How to get on the council list?

squinty

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

My local council has removed all waiting time points; apparently they contravene somebody's Human Rights.

Almost certainly untrue.

OP - the easiest way would be to ask the council. Eleigbility rules are not the same with all councils, and not all council housing is in high demand across all councils.

It is important to understand how your local council allocates properties - some use points systems, but most have now shifted to chioce based letting (CBL) systems. If your council has CBL you need to understand what band you will be in, the bidding process, how properties are advertised, and also how bids are ranked (some councils rank by date and some still use points to rank) Also check out the feedback from previous weeks - to give you more guidance on how to bid. You also want to know if all social landlord in the area allocate from the same system.

sock-knitter

my local housing association, has a large number of one and two bedroom flats, these properties are which you could apply for, as they are deemed to be unsuitable for children under 16

when i was younger, i only had to wait 2 years to get a one bedroomed council flat, of course each area varies

RuthnJasper

tryingtocutback wrote: »

We are currently privately renting but it's inconvnient and expensive.

I wanted to ask the following:-

1. Do you have to live in the area where you apply to go onto the council housing list.

2. Is it "easy" to get on the list just as regular full time employed people (no kids)?

I have looked at the council websites but its very unclear and I just really want to know whether I would be wasting my time.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

Hi OP. I am in a rented Housing Association property (with Jasper-dog) now. I put my name on the list and then had to wait almost eight years for an opportunity. I am single, was previously living with my parents, and had been through the 'jolly' experience of a nervous breakdown. To be honest, I never actually thought my housing application would be successful. I was told I'd have to apply for places in sink areas over 50 miles away and/or I may be eligible for a flat if I got rid of my dog (unthinkable for me. He has saved my life (recorded in my medical notes) several times and, at that time and at present, I'd rather be homeless with him than housed without him).

To my complete surprise I was offered a one-bed, dog-friendly, property just over two years ago. Before being accepted for the property, I had to supply school reports (to prove that I'd lived in the town for more than ten years), GP records (proving the same), and references from local charities/social groups for whom I've volunteered, to prove that I have 'ties' to the area. I consider myself to be very, very, lucky in having been offered my present home.

I don't post any of this to be self-congratulatory or seem to gloat - rather, to share the kind of thing I had to go through in order to have my housing application ultimately (and not without genuine suffering) realised.

Whatever the outcome OP - I wish you every success and future happiness. xx

Matt1977

Hi OP,

I too rent privately and I am on the Local Authority register for their 'Home Options' . Not strictly a 'waiting list' as such but more part of a bidding process for suitable properties.

I am currently in a Low Need band , which is below Bronze, Silver, Gold & Emergency bands. I know that I will highly likely never get a small property but I am on the list as a precaution should the landlord decide to end my tenancy.

It might be worth joining the register/scheme to apply for affordable rented housing but don't hold your breath in being offered a place quickly. Who knows? I might be offered a retirement bungalow in another 25 years time.

tryingtocutback

fluffnutter wrote: »

I appreciate that private renting will be expensive, but that applies to everyone. Social housing is (supposedly) on a needs basis. By the sounds of it, they'll be many others with a greater need than yourself. By all means stick yourself on the council list, typically you accrue points for various things, e.g. number of children, how long you've lived in that area, any disabilities etc. The more points you have, the quicker you'll be housed. But it sounds like you might have to wait some years.... and rightly so, I'm afraid.

I find your response offensive. You do not know my circumstances other than the very vague details I have offered. No, I dont have children - which is a very personal and sensitive subject for me and I do actually live with an elderly disabled relative.

Perhaps you can try and be a bit more sensitive in future - your post upset me and I wouldn't want other people to be upset by your manner.

Running_Horse

I thought the reply was quite helpful. People can only offer help on the basis of the information supplied, which as you admit was "very vague". It is a fact of life that social housing is usually hard to come by. I will add that being told I had no chance of a council flat in London was one of the best and most motivating things that happened to me as a young man.

GazNicki

tryingtocutback wrote: »

We are currently privately renting but it's inconvnient and expensive.

I wanted to ask the following:-

1. Do you have to live in the area where you apply to go onto the council housing list.

2. Is it "easy" to get on the list just as regular full time employed people (no kids)?

I have looked at the council websites but its very unclear and I just really want to know whether I would be wasting my time.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

Getting onto your local Council Housing Register is a simple process, although the website may not make it seem that way.

Filling in an application should be a doddle for you, as should getting two references. You will have to give your landlords details though since you are renting.

The hardest part is getting a house.

We are living in a house FAR too small for us. At 2 1/4 bedrooms with two children (11yr Girl, 10yr boy) and a baby on the way we assumed that we would be considered a little more needy than a family in a better situation. We even thought the horrific condition of the house would work in our favour.

However, I followed that wedding and it turned out to be a Muck Cart.

You will probably be pointed and put onto a needs based. We said we was struggling to meet the monthly payments on the rent, told them our circumstances, showed them pictures of the property - they told us if we needed to move, we would have to find another Private Rent Property. It could take us years to get into Band B from Band C. We would never be in Band A as that is reserved for the super needy or immigrants.

serious_saver

tryingtocutback wrote: »

We are currently privately renting but it's inconvnient and expensive.

I wanted to ask the following:-

1. Do you have to live in the area where you apply to go onto the council housing list.

2. Is it "easy" to get on the list just as regular full time employed people (no kids)?

I have looked at the council websites but its very unclear and I just really want to know whether I would be wasting my time.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

As some others have mentioned it varies between different parts of the country. If you are in an area where demand far out strips supply then of course you will find it more difficult.

In my local area one of you would have to either 'live' or 'work' in the area to get on the list.