Apply for a council accommodation when own a property

Legacy_user

Dear MSE community,

Today I had a conversation with a friend of mine and he told me that I can apply for a council house/flat even if I am a homeowner with mortgage.

I am a bit confused because I never thought about it and secondly I have my own home. I checked with council website and found information that anyone aged 16 years or over can apply for housing. Some applicants may not be allowed onto the waiting list due to:
- anti-social behaviour,
- immigration status, or
- certain criminal convictions.

So it means that I am legally can apply and get council housing even if I am a homeowner??? :eek:

Thank you!

EDITED to CLARIFY OP and topic
it is simply an academic discussion. I am not going to apply because I have one but I just want to confirm that my friend said NONSENSE!

BorisThomson

Anyone can apply for a council house, whether you will be allocated one or even get on the waiting list is another matter. Someone that owns a home may not be able to live there for various reasons - domestic violence as an example - so it doesn't automatically bar you from social housing.

seashore22

Why don't you try it and get back to us with the outcome. I won't be holding my breath.

G_M

seashore22 wrote: »

Why don't you try it and get back to us with the outcome. I won't be holding my breath.

Oh go on! Hold your breath - I dare you!

System

Thank you ALL! Tomorrow will give a call to council to find out more!

Ogriv

The waiting lists are astronomically long.
I used to work with homeless people and those rough sleeping on the street are not considered in 'priority need'.
So I doubt you would sail to the top of the list.

On a related note, I know a council tenant who is the landlord of another property some 20 miles away. Probably prohibited, but would be fascinated to know how much of it goes on.

HampshireH

Why would you want to?

Unless you have some exceptional circumstances you won't get on the list.

Most criteria states if you own a home your not eligible. Exclusions for sheltered accommodation apply.

You would have to be able to evidence a very good reason why you can no longer live in your home. Such as repossession. Possibly DV (it's a hard case to prove and you would need police support in most cases).

HampshireH

're the friend who is a landlord. Did he had the council house before the relet property? This isn't monitored and is a frequent occurance.

If they had the house first and failed to declare it they put in a fraudulent application?

sevenhills

HampshireH wrote: »

You would have to be able to evidence a very good reason why you can no longer live in your home. Such as repossession. Possibly DV (it's a hard case to prove and you would need police support in most cases).

A friend of mine lives in social housing. He and his family got the house, whilst he owned his own house, at least with around 8 years left on the mortgage.
They had 4 children, but lived in a 2 bedroomed property, so they got social house due to over crowding - in just the same way that someone renting would.

System

HampshireH wrote: »

Why would you want to?

Unless you have some exceptional circumstances you won't get on the list.

Most criteria states if you own a home your not eligible. Exclusions for sheltered accommodation apply.

You would have to be able to evidence a very good reason why you can no longer live in your home. Such as repossession. Possibly DV (it's a hard case to prove and you would need police support in most cases).

Hmmm That was my idea but if its illegal I will leave then...

Ogriv

The acquaintance who is a council tenant plus a landlord...yes, she was a council tenant first.