do you know 'Housing Law' re: Children living in Flats

galangm8

I wonder if anyone can help?

Does anyone know the correct housing law regarding social housing providers not offering a tenancy to a family with a child under 16yrs for a flat.

My neighbour is a hardworking, one parent mother and has a 14 yr old child.

The housing system on choice based letting say she can only apply for houses.

She does not want a house, she only wants a flat.

The housing provider has offered her beautiful, brand new properties but she does not want a house and the Housing Manager is adamant that their policy is "we do not allow children to live in flats!"

Do you know if this is correct?

Thank you in advance.

somethingcorporate

It may be a local rule/policy rather than "the law" - in fact if you read what you put this seems to be the case "we do not allow children to live in flats" - had it been the law I think it far more likely he refer to the relevant legislation.

Seems odd considering houses would probably be more suitable for children but I guess there is no accounting for taste.

galangm8

Thank you for replying.

Our council policy is that children can live in flats and this provider took over the councils' stock of properties and she thought they would have to follow their same rules and regs.

What difference do you think, a 14 year old would find living in a flat to a house, it's not like they're running round the garden any more, they're out to sports clubs, etc., for their fun.

ILW

Why would anyone prefer a flat to a house, all other things being equal?

somethingcorporate

Good question, I have no valid suggestions pertinent to why a 14 year old would prefer a house aside from the normal why a house is better than a flat arguments.

galangm8

ILW wrote: »

Why would anyone prefer a flat to a house, all other things being equal?

Safer as higher up, getting through intercom system first, floods, usually cheaper.... why do you think 'they' put OAP's in these high rise flats? The older you are the more chance you have of getting one in this city.

Please does anyone know if a housing provider who has taken all the council stock and is now classed as a Housing Association has to follow housing law of the UK.

Thank you

ILW

galangm8 wrote: »

Safer as higher up, getting through intercom system first, floods, usually cheaper.... why do you think 'they' put OAP's in these high rise flats? The older you are the more chance you have of getting one in this city.

Please does anyone know if a housing provider who has taken all the council stock and is now classed as a Housing Association has to follow housing law of the UK.

Thank you

There is no "law" regarding houses or flats. Just individual policies.

galangm8

ILW wrote: »

There is no "law" regarding houses or flats. Just individual policies.

Oh well if 'they' can set their own policies/regs then applicants have to abide by them. I at least thought they would have to follow the local council regs.

Thank you

KME91

Th policy may be more to do with keeping the other residents of any complex of flats happy, I know I'd dearly love it if our flats had a no children policy, given how noisy the little darlings who live downstairs are!

diamonds

My old council brought this policy in many years ago, central heating & double glazing for all & gardens for children.

Pulled down thousands of "highrise" (estimate 20-30,000) flats over last 15 years and housing associations built "houses" in their place, its a great policy children should have a garden. All the HA will back down if you want flat, but the council will only entertain a flat with under 16's if you go through their homeless unit, not the "normal" waiting list, ie only to meet their housing legislation obligations and get you off the homeless list.

J_i_m

And we have to remember staff at any place are required to follow the employers policy. It's there to protect them and the customer.