Applying for a council house

GwylimT

We have three children (although one recently moved out), we don't live anywhere near where myself or my wife grew up as we cannot afford a decent home in those areas. We knew we wanted a family so we had to relocate.

When we were inbetween properties and renting our two children at the time had the bedrooms and my wife and I had a sofa bed in the living room.

seven-day-weekend

In their situation, I think they should apply to go on the Council Housing list, let their children share the two bedrooms and mum and dad have a sofa bed in the lounge while they are waiting.

Some friends of mine did this until their children left home. They had a two-bedroomed Council house and loved the area so didn't want to move. It's not for ever.

sammyjammy

Killerseven wrote: »

They cant move, they have family close by and have lived in London for generations.

I hate that word "can't", its nonsense, of course they can move but they choose not to. Of course there are valid reasons they don't want to move but that doesn't make it impossible. I live over 300 miles away from any of my family, I don't have children but that makes it even harder as I am alone, I get to see my family max twice a year as it costs so much to get there. This is my choice, I made this choice to get a good job and affordable housing and I live with that choice.

wiltsguy_2

sammyjammy wrote: »

I hate that word "can't", its nonsense, of course they can move but they choose not to. Of course there are valid reasons they don't want to move but that doesn't make it impossible. I live over 300 miles away from any of my family, I don't have children but that makes it even harder as I am alone, I get to see my family max twice a year as it costs so much to get there. This is my choice, I made this choice to get a good job and affordable housing and I live with that choice.

have to agree, if you cant afford to live in London then don't, i also live miles from my family and have done for 20+ years(military)

midnight_express

Perhaps the time to think about this was before conception. Why have three kids if you unable to provide them with accommodation that you consider adequate?

wiltsguy_2

midnight_express wrote: »

Perhaps the time to think about this was before conception. Why have three kids if you unable to provide them with accommodation that you consider adequate?

that will never catch on in the UK!!!:rotfl:

Indie_Kid

midnight_express wrote: »

Perhaps the time to think about this was before conception. Why have three kids if you unable to provide them with accommodation that you consider adequate?

Because things change?

There's nothing to stop them from applying to the council. However, they could be in for a long wait.

mattcanary

Killerseven wrote: »

A family with 3 kids are living in a small 2 bed flat, the three kids in one room is just too smal, but they are struggling to afford even this.

They are both working but low income, is there any chance they could get on the list for a council house?

If they were not working and on JSA would they have a better chance than if they were working low paid jobs?

It's always worth being on the list.
It will give you some chance of being housed in the future (even if that is a distant future).

mattcanary

eadieb wrote: »

You need to approach the housing dept of your local council to find out what the set up is in your area. Some councils still have 'council housing' others only housing association. Some have a council waiting list for council properties + a 'choice based lettings system', and some only have all the social housing properties in the county going choice based lettings.

If it is a bidding system then you should read the local policy for your local system to find out who gets priority banding. It may affect what you need to emphasize on your application form.

In my council area, people who are in employment or voluntary work are given extra priority, and people that make a homeless application (accepted under a homeless duty) are down graded to a D band (no chance!). People who have rent arrears over £500 are not allowed to bid, people who have no local connection are not allowed to bid, etc. The 'winners' of the weekly advertised properties are those with the highest banding/grading and the longest registered date

The government gave local councils power to make up their own rules in each area in recent years.

That cannot possibly be the case. It's illegal!

mattcanary

midnight_express wrote: »

Perhaps the time to think about this was before conception. Why have three kids if you unable to provide them with accommodation that you consider adequate?

Er, because their circumstances (personal, financial, etc) may well have changed since they had their children?

Of course, that never happens, does it??!!!!!