I need help being re-housed!
16 answers /
Last post: 22/03/2023 at 12:08 am
Hello all!
my partner and I live in a second floor 2 bedroom flat. My partner has 3 children. We were allocated a 2 bedroom property on the basis of needing 1 room for 3 children because my partner wasn’t the one receiving child benefit so they were unable to accommodate any additional bedrooms. At the time of moving in to this flat my partner was going through a court battle for access to his children.
1 child, male, aged 7 moved in with us permanently at the end of January this year, we now receive child benefit for him and his other 3 children (female aged 8 and male aged 5) will be staying with us on alternate weekends and shared time in school holidays, as per a court order.
I informed our local home options team that our circumstances had changed and they agreed we were eligible for a new application.
I provided all the documents including the child benefit letter for the child living with us and a copy of the court order.
our application was registered, Band C - overcrowding requiring 1 more bedroom, with a bedroom need of 3. However it says we can only bid on 2 bedroom houses, or 3 bedroom flats (never seen any in our local area) and only 3 bedroom houses where the demand is low… but of course the demand is never low, and we are unable to register a bid of interest on any of the 10 3 bedroom houses currently listed. It wouldn’t make sense for us to leave 1 two bedroom property to move in to another two bedroom property.
I contacted the home options team to ask why we couldn’t bid on 3 bed houses even though they have listed our bedroom need as 3, and they are now saying: In joint access cases or where couples have equal residency, bedroom eligibility will be awarded to the parent in receipt of child benefit. Home-Options will take into consideration both parents’ housing arrangements to ensure that one property has adequate accommodation for the children. This does not prohibit the other parent from maintaining their usual and agreed access to the children, but they may have to accept an element of overcrowding.
The mother of the 3 children lives in a 3 bedroom house 80 miles away and actually has 2 other children with different fathers.
does anyone know if we can appeal this decision?
So two sets of adults want the same size properties for the same children, while another family all together must do without… and all probably fighting for custody solely for this reason to right of child benefit to fit the rules…
single mother here, was back at work 7 days after birth… as I wanted to buy my own home.. it can be done..
Why is your closing statement that the children’s mother has other children with two different fathers?
Doesn’t elicit more sympathy or desire to help. Don’t climb on sisters to elevate yourself.
An appropriate home for you will come when it’s time, one way or another.
In a world where people have no shelter at all, this entitled mentality hiding behind bureaucratic discrepancies really irritates me.
The system is fickle yes, but there are other means of being proactive in making changes to our situations. Changing our mindset and being grateful to live in a land where we’re given a home is a start.
It would be best to speak to your local housing options team to ask if you can appeal it and if so on what basis they would accept an appeal however they may not consider it because it is policy. Imagine if everyone who has a blended family was entitled to a bedroom at each house for the children- the housing crisis would be a million times worse than it is now.
It is usually the parent who claims CB for the child who is considered the main carer for the children. I would imagine you have already produced evidence by way of the court order stating the order for custody so I can't see what more you can do if you have already done this.
You could speak to Shelter for any further housing advice but it might just be a case of getting creative with bunk beds or using the living room space for sleeping when hi schildren come over I'm afraid.
It's likely because your house isn't the main residence for 2 of the children so you would likely be expected to use the living space as a bedroom whilst they are staying with you. The way they see it is that the children are only with you every other weekend so day 4/6 days over the course of a month (except the holidays) so you are low priority whilst those that need a 3 bedroom property as there main residence would take priority as in theory you would have an empty bedroom for more time than occupied.
Sorry but we're a family of 6 in a 2 bed house.. all 6 of us are here all the time, not just alternative weekends so why on earth should you be placed ahead of some who's need is consistant and constant?!
You don't need 3 bedrooms, get some bunk beds and have and trundle bed under them. There are people with large families who can't even get into social housing and you want more than you need. Make it work yourself rather then expecting other people to miss out on a home they need for their full time family.
You only have 1 child...and 2 others not on a permanent basis so your only entitled to a 2 bed.
Your not classed as over crowded. You only have the other children part time you would need them all the time and even then they would say they could share.
I offered to give my 3 bedroom up for a two bedroom as I know they are in demand. I got my 3 bed before the rules off overcrowding ect came in place. They turnt me down.
You only have one living with you so they see it as only needing one extra room. Go to citizens advice maybe they can help but I think your reaching to be honest.
Good luck
I'm not sure how you saying the mother being the primary carer for 4 children in a 3 bed house is somehow going to work in your favour??
You only have 1 full time child and 2 kids that visit ... could literally buy a bunk bed with a bed that pulls out underneath for a 3rd bed...
Between the 2 of you you surely earn enough to rent privately? Especially with only 1 of the kids at home.
I'm not sure what area of the country you live in but the entitlement of people to social housing is truly shocking. I think it should be reserved for those who can't work.
I had to give up my career to care foe our disabled child yet we still manage to make mortgage payments and bills, that's without us claiming anything other than a couple of hundred for DLA.
Entitled much? Why does everyone assume everything needs to be handed to them on a plate? In Victorian times you'd be 10 to a room. I have a 3 bedroom house which I worked hard to get and still work my ***** off to pay for. Yes it'd be lovely if everyone got everything they wanted in life without so much as lifting a finger but be grateful you are housed and stop waiting for the council to bring you up to the high standards you seem to expect as a right.
I understand you're frustrated at the situation, but what are you actually hoping to achieve with an appeal?
High demand means there are more families seeking those properties than there are properties available. An appeal won't create more 3-bed houses. So are you saying you think you should get priority over families with 3+ kids full-time? Or do you just want to waste everyone's time with applications to properties you have 0% chance of getting? Because if you had a chance, it would be a low demand property and you'd be able to apply.
I know you've said it seems pointless to move from one 2-bed to another, but I'd strongly recommend you look at what's available. 2-bed houses typically have more space than 2-bed flats, making it easier to section off some space to create a 3rd "bedroom". You're also more likely to get a garden, 2 floors, attic space etc, which can go a long way towards making your home feel less cramped.
I imagine it’s a really rotten feeling being lambasted on here.
I stand by the comments but I hope you have found reflection and manage to find a way to make your circumstances work for you.
Wouldn’t want you to get so down by the responses - there have been some good suggestions, focus on those.
Obviously it's not ideal, but there are families more in need so that's what you need to remember. Families with 3 or more children there all the time are further up the list. You can make it work, it's only the 3 of you there most of the time. When the others come to stay you make room for them. Maybe the girl sleeps in your room, the boys share and you sleep on a futon in the lounge. Its not every night or even every weekend.There are families who are renting privately or own homes who are in the same position when it comes to sleeping arrangements with kids coming to stay, just have to make it work.