Embarrassed about housing

Green_garnet

This is embarrassing but, without having to ring the Council (Scotland) does anyone know the answer, please?

Selling home because of stress and not coping and Council have me on their, not priority, housing waiting list. Pleased but worried as I have a provisional offer to buy my home. Could have furniture in store until my name eventually comes up on Council list. I know if I accept offer and sell now I would be intentionally homeless but, after doctor's letter, I am already on housing list and becoming ill with stress in present housing.

I now accept, with expenses and house prices, I cannot buy another property but am completely debt free.

Elderly relative (always close and good longstanding relationship) in ill health living alone in Council sheltered housing will let me sleep on their sofa 'free' temporarily if this is allowed and their benefits will not be lost or get in trouble. I am not an abusive person. I could afford bed and breakfast temporarily once a week and stay over on a friend's sofa once a week - all till the Council house me in due course. Housing have a doctor's letter about my stress and my situation is genuine - although humiliating and embarrassing.

I am so desperate to sell. I do not receive any means tested benefits and do not defraud anyone.

I am terrified to do this but don't want to lose the sale of my home.

Please don't be hard on me.

Green garnet

Cakeguts

If elderly relative is in sheltered housing with an age limit example over 60 and you are under 60 you will not be allowed to live there even if it is sleeping on the sofa. There are usually rooms available for family members to stay for a very short time.


You have to consider the possibility that the council will never house you as you are not a priority. If you sell your home you will need to consider renting privately as you could be on the council waiting list for years.

[Deleted User]

If you are over 55 you could look at places that offer flats for people in that age group at a cheaper rent. I know where I used to live there were more of these available than other properties so more easily available.

We don't know your circumstances but I would have thought sofa surfing would be quite stressful too.

Phone shelter and ask their advice, if you haven't already.

You could also try ringing MIND and see if they have counselling in your area, its usually not too expensive. It might help.

I hope you manage to find something.

elsien

You might also need to find out whether any equity left from your house would take you over the capital limit for social housing - not sure if that applies in Scotland or not.
Is the stress related to owning that particular property, or also to other areas of your life? Could you not consider a private rental.
It really would be better to discuss your specific circumstances with a housing officer to get a sense of what your priority means in practical term as it does vary between areas.

Green_garnet

Thank you for kind replies. I am over 60 and have State Pension and small works pension. I did not think of Shelter but will telephone them - I really hoped to buy a small flat but have done my sums and it would be impossible. I saw one almost perfect but just not affordable - nearly though.

If I rent privately it would be expensive and take away my 'life' savings. I may have to do this but, most of all, more than anything else, there would be insecurity - but secure tenancy in Council flat.

I would be safe with my elderly relative but don't want to disrupt their benefits or get them in any trouble.

Sofa with relative or friend could noy be more stressful than present situation. Worried in case, even with doctor's letter, the Council take me off their list.

Green garnet

Cakeguts

Green_garnet wrote: »

Thank you for kind replies. I am over 60 and have State Pension and small works pension. I did not think of Shelter but will telephone them - I really hoped to buy a small flat but have done my sums and it would be impossible. I saw one almost perfect but just not affordable - nearly though.

If I rent privately it would be expensive and take away my 'life' savings. I may have to do this but, most of all, more than anything else, there would be insecurity - but secure tenancy in Council flat.

I would be safe with my elderly relative but don't want to disrupt their benefits or get them in any trouble.

Sofa with relative or friend could not be more stressful than present situation. Worried in case, even with doctor's letter, the Council take me off their list.

Green garnet

The big problem is that the council can't give you council housing that they don't have even if you have lots of doctor's letters and if they have someone who currently doesn't have anywhere to live they are going to be higher up the list than you are simply because you do have somewhere to live and you do have the possibility of finding your own home.



As you are over 60 it might be a good idea to find a retirement home to buy? They are usually cheaper because of the more limited market.

Green_garnet

Thank you, Cakeguts. I appreciate your reply and I would love to be able to buy another smaller more suitable home - I would love that so very much.



I have checked thoroughly and 'done' all the sums. Unfortunately, financially, it is completely impossible. I understandand what you are saying - others are also in difficult housing situations - to say the least - the poor people in The Bahamas whose homes have been completely wiped out.



My present housing is unsuitable (as confirmed by my doctor who knows that the stress in my present home situationis making my existing health very much worse.) My GP agrees that I need to move to a safer place. I am upset and very embarrassed to be in this position.



I really do know what you mean about others with greater priority and I am 'lucky' to even be on the waiting list. Thanks very much indeed for your interest and taking time to reply.


Green garnet

Davesnave

Green_garnet wrote: »

I really do know what you mean about others with greater priority and I am 'lucky' to even be on the waiting list.

I think the point others are making is that you aren't lucky to be on the council or housing association housing list, because anyone can go on it. The salient point is whether they have enough points to reach the top of it, and some never will.


My elderly father was on the list for several years, but by the time he was offered something, the accommodation was no longer suitable.



This is why you must think carefully and take advice before making yourself homeless. I realise you may be in a stressful situation, but swapping it for one even more difficult would be a mistake, especially if you think it would get you to the top of the council list and it doesn't.

Silvertabby

Another thing to ponder is that even if you are allocated a council property, you will have very little choice regarding location. You don't say why you feel forced to move from your current house, but if it is due to problem neighbours then a council house/flat could be a case of 'rinse, repeat'.

Have you looked for a private rental ? At least that way you will have some sort of choice re location/neighbours (at least until they move !)

Skiddaw1

Davesnave wrote: »

I think the point others are making is that you aren't lucky to be on the council or housing association housing list, because anyone can go on it. The salient point is whether they have enough points to reach the top of it, and some never will.


My elderly father was on the list for several years, but by the time he was offered something, the accommodation was no longer suitable.



This is why you must think carefully and take advice before making yourself homeless. I realise you may be in a stressful situation, but swapping it for one even more difficult would be a mistake, especially if you think it would get you to the top of the council list and it doesn't.

Spot on. OP, do think very carefully before you take a leap into the unknown. Would it not be better perhaps to stay put for a while longer whilst continuing to search for an affordable flat? Even if you have to widen the search area? I just feel you could so easily end up in a far worse and messier situation than currently.

onwards&upwards

You could be waiting years or even decades for a council property.

Is mov8ng to a cheaper area a possibility?