Could I get council housing?

Question

Just wondered if anyone had any advice....

My boyfriend and I currently live together in a privately rented flat, but he has recently been made redundant and we can no longer afford our rent. Our landlord has told us that we have until the end of the month to move out but we have nowhere to go, no savings and my income is not enough to rent somewhere else. I am also 3 months pregnant so very worried about where we are going to live. Are we eligable for council housing? Has anyone got any suggestions?

Thanks in advance for your help.xx

Answer 1

possibly - you will certainly qualify for housing benifit - which the council will give you towards your rent.

if you really cant afford a place to live - then your borough should be able to help you.

Answer 2

Firstly, your landlord must follow proper the eviction procedure - this includes going to court to get a final eviction notice after he has given you official notice to quit as per the guidelines.  This is of course unless you have a signed tenancy agreement which expires at the end of the month.

Have a look at directgov.uk, Home & Community section - Buying, renting or selling and the Private Renting section, which you may find helpful.

Talk to your local council re housing - they may also be able to advice you re the eviction procedures.  Your partner should at least be entitled to housing benefit, and they will probably put you on a list for emergency housing.

Answer 3

Yes..they might put you in emergency accommodation at first till they find you somewhere. e.g hostel b&b

Why not ask or ring the council or go to you're local citizens advice centre.

Make sure you have all you're info...eviction notice etc

The same thing happened to me ,I had 2 children..so good luck I hope things work out x

Answer 4

You would be eligible for council housing, but the back list is HUGE. I know people who are in far worse circumstances who have been waiting over 12-18 months for a council house. As for your boyfriends redundancy, this is normally seen as short term, so is unlikely to effect your status, and as you are a couple, is negligates the fact that you are pregnant i.e. you have a partner, whereas there are thousands of single teen mothers on the list for council houses. Best thing to do is contact your local council immediately for help and advice.

Answer 5

you are eligble for council housing but you will have to wait literally years to get one.

your best bet is for your boyfriend to find another job and find a place that except housing benefit, if your income isnt enough to live on they can offer you some help towards the rent.

as you have been given notice to leave you can apply as homeless to the council, but they will put you in a BnB or hostel to start with an you could be there for years.

i had my daughter at 18 and although my partner and i work nearly 100 hours between us we still cannot afford a place.

we have been waiting for 3 years for a place and there just isnt enough houses to dish out to every pregnant women in the country.

Answer 6

You will be eligible but it will be many months even upto a year before your given a council place. They will put you into temporary accommodation until they can house you, this will usually be in a Bed and Breakfast or Hostel. But if you can possibily get your landlord to agree to let you stay you may be eligiable for housing benefit, meaning the council will pay your rent, it might not be all of it but it will be the majority. This will put you lower on the list for council housing but will reduce the risk of having to live in a bed and breakfast for 6 months!

Answer 7

Yes, you are entitled to apply for housing provided that your landlord has put in writing the fact that he wants you to quit the property. Take this evidence to your local housing people and they will help you. It does not matter that your bf is not working and that you are pregnant, it just makes you more of a priority for them to provide you with housing. They may have to put you in temporary accommodation to begin with if there is not a house available which may be a 1 bed flat, but if that does happen you will still be on their list for more suitable housing. It does take some time so do apply and be patient - it is worth you doing this as housing rents are cheaper than private. God bless, my darling and good luck - especially with the baby. xx

Answer 8

You would be better sorting out an place to live that will accept dss tenants , and then see a housing officer about a flat / house . you will be in a good position as a family unit , also try housing associations , the length of the list depends on where in country you live