Offer of Council Tenancy Conditions???

djdido2

Hi there

Can anyone help?

My ex sister in law has been offered a council tenancy and according to the local estate office there are conditions attached to the tenancy. She understands that rules have to be followed but thinks that one of the conditions is unfair.

The story is that a long while ago my brother used to be a bit of a jack the lad. Its two years since he has cleaned up his act and he is now in full time employment and has not been in any kind of trouble for well over two years. He has no outstanding convictions but they are saying he is not allowed inside the property, even to visit his daughter!! Is this allowed???

He will freely admit that he did daft things in the past but he is now just trying to get on with his life and see his daughter as much as he can!

Could she appeal against this or does it differ with each council?

She will not want to take the offer of tenancy if he is not allowed to come and see his daughter. He is there to support her as she has problems and needs him around as much as possible.

Any help appreciated thanks!

bestpud

Has he done something to a council property? That's the only reason I can think the council would refuse to let him in a tenants house. He must have had a temancy at sometime and badly broke the 'rules' to have a longstanding ban like that aginst him surely?

Did they have a tenancy together perhaps and he was the reason they left it? And she now has re presented herself as homeless and independent of him? If that's the case I can see why they'd have this rule.

Tbh, if she wants the house badly enough I'd have thought she'd make alternative arrangements for him to see their daughter? She could always rent privately - council properties are intended for people who would otherwise find it difficult or impossible to house themselves - there will plenty of people who will happily take it instead of her, I'm sure!

There must be more to this than you have posted here?

djdido2

hi bestpud

thanks for your reply.

Yes i think he had a tenancy at one time but lost it when he went to prison. He did have a drug problem but has now been clean for two years as i said in the OP.

She is living in a private rented property at the moment but wants a cheaper alternative so that she can return to work and also the bond and rent on private property tends to be quite high. She would also be nearer to all her family and friends if she accepts the property as she has some real problems of her own at the moment.

I understand where you are coming from but people do change and he has come such a long way since his "bad" days. How is he ever going to prove himself if he is never given the chance?

bestpud

Has he tried speaking to the housing department himself? Maybe he could supply references or other official records of his 'new' life? Is he still in contact with any agencies who could support him?

I guess their biggest worry is him moving back in. I imagine he caused quite a stir as a tenant as I've never heard of this before - I can see why they may not be prepared to offer him another tenancy but to actually prevent him entering his ex wife's house...

Is there the slightest chance they will get back together or can he offer proof of their permanent separation if not?

Perhaps the CAB would be able to advise? I would think they have checked out the legal implications but you never know with councils, so may be worth checking this out and the CAB should know, or be able to find out.

Or perhaps it would be wise for her to make alternative visiting arrangements and after a while the council may accept he has changed? Where does he live - could they not go to him instead - for a while at least?