Council Housing Waiting List

A_Couple_In_Love

Hi all,

Me and my partner, both aged 22, are going through a little bit of stress lately and would like some advice.

We are living with my mother at the moment in a rented house, we have both just started full time jobs and are planning to start saving hard for a mortgage to get are own house.

The problem is, my mother wants me and my partner to be moved out of the house early next year, so she can live with her boyfriend, this will work out a lot cheaper for her as his house is fully payed for, leaving us to find our own home.

This leaves me and my partner stuck, without having time to save for are own house. Possibly leaving us living in a flat for around 5 years to save for our house.

We are trying to convince her to stay at home for another year or 2 so we can get a mortgage saved, we are hoping this will work.

My mother wants us to put are names down on the council waiting list, although we told her we don't want a council house, she still believes its a good idea and demands that we do it, incase we ever need it as a back up.

Personally, I have nothing against people who live in council houses, but it is just not for me as I want to have my own house like the rest of my family.

I have told her, if I ever do get in a bit of a mess in the future, and came to the stage I need a council house, I will just rent a flat until I have enough money to get my self out, as either of these options will only be temporary.

Here's the question:

What exactly is the advantages of putting your name on the council housing list, compared to living in a flat, as I will only be using either of these options temporary only if needed?

Thank you very much if you have read all of this, I look forward to hearing your replies .

Please do not post if you are here to criticise, I am here for friendly advice on only the question I asked, not my situation.

mrs_motivated

Not a lot if you are prepared to rent privately if your mum gives up her tenancy.

I would expect the council will operate a choice based lettings scheme, so even if you register (are on the list) you will only be offered a property if you bid.

As you are currently adequately housed, you will be low priority for council housing and would probably be waiting for a few years anyway, unless of course your mum hands her tenancy notice in.


Good luck, I hope you manage to get the home you and your partner want.

shegirl

Firstly,I think it's disgraceful to expect and try to convince your mother to put her life on hold so you -an adult-can cater for your selfish wants.

Secondly,I'd imagine the chances of you being given a council property (forget house) are incredibly small.

Look at flats in the area and see what you can afford.

[Deleted User]

I'm afraid you are not going to like a lot of the replies you will get on here.

1) U do realise that there is not a lot of social housing to go round don't you? People in REAL need can wait for years to get anything.., let alone a young couple without any children. I'd give up on this idea if I was you.

2) Why exactly do you think u have the right to delay your mother's plans to live with her boyfriend? You know your mum.., the one who has brought you up for 20 years, lets u live with her even though she'd finally like a life of her own. And you think u can and should persuade your adult parent to change her plans for your convenience?
Why don't u offer to take over her house for her? Rent out the other room (oh yeah, that means u'll have to put up with a Lodger, god forbid).

3) As you want to live in the harsh real world, paying a mortgage, dealing with all life's hard knocks as adults do.., give up being a child and expecting your mum to sacrifice her life for you. Get ready to move out and live in a private rented room/flat/house etc (maybe a houseshare will be cheaper than a flat) and call it practice for real life in mortgage payment land.

GROW UP. Learn to make your own sacrifices for what u want rather than expect someone else to do them for you.

Best of luck (honestly).

angelbob

you're 22 rent a flat and enjoy your life, going from living with parents to having a mortgage is a big step.
you won't get a council house and why should you??? your two full time working adults with no children, you can afford to rent.

System

What exactly is the advantages of putting your name on the council housing list

It will mean that by the time that you start collecting your pension, you should be in the top 100 and stand a chance of getting a house in the next 10-15 years.

A_Couple_In_Love

Thanks to those who have answered my questions straight to the point, without criticising the situation I am in, this was only posted to give posters a better understanding.

thegirlintheattic

I think you are very selfish to expect your mum to put a hold on her plans to accommodate you.

You will not get a council house, as you are adequately housed and are not a priority. Put your name down to keep your mum happy by all means.

At 22, with two full time wages coming in, you should be able to privately rent. You can save (albeit not as much) whilst renting, it is, after all, what most people do.

[Deleted User]

You will hear what you want to hear when u ask questions in your head.

When u post on a forum, u will get other people's opinions as well as advice. There is no guarantee you will agree or like it, just as there is no guarantee others will like yours.

That's what a public forum is about.

But please, think about why people are posting as we are. We aren't just trying to be mean for the sake of it. We ARE trying to make a point, knowing full well u won't agree with it. If you did, this point of view would already have occurred to you and u wouldn't need to post.

I suspect a council house is a forget it situation unless you can get your mother to give you a rent book and evict you. However, even if she did this.., as you and your partner are young single people, u won't come under priority need. Council homes are in short supply. Usually only those in priority need will be lucky enough to get a property.

However, double check this by going to your local council's wesite, look for the housing section. They should have an outline of their housing policies, what they consider housing need etc etc, downloadable housing applications.

Otherwise, I'd suggest again.., if you want to save up for a mortgage, consider taking on your mother's house and renting to a lodger if the landlord will allow this (check the Tenancy agreement). Or if you can't afford to rent a house/flat and save for a deposit.., consider sharing a room with your partner in a shared house. Lots of people do this. You might also consider getting a second job. Lots of people did this to make ends meet (including me) in their youth. I gained a lot of very useful experience too and was never out of work (when younger, before the advent of children and childcare probs with unsociable hours) cause I could turn my hand to anything having done such an assortment of part time jobs on top of a full time job. One of them even got me my first full time job post-degree cause I'd done something similiar in one of my part time jobs (at a time of high unemployment).

sunflower_2

(Text removed by MSE Forum Team)

my comments:
> you will definitely not be offered a council house, no way whatsoever. Even single parents cant get these nowadays
> there is no harm putting your name on the "list" as long as you dont expect anything from it.
> does your mam stay with her boyfriend a lot? i.e. she is paying rent for you and your partner to have cheap/free accommodation? I can imagine the pain of having this arrangement taken away :A

all in all - i wish you both the best of luck and happiness - everything works out in the end

A_Couple_In_Love

Thanks for all advice, I will put my name on the waiting list and see how things go from there.

Again, I don't mind people being straight, but theres better ways of putting it .

Thanks.