Can a housing society refuse us a house because we have no local connections?

Question

After being told that we had been recommended by the local council to the housing society for a new house we were elated. However after two days later being told that we had it the folowing day we get a phone call saying that we need to have prof of local connections, well family only we were told. Is this a legalor should it be made available no matter where you come from as long as you meet all the other nessersaery requierments?

Answer 1

presumably your council deals with more than 1 town or village so you are allowed to bid or be excepted for a property as long as its in the catchment area for the council you applied to.however if they desovered there was a family who had local connections to a specific area, say a village just outside of the town you live in right now, then they would prioritise them as they have possibly more need to stay in the area they live in or have family in.

its frustrating and unfair alot of the time. my partner and i work 90 hours a week between us and are taxed £700 a month in total yet we live with my mother and our 2 1/2 year old daughter, we cannot afford to privately rent and have had been refused properties only to find out later that some single unemployed male has been given a 2 bedroomed flat!.

goodluck here are some links http://directgov.co.uk

Answer 2

Yes they can.

In order to get social housing you may have to demonstrate a connection to the local area in which you apply. You need to register in your own local area.

Answer 3

Yes they can.

Priority is always given to local residents and local council tax payers.

Answer 4

It's sad but true, they've got the right to do that.

I'd say- choose not to live in a housing society, they're all pompus d**ks, gosh, i would hate to be told what i can and cannot do to my lawn. :S

Answer 5

I believe this is in place so that new tenants will integrate with the community faster and easier than total strangers would. It is in my opinion totally unfair though, and I have been on the recieving end of this rule myself.

Answer 6

yes

Answer 7

Rules is rules. Try other housing societies as I know of one that doesn't care what or where the house is, but they run out of funds very quickly.

Answer 8

There are five areas you have to fit in with to qualify for housing in any area. One of them is local connection. This can be your kids schools, your workplace, family, or the fact that you were brought up there and moved away. It is the council rather than the association that make these rules, and they are the same in any borough. If you feel you have a connection, you can appeal the decision, but go to Shelter or somewhere quick cos there will prob be a time limit on appealing.

Answer 9

If that is the case then how is it immigrants with no connections (locally or nationally) are given housing by councils and housing corporations

Answer 10

Yes, I believe they can or you should have lived in the area for at least 6 months however I think exceptions can be made if you already work in the area or have a job lined up.

Answer 11

You dnt need to have connections, complain to their head office or speak to them more firmly next time

Answer 12

If you were recommended by the council I would go back to them and put it in their hands.  If you have been accepted by the council as eligible for housing you should have fulfilled their residence requirements in the area and it should rightly be the same with a housing association they nominate you for.  If the housing association does however have different rules the council made a mistake in recommending you and they should put this right by finding you somewhere else and checking first that you are eligible for it so that you do not have to go through this sort of thing again.