will i get a council house?

PippaGirl_2

Hi Bella, I haven't been around for a while so have only just say this. Some wise advice above but just want to add even if the LA did accept you as homeless due to vulnerability or some other reason, they do not actually have a duty to house you. All they have a duty to do is assist you with accommodation to prevent your homelessness. Very rarely now do any LA house homeless people in their own accommodation, more usually they rent properties from owners and they will provide people with an assured tenancy much the same as someone would get if they went to an agent but the benefits to the homeless person is no deposit in advance is needed and they rent from the LA rather than the property owner so if repairs need doing the LA do them so you know you are going to be looked after. The reason homeless people are rarely now given LA/HA accommodation straight away as too many were jumping the queue and that wasn't fair on those waiting in the queue.
Also, now, secure tenancies are a thing of the past for new tenants. They now tend to offer fixed term tenancies with a view to reassessing financial/housing need at the end of the fixed term so they can make people downsize if they no longer require a property as large as they are in, or if they are financially so secure they are deemed to be ok in the private sector again.
Basically everything is changing in the LA/HA housing sector.
I was accepted as homeless twice in two years by my LA, both times they helped me source accommodation, they loaned me the deposit in advance once so I could gain a private tenancy for example, I had children so was deemed a priority but still didn't get a LA/HA property.
I've rambled, but hope this added info helps. Definitely worth talking to housing, get yourself on the list and in the queue and they should always offer advice.

Bella_Smythe

good to know Pippa. thanks.

TheGardener

Hi Bella, As Pippa says, there are many changes. Most LA's outside London no longer have any houses - they transferred all their estate to Housing Associations. Find out what Associations are in your area (some don't have any ex-council stock but buy up repo'ed or refurbed houses and let them out as social housing- there may be several in your area (where I live there are 7!) and then register with them. You don't have to be homeless - anyone can apply, but you will be 'banded' according to the level of need. I know many 'low need' people who have got properties from Housing Associations but the secure 'tenancy for life' is fast disappearing and although usually cheaper than market rents, HA rents + service charges are a bit higher than the old council rents. Housing Associations really are your best bet I would suggest?

Tupperware_Queen

just to add to the previous comments, my own experience was that it took almost 2 years after I stopped paying the mortgage before the house was repossessed - and many other people I know have similar experiences. If you can bear the uncertainty then you might be able to stay put for a lot longer than you think.

On another note, since my bankruptcy and moving into a housing association property I am now very much involved in their resident involvment groups, and it is very interesting and rewarding. I would definatley recommend going to see your local housing support officer (each authority calls them something different)

good luck

Bella_Smythe

Tupperware queen - question. how does it work with your SOA if youre not actually paying your mortgage but they havent repossessed yet? so you wouldnt actually be paying mortgage or rent? at the time you did your SOA for bankruptcy?