiting for a very long time for a) a suitable property becoming available b) being on top of the Council's rehousing list on that point to be allocated that property.

angel223_2

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misssarahleigh

Thanks for advice. I'll try answer the questions.

What have the police said?

They are no longer looking into the crime and they are tackling ASB in the area. (The only criminal record i have seen them give so far is to my neighbour who they attempted to petrol bomb after 8 officers stormed her house and found £5 worth of cannabis!)

You can speak to the council and ask to be rehoused.

We have spoken to them and so far no word back.

You should have a list of all dates and crime reference numbers.

Doesn't make a difference. I have over 20 crime numbers attached to my car and reported everything for a year. The only thing i managed to do was higher my insurance due to the crime numbers on my post code. It got boring when the PC saved my details, sent a crime number and nothing more. I understand, difficult to catch them randomly knocking wing mirrors off.

Mrs Z

Totally understand the housing cannot magic one up. But, after discussing the way the banding system works and how it's decided who gets the house, no other circumstances will be taken into account. The ASB, any crime we have suffered, nothing. It will be based on highest band and longest wait. That means same boat as everyone else, when i don't believe thats accurate. I doubt other people want to move for the same reason we do.

You need to keep a detailed diary of all incidents!!! and inform the police everytime something happens.

Why bother. It doesn't matter. I met the estate manager and she said the same thing. She has been the estate manager for two years but just left. My general responce to her was 'if you have been estate manager for two years and we have never met before you clearly didn't do your job very well'!

It won't make a difference. It's the intimidation and fear. What am i going to write. Woke up at 1.32am and 3.36am. Checked on car. Still there. went back to bed lol

You need to go to your MP and local councilor and get them onside

my councillors replied back oh, very sorry to here that, will look into it and nothing since. Have not had any other contact.

Get yourself on the exchange lists

I'm telling you know. There will be slim chance of somebody wanting out house!

poppysarah

misssarahleigh wrote: »

You need to keep a detailed diary of all incidents!!! and inform the police everytime something happens.

Why bother. It doesn't matter. I met the estate manager and she said the same thing. She has been the estate manager for two years but just left. My general responce to her was 'if you have been estate manager for two years and we have never met before you clearly didn't do your job very well'!

It won't make a difference. It's the intimidation and fear. What am i going to write. Woke up at 1.32am and 3.36am. Checked on car. Still there. went back to bed lol

You need to go to your MP and local councilor and get them onside

my councillors replied back oh, very sorry to here that, will look into it and nothing since. Have not had any other contact.

Keep a diary.
Yes it's depressing, time consuming, soul destroying BUT it gets results.

Your house is part of a HA/council so there will be regular (perhaps quarterly) meetings where residents can meet with council staff, councillors etc.
This is the sort of meeting you need to go to.

Go and see your councillor every surgery to ask what's being done.

Book an appointment to see your MP.

Every time someone threatens you or harrasses you, or damage happens, get on to the police. Use the non emergency number and get a log number every time.

It's about making yourself heard to the people at the council until they decide it's best to rehouse you to shut you up.

angel223_2

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misssarahleigh

Thanks for that. Some very good advice.

I suppose the problem is i've been reporting things for 8 years. Me and my neighbour have tried so many times to help and nothing gets done.

People won't give statements through fear, and even when there is evidence of what they have done they normally get a community punishment or an ASBO (which we have demanded the conditions a number of times but the LA refuse to publicise it).

I suppose the problem is all the advice is going to take a while. Building a diary and finding a place. Life is slowly slipping into hell and it's hard to keep my motivation up and that of my mothers. My grandma and uncle fear for us and obviously affecting everyone.

I'm going to put some thought and action into the suggestions below. I shall update if i have any good news.

Mum_of_3_3

Sorry to hear about the hell you are going through.

I know you said you can't afford to rent privately, but some councils offer a deposit scheme and if you are eligible for LHA then this may be the way to go.

Have you spoken to the local newspaper on a anonymous basis (via phone or something) and tell them what is happening on your estate and how you and your neighbours are complaining but nothing is being done about it?

I really hope you get this sorted soon.

M_o_3

misssarahleigh

Mum_of_3 wrote: »

Sorry to hear about the hell you are going through.

I know you said you can't afford to rent privately, but some councils offer a deposit scheme and if you are eligible for LHA then this may be the way to go.

Have you spoken to the local newspaper on a anonymous basis (via phone or something) and tell them what is happening on your estate and how you and your neighbours are complaining but nothing is being done about it?

I really hope you get this sorted soon.

M_o_3

I once spoke to them anon and from the information they entered they may as well have painted a big red arrow outside my door. They didn't use my nae but gave more than enough informaiton to identify me.