Single male's chance of getting a council/social housing flat?

Mrs_Arcanum

puddy wrote: »

wow, thanks, i dont know how you found that

mrs arcanum, what does 'choice based lettings' mean?

Choice Based Lettings are where the list of available properties is advertised and then those on the list bid for whichever they qualify for based on need/ranking.

Matt1977

Choice Based Lettings is interesting. I'm on the list for the Home Options in the Norwich/Broadland area. I'm in a 'Low need' band so I have more chance in becoming Jennifer Aniston's toyboy than getting a council/HA flat.

Last week I was 38th in the queue for a 15th floor tower block flat (1 bedroom), which was the closest I have come to being offered a flat. Usually I'm about seventy-something-th in the queue for a more common low-rise one. :eek: Ninety to one-hundred and something-th for a 2 bedder.

This week I have a selection of just 6 1 & 2 bedroom flats to bid on.

carefullycautious

If you are a single man how on earth are you allowed to bid on two bed propertys?

a man and wife are only allowed to bid for one beds unless there is a medical reason that they need seperate bedrooms.

Matt1977

carefullycautious wrote: »

If you are a single man how on earth are you allowed to bid on two bed propertys?

Good question - I'm not sure, to be honest. Home Options will not let me bid on on 2 bedroom ground floor flats, bungalows and houses as I assume those are most suitable for those with children, which is fair enough.

However, I can bid for upper floor 2 bedroom flats if I want. One of these flats that I can bid on this week is on the third floor - not many parents on the register are going to want to contend with all those stairs. :eek:

carefullycautious

Ah I see, the LA are obviously trying to place families in more suitable properties but with the shortage I am still suprised at this.

Good luck with your bidding and keep bidding every week as I think this will help as your name will keep coming up and the LA will know you are serious about needing a property. It worked for a friend of mine who was told that by the housing officer. She was in a one bed with a child and needed a two bed.

casualwalks

Gothicfairy wrote: »

In my area you would have more chance of winning the lottery, dating your fav film star and being the son of Richard Branson then getting a council anything, let alone a flat.
I left my first husband after he put me in hospital for the third time ( I was younger and stupider then I am now ) and I was told that as I had made myself homeless I would have to manage on my own and the council worker even went so far as to tell me that I would have been better staying with my husband until he rendered me disabled.

Things have (thankfully) moved on. People fleeing domestic violence are not considered intentionally homeless and should be considered in priority need for housing.