Council issue regarding renting a house?

1irishninja

OK so last month I posted about out landlord selling our house. So I applied to the council who handle housing association and council housing.

So here is the issue. I live in a small village, its about 2 mile from the nearest big town, its the town I was raised in, the town I work in, the town my kids go to school etc, its also the town I left my housing forms into, the town I want to live in given a choice.

The problem is my village is for some stupid reason controlled by another council, the offices some 15 miles away and its even in another county. They got in touch and gave me a list of properties all 20-30 miles away and looking me to go for an interview. I got in touch and told them I left my forms into another council for a reason, I want to live there. Doesn't matter because I am now in there council area they control where I live. I explained it would involve me having to quit my job etc as I do not drive and couldn't get to work, they didn't care.

What do I do?

Pixie5740

1) Look at public transport options from council properties to work.

2) Learn to drive

3) Find a new job closer to council properties.

4) Find private rented accommodation close to where you currently live.

1irishninja

Don't you think I've been doing that?

There is no public transport until 8am, I start 4 mornings per week at 6

Could learn to drive couldn't afford a car.

My wife would also have to change jobs, Kids change schools. Its all bloody silly. I could use my parents address but that may be fraud or something.

Pixie5740

I don't know what you've tried. You just asked what your options are, you didn't say what you'd already considered. Why is a private rented property not an option?

Pixie5740

Apply to the council where you work since you have a tie to that council?

martindow

Council/ housing association properties are in very short supply and your chance of anything in the short term is virtually zero.

It looks best to continue renting as you are now and look for private rentals in the area you want to live in.

Mrs_pbradley936

Since your landlord is selling I assume you are renting privately but seeking to be moved into social housing. Regrettably so are very many others and I doubt it will happen. Why not continue to rent privately?

Money_maker

So how do you and the children get to school/work from where you live now if there is no public transport til 8am?

duchy

Why can't you continue to rent privately with another landlord ?

If you can prove a link to the area with a long standing job in the council area you want to live in they may take you on their lists but you wouldn't have much priority and could end up in B&B if you wait til your landlord evicts you (if you leave before eviction the councils (both of them) may decide you made yourselve intentionally homeless and have no obligation to you)

If you use your parent's address you'd be (in your words) "bloody silly" as the council will be able to see you are not on the electoral roll or paying council tax -and the children aren't registered at school as living at that address. It is called fraud.

That said the combination of parents living in the area and you having a long standing job in the area may help you claim links to the area . It may be worth discussing what constitutes a link with Shelter or CAB to see if it worth trying.

silvercar

Doesn't matter because I am now in there council area they control where I live.

This is your problem. They don't control where you live, that is your personal choice and responsibility. You seek council help in finding a property, but councils don't have properties empty and available in all locations, just waiting for people who suddenly find themselves in need. You have to take some responsibility yourself. Look at other options. Consider another private rental.

Guest101

A common problem.

However it must be a sign of the times that the state is expected to provide subsidised housing in the area of choice, purely on the basis that a person is required to move.

OP it's simple, as others have said - you control many aspects of this situation.

If you cant find a private rental in the area of choice then you need to either buy - which i presume is unlikely, or move areas.

It's not ideal, but no-one promised you it would be.