advice please re : social housing

sddk1985

I currently have a mortgage on my 2 bed property bought 2006.

We both wrk my partner 50+ hrs a week me 16 hrs a week since having my son 2008. I have a stepson who stays with us on a weekend.

I have recently fallen pregnant and discovered its twins. I dont know what to do re : r housing situation.

I have bben to see a mortgage advisor who as advised us cos we have no equity in our property we cannot borrow any more money so the opprtunity to upgrade our property is a no go. We are a mid terrace so no extension (cant lend any money to do this anyway)

I am worried as to space even for two moses baskets in the living room im sure we will cope and find a way we will have to but dont think it gonna be easy.

Does anyone have any advbise as to if the local housing will help me or are we on r own

thanks in advice sorry to go on

By the way we are happy we are having twins they are already much loved now I know there in there just worried bout the practicality

BitterAndTwisted

Anyone can apply to put themselves on the waiting-list but in a lot of areas there's more demand than supply so Local Authorities and Housing Associations are compelled to allocate any vacant properties to those in most need. Some operate a choice-based system where you bid for any properties in your band.

Still, it couldn't hurt to start doing some research. You could be lucky and find that there are properties available.

Incyder

o dear o dear o dear.

Well if you are not about to get repossesed then the council will not be interested in helping you.

You can't borrow as you said.

I think you have 2 choices.

1) stay where you are and tolerate it somehow.

2) sell up or rent out your house and then go and privately rent a bigger one.


Another thing that goes against you with the council and housing assc is that you both work and are not lounging at home screwing the benefits system.

You have your own house and you both work. Well done for achieving that but it means the state won't/doesn't need to help you.

lolly_896

It will be tight but you will manage! The twins will be in with you for 6 months at last possibly up to the 1st yr. Then you could look at bunk cots to go in with your ds. and Then a bunk with a double at bottom and single on top. A Sofa bed and split the 2 bedrooms you have between the 4 children

Good luck x

ETA, you may find that you will be better with a crib and put the twins in together. Some twins do not like to be separated x

Wee_Willy_Harris

Which Local Authority are you under?

sddk1985

thanks every1 for your replies will do some research I think

I am under Leeds Authority

wrightk

regardless of the sex of both your children you will be entitled to a 3 bed house from the council/HA, your twins will be expected to share a room (in my council it is under 7 years old for the same sex and if different sex its when there is a 5 year age gap between children). This doesn't take into account the fact of shortfall of properties though, under/over occupation etc. Hopefully WWH knows leeds area better than me and can assist further

Jowo_2

wrightk wrote: »

regardless of the sex of both your children you will be entitled to a 3 bed house from the council/HA, your twins will be expected to share a room (in my council it is under 7 years old for the same sex and if different sex its when there is a 5 year age gap between children). This doesn't take into account the fact of shortfall of properties though, under/over occupation etc. Hopefully WWH knows leeds area better than me and can assist further

Except that as a home owner, if the OP applies for social housing, she is potentially going to be put in the lowest band for allocations, though the overcrowding/lack of equity could 'help'.

The OP can read the allocations policy here to understand how she might be banded.

http://www.leeds.gov.uk/files/Internet2007/2011/2/lettingspolicy-2011_final.pdf

Gandalfthegrey

You might not necessarily go into the 'lowest' category with the council as you may be classed as 'overcrowded' once the twins arrive. You will probably be put into 'medium' needs category but still, realistically, you'll still have a long wait.

Wee_Willy_Harris

Jowo wrote: »

Except that as a home owner, if the OP applies for social housing, she is potentially going to be put in the lowest band for allocations, though the overcrowding/lack of equity could 'help'.

The OP can read the allocations policy here to understand how she might be banded.

http://www.leeds.gov.uk/files/Internet2007/2011/2/lettingspolicy-2011_final.pdf

The tenure of her current accommodation will make no difference.

Wee_Willy_Harris

Gandalfthegrey wrote: »

You might not necessarily go into the 'lowest' category with the council as you may be classed as 'overcrowded' once the twins arrive. You will probably be put into 'medium' needs category but still, realistically, you'll still have a long wait.

Well, a quick look at their recent lets.......

http://www.leedshomes.org.uk/default.aspx?menuPath=LettingsResults

..... would suggest not as long as you imagine. Plenty of 3 beds going to general needs applicants waiting less than 1 year.