Time from Possession Order and Bailiffs Coming Round

Guest101

Right here goes.


1: They are currently Gatekeeping. You've gone in too early. They are looking at alternatives to social housing.
2: if you turn up on the day, it will be a much different experience. They have a statutory duty to house you and your children.
3: No you wont be on the streets, you might not be in a council house, but you wont be homeless.


Your options in this country are:
1: live with relatives
2: buy a house
3: rent a house in PRS
4: social housing


You want option 4 and now must play the waiting game

Wait until you have the bailiffs letter then go and tell them you and your children will be homeless.

[Deleted User]

I've told social services to find supported living accommodation for my older son. I don't know where else to turn. Housing won't help. I tried this morning.

Guest101

deannatrois wrote: »

I've told social services to find supported living accommodation for my older son. I don't know where else to turn. Housing won't help. I tried this morning.

I don't mean to come across as 'shouty' but:


Have the bailiffs turned up this morning? If not, then housing wont help this morning, as there's a good chance that they've got half a dozen people who they are helping who have had them turn up this morning!


Wait until the bailiffs at least send you a letter, today you are not homeless and there are other people who are.

pmlindyloo

So did you complete a homeless application?

What is the loan for? Moving expenses? Storage facilities?

Complete the form as often they don't have a form that covers all circumstances. Cross out the bits that are not relevant. Add an accompanying letter that states your medical condition and those of your children. Add any evidence.

I know that you have done this all before but they just don't (can't be bothered) to check previous details. It is disgraceful but you need to deal with the here and now.

The problem is that local authorities get away with gate keeping because no one has the time/expertise to take them to court. Local authorities can be given court orders to clean up their act. However, that is not a discussion for now.

You really need someone to act for you. Have you phoned Sanctuary Housing recently to see if they have anyone who could support you?

What is your local CAB like? Easy to get an appointment? Do they have a housing specialist?

To put the council's point of view it has to be said that council usually only adopt such awful practices because they have no choice. There is just not the housing stock available and they cannot 'magic' it out of thin air. No excuse for not explaining things properly of course.

Being in private accommodation is not always bad. I am loathe to say this because you want the stability of a council place but have you tried private landlords rather than letting agents? I am sure you have.

I know you don't want to contact the local newspaper but one possible effect of doing so may be a 'guardian angel' who offers you accommodation on a fairly permanent basis.

Keep strong.

silvercar

deannatrois wrote: »

I've told social services to find supported living accommodation for my older son. I don't know where else to turn. Housing won't help. I tried this morning.

I hope this doesn't mess things up. By my limited knowledge, you would be entitled to a 3 bedroom place if you had 2 children needing housing with you and at least one of the children was over 16. If it is just you and your younger son, you would be entitled to a 2 bedroom place.

silvercar

deannatrois wrote:

The LL seems to be saying he's already engaged bailiffs and I'll get a letter mid week. Everything i know suggests he can't even engage a bailiff til I have proved I am not leaving on 25th. But he seems confident he already has. That's the point Guest 101, I'm scared he's found a way to get me out quicker in spite of what the possession order says. Otherwise he wouldn't even be able to say letter from Bailiffs will arrive mid week.

Maybe he is pre-booking the bailiffs for after the eviction date.

Guest101

I agree, bailiffs are being notified for information purposes only at this stage.

I also agree re social services- it confuses the issue.

Op has 2 weeks of not being homeless some councils will help 60+ people in the same boat in that time.

HappyMJ

Gravesend only has around 20 properties per month becoming available and around 2,000 applications are made for those 20 properties each month. Potential tenants are most probably applying for more than one property but it just shows you the lack of properties in the area and the chances of you being rehoused in social housing is virtually nothing.

I'd want social housing too but I think it's going to be much more likely you'll be assisted to move to another private rental.

silvercar

HappyMJ wrote: »

Gravesend only has around 20 properties per month becoming available and around 2,000 applications are made for those 20 properties each month. Potential tenants are most probably applying for more than one property but it just shows you the lack of properties in the area and the chances of you being rehoused in social housing is virtually nothing.

I'd want social housing too but I think it's going to be much more likely you'll be assisted to move to another private rental.

Someone must be getting the social housing. I guess there is an element of pot luck; if the emergency housing happens to be a private rental then the homeless problem goes away, if the emergency housing is a homeless hostel/ B&B/ emergency housing then the chances of subsequently being rehoused into social housing are greater.

[Deleted User]

There are 4 plus 3 bed properties on KentHomechoices each month. They usually go to A and B priority bidders, some go to C priority bidders. There are usually 65 - 80 bids on each property.

Its a case of getting a good priority (and god knows, we should be able to get a reasonable banding if I can just get the council to reassess us based on health). So not quite as black as you feel.

No, I'm sorry to be dramatic but I'd rather die than go into private rental again. You don't get it. Chances of getting a similiar LL are high, and you can be doing all this again at anytime the tenancy agreement ends. And having to top the rent up. The stress of living in this house has been tremendous. I've been given notice twice by text just for asking for repairs (not nastily). I've had to do repairs I shouldn't have because the LL refused, knowing I could be out at the end of the fixed period.

Then you have to find a LL who will accept a tenant on benefits. Been looking for 3 years. More tenants than properties.., they don't have to take tenants who don't fit a certain profile, plenty more in the queue.

Try walking in my shoes.., that's all I can say. I've already explained a few times why its not easy to go to another area.