Council house wait!! ??

lauraelaine

hi all, me and my partner are currently on a council house waiting list, we have been on it over 3 years we have two children. we are privately renting atm but it is not going great recently as our landlord is quite frankly a pain in the !!!! he calls when he pleases for rent there is no routine to it, he will not allow us pay through bank, he is a pain if we need him for anything eg something broke, need a form filled out! etc ! anyway Im just wondering if I went to the council and expressed how much we really want to get out of this house would we be offered a house any quicker? we will be 4 years on the list soon! also does anyone know if I can find out where we are on the waiting list, I heard you could but find this hard to believe! thanks in advance to anyone who can help!

MagicMarker

Why can't you just rent a different house?

Mrs OBumble

No Pants wrote: »

Not sure why the council need to give you a house.

The OP has been accepted onto the council housing list, so presumable he/she fitted the criteria at the time of initial application. If you have a problem with the whole system (and personally I do), then talk to your TD about it rather than taking it out on the OP who is just exercising his/her rights as a citizen according to current Irish law.


That said - OP, of course you can ask the council. But likely they cannot tell you exactly: the last time I heard, the average wait for a 3-bed in Galway was seven years, but that doesn't mean that everyone got one after seven years: it's all about when existing tenants no longer need the house they're currently in, and who has the greatest need at that time.

There are all sorts of circumstances which might mean that individuals get moved up the list, but I don't think that having a LL who's a pain is one of them. As someone said, you might consider just moving somewhere else, depending on what the market is like in your area.

Another option might be telling the council that you will accept voluntary housing: this is owned by various housing associations, and you cannot ever buy it (unless this bit has changed - there was talk of changing it). But it's like council housing in all other ways, except that you deal with the housing mastication rather than the council.

lauraelaine

im sorry I should have stated in my original post that of course we are willing to move move but the reason for my curiosity about the council house is really the fact that if we did up and leave here and then an offer came through for a council just after we moved to a different house would not be very practical, so I would just like to know whether or not it would be worth my while leaving here! and as for the person that said they don't know why I need a council house?!? well I am on rent allowance and on the council list. if I get a council house I am off rent allowance! how could you not understand why someone needs a council house!? not everyone can buy their own house unfortunately!

lauraelaine

No Pants wrote: »

Not sure why the council need to give you a house.

Local authorities are the main providers of social housing or ‘housing authorities’ for people who cannot afford to buy their own homes.

Scortho

lauraelaine wrote: »

Local authorities are the main providers of social housing or ‘housing authorities’ for people who cannot afford to buy their own homes.

Suppose everyone needs to buy a house!
Nothing wrong with renting privately no?


Op If your not happy where you're renting currently, I'd give the landlord notice and find a new place. Then inform the council of change of address.

bigneacy

lauraelaine wrote: »

im sorry I should have stated in my original post that of course we are willing to move move but the reason for my curiosity about the council house is really the fact that if we did up and leave here and then an offer came through for a council just after we moved to a different house would not be very practical, so I would just like to know whether or not it would be worth my while leaving here! and as for the person that said they don't know why I need a council house?!? well I am on rent allowance and on the council list. if I get a council house I am off rent allowance! how could you not understand why someone needs a council house!? not everyone can buy their own house unfortunately!

This bs of people who disagree with the council giving "free houses" comes up often on boards.ie. Most rational human beings dont regard a 3 bed house from the local housing authority, which can cost up to €900 a month in rent in some areas, as a free house.

To answer your question: If the LL is hassling you then just move. My partner and I (+3 kids) have been on the waiting list since 2005. Last we checked we're on top of the list and we can expect word in the next 7-8 months! That's Louth CoCo, FYI.

V.W.L 11

i've 3 kids and am on the waiting list since 2003 and privately renting so i know well how you feel

lauraelaine

yea its not nice to put people down for being on a council list and it is most certainly not a free house! I also know plenty of people who are getting help off the state towards their mortgage! thanks yes looking likely we will have to move will probably speak to council before and after!

lauraelaine

V.W.L 11 wrote: »

i've 3 kids and am on the waiting list since 2003 and privately renting so i know well how you feel

yes can get frustrating cant it. I feel like I cant decorate my kids rooms how they like as we could have to move at any stage!

lauraelaine

Scortho wrote: »

Suppose everyone needs to buy a house!
Nothing wrong with renting privately no?


Op If your not happy where you're renting currently, I'd give the landlord notice and find a new place. Then inform the council of change of address.

that's from citizens advice website. I don't think its supposing everyone needs to buy their own home. private renting is fine but not ideal long term IMO

bigneacy

lauraelaine wrote: »

yea its not nice to put people down for being on a council list and it is most certainly not a free house! I also know plenty of people who are getting help off the state towards their mortgage! thanks yes looking likely we will have to move will probably speak to council before and after!

Yes it's those exact people who get mortgage interest relief, mortgage supplement and various other benefits for their negative equity burden's that look down their nose at people on low incomes. It's unfortunately common on boards.ie...

Speaking to the council is a great idea- ask them how far you are currently on the list, what year applicants they are currently housing and how often they are housing applicants (i.e. 1 applicant per week)

It'll give you the best insight into your medium term prospects.

lauraelaine

bigneacy wrote: »

Yes it's those exact people who get mortgage interest relief, mortgage supplement and various other benefits for their negative equity burden's that look down their nose at people on low incomes. It's unfortunately common on boards.ie...

Speaking to the council is a great idea- ask them how far you are currently on the list, what year applicants they are currently housing and how often they are housing applicants (i.e. 1 applicant per week)

It'll give you the best insight into your medium term prospects.

yes I totally agree. surprised there is still this level of snobbery in our current financial climate! thanks for your response that is what I was thinking of doing, just really made the post to see if anyone knew would/could the council give you a rough idea of when you may get an offer! thanks again

No Pants

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

If you have a problem with the whole system (and personally I do), then talk to your TD about it rather than taking it out on the OP who is just exercising his/her rights as a citizen according to current Irish law.

Taking it out? Seriously?

My point or question, which I probably didn't express very well, is that if the OP is able to rent privately at present, then they can choose to rent/live elsewhere. I'm not sure where the council needs to come into it. But I think that question has already been asked by someone else.

lauraelaine

No Pants wrote: »

Taking it out? Seriously?

My point or question, which I probably didn't express very well, is that if the OP is able to rent privately at present, then they can choose to rent/live elsewhere. I'm not sure where the council needs to come into it. But I think that question has already been asked by someone else.

well I personally feel it is better for me to get a council house, rather than stay on rent allowance to pay someone else's mortgage

V.W.L 11

lauraelaine wrote: »

yes can get frustrating cant it. I feel like I cant decorate my kids rooms how they like as we could have to move at any stage!

with a council houseyou can do what you want to it (within reason) private landlords usually wont let you decorate and as you say a move is a possibility

lauraelaine

V.W.L 11 wrote: »

with a council houseyou can do what you want to it (within reason) private landlords usually wont let you decorate and as you say a move is a possibility

Yea exactly what i mean.. At least you can feel more like a council house is your own

V.W.L 11

lauraelaine wrote: »

Yea exactly what i mean.. At least you can feel more like a council house is your own

with the way the government are going my kids will be adults before we're housed,they have no interest in the housing crisis

No Pants

V.W.L 11 wrote: »

with a council houseyou can do what you want to it (within reason) private landlords usually wont let you decorate and as you say a move is a possibility

Makes sense. That is one of the things that I don't miss about renting.

lauraelaine

No Pants wrote: »

Makes sense. That is one of the things that I don't miss about renting.

Yes so maybe now your starting to understand more about how the less fortunate live

No Pants

lauraelaine wrote: »

Yes so maybe now your starting to understand more about how the less fortunate live

Sorry, who is less fortunate?

Borboletinha

lauraelaine wrote: »

Yes so maybe now your starting to understand more about how the less fortunate live

I'm sorry but "not being able to decorate" doesn't really qualify as how the less fortunate live. The real less fortunate people in the world have a million worries before they can start to worry about permanently decorating their kids bedrooms. Be thankful you live in Ireland where rent allowance exists. Not being able to decorate is a first world problem.

L1011

No Pants wrote: »

Not sure why the council need to give you a house.

Because that's how our social housing system works. Fairly simple.

Grab All Association

We don't know the OP circumstances so we can't judge or comment on her eligibility for social housing. There is council houses up the road from me some lovely people who needed housing and of course there are scumbags. Biggest problem is single mothers (you know the ones who get pregnant 4 kids and retire before they turn 20 on benefits never worked or even looked for a job) they move their drug dealing scum boyfriends in then and a nice quite area becomes hell. Can't say what town council but one these scumbags was offered a house under the RAS (which when you think about it offers just about the same security and freedom as a council owned house and in most cases are better built in nicer areas) she turned it down because she wanted a house the council owned.

Eight Ball

We spent 12 years on the list and where so lucky to get a lovely 2 bedroom in a nice area as there is no way we will ever be able to afford a house in Dublin. I remember going to the bank in 2006 looking for 250k for a small 2 bed house in Gorey, was going to commute and the bank refused us (thanks bankers lol). Annoys me when people call social housing free, we pay 550 a month as we both work so yeah that's not free duh. Stereotypes eh.

lauraelaine

Borboletinha wrote: »

I'm sorry but "not being able to decorate" doesn't really qualify as how the less fortunate live. The real less fortunate people in the world have a million worries before they can start to worry about permanently decorating their kids bedrooms. Be thankful you live in Ireland where rent allowance exists. Not being able to decorate is a first world problem.

haha i know this.. Lol i was veing sarcastic because of the comment he/she left saying they could not understand why i should get a council house.. I understand that sarcasm is very hard to get from text though.. But yea i know i havent got it bad..

Grab All Association

Eight Ball wrote: »

We spent 12 years on the list and where so lucky to get a lovely 2 bedroom in a nice area as there is no way we will ever be able to afford a house in Dublin. I remember going to the bank in 2006 looking for 250k for a small 2 bed house in Gorey, was going to commute and the bank refused us (thanks bankers lol). Annoys me when people call social housing free, we pay 550 a month as we both work so yeah that's not free duh. Stereotypes eh.

See that's the type who should be getting priority when it comes to social housing. There are to many people who haven't looked for a job or went to the bank to even try. Eight Ball may you have many happy years in your new home

lauraelaine

Yes exactly there are more decent people in social housing than bad imo.. Stereo typing people in council houses is very snobby. I grew up in a council house. My parents needed it when i was young but have since been in a position to buy it from the council. Everyone deserves some help in their harder times

fussyonion

I know in South Dublin it is not possible to check your position on the list and you just have to wait to be contacted.
I think, OP, you should do the RAS scheme, you have a lengthy wait ahead of you.

lauraelaine

fussyonion wrote: »

I know in South Dublin it is not possible to check your position on the list and you just have to wait to be contacted.
I think, OP, you should do the RAS scheme, you have a lengthy wait ahead of you.

Thanks .. Dont know much about this ras scheme. I will definitely have to look into it!!

fussyonion

lauraelaine wrote: »

Thanks .. Dont know much about this ras scheme. I will definitely have to look into it!!

It's a scheme being offered to many people on Rent Allowance.
You are invited to source a home of your choice, suitable to your needs and then you contact the council.

For example:
If you're on the Housing List requiring a three-bed house, then the RAS scheme house must also be a three-bed.
It can't have more or less rooms.

So say you find a house you like..you tell the Landlord about the scheme (hopefully he's aware of it; a lot are because it's become very common) and if he agrees, then you pass his name, address and phone number onto the council.

The council will contact the Landlord to discuss length of lease and rent.

The council generally will pay a little lower than the Landlord is asking for, but in return the Landlord is getting a long-term tenant.

So then you all agree on the lease length..it has to be a minimum of 4 years, maximum of 20 years.

All going well, you sign the lease and move into the property and you're there til the lease is up. Then the Landlord can renew it, if he's happy with you, and if not, the council will have to house you.

The benefits of the scheme is that you have a long-term home, the Landlord has a long term tenant and guaranteed rent every month, EVEN if you vacate the home and it's lying empty, the Landlord will still get his rent.

Bear in mind, you will be removed from the Housing List if you accept to do the RAS scheme but it is appealing to people who are on the List a year or two as you could be waiting up to 10 years for a council home.

This way, you get the home of your choice AND you can return to work if you wish. I know, being on Rent Allowance, you couldn'.t

Contact your local council to find out more about the RAS scheme.

It's becoming a nationwide thing now; with most Rent Allowance recipients being offered it.

PS Forgot to say..the council will pay 100% of the negotiated rent to the Landlord and you pay 10% of your income to the Council, as your rent contribution.

No Pants

lauraelaine wrote: »

haha i know this.. Lol i was veing sarcastic because of the comment he/she left saying they could not understand why i should get a council house.. I understand that sarcasm is very hard to get from text though.. But yea i know i havent got it bad..

Let me explain myself further. I believe in social housing for people who need it. However, that doesn't describe you. You already have a roof over your head and the only reason you appear to have for needing a council house is because you can't deal with your own landlord using the laws and regulations that are already in place for dealing with him. Oh, and the choice to decorate. Sounds to me like you won't be a priority for the council. If you want that to change, you need to work on your argument.

JustAThought

lauraelaine wrote: »

that's from citizens advice website. I don't think its supposing everyone needs to buy their own home. private renting is fine but not ideal long term IMO

Well then make a plan to save to buy your own -that's why people make sacrifices & save .

It's not as though prices havn't become accessible now that the market has gone through the toilet.

If your landlord is " dropping over anytime" to pick up the rent
Then you seem not to have a fixed rent due day -be an adult & tell him its not appropriate for him to be dropping in .

Set a day for rent payments, meet the deadline & pay it in full then.

I'm sure you were able to organise & put together an argument together to get onto a list for the taxpayer to give you a free house.

lauraelaine

JustAThought wrote: »

Well then make a plan to save to buy your own -that's why people make sacrifices & save .

It's not as though prices havn't become accessible now that the market has gone through the toilet.

If your landlord is " dropping over anytime" to pick up the rent
Then you seem not to have a fixed rent due day -be an adult & tell him its not appropriate for him to be dropping in .

Set a day for rent payments, meet the deadline & pay it in full then.

I'm sure you were able to organise & put together an argument together to get onto a list for the taxpayer to give you a free house.

excuse me we pay taxes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! no one is giving me a house!! sure we are on lower income than some! your problem seems to be with people getting a COUNCIL house not a free house! you're a snob who was probably born with a silver spoon in your mouth, you close-minded snob!!

foxy06

JustAThought wrote: »

Well then make a plan to save to buy your own -that's why people make sacrifices & save .

It's not as though prices havn't become accessible now that the market has gone through the toilet.

If your landlord is " dropping over anytime" to pick up the rent
Then you seem not to have a fixed rent due day -be an adult & tell him its not appropriate for him to be dropping in .

Set a day for rent payments, meet the deadline & pay it in full then.

I'm sure you were able to organise & put together an argument together to get onto a list for the taxpayer to give you a free house.

Haha Free house! You really need to do some research before arguing about this.

No Pants

lauraelaine wrote: »

excuse me we pay taxes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! no one is giving me a house!! sure we are on lower income than some! your problem seems to be with people getting a COUNCIL house not a free house! you're a snob who was probably born with a silver spoon in your mouth, you close-minded snob!!

No one has mentioned taxes up to now and we know that one of you is paying taxes. Not sure what your point is.

lauraelaine

No Pants wrote: »

No one has mentioned taxes up to now and we know that one of you is paying taxes. Not sure what your point is.

my point is someone saying I want a free house off taxpayers!! when we ourselves are tax payers! I hope all you people on your high horses get brought down to earth some day

dharma200

Ras scheme is a really good way to get trapped in a house for ten years... No option to move and if you do you won't get rent allowance again if you need it... I have friends who are housed on the ras scheme who are stuck and hate it, can't do up the house they are in and still have the same problems getting stuff fixed or replaced... It is a scheme to massage the housing lists and social housing crisis and I personally would not remove myself from the council housing list after a number of years to trap myself in what is still a privately rented house. If you have been in the list for a number of years it would be complete insanity to accept a ras house....

No Pants

lauraelaine wrote: »

my point is someone saying I want a free house off taxpayers!! when we ourselves are tax payers! I hope all you people on your high horses get brought down to earth some day

Everyone's a taxpayer if you look closely enough at it. Who is on the high horse? You're really going to have to work on your argument before you approach the council.

MagicMarker

No Pants wrote: »

No one has mentioned taxes up to now and we know that one of you is paying taxes. Not sure what your point is.

The person she was responding to mentioned taxes. The point was very clear.

lauraelaine

No Pants wrote: »

Everyone's a taxpayer if you look closely enough at it. Who is on the high horse? You're really going to have to work on your argument before you approach the council.

You are on your high horse.. You are not making any sense in most of your comments either

No Pants

lauraelaine wrote: »

You are on your high horse.. You are not making any sense in most of your comments either

Says the lady who can't deal with her landlord, so the council ought to give her a house.

lauraelaine

No Pants wrote: »

Says the lady who can't deal with her landlord, so the council ought to give her a house.

I am entitled to a council house regardless of anything like that anyway. i'll be sure to let you know when I get my council house :)

mikom

lauraelaine wrote: »

I am entitled to a council house regardless of anything like that anyway. i'll be sure to let you know when I get my council house :)

Word bingo.

Who had "entitled"?
Congrats, you've just won a turkey.

lauraelaine

mikom wrote: »

Word bingo.

Who had "entitled"?
Congrats, you've just won a turkey.

strange person :eek:

Thoie

So, going back to the original question...

You can try contacting the local authority and explaining that you're considering moving, but would prefer to avoid the disruption if you're likely to get a council house in the next 12 months, and see what they say.

On the other side of things, the landlord should not be dropping unannounced, and should be available (within reason) when necessary. Check out ptrb.ie and read up on what's expected from both landlords and tenants, and check if your tenancy is registered. Whatever about the other problems, explain to the landlord that with 2 small kids, it's quite disruptive if he turns up whenever, and suggest that you schedule his visits in advance - for example if he want to call monthly, then agree between you that he can call on the third Tuesday of the month, or something like that.

No Pants

lauraelaine wrote: »

strange person :eek:

Don't worry about it Mrs Molloy.

Victor

No Pants wrote: »

Says the lady who can't deal with her landlord, so the council ought to give her a house.

Constructive posts only please

lauraelaine

Thoie wrote: »

So, going back to the original question...

You can try contacting the local authority and explaining that you're considering moving, but would prefer to avoid the disruption if you're likely to get a council house in the next 12 months, and see what they say.

On the other side of things, the landlord should not be dropping unannounced, and should be available (within reason) when necessary. Check out ptrb.ie and read up on what's expected from both landlords and tenants, and check if your tenancy is registered. Whatever about the other problems, explain to the landlord that with 2 small kids, it's quite disruptive if he turns up whenever, and suggest that you schedule his visits in advance - for example if he want to call monthly, then agree between you that he can call on the third Tuesday of the month, or something like that.

thanks you - yes that is what I meant about the council, thank you for not giving me a load of stick about it! have already tried sorting things with landlord have repeatedly requested I pay through bank. he will let me for a few weeks and then ring up saying he doesn't want it in the bank anymore. he Is very hard to get a hold of. he sends his son in to collect money and we don't know what week we may see him, we have tried and tried to bring some structure to it! honestly we have! he wont even come in to sign a few rent allowance forms now and then, he lives ten minutes away and requests I post him the forms along with a self-addressed stamped envelope so he can post them back! he constantly changes from weekly to monthly payments, he also tried a while back to start charging us our rent by the day which would have made it more expensive, but we were definitely having none of that!!

djimi

lauraelaine wrote: »

thanks you - yes that is what I meant about the council, thank you for not giving me a load of stick about it! have already tried sorting things with landlord have repeatedly requested I pay through bank. he will let me for a few weeks and then ring up saying he doesn't want it in the bank anymore. he Is very hard to get a hold of. he sends his son in to collect money and we don't know what week we may see him, we have tried and tried to bring some structure to it! honestly we have! he wont even come in to sign a few rent allowance forms now and then, he lives ten minutes away and requests I post him the forms along with a self-addressed stamped envelope so he can post them back! he constantly changes from weekly to monthly payments, he also tried a while back to start charging us our rent by the day which would have made it more expensive, but we were definitely having none of that!!

You need to get more assertive with this idiot; no tenant should have to put up with **** like that. The guy obviously hasnt got a bulls notion what he is at, so you tell him that rent will be paid on x day each month, and that he can either give you bank details into which the rent will be transferred on that day, or that he can call over say between 6.30-8pm on that day and you will be available to pay the rent in person. Personally I wouldnt entertain any method of payment other than bank transfer/standing order; if the landlord doesnt like that then tell him to piss off and find himself another tenant. In this day and age the idea of a landlord calling to the door to collect rent in cash is utter nonsense.

Ordinarily I wouldnt be one to suggest that the tenant get so demanding and bullish, but you cant allow yourself to be messed about like this. If the landlord wont sort himself out then you need to take charge and take measures to sort the matter out for yourself.

Eight Ball

JustAThought wrote: »

Well then make a plan to save to buy your own -that's why people make sacrifices & save .

It's not as though prices havn't become accessible now that the market has gone through the toilet.

If your landlord is " dropping over anytime" to pick up the rent
Then you seem not to have a fixed rent due day -be an adult & tell him its not appropriate for him to be dropping in .

Set a day for rent payments, meet the deadline & pay it in full then.

I'm sure you were able to organise & put together an argument together to get onto a list for the taxpayer to give you a free house.

Again nothing "free" about social housing. Most people are surprised when I tell them we pay 550 a month for our "free" house. Yes I know there are people out there who pay 50 quid a week or less in some cases and they wont get off their arses and get a job but please don't paint everyone with the same brush.

I am thankful for the roof over my head but me and mine deserve it as we work darn hard to pay for it.