Desperate for advice please!

desperate123

Hi
I had my name down on my local council housing list to be rehoused as my (violent) husband and I were separating and he refused to move out of our house. Anyway, I told them that my 4 children and I were living with family in the hope that they would rehouse me quicker as I was really deparate and had nowhere else to go. They found out that I was lying and threatened prosecution. Although I never admitted to them that I was lying, I removed myself from their waiting list and eventually managed to find a private rental. Now, however, I have been asked to leave my current house as the landlord wants to move back in. My question is, if I approach the council again and tell the truth this time, are they liable to prosecute for the time before? I realise now what a silly thing it was to do, but, as I said I was really desparate and even Womens Aid had nowhere for me to stay!

McKneff

If they had been going to prosecute you they would have done so.
Make an appointment with them, tell them you are going to be evicted and see what they suggest.

Other than that, look for other private rental.

desperate123

McKneff wrote: »

If they had been going to prosecute you they would have done so.
Make an appointment with them, tell them you are going to be evicted and see what they suggest.

Other than that, look for other private rental.[/QUOT

Could they not still prosecute though because, at the time, they said they would investigate further to prove I was lying. I just assumed they dropped it because I removed my name from their list and, well, if I now tell the truth, they will definitely have proof I was lying! Hope that makes sense.

desperate123

Can anyone help please?

SleeplessinScandinavia

I think you should get some specialist advice in your situation. The Citizens' Advice might be a good starting point

www. citizensadvice.org.uk

Hope this helps

Own_My_Own

Why do people think that every time something happens, the council should rehouse them ?
I lived in a house once where the ceilings where falling down (Literally) !
We (myself and 2 children) lived in my bedroom for 3 months while I found somewhere else to live.
I went to the council to get help with my deposit as my Landlord was in Aus and I could not contact him to get my money back.
Even this was a fight. Fortunately I had help from environmental health.

The council at no time offered me housing and I did not ask for it.

If the OP managed to find this house to rent, why can't she find another one ?

Werdnal

I'm afraid I have to agree with the above.

OP, are you claiming all the benefits you are entitled to to enable you to meet your rent? Is your ex contributing to looking after the children (assuming he is the father)? If so, why can't you find somewhere else privately? The council will help in extreme circumstances, but if the only reason you are having to move is because the LL has given you notice, and not because you are unable to afford to continue living there, why are you looking to the council for help?

perthperson

From what you say you were suffering from domestic abuse at the time and had also approached womens aid? Sounds like you were in a horrible situation - you shouldn't have lied but that's in the past. They're not going to be prosecuting you now. Were you able to tell them about the violence from your husband the first time round?

You have every right to approach the Council for help, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It doesn't necessarily mean you'll end up with a council house but they have a duty to give you advice on the best way forward. It might be they steer you towards the private sector and if you need help with a deposit they might have a scheme for that.

Has your landlord given you written notice? He has to do that in the correct form and use the correct timescales. Even if he has given you the correct notice he cannot make you leave on the day the notice ends if you have not found anywhere else to go. You can also of course try to find somewhere else yourself but you have every right to ask for advice and assistance from the Council as well.

If you are still scared about approaching the council contact Shelter or the Citizens Advice Bureau - they will give you lots of advice. If the landlord has given you written notice they can check it's correct and advise you what to do next. Tell them about your worries about what you said on the housing application.