PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Getting on list for council house/housing association

Options
2

Comments

  • AG47 you just apply...and wait..(and wait!) Do not stop paying your rent thinking you will be given a council home...that is not how it works.
  • chelseablue
    chelseablue Posts: 3,303 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Every area is different but I know my local council states you have to have been living in the area continuously for 4 years before they'll let you join the list.

    We're in Berkshire and a friend of mine was on the list for 9 years before getting a 2 bedroom flat.
    Before that her, her partner and daughter lived with her parents
  • sevenhills
    sevenhills Posts: 5,938 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    In Leeds the Letting criteria are 3/4 of the houses go to those with priority, and 1/4 goes to those that have been on the waiting list the longest.
  • What is there to lose? Helped a friend apply, single parent with 4 young children but in private rented. She was offered a new build house after 10 months.
  • teddysmum
    teddysmum Posts: 9,521 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    What is there to lose? Helped a friend apply, single parent with 4 young children but in private rented. She was offered a new build house after 10 months.



    It does very much depend on the area.

    Years ago, our council used to advertise for people to rent their properties yet recently, my son had to wait four years to upgrade a 3 bedroomed house, when they had two boys and a girl, the latter having to sleep in her parents' bedroom.


    If you watch the tv programmes about council housing or housing officers, you will see that in places like London ,they can have as many as 500 bids for one house and having a problem that puts you in a higher band doesn't help where there are hundreds in that band and some have even more severe problems.
  • theartfullodger
    theartfullodger Posts: 15,704 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    AG47 wrote: »
    We just want to get on the waiting list, we have a disabled son
    Different councils have different rules, both for who can go on the housing register & what priority different people get.

    Go to YOUR council's website, download the "housing allocation policy" (or similar) - e.g.
    http://www.slough.gov.uk/housing/housing-register.aspx

    - then work out what your status & priority will be and apply, often online via. e.g.
    http://www.slough.gov.uk/housing/how-to-apply.aspx

    STRONGLY recommend you keep a copy of what you submit & when council write to you telling you if..
    a) They have accepted your application &
    b) What priority/points/position they've given you, check council got it right against they published policy.

    (Everyone makes mistakes)

    Don't expect to get offered a property in less than several years, unless you are very lucky....

    Good luck, hope things work out.

    PS You may find neighbouring councils will also accept an application: But different councils, different rules: e.g. Slough you have to have lived there for the last 5 years, Wokingham anyone can apply.
  • sevenhills
    sevenhills Posts: 5,938 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    What is there to lose? Helped a friend apply, single parent with 4 young children but in private rented. She was offered a new build house after 10 months.

    When I looked at the allocations list, there were some that took just a few months, but most less than 2 years.
  • AG47
    AG47 Posts: 1,618 Forumite
    Now they are saying unless you have an eviction letter they won't put you on the list
    Nothing has been fixed since 2008, it was just pushed into the future
  • HampshireH
    HampshireH Posts: 4,939 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    As I said in a previous post they often assess on housing need.

    If you are housed they are likely to not seem you a priority. The eviction notice puts you at risk and therefore you become more of a priority to some (most) councils.

    This won't be the case if you put yourself in that situation and make yourself intentionally homeless.
  • Jenniefour
    Jenniefour Posts: 1,393 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker Mortgage-free Glee!
    Then you might have more chance in another area. Worth checking information on other areas you might be willing to consider. But please don't make yourselves intentionally homeless as you will most likely end up in a worse situation than you are now. However hard to imagine that may seem.
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
  • 351K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.6K Spending & Discounts
  • 244K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 599K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.9K Life & Family
  • 257.4K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only 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.