Council Housing.

stellagypsy

We have choice based lettings in this area and if a person applies for a 2 bed property with 3 kids (as happend recently), we have to let them have it as it is their CHOICE - on the old points system we would not have allowed it.

How about going for a mutual exchange? This might solve the OP's problem. There is less officialdom involved (we check for rent debt and also inspect the property to ensure there are no repairs putstanding, do health and safety checks, etc) but other than that, if everything is OK, the swap can go ahead. Ours are now on the lettings internet web site but before we did this, there was a list in our office of those wanting to do swaps, not only "Council" (we are not the Council any more) but Housing Associations too.

I think it is worth a look.

HTH, Stella

pingua

The dogs are not ours. I included the dogs in the picture as our eldest son has asthma. I think this may be where our points come in - health reasons. Having said that, we think he has become immune to them now as he has not been needing his inhaler. But the rate at which he was using it when we first moved was so bad and it really had to be the dogs.

If anyone thinks we would have a dog of our own after this experience - you must be mad.

Savvy_Sue

pingua wrote:

The dogs are not ours. I included the dogs in the picture as our eldest son has asthma. I think this may be where our points come in - health reasons. Having said that, we think he has become immune to them now as he has not been needing his inhaler. But the rate at which he was using it when we first moved was so bad and it really had to be the dogs.

If anyone thinks we would have a dog of our own after this experience - you must be mad.

As the dogs aren't yours, that should increase the number of properties which could be considered suitable for you! And, although I said that the dogs wouldn't give you extra points, I'd now say that the fact that you are sharing your current accommodation with someone else's dogs and

a) this is affecting your son's health and

b) they are large dogs so it makes the place rather crowded

might, just might, be worth something. Another letter? Ask for a home visit?

I really hope you get somewhere soon, and that some of the advice here and on other threads about housing will help you.

The dogs raised strong feelings and I'm really sorry that these were expressed in a sometimes insensitive way, especially as they weren't even your dogs! It occurred to me that if you and your children had lost your home, hanging onto the family pet(s) might be something you would desperately try to do, to preserve some sense of normality and continuity in a fractured world.

It broke my heart when a mum came into where I used to work with her young son, and he was so happy to have a box of Duplo to play with while she talked to staff, because he'd lost his toys in their various moves. It's not just your home you lose when you're homeless.

pingua

Umm, our system has been on the blink hence the late reply yesterday. Yes things did appear to get a bit heated over the dogs. Mind, I do myself - everyday!

Well, still no hpoe of a house from the council but we have been able to find a private landlord who is willing to rent a property to us. My partner is now self employed and without 6 months rent in advance and a deposit, the agents would not touch us. Not really wanting to go private as the rent is loads but we have got to take a step in some sort of direction.

Fingers crossed.

Savvy_Sue

pingua wrote:

Umm, our system has been on the blink hence the late reply yesterday. Yes things did appear to get a bit heated over the dogs. Mind, I do myself - everyday!

Well, still no hpoe of a house from the council but we have been able to find a private landlord who is willing to rent a property to us. My partner is now self employed and without 6 months rent in advance and a deposit, the agents would not touch us. Not really wanting to go private as the rent is loads but we have got to take a step in some sort of direction.

Fingers crossed.

Have you asked council if they do a rent deposit scheme in your area? Also make sure you apply for housing benefit ASAP: I know it's more complicated on private lets but you may be entitled to something.

Good luck and well done for finding a private landlord willing to take you!

winnie81

LearningToSave. wrote:

the council dont consider a boy and girl sharing a problem in most areas until they are 8,however some areas it is 10!!!

Just wanted to add that that isn't the case in all areas. I was given a 3 bed HA house when my daughter was 11mths and my son was newborn. If my son was a girl then we would've been given a 2 bed. We were told that they allocate for how many rooms you will need in future to save having to reallocate housing in a few years ( due to boy/girl sharing issues).

Claire x