Upgrading to a bigger council house

outofmoney

paddygirl wrote: »

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.

When filling out the forms, it comes back saying we are 'entitled' to a 4 bedroom property. This means we can bid for the 4 bedroom properties on the housing list and if we privately rented a house they would pay whatever is the maximum for 4 beds (£700 a month round here).

That is their wording, not mine. If a 3 bed house came up we would not get it even if we were more needy than the next family simply because the council will only house us in suitable property.

We currently rent a 3 bed privately. It is one small double and two singles. Way too small. But with 4 bed social housing in short supply we are not likely to ever move.

boo2410

paddygirl wrote: »

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.

I couldn't agree more, I work as a HO for a Housing Association and the amount of people who come in expecting to be given a bigger house because they have had a few more children, and then complaining when you try and explain that there aren't that many to be had. Why do they keep banging them out when they clearly have no room? It really is beyond me but what can you say, you have to be polite at all times - although in my head I am saying something completely different :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:.

outofmoney

I totally agree with you. But still these ones will be housed regardless. Ones like myself, who happens to have kids two at a time, and when using contraception, don't get a look in.

Also, the reason we went on the list 12 years ago was because OH was kicked out his job when our daughter became seriously ill and then two of the other children were diagnosed with special needs. We knew then we would never be able to afford our own place.

googler..

geri1965 wrote: »

I doubt they get £60K on benefits.

I agree, unless they are fiddering it and lying.

Choco1208

Hi

Sorry if I go off topic.

Can someone please advise me. How does council housing work? I have 2 family members in London. One is living in temporary council 2 bed flat with 3 kids, it's not a very nice flat. She is waiting till her points increase. And the other is in a beautiful 2 bed flat again with 3 kids. However, she has permanent accomadation and can swap online at any time.

Do they have to pay rent, council tax etc?

Sometimes I get envious of them. Here I am paying full rent and trying so hard to save for a deposit. As a mother I am only limited to part time hours at work. I wish I could do overtime every day to save money, but I can't. I'm trying to save, but not getting anywhere. I just wish I had my own place.

And, when I visit friends and family in London I do feel worse. How do they manage? Its because I have little knowledge of the counselling system.

I think it's a struggle for everyone nowadays. No one has the "perfect" life.

Yorkie1

Choco1208 wrote: »

Hi

Sorry if I go off topic.

Can someone please advise me. How does council housing work? I have 2 family members in London. One is living in temporary council 2 bed flat with 3 kids, it's not a very nice flat. She is waiting till her points increase. And the other is in a beautiful 2 bed flat again with 3 kids. However, she has permanent accomadation and can swap online at any time.

Do they have to pay rent, council tax etc?

Sometimes I get envious of them. Here I am paying full rent and trying so hard to save for a deposit. As a mother I am only limited to part time hours at work. I wish I could do overtime every day to save money, but I can't. I'm trying to save, but not getting anywhere. I just wish I had my own place.

And, when I visit friends and family in London I do feel worse. How do they manage? Its because I have little knowledge of the counselling system.

I think it's a struggle for everyone nowadays. No one has the "perfect" life.

Please could you start your own thread, choco1208? The OP's thread is still live and it will get very confusing to have your replies as well as those to the original post both mixed up on the same thread.

paddygirl

boo2410 wrote: »

I couldn't agree more, I work as a HO for a Housing Association and the amount of people who come in expecting to be given a bigger house because they have had a few more children, and then complaining when you try and explain that there aren't that many to be had. Why do they keep banging them out when they clearly have no room? It really is beyond me but what can you say, you have to be polite at all times - although in my head I am saying something completely different :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:.

That is my job, though I work in homelessness mainly,where people have totally unrealistic expectations. Can you imagine refusing a 3 bed house on the grounds its not decorated properly?? ALso deal with people who deliberatwly worsen their circumstances. overcrowding is a low priority-and i have little sympathy for someone who lives with parents already overcrowded having a second child for example. sadly i have become pretty cynical now and quite tough. social housing isnt a right..its a priveledge !

:xmassign:

lighting_up_the_chalice

paddygirl wrote: »

That is my job, though I work in homelessness mainly,where people have totally unrealistic expectations. Can you imagine refusing a 3 bed house on the grounds its not decorated properly?? ALso deal with people who deliberatwly worsen their circumstances. overcrowding is a low priority-and i have little sympathy for someone who lives with parents already overcrowded having a second child for example. sadly i have become pretty cynical now and quite tough. social housing isnt a right..its a priveledge !

:xmassign:

One of the more positive changes in the Localism Bill is the introduction of an offer of a privately rented tenancy as a means of discharging the homeless duty.

tommygirl3

Thank you all who provided helpful and meaningful opinions/options.

To clarify, bro in law is in full time employment and his gf works part time in a bookies when she's not pregnant. They were given the 3 bed house in the first instance, when they were expecting the first baby. Not sure how they got that and not a 2 bed.

I'm particularly interested in boo2410 & paddygirl's comments and ultimately what is done to ppl who lied on their application to get council houses? As I believe once BIL has signed a life tenancy agreement (his words) and they cannot be moved out.

My OH and I are hardworking office workers trying to save up and pay off debt so we can start a family on a good financial footing. Which is why it's a bitter pill to swallow when BIL plays the system and seemingly wins at every turn. They are quite confident in getting a bigger house and have been bragging about it to family members.

Opinion

tommygirl3 wrote: »

They are quite confident in getting a bigger house and have been bragging about it to family members.

Sounds like a lovely bloke. Parents must be so proud.