Problems claiming benefits...
May 4th 2011, 5:56 pm
#16
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,006
Re: Problems claiming benefits...
You cant offically, you need a residential address from which to apply from. Not useful if you dont have relatives but if you do & you've been using their address for mail etc you use their address.
As for where they put you there is some choice. Local authorities have a 'choice based lettings system' now. It means you get assessed, are given points and a priority status. Most let you log on online and will tell you which homes you can 'bid' on. Depending on your priority you can bid away and not get an offer for years or get one pretty quick if you're a single mum with no support etc. But you choose what to bid on but obv many houses coming empty are in areas you may not want to live in. People dont move out of the nice areas once in there! But if you really are desperate and need housing you have to take whats on offer yes!
Here is the site for Liverpool to give you an idea www.propertypool.org.uk
As for where they put you there is some choice. Local authorities have a 'choice based lettings system' now. It means you get assessed, are given points and a priority status. Most let you log on online and will tell you which homes you can 'bid' on. Depending on your priority you can bid away and not get an offer for years or get one pretty quick if you're a single mum with no support etc. But you choose what to bid on but obv many houses coming empty are in areas you may not want to live in. People dont move out of the nice areas once in there! But if you really are desperate and need housing you have to take whats on offer yes!
Here is the site for Liverpool to give you an idea www.propertypool.org.uk
I think the whole idea of a "council house for life" is no longer sustainable and people should be prepared to move to smaller properties in order to help out those in greater need. People's financial situation changes, too and I don't think you are asked to move out if you are able to rent privately or buy, which is also daft, IMO.
May 4th 2011, 6:09 pm
#17
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 427
Re: Problems claiming benefits...
There's a program on telly (tonight, I think) on council house scams - one of which is people moving out of their council house and sub-letting it privately ... there are also lots of single people or married with no kids sitting in 3-BR council houses after the kids grow up, and the government is looking at re-assessing these sorts of cases to make way for young families who really need a 3-BR.
I think the whole idea of a "council house for life" is no longer sustainable and people should be prepared to move to smaller properties in order to help out those in greater need. People's financial situation changes, too and I don't think you are asked to move out if you are able to rent privately or buy, which is also daft, IMO.
I think the whole idea of a "council house for life" is no longer sustainable and people should be prepared to move to smaller properties in order to help out those in greater need. People's financial situation changes, too and I don't think you are asked to move out if you are able to rent privately or buy, which is also daft, IMO.
Yes people shouldnt be sitting in property too big for their needs but if they were to move out (they will have to under now laws already put through by the condems) They are not offered a smaller property because there arent any.
They then seek private landlords and find they cant afford to rent even for the smallest places in the worst areas. They are on pretty low wages and wouldnt get benefits to help so at age 40 50 or 60 are looking at having to move in with relatives or declare themselves homeless!
May 5th 2011, 12:31 pm
#18
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,006
Re: Problems claiming benefits...
I agreee and am planning on watching but...
Yes people shouldnt be sitting in property too big for their needs but if they were to move out (they will have to under now laws already put through by the condems) They are not offered a smaller property because there arent any.
They then seek private landlords and find they cant afford to rent even for the smallest places in the worst areas. They are on pretty low wages and wouldnt get benefits to help so at age 40 50 or 60 are looking at having to move in with relatives or declare themselves homeless!
Yes people shouldnt be sitting in property too big for their needs but if they were to move out (they will have to under now laws already put through by the condems) They are not offered a smaller property because there arent any.
They then seek private landlords and find they cant afford to rent even for the smallest places in the worst areas. They are on pretty low wages and wouldnt get benefits to help so at age 40 50 or 60 are looking at having to move in with relatives or declare themselves homeless!
I agree that the requirement to leave a larger council house if your family has shrunk should only happen if you are provided replacement council housing (if you are eligible for it, that is).
Some of the things that really surprised me:
You are allowed to own other property if you live in council property(!)
The housing official in Sheffield who said most of the people on the council waiting list will "never" get a council house.
The PC who owned a council flat in London and was renting it out as a holiday rental, even though he owned the flat opposite, a nice house in the Home Counties, and a chateau in France(!)
That poor woman living in a small 3-BR with 8 other people.
... there is clearly so much wrong with the system.
May 5th 2011, 12:41 pm
#19
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
Re: Problems claiming benefits...
Sorry...yes.
Yes, pretty much. I worked in an advice centre back in the 90s and occasionally something would be offered to someone within a couple of days of the person applying.
While it would be in an area most people wouldn't want, there are some happy with it. Or desperate. Or just not knowing what they let themselves in for.
Yes. It was possible to select an area you wanted but then find it was grouped with somewhere you didn't want and it would be difficult if you were offered the one you didn't want because officially it was in your chosen area.
But judging from the above post and what I just saw on the Bristol site, it's all a bit different now.
Yes. I can't imagine that has changed.
In some authorities, perhaps all now
they combine LA (council) housing with Housing Associations with one application covering the lot. It's possible there might be some conditions/restrictions applying to Housing Association properties that wouldn't apply to LA properties.
Yes, pretty much. I worked in an advice centre back in the 90s and occasionally something would be offered to someone within a couple of days of the person applying.
While it would be in an area most people wouldn't want, there are some happy with it. Or desperate. Or just not knowing what they let themselves in for.
Yes. It was possible to select an area you wanted but then find it was grouped with somewhere you didn't want and it would be difficult if you were offered the one you didn't want because officially it was in your chosen area.
But judging from the above post and what I just saw on the Bristol site, it's all a bit different now.
Yes. I can't imagine that has changed.
In some authorities, perhaps all now
they combine LA (council) housing with Housing Associations with one application covering the lot. It's possible there might be some conditions/restrictions applying to Housing Association properties that wouldn't apply to LA properties.
May 5th 2011, 1:48 pm
#20
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,835
Re: Problems claiming benefits...
From wiki:
Housing associations in the United Kingdom are independent not-for-profit bodies that provide low-cost "social housing" for people in housing need. Any trading surplus is used to maintain existing homes and to help finance new ones. They are now the United Kingdom's major providers of new homes for rent, while many also run shared ownership schemes to help people who cannot afford to buy their own homes outright.
Housing associations provide a wide range of housing, some managing large estates of housing for families, while the smallest may perhaps manage a single scheme of housing for older people. Much of the supported accommodation in the UK is also provided by Housing Associations, with specialist projects for people with mental health or learning disabilities, with substance misuse problems (drugs or alcohol), the formerly homeless, young people, ex-offenders and women fleeing domestic violence.
Housing associations provide a wide range of housing, some managing large estates of housing for families, while the smallest may perhaps manage a single scheme of housing for older people. Much of the supported accommodation in the UK is also provided by Housing Associations, with specialist projects for people with mental health or learning disabilities, with substance misuse problems (drugs or alcohol), the formerly homeless, young people, ex-offenders and women fleeing domestic violence.
May 5th 2011, 2:05 pm
#21
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
Re: Problems claiming benefits...
I just want to have this information on hand - just in case . . .
I am concerned I will arrive in the UK with nowhere to live because I have to get a job there to rent a place and you can't find a job there easily unless you are already there - Catch 22!
May 5th 2011, 3:18 pm
#22
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,835
Re: Problems claiming benefits...
As well as registering for LA Housing/Housing Association rentals and finding privately rented accommodation, some Local Authorities run Deposit Bond Schemes.
Qualifying conditions vary but Deposit Bond officers work with Private Landlords, making referrals where there are vacancies.
Qualifying conditions vary but Deposit Bond officers work with Private Landlords, making referrals where there are vacancies.
