Advice on moving up the housing list

bextas

We currently rent a 1 bedroom house at £650pm. We are expecting our first baby. We joined the council housing list 6 months ago and in an f banding so no priority. We both work full time however now I'm on maternity leave our income has dropped by £1,000pm. I wrote to the council and sent them proof we were having a baby and they've moved us to an E banding so low priority. In order to rent privately in this area and get a 2 bed house it would cost us around £750-£800pm. We cannot afford this. Even when I go back to work part time next year most of my wage will go on child are so it will just be my partners wage coming in of £1,250pm after tax. My question is how should I tackle this? I want to write to the council again and get moved up a band but I'm unsure how to word the letter. I bid every two weeks on properties but we are usually over 20 in the queue. A few we have been between 1 an 5 in getting a call but so far no luck. We have worked hard all our lives and never been on benefits so it would be great to have some help now that we need it. We can manage in our house till our baby is 6 months to a year but ten we really need to look at moving. Any suggestions would be great.
Thanks

ACG

With all respect, why have a child if you cant afford it?
You will probably find you will move up the list once your baby is born. I cant see you moving too much higher up the list though.

bextas

We can afford to have a child I would just prefer them to have their own room. We could afford to rent 2 bed just but why shouldn't we get a council house and a helping hand we've worked hard. I'm just looking for advice on how to word my letter to the council.
Thanks

Nynaeve

We could afford to rent 2 bed

Then rent a two bed.

BigAunty

Typically, the council will publish a social housing allocation policy where they will specify the criteria for being in certain bands.

Questions of affordability of private sector property are not relevant to your application but overcrowding may be.

Do put your details into the Turn2us online benefit calculator, plus your circumstances now, to determine if you have any entitlement to housing benefit, child tax credits,etc.

The Direct Gov or local council website will publish the maximum Local Housing Allowance (housing benefit in the private sector) rates for a 1 and 2 bed property in the private sector, plus how to calculate the size entitlements. The benefit calculator will take into account household income and maternity pay, etc, to reduce or rule out HB.

bextas

Thank you big aunty somebody offering something constructive much appreciated.

lighting_up_the_chalice

After just 6 months, to be finishing in the top 20 is pretty good going, let alone the top 5. Typically, via CBL, the refusal/overlooking rate is about 50%, so half of those above you would decline the property or be overlooked.

As BigAunty has said, providers publish their allocations policy, usually online, so have a look at the bandings to see the qualifying criteria and how they may apply to your circs.

They also publish the details of previous successful bids, which can make quite interesting reading.

Finally, remember that it doesn't matter WHEN you bid. Your place on the queue is determined by your banding and the date, not when you placed the bid, so leave your bidding to the last day of their cycle so that you have a more accurate idea of where you will finish.

lindsaygalaxy

You have done well to get a few calls. We have been on the list for 0ver 8 years! I am also a key worker. I have been within 20 once. I was able to bid on a 3 bed, due to changed it is now a 2 bed with a lot more people bidding. I used to live in the middle of nowhere with very few HA properties. One recently came up. They are meant to go to people with village connections first. I wasnt allowed to bid as it was a 3 bed. It went to someone who had no connections to the system and also not entitled to bid on a 3 bed ( I know as v.v.v small village and everyone knows everyone!).

My advice - shout and shout loudly!

cootuk

Can you move to a lower priced area?

st999

With all respect, why have a child if you cant afford it?

#

It may have been a failure of contraception, should she have an abortion?

alisara

I have sat for many years on the Northern Ireland list, I work (always have) I have a child of 14 and have to live in private rental, and I do not remember what having a secure home is like. I also do not receive any HB although I do receive WFTC. Most of my money is spent on rent. I have zero points. I think I may get a home when I retire. I always envy those who get social housing and wonder why am I so different.

Just a rant, but I think you are so so lucky after 6 months even getting a call.