Can I get rent allowance if I leave a council property?

Red Tempest

I'm in a very bad situation. I'm living in Donegal and I've been unemployed for over 3 years. I'm living in a council house in very bad need of repair in a rural community where its just impossible to find any kind of work despite the fact that I have many qualifications. I'd like to move to a city so that I've some hope of finding work and rent a house but I've been told that if I leave my council house I won't receive any rent allowance as I'll be making myself homeless. I'm a lone parent with a 15 year old daughter so I can't take the chance. I've also been told I can't get a council transfer to another county. I'm suffering from depression and I have a feeling not even a letter from my GP can help in this situation.

Basically, I'm being told that I can't leave my house, that I'm trapped out here! Please does anybody know any way I can get around this.

wmpdd3

I'm sorry I dont have any experience of this but there is more information here esp page 2:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055891963&highlight=council+house

Also the citzens information centre is your best bet.

mvt

Maybe,for the moment,it might be better to concentrate on fixing the issues with the house you are living in? get on to your local council and conciliar and stay at them until the problems are addressed. Your local TD might be a good bet too.
I don't know too much about it but you would have to think in these present times that giving up a council residence to try to avail of another type of benefit is not going to be looked upon very favourably by the DSS.
I know things must feel a bit desperate atm but if you can't guarantee that you will find work elsewhere you might be better off improving the quality of life where you are.
You probably have more controll over the situation that you are in then you realise.
Best of luck.

susiebubbles

I came across this before and if you surrender your council house you won't get rent allowance until you have been paying rent elsewhere for 6 months. However, you can argue that it was a necessity and there may well be some way to appeal it, if your doctor will write a letter saying it was better for you to leave that house then it would be helpful.

This things are discretionary and if your community welfare officer is nice and can see the merit, you might get it. f not you will be entitled to it after 6 months of renting anyway.

BUT...surrendering a council house is not a good idea if you would like one in the future. I'd be inclined to take pics showing exactly what was wrong, and sending them by registered post. Phone calls can be ignored but letters are a paper trail.

Kristopherus

If your house is in bad repair, the Co.Co. has a legal obligation to keep your dwelling in an inhabitable condition. There's an election coming, so make the canvassers earn your vote. You have little or no chance of getting rent allowance, unless in Derry, as the rules for qualifying are being tightened all the time. Go after your local council initially.Then go political and go baldheaded for you local councillor, no matter what colour he is. You are entitled to a minimum standard of living as of right, so make the aforementioned provide that right to you. Best of luck.

Trish2007

Its not written in stone that you wont ever get a council house again. I have a friend that left a council house a few years ago. She rented privately for 2 years but after the breakup of her relationship she needed to claim rent allowance, which was paid but she it wasnt easy. She has since been given another council house so it is possible.

As others have said though, Id be more inclined to stick where your at. The stress with dealing with the Council and the CWO is not good. Is there any possibility of moving elsewhere in the county?

Red Tempest

I'm going to see how I get on with my community welfare officer. I've been to him regarding the situation before but perhaps I'll have more luck this time. Thank you everyone for your advice, its been really helpful.