Upgrading to a bigger council house

geri1965_2

Council housing is not subsidised, by the way. Yes, their rents are cheaper than the private sector, which is vastly overpriced, but it is not paid for by the taxpayer.

googler..

tommygirl3 wrote: »

would appreciate helpful responses to one of my family member's query, before they approach their council.

The facts:
- non married couple with 3 kids (1 girl, 2 boys)
- expecting planned baby #4 next summer
- currently live in a 3 bedroom semi with big garden just outside of london (their subsidized rent is circa £380pcm vs £800pcm similar private rental)
- joint annual income around £60k+ £5/10k depending on overtime/bonus
- 7 yrs ago they were expecting their 1st baby. However they mislead the council in order to secure a council house - they stated they were not living together (they were privately renting a house together) and that their parents were kicking them out (they had been cohabiting for a couple of yrs immediately prior).

They are now hoping to upgrade and apply for a bigger house locally.

I'm interested to know what options are available for them and the likelihood of swapping for a bigger property. I understand there are house exchanges with elderly ppl who would like to downsize.

*****************
edit: I personally am opposed to them potentially lying again to get a bigger house. But am interested in their options apart from rent privately (which if they did in the first place, i doubt they'd be planning so many kids).

to stop having so many kids take it they dont work and dont get much money. Oh sorry i forgot they are taking our money. Get a job if they havent and stop breeding.

geri1965_2

googler.. wrote: »

to stop having so many kids take it they dont work and dont get much money. Oh sorry i forgot they are taking our money. Get a job if they havent and stop breeding.

I doubt they get £60K on benefits.

lighting_up_the_chalice

outofmoney wrote: »

They should think themselves lucky for a start. We have 4 kids (3 are teenagers) and we have been waiting nearly 12 years now to get any kind of social housing.

They won't be entitled to a 4 bed. If the baby is a girl, then it can share with the other girl. If it is a boy, then it can share with her until she reaches the age of 11.

However, even then, they will say he can share with the adults until he is 11.

So whichever way you look at it, they will not be entitled for another 11 years at least.

That depends on the individual provider. What you describe is the minimum requirement, but many providers aspire to something more generous and in keeping with modern family life.

Rikki

googler.. wrote: »

to stop having so many kids take it they dont work and dont get much money. Oh sorry i forgot they are taking our money. Get a job if they havent and stop breeding.

They are working. Read the Opening Post again.

paddygirl

Wont be classed as severley overcrowded so will be low priority.

Disgusting though it is they lied to get a home in the first place, its down to the LA to investigate and make a decision. Collusion is hard to prove in many cases.

I really dont have much time for these kind of people.

outofmoney

lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »

That depends on the individual provider. What you describe is the minimum requirement, but many providers aspire to something more generous and in keeping with modern family life.

That's the 'rules' here. Guess our local council don't care for family life much!

lighting_up_the_chalice

outofmoney wrote: »

That's the 'rules' here. Guess our local council don't care for family life much!

Or don't have sufficient stock to be so generous?

The "rules" in Letchworth state.....

Property size
Households will be eligible for a separate bedroom for each:

• Married or co-habiting couple;
• Lone parent;
• Adult aged 18 or over;
• Pair of children of the same
sex with an age difference
of 5 years or less between
them;
• Unpaired child.

They must have their fingers crossed for a boy!

outofmoney

They don't have many houses (do any councils?) but that is the 'rules'. We are entitled to a 4 bedroom property. Going by the rules you gave we are still entitled to a 4 bed.

The trouble here is the 4 beds are filled with people from 3 beds, and 3 beds with people from 2 beds etc. To come along and need a 4 bed, (was 3!) we have no hope.

paddygirl

outofmoney wrote: »

They don't have many houses (do any councils?) but that is the 'rules'. We are entitled to a 4 bedroom property. Going by the rules you gave we are still entitled to a 4 bed.

The trouble here is the 4 beds are filled with people from 3 beds, and 3 beds with people from 2 beds etc. To come along and need a 4 bed, (was 3!) we have no hope.

But what sort of property are you living in now? Its not about being entitled, its about your need compared with others,and what is avaliable.
If people insist in increasing their family size knowing they are already lacking space then that is their choice.