Can homeowner get a council/HA property ?

Mgman1965

Two colleagues discussing this at work today, I think a no no, but if possible would be ideal for my MIL.


Colleague was saying her elderly mother who owns her own house cant manage the stairs very well now, but if they sell the house cant afford a bungalow.


So she says plan is for mum to sell her house, move into equally unsuitable private rented, and then go to council and get onto the council house waiting list using her poor health to bump up the list for a council bungalow.


so plan is basically, sell own house, private rent unsuitable house to get council bungalow, have nice comfortable retirement living in subsidised council bungalow living of money from house sale and pension.


Sounds to easy to me to be workable.

danlewi2

No - as you would be financially assessed by the council

G_M

Of course.

We have a well-funded system of social welfare in this country that ensures that local government provides appropriate housing to meet the needs of all. So the elderly/disabled are entitled to a free bungalow; the lower-paid are entitled to a house with separate bedrooms for each adult and each child; the middle classes are entitled to properties with wood-burners (as well as the standard central heating); and the elite are entitled to a moat (as rightly claimed some years back by MPs).

G_M

Pixie5740

Mgman1965 wrote: »

Two colleagues discussing this at work today, I think a no no, but if possible would be ideal for my MIL.


Colleague was saying her elderly mother who owns her own house cant manage the stairs very well now, but if they sell the house cant afford a bungalow.


So she says plan is for mum to sell her house, move into equally unsuitable private rented, and then go to council and get onto the council house waiting list using her poor health to bump up the list for a council bungalow.


so plan is basically, sell own house, private rent unsuitable house to get council bungalow, have nice comfortable retirement living in subsidised council bungalow living of money from house sale and pension.


Sounds to easy to me to be workable.

It's not impossible for home owners to be offered social housing if for some reason the current home is not suitable for the owners physical needs. Could the current home not be adapted to meet the mother's needs, for example by fitting a stair lift? Does it have to be a bungalow the mother buys? What about a ground floor flat instead?

What is a subsidised council bungalow? Who will be doing the subsidising? I would think that having a large lump sum in the bank would exclude the mother from housing benefit.

Murphybear

Most retirement properties for rent are not nice bungalows.

We moved into an over 60s development earlier this year, run by a specialist HA. It is really lovely, big communal lounge and kitchen, communal gardens well maintained, laundry room with lovely big Miele appliances, whole place has been redecorated with new carpets and lots of pictures.

To move in is cheap, no referencing, fees or deposit needed. Housing Benefit welcomed

This would be a better option than renting privately or waiting on a council list.

Mgman1965

Pixie5740 wrote: »

It's not impossible for home owners to be offered social housing if for some reason the current home is not suitable for the owners physical needs. Could the current home not be adapted to meet the mother's needs, for example by fitting a stair lift? Does it have to be a bungalow the mother buys? What about a ground floor flat instead?

What is a subsidised council bungalow? Who will be doing the subsidising? I would think that having a large lump sum in the bank would exclude the mother from housing benefit.

Subsidised as in council rents are always cheaper than the rent for an equal private rented.

If this is a way of getting a council property personally I think it's a downright cheek

hazyjo

Are bungalows generally that much more expensive than houses?! I've not encountered that, unless they are on a large plot with potential...

Cakeguts

What is wrong with selling own home and buying private sheltered housing. It is usually cheaper than standard housing because of the age restrictions and so the market is more limited.

Silvertabby

hazyjo wrote: »

Are bungalows generally that much more expensive than houses?! I've not encountered that, unless they are on a large plot with potential...

Bungalows, for whatever reason, command a premium price in most areas. Round here a 3 bed bungalow can cost as much a 4 bed house.

[Deleted User]

It varies from area to area but most housing departments ask for addresses and reasons why you moved for a period of years. With mine it was 5 years. This could then lead to questions on why the lady sold her house and moved into an unsuitable private rental. Then soon after that asked for social housing based on its lack of suitability? Plus its hardly likely she would move straight into social housing on applying. Some councils have a reasonable amount of single bedroom properties, some almost none. Bungalows are usually not that prolific. So she could be waiting years if she was lucky.

I don't know how housing will react, but I suspect it might not be too positively.

An over 55's development might be the best idea. Or a stair life as suggested. Sometimes councils will help with the cost of this.