Advice on moving out.

elsien

Bandings are according to housing need. These vary between councils/housing association.
The banding is higher if for example you are homeless and vulnerable, medical need, insanitary conditions, have children, are fleeing domestic abuse, overcrowding, local connections.
You are single and you have a roof over your head. Even if you were homeless unless you could prove you were in a vulnerable category then there would be no obligation to help. You may get lucky depending on where you live, but it is not easy. Choice based lettings mean people bid for places. If you are in a lower band, which seems possible, you will be outbid every time.
And as I said before, you would only be allowed to bid on one bedroom places. There are less of these so more single people bidding for them, particularly those looking to downsize due to the bedroom tax. They would have priority over you, to free up their houses for families.
I'm not saying don't apply - if you're already on the list then if things change you'd
be in a better position - but you do need to be realistic.

victoryordie

elsien wrote: »

Bandings are according to housing need. These vary between councils/housing association.
The banding is higher if for example you are homeless and vulnerable, medical need, insanitary conditions, have children, are fleeing domestic abuse, overcrowding, local connections.
You are single and you have a roof over your head. Even if you were homeless unless you could prove you were in a vulnerable category then there would be no obligation to help. You may get lucky depending on where you live, but it is not easy. Choice based lettings mean people bid for places. If you are in a lower band, which seems possible, you will be outbid every time.
And as I said before, you would only be allowed to bid on one bedroom places. There are less of these so more single people bidding for them, particularly those looking to downsize due to the bedroom tax. They would have priority over you, to free up their houses for families.
I'm not saying don't apply - if you're already on the list then if things change you'd
be in a better position - but you do need to be realistic.

I have a feeling I would be placed in the lowest band. Space is an issue at the moment in my current property, would the "medical need" refer to houses with adaptations or would you need to have a serious disability to be considered?

I think I will go ahead and get the ball rolling by putting my name down on a few housing association lists, even if it takes an age I would at least be happy in the knowledge that I "might" get somewhere eventually.

elsien

People with disabilities or ongoing mental health issues can have their banding increased if there is a GP or psychiatrist who is willing to provide evidence. It really depends on individual circumstances. You would probably start in a lower band then a housing officer would make the decision as to whether to move you up once you were on the list and had given more information.

pmlindyloo

I don't mean to pry but is there a possibility that you will be able to return to work?

There is also Permitted Work where you can work under 16 hrs a week and earn under a certain amount without it affecting your ESA or your entitlement to HB. Google for more information. You would need permission to do this - usually given unless it 'contradicts' your claim for ESA.

If you were awarded the standard daily living component of PIP then this would give you an entitlement to the one bed rate of local housing allowance (private renting) rather than the shared accommodation rate.

Have you looked to see if you are eligible for PIP?

victoryordie

pmlindyloo wrote: »

I don't mean to pry but is there a possibility that you will be able to return to work?

There is also Permitted Work where you can work under 16 hrs a week and earn under a certain amount without it affecting your ESA or your entitlement to HB. Google for more information. You would need permission to do this - usually given unless it 'contradicts' your claim for ESA.

If you were awarded the standard daily living component of PIP then this would give you an entitlement to the one bed rate of local housing allowance (private renting) rather than the shared accommodation rate.

Have you looked to see if you are eligible for PIP?

I have Epilepsy and a condition called Marfan Syndrome, I've never looked into PIP. I was on the work group for 2 years before going self employed due to the difficulties in finding paid employment but self employment didn't work out and now I'm back to square one.

Lioness_Twinkletoes

I think your best bet is to look online for the housing options for your own LA and any others that you're interested in that you might be eligible for. Usually the application form can be completed online so get it done and sent. They'll let you know if they've accepted your application, what your banding is and then you can start bidding each week.

In the meantime, start saving and looking for private rentals. House shares, studios or one bed flats. You know what you can afford. Start saving hard so you have money for deposit, tenants checks etc as these can be expensive. Also, start looking for free/cheap furniture or homeware so you can furnish your new home.

It's likely that you'll find a private rental far easier and quicker than social housing. You can continue to bid but if you stay where you are an pin all your hopes on a home from the LA or HA you could be waiting a very long time - and I mean years and years.

victoryordie

Thank you for all the advice everyone, I appreciate it. I'm going to go ahead and put my name down for a few housing associations and begin saving towards privately renting a place. Hopefully I get somewhere with it.