We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

Council House Bidding System

Annie35
Annie35 Posts: 385 Forumite
Fourth Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
edited 11 August 2017 at 3:37PM in Benefits & tax credits
hello, is this the best section for this question? If not let me know.

a family members just been given 2 months notice to leave her current tenancy so ive been having a look at the councils bidding system & handily they have just released several flats for over 60s.

Now ive got to register them, does anyone know when they can start bidding, if i register them today/tomorrow? Any general info on the process would be appreciated as the guy on the phone to the council was nice but didnt get much out of him, thanks

Comments

  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 18,744 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Annie35 wrote: »
    hello, is this the best section for this question? If not let me know.

    a family members just been given 2 months notice to leave her current tenancy so ive been having a look at the councils bidding system & handily they have just released several flats for over 60s.

    Now ive got to register them, does anyone know when they can start bidding, if i register them today/tomorrow? Any general info on the process would be appreciated as the guy on the phone to the council was nice but didnt get much out of him, thanks
    It would depend on the local council and how they work it. They would most likely need to be on the local housing list first to be able to bid on a property. Unfortunately social housing isn't as simple as just "bidding" and the house is yours.
  • bigbulldog
    bigbulldog Posts: 632 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    Poppy12345 is right you also need to contact your local borough council for an application form before you can go any further.
  • Annie35
    Annie35 Posts: 385 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    oh yes i know it wont be simple, but its an option open to them. The homeless team are calling 'in a week' so its obviously not quick going with this council :)

    I think they'll be gold priority & the properties they'd go for only get 1-7 bids, being over 60s so its not a massive competition like the 3 bed semi's (70+ bids). It looks like half a block have been released & councils even put a call out for applicants, so fingers crossed they've one available for them, eh.

    Ive got them filling in the register now so guess its just waiting :)
  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 18,744 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    They're also not homeless until they leave their current house. Normally it would also depend on the reasons they have to leave the house they're in now as to whether they'll recieve any help. It's never as easy as people think, whatever the age.
  • Annie35
    Annie35 Posts: 385 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Definately i appreciate that. But the option is open to them & ive got them filling in the forms, these flats ive seen are open to all banding & the guidance says gold is for people 'at risk' of homelessness (platinum for actual homeless), but even at worst they'd be bronze today & as i say the flats are open for all inc 'general' band so there's no reason they cant apply.

    It maybe something else will turn up in the meantime but theres no harm in trying for one of these
  • elsien
    elsien Posts: 35,043 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    In my area, once the application is completed then there still needs to be an assessment by a housing officer to allocate the band, as everyone initially goes on the lowest band until they can provide evidence of housing need/vulnerability. Due to sickness and staff vacancies there was a wait of a good few weeks to get as far as the housing officer. And this was for someone with high priority waiting to get out of hospital.
    It really does depend on your local systems and situation.
    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
  • NeilCr
    NeilCr Posts: 4,430 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    elsien wrote: »
    In my area, once the application is completed then there still needs to be an assessment by a housing officer to allocate the band, as everyone initially goes on the lowest band until they can provide evidence of housing need/vulnerability. Due to sickness and staff vacancies there was a wait of a good few weeks to get as far as the housing officer. And this was for someone with high priority waiting to get out of hospital.
    It really does depend on your local systems and situation.

    Yes. This.

    My partner's son and daughter in law have spent an awful amount of time in getting on the housing list and up through the bands. The other thing to say is that, in our area anyway, the stock of social housing is low and the demand very high.

    I appreciate, OP, that it might be different in your family member's area and I understand that your local council has "advertised" these properties but I would be looking at other possibilities, just in case

    What is their financial situation?. Could they afford private, if necessary. I am assuming that is what they are in at the moment?
  • teddysmum
    teddysmum Posts: 9,500 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I imagine that the council are asking for people to apply in the hope that they will vacate a larger property for use by a family and very much doubt it's because they have some spare ones which need filling by anyone of the correct age, whether or not a council tenant.


    I remember some twenty years ago, when our council had an advert in the local paper, asking anyone to apply for vacant properties, which were the then undesirable one/two bedroomed flats and offered at a special low rent. How times change.
  • paragon909
    paragon909 Posts: 1,498 Forumite
    Housing full stop in Scotland is completely different to that of England and Wales. Even buying a house is different.

    I don't believe Scottish councils use bidding systems for council houses. I was on council house waiting list in Scotland for 5-6 Month in 2015. I had to list what locations I wanted to be considered for and which I didn't... I stupidly put all locations that are local towns and islands. and ended up getting offered 2 houses in places I would never stay.... Corrected it and got offered a place where I am today.

    Single people are restricted on the rooms they can apply for i.e. bedsit, 1 or 2 rooms max! If you refuse 3 offers from Scottish councils then you get put to the bottom of the list with low priority.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.3K Spending & Discounts
  • 240.7K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.6K Life & Family
  • 253.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.