council house?

sukk_uk

hi.last month i applied to the council for a house or something for me and my partner. they replaied about 3/4 weeks later sayin that they need proof of where we are stayin but we are livin with parteners parents. then they want proof of rent accounts from previous rental property. but we dont have no proof as the landlord never gave us any. and the landlord doesn't speak english so what can i do? i want property quick but dont want to take the step of gettin pregnant to get one.
any help would be great,

RufusA

Firstly if they need proof of where you are staying then get your partner's parents to provide proof. A simple letter stating where you are living, from when, and what rent (if any) is being charged and signed by them should be acceptable.

If you were paying rent previously on a weekly basis then the landlord by law has to provide a rent book. If paying monthly then bank statements might show sufficient proof. I would find it difficult to believe that a landlord can maintain, advertise and let properties in the UK without being able to speak English (or having access to a translator). If the landlord didn't provide a tenancy agreement, you have no proof of rent etc. then have you tried explaining the situation to the council.

Why are you so keen to get a council house? If living with your partner's parents is difficult have you considered private renting or housing associations? Housing benefits etc. can help keep the cost down to council levels (if you are entitled to it).

Finally I hope the "getting pregnant" was tongue in cheek!

Rufus.

sukk_uk

ok thanks. the thing is the landlord brought the property off my old landlord a few months before we left. they spoke te same language. my boyfriend can speak the same language but they had a pretty bad last conversation and are not likely to talk.could i gte my old lanlord to write summet out?
and i want a council place so after 2 years i can call it my own. i'v been rentin for years and prefer to have a place at the end of it as i cant afford a mortage.

cattie

Surely when you were renting from this landlord you would have had council tax & utility bills which you could use to confirm your address Or bank/building society statements or books showing this address is another option perhaps.

shelly

sukk_uk,
I have never heard that after 2 yrs you can call a council house your own.My husbands dad has been renting from the council for over 20 yrs and the only time he can call it his own is if he buys it from the council.Maybe its different where you live but here you have to buy it from them and you only get a discount if you have been renting from them for a number of years but then you would still need a mortgage.

theGrinch

work hard and save. only sure and morale way in my book to legally own your OWN place.

Savvy_Sue

i want property quick but dont want to take the step of gettin pregnant to get one.

Applying for housing through the council is rarely quick. Even getting pregnant wouldn't necessarily help! Could make things worse as you would then be competing with other families for 2 bedroomed properties, whereas now you are only likely to be eligible for a one bedroomed property.

It does all depend on what housing is available in your area, but if there are local housing associations then getting on their list as well as on the council's is worth doing. You may have as much Right to Buy from them as you do from the council. Some also offer 'part buy part rent' schemes which might suit you.

One way to be offered a property sooner rather than later is to be prepared to live in a less popular area, or to take on a property which needs complete redecoration (usually tenant's responsibility not the council's these days).

Getting something in writing from your previous landlord may help: as well as establishing where you have been living the council is also trying to find out if you have rent arrears. Their enquiries may also cover whether there have been any problems with antisocial behaviour at any of your previous addresses.

But don't go for a council property just because you think you will be able to buy it in two years. Even if you can do so, that may not be the best thing to do. The property may not be big enough for you long-term and if you've bought it you may not be able to sell it!