Council Housing ~ Rent References

Caseyface

Hi

Myself and my Fiance moved into our 2 bed private rented apartment in September, we are really happy where we are but we are expecting our first child early April. I thought it was a good idea to sign up to the council housing list as obviously our circumstances are changing and the earlier we are on the list, the better in terms of the bidding cycle etc.

I rang the housing office today to see what forms of i.d we need to provide, she said the usual d.o.b stuff etc but also said we need to provide rent references before they will activate our account.....is this right???

We aren't looking to move until at least the end of next year, so getting rent references from our current landlord isn't a great idea. Surely we are allowed to bid on properties and if offered one then we will be expected to provide references?

Help!:eek:

Thanks

BitterAndTwisted

The Council are the ones who set the conditions, so if they want rent references before they will consider you then you will have to provide them. You are in particularly low need at the moment and I'd be surprised if they will put you on the list until after your child is born so why not ask for your reference and apply then? In some areas people with children are waiting years and years to be housed, especially when they already have adequate housing.

missdee85

I wouldn't bet on getting moved in the near future from the council as you said you live in a 2 bed flat which they will see as more than adaquate for you, your partner and of course the child when it arrives all councils are different but the ones around my area only class the child as a feutus until it is actually born - horrible i know but thats the way they see it.

Even when baby comes i dont think you will get anywhere soon as unfortunately there are too many people in need of the homes.

Good luck with baby xx

BitterAndTwisted

A lot of Local Authorities won't count a baby in their points system until it's a year old.

squinty

Caseyface wrote: »

Hi


We aren't looking to move until at least the end of next year, so getting rent references from our current landlord isn't a great idea. Surely we are allowed to bid on properties and if offered one then we will be expected to provide references?


Thanks

There was some case law last year which suggested that if a council has a policy where they do not offer accommodation in certain circumstances (in the case itself it was to people from outside the EU) then they should carry out checks up front.

An applicant argued that by accepting thier application, without the checks they had raised an expectation that they would be rehoused. This was upheld and a council had to accept this application,

As a result many councils now ask for all proofs up front, and also carry out addtional checks before offering accommodation.