Poss catergory 1 rented property.

watsinaname

having spoken to my local EH officer it would seem that without him seeing my property i am living in a catergory 1. I have been renting this house for nearly 2 years and it has been one thing after another. I have been on the local housing website and it gives me all the options.

My question is ....what should i expect to happen. I have refused to give my name and address as going to EH about my living conditions could be classed as deliberately making myself homeless but i have an appointment with an housing adviser later on in the week.

As i see it -

I have not the finance to move to another private rented property
I am , at the moment unable to work because of health problems and wont be able to work for at least another year.
I have no savings
I have no family that can put me up.
I dont know of any of my friends that can put me up ( all have families hence no room)
Rents in the area have now exceeded what i can afford being on benefit.
Contacted local housing dept (council) and no joy with help or advice.
Looked into moving to another area but again no deposit or job.
Other councils look to housing there own homeless ( rightly so)
Applied for part time jobs that come with accommodation but without sucess.

What are my options? has anyone else been in the same position.

Any advice would be VERY welcome ...but please dont have a go, its not my fault and to be honest i can do without it.

Wee_Willy_Harris

Why do you think you are homeless?

Brb

I don't see how you would be considered "deliberately making yourself homeless" by finally reporting you are living in a cat 1 rented property. I believe that if an EHO declares a property a cat 1 (for which a T has to move immediately) then the council have to help. It may only be a B&B though. They will then make the LL improve the property. If not done in the time frame then they will instruct the works required and invoice the LL.

Shelter can help. Google them and give them a ring, be patient though as they are a charity and manning the phones expensive for them.

I will understand if you don't want to say, but what is wrong with the property ? have you written to your LL informing him/her of the dis-repair ?

Good luck though and let us know how you get on.

watsinaname

Brb wrote: »

I don't see how you would be considered "deliberately making yourself homeless" by finally reporting you are living in a cat 1 rented property. I believe that if an EHO declares a property a cat 1 (for which a T has to move immediately) then the council have to help. It may only be a B&B though. They will then make the LL improve the property. If not done in the time frame then they will instruct the works required and invoice the LL.

Shelter can help. Google them and give them a ring, be patient though as they are a charity and manning the phones expensive for them.

I will understand if you don't want to say, but what is wrong with the property ? have you written to your LL informing him/her of the dis-repair ?

Good luck though and let us know how you get on.

Thats the rules im afraid ... if you report your landlord and it results in eviction then you can not be classed as homeless.... some law or other that someone more knowledge will confirm.

watsinaname

Wee_Willy_Harris wrote: »

Why do you think you are homeless?

Knowing the landlord he would rather i was not living there than fork out any monies towards putting the house to a reasonable standard. Any repairs that has been done have been done by him....jacl of all trades and a master of none...... tight as a duxs whatsitsname.:)

If he had the choice of spending up to £15,ooo or getting rid of his tenant i think he would rather evict me ...if only for spite. I am on a rolling contract now so dont have a leg to stand on really.

Wee_Willy_Harris

watsinaname wrote: »

Thats the rules im afraid ... if you report your landlord and it results in eviction then you can not be classed as homeless.... some law or other that someone more knowledge will confirm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrjwaqZfjIY

The council will do nothing about your housing UNTIL you excercise your rights.

Wee_Willy_Harris

watsinaname wrote: »

Knowing the landlord he would rather i was not living there than fork out any monies towards putting the house to a reasonable standard. Any repairs that has been done have been done by him....jacl of all trades and a master of none...... tight as a duxs whatsitsname.:)

If he had the choice of spending up to £15,ooo or getting rid of his tenant i think he would rather evict me ...if only for spite. I am on a rolling contract now so dont have a leg to stand on really.

That shouldn't frighten you into NOT involving EH. THAT is your RIGHT to do, and the LA should support you in taking action to PROTECT the viability of your current tenancy.

teeni

watsinaname wrote: »

Thats the rules im afraid ... if you report your landlord and it results in eviction then you can not be classed as homeless.... some law or other that someone more knowledge will confirm.

no it doesnt a property that is considered a category one hazzard is unfit to live in and therefore you can not be intentionaly homeless.

teeni

Wee_Willy_Harris wrote: »

Why do you think you are homeless?

if a property is a category one hazzard, then it is unfit to reside in and therefore the tenant could make a homeless application, there is some relevant case law but of the top of my head i cant remember it.

teeni

very likely landlord would evict for exerecising your rights , but that should not stop you taking it further unless you are happy with things the way they are of course.

Wee_Willy_Harris

teeni wrote: »

if a property is a category one hazzard, then it is unfit to reside in and therefore the tenant could make a homeless application, there is some relevant case law but of the top of my head i cant remember it.

And the LA would expect the tenant to take reasonable steps to prevent that homelessness. Intentionality includes ommissions as well as acts.