Has anyone ever had their house repossessed and had to move into a council house?
I’m about to lose my home through divorce and loss of job. I have 4 kids and will be classed as homeless. I’ve been told there is a chjance I may be offered a council house. Can u tell me what to expect and what house is likely to be like?
Repossession
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February 16th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
honey , i know how you are feeling my dad has left my mum pennyless, and we got the same problem . but my dad is dead. and now we are at treat of losing our big& lovely home . so i may have to get used to living in shi,t . it is not fair !
February 17th, 2010 at 3:25 am
I’ve not had personal experience but my neice has. I think the house will probably be of a good size, most council houses are, although perhaps not in a desirable area. Good luck x
February 19th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Sorry you’ve had such a rough ride
Lots of council houses are fine. Insist you are put onto a decent estate though (you don’t have to take the first thing they offer…think you have 3 offers before you’re put back on the list…but check this) and ANYTHING that doesn’t meet with your approval once you are in there complain until it’s sorted out. If things don’t move to your satisfaction with repairs etc seek legal advice. You have to live there don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself.
Hope things work out well for you.
February 20th, 2010 at 12:59 am
I’ve lived in a council house and then a flat for over 35 years and both have been lovely. The flat I am in now was a right mucky place when it was offered to me but I accepted it as it had access for my wheelchair. Anyway when I received the keys my family moved in en masse and totally scrubbed every inch and painted everywhere and it’s very nice ow. If the house you get offered needs decorating you could be entitled to a decorating grant from the council. I think a lot will depend on where you live and what your local council is like. Chesterfield Borough Council are excellent in my opinion.
February 22nd, 2010 at 1:32 am
I live in a Council House, its a 2 bedroom semi detached Bungalow, with a massive garden, not all Council homes are rubbish. A home is what you make it. Why people look down their noses at Council Houses I don’t know, I’ve lived here since my marriage ended a good many years ago, and I hope the only way I will ever leave here is feet first in a box.
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:08 pm
your screwed the council will stich you up in a house no one else wants i do mean this
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:02 pm
I t depends on where you live and what area you want to live in. We moved from our own house into council accommodation in 2001, unfortunately we hated it. Towards the end of our stay there, a woman had been set on fire, a bloke broke into a neighbour’s house in order to try and kill the occupant and we had our dog poisoned.
That said, there is more choice and competition amongst housing associations now and the housing stock is a lot better, however you cannot account for the people who live next door.
The house we lived in was a three bed roomed semi with a large garden, the house was nice enough, it was just the some of the neighbours were idiots.
February 26th, 2010 at 12:47 am
not sure which council you r with but exactly the same thing happened to me although i had 2 children.
i was told i would be lucky to get a flat as being classed as homeless i would automatically have to go into a hostel. very scary and not nice.
i would have done anything for the security of having a council house that i could close the door.
good luck xxxx
February 26th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
I live in a council house. Its a good size, in a not bad area and i have made it just how i want it. You will get a home that is big enough for you and your kids. It is a bit of a hit or a miss to what kind of area you live in, but lets face it, even if you bought a house or rent privately, you could still be in a bad area. I agree with previous comments – a home is what you make AND you dont have to take the first offer they give you.
March 1st, 2010 at 1:48 pm
usually pretty grotty on a lousy estate. (It happened to me many years ago.) However, if you are a good parent it will not matter. Make it the nicest home you possibly can without going into debt. Take some time to improve on your educational qualifications for a couple of yeras and then get a great job and be a great role model for them
March 1st, 2010 at 8:09 pm
My wife and myself lost our house in 1993, we applied to the council for accommodation and we were sent to a Housing Association, who found us 2 bedroom house for us and our then two young boys.We were told we would be there for up to 2 years. 6 months later the council offered us a 3 bedroom house in a nice quite area we have been here and happy ever since.( and no mortgage around our neck either) Maybe we just got lucky, but it does turn out good sometimes.
March 5th, 2010 at 8:05 am
No sorry I have never experienced this myself and I am really sorry for you. i agree with the answer that said to contact the Council and don’t be pushed around. Your kids have the right to stay in whichever school they are in so don’t compromise, if you don’t like the area then say so. Unfortunately many councils have sold most of their houses and they are in short supply, I would also suggest you contact any local housing associations to put your name on their lists aswell.
Whatever happens – stay happy and strong for your kids.
Good Luck
x
March 6th, 2010 at 3:38 am
i have a friend who is about to loose her house ,and she will be lucky to be put in a homeless room let alone a council house,they are desperatly looking into rented accomadation privatly as there are no council properties at the moment in our area
March 8th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
It really all depends on the area. If you have time try to research the estate first, Or may be You can have a say as to were you want to go.
March 12th, 2010 at 4:20 am
Nope, I have no clue what a Council house is. Maybe it is similar to a shelter? If so, it is not too nice. Nor is is very permanent. Sorry to hear about your hard times. You’d better get a plan for your life. Your children need you to get your act together. NOW!
March 12th, 2010 at 6:16 am
I lost a house cause my job changed and I couldn’t afford the mortgage. The county court judge said he would not put my family. wife and 3 kids on the street but gave possession to the mortgage co in a month/ I had a court document I could show the council to prove the imminent homelessness and the council gave us a 3 bed terrace house 2 weeks later .. so we moved / Things improved financially and I was able to buy this council house under the right to buy scheme… Now fully paid for … With 4 kids you will either get a council house or a housing association one . They cant see 4 kids on the street… You might have to go into a temporary accommodation till a suitable place can be found .
March 15th, 2010 at 2:31 am
doesnt matter what its like – it will be a house & a home for your children. you are not a low-life scrounger..you were a home owner who has suffered through divorce & you have the children to support.
you will be housed by your council..as it will cost them more to accomodate you all in temporary accomodation. dont worry that its not like the house you used to live in…this will be a home & a future for you & the children..keep your chin up & look to your new future!! – good luck!
March 16th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
The same thing happened to my parents when an incompetent Tory chancellor caused Black Wednesday. Council houses are normally very well constructed houses provided they were built before the 60s or 70s and normally have a good sized garden. The council house they moved into was far better than the naff, crumbling, ancient terraced house they left. Expect a better life. More money in your pocket and the council is directly responsible for maintaining the building and its heating system, so when your boiler is knackered it won’t cripple you fnancially like it does when you buy. People really ought to consider the pros of renting from social landlords/councils/housing associations.
Sadly, there is a dire shortage of council housing due to us clinging onto the silly Thatcherite idea of almost giving them away to anyone with a few quid to spare and not building new stock. Let’s hope Gordon Brown shifts Labour back to the left a little and supports council housing and opposes ALMOs and stock transfers.
March 19th, 2010 at 10:54 am
think yourselves Lucky to even be offered a house!!!
March 19th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
We lost our home through bankruptcy its a tough knock but hold your head up high and find the best of a bad situation for your kids sake. We have 4 kids and they have made loads of good friends and that makes us happy knowing that they are happy best of luck, its not all bad
FRESH START
March 21st, 2010 at 11:08 am
This happened to my parents last year but they weren’t lucky enough to get a council house. Council houses are generally quite big in proportion lived in one most my life growing up. The council are liable for repairs and I know in our area are constantly installing new windows, doors, kitchens and putting new roofs on
March 23rd, 2010 at 12:18 am
if you have 4 kids there is no way your husband can get you out the house so take advice//pop into CAB
March 23rd, 2010 at 2:21 am
Why on earth would the Honeyface idiot even answer this question? What a dickhead.
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Sorry to hear of your bad luck, i did loose my home through divorce too and its not easy. Look on the bright side though, its a fresh start and somewhere to call your own. If you meet someone else then at least you will have no memories of bad and good as you would have in your marital home. It is all part of the healing process and things do get easier. Good luck for the future and if you need any moral support then drop me a line on my email.
March 24th, 2010 at 3:13 am
my partner had this happen to her 8 years ago,she knew she had to be re-homed by the council,she was told she and the kids(4 all at school) would probably be put into emergency accom,it could have been a one room bedsit or b&b,at worst,council dont really like to do this as its dead money, fortunately Mac and the kids were re-housed into temporary accomodation,a 3 bed council house,it had to be in full working order,e.g. heating, plumbing,bathroom in good order etc but no carpets it took about 2 weeks from the reposetion to moving in,.the temporary lasted 3 years,if this happens keep pestering your housing officer for permanant accom,for peace of mind and security for you and your children,dont give up hope and dont take no for an answer. Mac and the kids are now in a lovely council house that she has turned into a beautiful home,
March 26th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
I have not experienced this, and I do not know what a council house is. Where do you live? I want to wish you luck and encourage you to stay strong. You are not alone and with determination you can see that your kids get settled where ever it is you end up. I agree with the other answers who say that you can make any house a home. Just take it one day at a time, you had some serious things happen all at once. Don’t be to hard on yourself and make sure that your kids know how much you love them, Good luck to you.
March 27th, 2010 at 1:49 am
Get legal advice. If you have custody you can keep the house. Good luck and stand up for yourself!
March 28th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
I got kicked out of my house and was classed as homeless. Had to go to the hosing office and you have to go and stay in a hostel/b&b because council houses aren’t available straight away usually. Its horrible unless you like living in the next room to alcoholic, druggies and chavs and having to share your bath, shower, toilet and sometimes kitchen with them, I found a syringe in the toilet once. However I live next door to a little old man who was waiting for an over 50s council flat and i felt so sorry for him, however everyone sticks together—there is so many different kinds of people there you’ll be suprised! I persuaded my mum to let me back in the house after 6 months. my mate was in there for nearly 2 years before she got a council flat and she was high prioty because she was on jobseekers and under 18 so I have no idea how long you’ll be there for but as long as you keep up with your payment you should only be there about a year.
March 30th, 2010 at 9:50 am
hi bobblebot, sorry to hear about your problem.
most council houses are fine depending on the area . have a chat with your area housing officer at your local council & ask her if its possible to stay in the area you are in now as your kids go to school there. explain to her/him that because of your present circumstances you want as little distress for your family as possible. there are waiting lists for council homes but you will go on the priority list, it may mean you have to take the first house they offer you but once you are in you can apply to move to different area. this happened to my daughter when they lost their house which was tied accomodation with the job. we have very nice areas here in the NE but we also have rougher areas too but theres good & bad in all areas & a lot of council tenants have bought their homes so that improves some areas too.
good luck with your search & hope you get settled soon.
April 1st, 2010 at 3:44 pm
good luck my dear, i have lost my home due to landlord selling up, no fault of my own and been on the homeless list for about 5 weeks now, they are no help at all, and the fact that you have worked and owned your own place before will i’m afraid only be used against you in that you have supported yourself before, do it again. sorry to sound so pessimistic but this is such a raw subject to me i am seething, it seems that if i had shunned work and never tried to look after myself and my kids on my own i would be very high up in the queue for a council house, apparently you have to be a pain in the butt to the council in order for them to take notice of you, so be prepared for a long haul. good luck .
April 3rd, 2010 at 8:27 am
I am so sorry that you are going through a very tough time, but please don’t be worried about taking a house from the Council. Mostly, these days, the housing is run by partnership housing companies and they have to keep their properties in good condition and up to European Standards of Health and Safety.
I had to move from a cherished home, through hard times, but have never been happier! You will be able to get help with housing costs and council tax benefits if you have children to support, so dont give up, just look at it as a new life just starting for all of you!
I do wish you well and hope you find a nice home. You will be able to make a choice and not have to take the first house that comes along!