im interested in finding out how long
people r waiting to be rehoused on prioity
ive been waiting 5mths now and hoping its getting nearer to my turn and just wanting to know how long others have waited be 4 getting a offer
thanks

just gone on the waiting list myself.. but know people who have waited 3 weeks recently. X

Hi Ange

Have you made a bid on any properties yet ?
If you have'nt you won't be offered as you have to bid.
there is no waiting lists now.

I have someone here who works for the council
She says that when you make a bid if you are the first bidder you will be offered that property, and if you have priority over the other bidders then you will be offered the property first any way.

The more properties you bid on the more chance you have of being housed. Good Luck and I hope you won't be waiting long:thumbsup:

my best friend is currently homeless.

she has been homeless for about four months, and has also been given mobility priority. She has to bid for properties, too, which, for anyone on homeless priority I think is totally and utterly stinking ridiculous!

Now, she doesn't have to bid for them, per se, someone in the homeless section actually does the bidding for her.

So, Knowing that she uses a wheelchair, and has been given the priority what do the imbeciles at the council do? They send her for upper-floor flats(!) or other flats that are inacessible for her wheelchair.

So, not only does she have the hassle of being homeless, and desperate for accommodation, she has to endure the cretins at the housing sending her for unsuitable properties, she has the stress of having to bid, too!

She has bid for a number of suitable properties, over the last few weeks, but been unsuccessful with them

What a totally stupid way to treat homeless people.

PT

We have been bidding since the new system started... and we have been bidding on most of the houses. The new bidding system is rubbish. One property we bid on early on was still empty months later, even though we fitted the criteria for the property, and when we enquired about it they said they were going to readvertise it as it was still empty!

I bid on a property a while back then saw the same property advertised back on the Property Shop website.

I called up the Property Shop to ask why they advertised the property again when from what I understood was that the property gets passed down from one bidder to the next if the first bidder doesnt except it and so on, but it was explained to me that it was a different property they used the same picture what an amazing excuse.

Talk about false advertising, I thought that was illegal.

There are people on here that Ive spoken to that have homeless priority or demolition priority and they have waiting times of 16+ weeks.

I dont know what Sheffield City Council are playing at but you would think that the faster they house people then they would start to recieve rents on the properties, keeping them empty is just criminal.

I dont have priority so god knows how long it will take me to get housed, I dread to think.

Dare I open my mouth to express my opinion of the housing system??? :evil:

The last contact I had with housing was that my priority would be removed because I refused an unsuitable house. Haven't heard a peep from them since, haven't got a clue what is happening.

They are utterly useless and I think I may have to stop now before I break site rules on profanity.

Did you know that people who have been on the list a certain number of years have priority over the other priorities? This was told to me by one of the housing associations.

So for example. If Mr & Mrs X had been on the housing register for 15 years and they bid on a house they are more likely to get it than someone who is homeless.

I also know of a family who were told they would get the house regardless of the bidding BEFORE the house was even advertised. 180 People bidded for that house that week and they had no chance of getting it because it had already been 'promised' to this family. Whislt I am extremely happy that this family got the house they wanted due to their circumstances....it doesn't actually display the system as fair to everyone else does it. How many other houses currently advertised with them are already promised to others?

Moon

ive been putting in at least 3 or more bids per wk
and over a very wide range of areas from loweges to southey
and in between these
i also phone up every wk to see if ive been allicated any. i was offerd an upper maisonette but it wasnt near my family so turned it down as my reason for moving is for family suport
and luckly it didnt affect my prioity
im hoping and prayin nxt wk will b the one i get as its where i do want to go and its a prioity house so fingers and toes crossed

Originally posted by Moon Maiden
Dare I open my mouth to express my opinion of the housing system??? :evil:

The last contact I had with housing was that my priority would be removed because I refused an unsuitable house. Haven't heard a peep from them since, haven't got a clue what is happening.

They are utterly useless and I think I may have to stop now before I break site rules on profanity.

Did you know that people who have been on the list a certain number of years have priority over the other priorities? This was told to me by one of the housing associations.

So for example. If Mr & Mrs X had been on the housing register for 15 years and they bid on a house they are more likely to get it than someone who is homeless.

I also know of a family who were told they would get the house regardless of the bidding BEFORE the house was even advertised. 180 People bidded for that house that week and they had no chance of getting it because it had already been 'promised' to this family. Whislt I am extremely happy that this family got the house they wanted due to their circumstances....it doesn't actually display the system as fair to everyone else does it. How many other houses currently advertised with them are already promised to others?

Moon


Isn't it just a total bloody pantomime, moon maiden?

God! I hope the council staff member whio is dealing with your case finally gets the timeshare on what I assume must be the sole brain-cell in the council's posession that is passed around from person to person, there, and gets you sorted out with a property.

I had the exact same problem, when I was fighting to get Medical Rehousing Priority(MRHP) into a wheelchair suitable property, a couple of years ago.

I was in a property that the council refused to adapt.

There was a massive step up to my front and back doors, which measured over a foot in height, and I, and my ex husband (who had asthma, crebral palsy, and a back injury) were expected to get a n electric-wheelchair up-and over this step, and into the property.

It was a total farce!!! The adaptions people at the social services said
"We can't assess you, to have the house adapted for you, until the medical priority visitors have been, and decided whether they'll give you points for MRHP"

and the MRHP people were saying
"we cant give you an assessment for MRHP, until the social services adaptions people have decided whether they will adapt the property for you"

I am surprised I am not bald with the stress of all that!

My father had to build a porch onto the front of the property, so that I had some where to store, and charge my wheelchair securely. I had to transfer into my manual wheelchair, at the door, leaving the power chair in the porch.

It took the council five years to decide that they were not going to adapt the property, after all...(but that's a whole other rant!) Yet they also refused to give me the points for priority either!
can you imagine! nightmare!!

i was forced into a move, which I didn't want to do. But it was a case of "needs must" i could not manage in that property, which I loved, and was literally 100 yards from my father's house, as well as on an access bus route, and near other facilities, like shops and the doctors, post office etc.

I moved into this house, which is an adapted property,which is ace, as I have the stairlift, the shower, level access for the wheelchair, etc.. the downside is, I live beside 2 different bus routes, neither of which are access buses... (I have to wheel, from the top of the hill where I live, fifteen minutes downhill going out, 20/25 minutes uphill coming back) to the main road where there are access buses... when the bus companies don't put the non-access buse son an access route! (Again, a whole other rant) I am a long way fron shops and other services... and my father who has also recently moved, is now two bus rides away, and a fifteen minute trek downhill to the one bus, and a half-hour, minimum, trek uphill from the otherbus.

so it was swings and roundabouts.. do i live near my family, in an environment that has facilities I can access, in a house I cant cope in.
or, do I move to a house that is adapted for my needs, but that is in an environment that is unfriendly to me and my wheelchair, and miles from my family members?

what a "Chucking Foice", eh? how does one decide which is the lesser of the two evils?

I bid on a proerty advertised in the property shop sheet. it was just what I needed, in exactly the right spot, just round the corner from the unsuitable house:- A 2-bed bungalow, in the right area.

I phoned after it, and, like you were told, moon maiden, I was told that the flaming thing had already been allocated to someone !!!

I said "But the ad has only just come out, less than a half-hour ago! How can that possibly be? I picked up the paper the second it hit your desk, straight off the press!" how can it have gone, already when the decision is not being made on the bids, that have been put in, till next Tuesday!!!? That's just ridiculous, !"

I have no faith in this bidding system, anyway! I think it is a fiasco!!!!! In bidding, we are doing the council's job for them!!

FFS! the council know exactly who is or is not on their waiting list, and what priority they have (or not as the case may be!)

So if they know who the people are, who who are waiting, and they know what properties and districts they are asking for,

*and* they have a list of all their own properties, and a list of the housing association properties that are "theirs" to allocate...

............ Why T-F can't they do the allocating, and get their applicants rehoused?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

instead of having people like MM and my best friend who is a homeless, wheelchair-user (mentioned in a post above, on this thread) housed as soon as possible!!!

"GRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

It gets me so flaming angry!

PT Spontaneously combusts with rage!!!!!!!

PT

The only reason I can think of for having this bidding system is there is no visible waiting lists....specifically for homeless.

It means that they are fulfilling their obligation whilst putting homeless families at risk and forcing them into areas that the council cannot get rid of by threatening NOT to rehouse them at all.

Moon

My husband and I have been on the waiting list for a house in Sheffield for nearly 3 years. He's originally from the area and wants to move back near to his friends and family.

I can't believe the incompetence of Sheffield City Council, when they moved their files over onto their new computer system in February, they left our details off the list. So for 9 months, we've been bidding for properties with absolutely no chance of being allocated one. We have yet to receive either an explanation or an apology, let alone an offer of housing. My husband called them up and was basically fobbed off.

I'm furious and want to give them a piece of my mind but he tells me to calm down because he doesn't want to jeopardise our chances.

Fat chance!

I know it isn't a priority, just wondered if there were any other peeps out there like us and how long they were waiting and didn't want to start a new topic.

It is a joke, just to annoy people even more, I am aware of someone who has no need for a council house but her and her husband have just been offered one in Dore!! They put themselves on the housing list 20odd years ago, and with the general accumulation of points over time have now been offered this property! They can now flog their real house and go live like kings in door. I am off to stick myself on the list ;)

Do you think they'd fancy a council house exchange to the Selby area? lol

Im also bidding for properties, but because im only eligable for waiting time i will have to wait years for a decent area therefore when i have 10-15 yrs waiting time behind me i will then hopefully be able to get a decent home in a decent area, where as those people with priority get the properties the want now! so in 10 yrs time i will have earnt the right to live in a decent area and home.

I Have no problem with priorities its people that blag the system/council into giving them priorities that dont need them.

There is one thing i feel the council has done wrong that demolishing too many properties all at once.

Has anyone actually managed to get anything. I have been bidding for 6 months ith no joy.

I'm bidding on flats all over the place but with no joy. I've even bid for flats on the manor! The same flats that are all empty.

I ve been bidding now for 7 months and I havent had any joy either.

I have also bid on crap areas as well and havent got anywhere and now I am finding it really frustrating.

I am worried about my chances because I live near London so it will most likely take longer for me to get any offers on the properties I have bid on.

Does anyone else here bid via the internet? as I dont live in Sheffield this is the only way for me to place my bids.

I am interested mainly in the Walkley area but it doesnt look like there are any properties coming up soon in this area

I swear I am loosing the will to live.

AGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!

Regards

Joanne

I've been blanket bidding (apart from a couple of areas) for the past couple of months, without success at all. I've been on the waiting list for nearly 3 years and have been bidding by phone AND internet since the website started.

Have you only been on the housing register for the 7 months squashie?

We'd be interested in a swap, but no one seems to want to move to the middle of nowhere. lol

Those jokers at the council lost about 3 of my applications other wise I would of been on the register for about a year by now, I finally got one through in May 04, but they only processed it because I called them up and demanded to speak to a supervisor to make a complaint.

I know I'm being impaitent with getting housed but I really wanna get out of Dagenham and get closer to the delicate northern tones of my beloved.

Regards

Jo

well ive been on the list for 8 years i have been bidding every week and guess what....nothing!
I am told that there is such a lot of demolition going on that most of the houses in the areas i want are ringfenced for those with priority due to demolishen...which is fair enough i suppose but i too have bidded on other areas which i think are less desirable(my personal view)....and still nothing!Ive been told by council to try to buy or go in for a part ownership.Great if youve got the cash eh!

Yep, if you have the cash, you're sorted, if you haven't you're stuffed!

Might bring the homesteading to the attention of my mum in law though, she might be interested once she sells her house. Doesn't help us though!

I just thought id let folk know that i was offerd a house after 5ths waiting i was on prioity they gave me only 1week to move and i moved in on the 9th oct this yr :clap:

i also want to say that the housing called me in to talk about the damage to my old house the garden was a total mess they had dismantled the shed and distroyed the pond (neighbours children) they even broke into the house pulled the metal covers off the door to get in
as i can prove i wasnt responsible i dont have to pay the 800 bill
the housing told me that another family who were a nice family were gona b moving in (it wasnt up 4 bidding) so they do know whos getting the propertys b4 people bid for them
i feel so sorry for the next tenent who gets that house cus of the out of control kids who live on the estate even the housin said it was like bayroot
im just glad 2b away from there :clap:

There are a lot of nice families out there Ange, who end up in war zones. Even keeping yourself to yourself is no guarantee of peace.

I hope you're very happy in your new home though. Best of British to you! :)

Is this the "Property Shop Scheme" - I think I read about it, or SCC may have sent me a leaflet when I rang them up about areas.


Alex

Yeah, that's the one

nice to hear you got settled Ange...heard many a stoy about the property shop giving out houses before folk get a chance to bid.

Just a really really stupid system.

Moon

Does any one know who gets first offer if its priority versus waiting time? I mean if a property is advertised for waiting time criteria? Or does priority only count when its stated as a criteria for a specific property?

There are houses specifically set aside for those with priority, and others that have been set aside for those with waiting time.

From what I've heard there are plenty of houses in Sheffield that never even see the Property Shop and are allocated from within the council.

Phone up the Property Shop and ask for leaflet on bidding and housing.

The info and housing policy on the property shop site doesn,t make sence to if I,me reading it right. If some one with waiting time goes before some one with priority who only has a certain amount of time to get a property, that would mean priority taking the left overs as people with waiting time have chosen the decent area,s. Thus with long waiting times! That would imply that people who have priority have to take the left overs? Thats why I wonderd about who has priority in reality. The person with waiting time or the person who has been assigned priority status?

My nephew has been trying to get somewhere for 4 yrs. They keep telling him to go private. Yet they are knocking down whole estates. They always have an excuse. There is nothing we can do to stop them. This has been the way for years now. This new system is just a shambles. But. They have better excuses.

4 years is a long time to be looking for a home but then you see properties advertised with waiting times of 15 years.

I know of people who,ve had priority for a year and still not got any where with bidding. Thats why I,m so curious about who really has priority (not on paper but in reality)?

It's all red tape, meaningless to those who put in their bids on a weekly basis. Although it obviously works for some.

Do you think if I apply for a job at Sheffield City Council, I'd stand a chance of getting housing there? lol

When you go into that property shop building just ask for Bruce - he should be able to sort out any problems for you.

As far as I know he's the most approachable and gets things done in that place.

I found the propertyshop info quite confusing and wonderd if they actually know their way around in the maze of the new system/rules? I had the idea that the info isn,t always accurate and any way they can,t give you a property even if you do go in there.

The one specific thing that confuses me is that when I have placed a bid on a property and I dont hear anything I just presume that I lost out to someone else, but within a few weeks I see that very same property advertised again.

I thought that the property would be passed down to the next person if it was turned down by the original person who was sucessful in their bid for it, and I thought they would continue to pass it down to the bidders until someone finally accepts it.

This bidding system is crazy.

I thought the same as you from what they told me at the propertyshop and from reading the letting system rules on the proertyshop/council rules? It seems that other things happen in reality as some properties I,ve bid for havn,t been noted as the properties where then withdrawn so I,m told and some are not advertised as let that were registerd? Thats why I thought I was confused but if more people are noticing this kind of thing it appears the rules are there just for appearances and there is another set of rules when its convenient?

I too have priority, there's 6 of us in a two bedroomed house
and a very small one at that. This bidding system is a farce it's made things worse. I nearly got to the top of the list for the area I want then they stopped it now I've got no chance because the houses that come up are for 15 years waiting time or priority, I was 49th on list of priority! before they scrapped waiting list housing office actually had cheek to tell me that I was'nt overcrowded! and with 4 kids I think thats discusting. They told me too have another baby, boy did I get him the sack

This property shop idea is just another propoganda stunt by this council to make waiting lists look low. The previous system of re-housing that was done by area offices was the best way. But, Alas the lunatics have taken over the asylum. The only way things are going to change is when we get rid of the old school boy network of councillors. There is a lot wrong with the system of housing in Sheffield and Millions are being wasted. Houses are being privatized via the back door with no-one noticing. Then the rents go up. We all suffer as a result. We are conned when the council encourage us to form our own area committee's. This is just another way that the council can ignore our wishes, Then at the end of the day say that our committee's are responsible. We find this now in the systems of management that they are trying to get us to vote for. All we get at the end of the day is " Hobsons Choice ". I never thought that I would see Sheffield in such a mess, With so many liesbeing told to us. The sorriest thing is, We are standing for it.

I,ve noticed that 3 of the flats a friend has applied for arn,t even on the propertyshop list of previous bids or on the list of properties which have been let. Its as if they were never advertised.

I know some one who,s had priority since autumn of 2003 but due to a change in letting criteria he no longer for qualify,s for the area of his choise which was filled in on his housing registration form by the housing officer who asked him where he wanted to move to when allocating him with priority.

Obviously he,s still bidding for properties in the area of his choise in the event that there are no other suitable applicants. Under the previous sytem he would have been helped in getting a property by the housing officer who gave him priorty.

As it now stands nothing seems to be happening and I don,t seem to read any good news reguarding housing but some one must be getting rehoused through the back door or all property,s which have been advertised would be accounted for on the propertyshop site and they aren,t.

Isn't it all this 'arms-length' management trend that is being rapidly taken up by all businesses/authorities now? The property shop idea keeps people at a distance as does the recent trend in paying bills etc which isn't good for everyone.

Don't forget also that with the housing coming down on Parson Cross and wherever else it's happening - those tenants get priority so that the land can be quickly sold off to developers.

The rest of us can whistle.

Originally posted by jan2002
Hi Ange

Have you made a bid on any properties yet ?
If you have'nt you won't be offered as you have to bid.
there is no waiting lists now.

I have someone here who works for the council
She says that when you make a bid if you are the first bidder you will be offered that property, and if you have priority over the other bidders then you will be offered the property first any way.

The more properties you bid on the more chance you have of being housed. Good Luck and I hope you won't be waiting long:thumbsup:

what?
whats this bid thing, are you talking about housing commision rental houses & you have to bid what to get one?
I really don't understand.
( I used to live in sheffield when i was a kid/teen & nothing like bidding then :)
cheers shawn in west oz.

To paraphrase Bart Simpson, "I don't know whether the property shop sucks or blows".

I've been up here 10 months now, in Woodhouse open Prison Aka St Anne's @Shelter@ for homeless men, and I can tell you that I've not heard anything... *Slowly pulls out eyelashes* :P

The whole bidding/ housing seems to have gone competely mad. The guy I know has had priority since 2003 re refurbishment, hasn,t been offerd properties he,s bid for and is now threatened with an eviction procedure for not being succesfull in bidding?

Forced bids follow where ever and which ever getto is going that tenants with a choise havn,t chosen to bid for (ie bids placed by the housing stock reduction team, deemed suitable to avoid homelessness due to not being offerd a property in 2 years or having priority)

All properties this guy bids on go to other tenants accourding to housing with higher priority and in the mean time the deadline date of the threatened eviction procedure gets closer? All of which is in the hands of sheffield housing and not in the hands of the tennant who is simply not succesfull in his bidding? On top of this the relocation money he would get will be witheld if the eviction procedure takes place?

Has any one got any experience of the legality of this sittuation?

sheffield propperty shop sucks:rant:

All the housing system and people who work for ik suck, along with the propertyshop from what I,ve heard.

I,d like to think it was a fair system with helpfull competent people working for the people who they are supposed to be helping, instead of stressing them with threats of eviction for not being successfull in thier bids.

Not being offerd a property in 18 months time and not being told this is because they changed their criteria, hardly constitutes social housing in my mind. More like scandalous housing, dysfunction!

i am sick to death of this new housing thing my kitchen is a mess and ive now been waiting a year for repairs and different people are telling me different things. im also on the housing list but im not gettin anyway with this bidding. ive tryed for priorty but there has to be something wrong with me i cant get it just on family suport as i want to move closer to family.

Its really frustrating too, as no one seems to know any thin judging from the lack of response. I mailes some housing advice bureau after having a flyer put in my door and the same thing there. Its a case of see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil when it comes to geting a reaction about the dysfunctional housing system.

My husband and I have cited several reasons for wanting to move to the Sheffield area - not least of which is family ties. I have a condition which means I need a bit of family support a few days a month - however, my only family are in Ireland and completely out of touch with what is happening here.

We have been on the waiting list for more than three years, and have religiously (almost) applied for housing every week. Housing we have applied for has been allocated to others who seem to have spent less time on the waiting list than us - on more than one occasion. Sheffield Homes response to this is that "There's an error on the system and the information is wrong!"

I'm about at the end of my tether trying to manage when I'm incapable of doing so and am hacked off with Sheffield City Council's platitudes and excuses. If I thought it would do any good I'd contact the Ombudsman.

What a pity no one on the forum with experience, for example councilors and housing members arn,t responding but then I suppose that would be too much to expect. When one needs advice there is sudenly no one home, typical. There was a flyer in the door offering legal and impartial advice on future council housing so I emailed them for my friend and what was the result, can any one guess. Well, they are no longer offering advice re Park Hill. What a wonderfull way of standing on the side line and browny licking.

with demolition priority was just 3 months as i wanted to still be in the area a was liveing in,
but just moved again near my mum area on medical prirorty and took me over 7 moths.even affter bidding on houses near this area the demolition had piority over me,but i finaly got a house in area i wanted in 7 months of bidding on ever house arround this area.was pritty lucky too as was told this area was a long waiting list with it being so popular.but i knew that too as i grew up in this area im in now.

my girlfriend has been waiting since 2001 and still not got anywhere

Hiya

I had an homeless priorty i placed at least 3 bids every week for 6 months and then got offered a property in an area that i didnt even choose it was a 2 bedroom house with no central heating miles away from family and friends when i complained it was useless so really theres no point in bidding at all because they match you to house in an area that you dont want and dont give you an option but to accept it.

we were made homeless in jan 2003 after our bungelow was set on fire making it uninhabitable. we had reported other crimes to property more than 20 times in a couple of years and got no help from the north british housing or anybody else.i was even refused permission to have cctv cameras and secure fencing in place by the association. all this happend after we lost our beloved son Jace who died aged 10 whilst in Ryegate house part of the sheffield childrens hospital.
It was in the star about his death and it was like a magnet for every scumbag in the area,pror to this we had lived for 10 years in our home peacfully.
anyway back to the homeless bit i went to howden house and was offerd a bad in a hostel for myself but not for my daughter who was just 16 at the time.
i was told that she had to fend for herself so i had to walk away from everything and thankfully we msanaged to get a 1 bed flat in chesterfield otherwise god knows what would have happend.
my name has remained on list since then but nothing near an offer has been made.
id just like to add that i have disabilities that include a c.o.ad that will without doubt shorten my life expectancy allso im partialy sighted i have a badly worn disc in my lower back and suffer from anxiety and panic attacks but obviously that doesnt mean a thing nor does the fact that after jace died in april 2000 my daughter got run over on prince of wales road in november 2000 and allmost died and now still suffers the after effects.
But had we been refugees fleeing the same traumatic events iv no doubt that we would have been rehoused immediatly in to a much sought after new home furnished to the highest standards,
i hope the rest of you out there have more luck and recognition than we did

:rant: i have been waiting 4 long years on the housing list.
and now that this stupid bidding system has come in to place i will most probably be waiting another 50 years! ! !
just the other day i was speaking to a young teenager who i work with and she has been told that she will be given a flat within 28days due to the housing office focusing on young teen-ages. bloody disgusting if you ask me! !
i think the way the council is run is shocking!
Also it makes me madder when all the properties are let to out of work, druggies who clam benefits.
i have to work hard for anything i get!

:rant: :rant: my partner and i have been bidding every week for the last 2 years without fail, and have we been offered anything, have we ****. 1 bed flats, houses, you name it we've bidded and not a sniff of any previous occupiers odour !! every time you go into the property shop it's a game of spot the english man/woman, you see, if you are working and are white, you have not got a hope in hell of getting anything. this bidding system is a ****ing joke and the council say this is a fairer way of doing things. what a load of b******s.

I think the council are making less and less money from rent, most people are buying their houses now, so the entire housing system is a lower priority for the council than it was say 15 years ago.

i have six years one month on the list and have been bidding for practically every 3 bed property for the last year , with no luck at all, i am beginning to wonder if i will ever get an offer, one time i had 12 bids pending ,and i just watched as they got let to higher waiting times or priorities one by one , i had high hopes, but not now . The system has to be changed, and it could be ,with the majority in agreement ,that this system is flawed , if enough of us got together we could make them go back to the way things were before, which worked, and was better.

My daughter`s got a 1 bedroom 2nd floor flat on batemoor where she lives with her partner and 6 week old baby. She tried to get moved before the baby was born but the council told her to start bidding after the baby was born. She has been but with no success. She rang the council to find out why and they told her that it was perfectly fine for 3 people to live in a 1 bedroom flat !!! The fact that she fell down the stairs while she was trying to get the baby and pram down the stairs on her own didn`t seem to matter. I know there are people in more need than her but it still stinks.

I have the same views as eveyone else one here......the system sucks!!

xxx

Although there is great incompetence in the system and some of the staff, i.e. not knowing their own legal stance, it's probably a good idea to read their policies (i think their are on sheffield homes/council website) so you can pretty much tell them what to do for you instead of asking for advice which may be false.
It must be appreaciated their are different levels of priority and percentages set aside for each types, i think a 1/4 for homeless and 1/4 mobility, not sure something like that though.
I'd say its a pretty fair policy.
If you are homeless the offer of a roof and your own space however little is a good offer, take it, if not you deserved to be written off the list. You dont appear to be homeless if you refuse a home do you? If its not a "good" area, make it one.
Also if you are homeless i dont see why the council should bid on your behalf even if you are disabled surely they are able to bid or should be in a care home.
I wasn't bothered about my wait except the farce of being written off the list when i refused a property that they never told me i was "offered", having to complain to actually be allowed to receive the offer and taking it straight away even offering to take without viewing.
Bid,bid bid as much as you can and take the first offer if you are homeless what better have you got to do, it doesent take long and get you (one of/ your) top priority of a roof of your own.
If the council houses aren't good enough for your standard's well at the end of the day your just gonna have to rent private or get a mortgage.

My daughter`s got a 1 bedroom 2nd floor flat on batemoor where she lives with her partner and 6 week old baby. She tried to get moved before the baby was born but the council told her to start bidding after the baby was born. She has been but with no success. She rang the council to find out why and they told her that it was perfectly fine for 3 people to live in a 1 bedroom flat !!! The fact that she fell down the stairs while she was trying to get the baby and pram down the stairs on her own didn`t seem to matter. I know there are people in more need than her but it still stinks.

it's not fair, really, the situation your daughter is in, but, according to the council rules to do with properties being "overcrowded"... 'as your grandchild is an infant, it's not deemed as "another person" yet' (unbelieveable, eh?
a friend of mine was in her one-bedroomed high-rise flat, on the eighth floor, with a three year old, before they moved her out into a 2-bed maisonette. she's been there four years before the baby was born)

Even a brother and sister sharing one room does not become a problem, according to the council, till one or both if them reaches 10 yrs old.

*shakes head*
PT

Im also bidding for properties, but because im only eligable for waiting time i will have to wait years for a decent area therefore when i have 10-15 yrs waiting time behind me i will then hopefully be able to get a decent home in a decent area, where as those people with priority get the properties the want now! so in 10 yrs time i will have earnt the right to live in a decent area and home.

I Have no problem with priorities its people that blag the system/council into giving them priorities that dont need them.

There is one thing i feel the council has done wrong that demolishing too many properties all at once.dont be too sure i have 17 years waiting time and i still cant get any of the propertys i have bid on

I have no where to live. I have been on the housing list for fifteen years! im disabled and they dont give a ****, all i get is keep bidding!! Oh, i forgot you have to be a chav , pregnant with four kids to get a place so i have no chance!!!

My daughter`s got a 1 bedroom 2nd floor flat on batemoor where she lives with her partner and 6 week old baby. She tried to get moved before the baby was born but the council told her to start bidding after the baby was born. She has been but with no success. She rang the council to find out why and they told her that it was perfectly fine for 3 people to live in a 1 bedroom flat !!! The fact that she fell down the stairs while she was trying to get the baby and pram down the stairs on her own didn`t seem to matter. I know there are people in more need than her but it still stinks.

Same thing happened to me mate, i ended up leaving Sheffield over it, got told i wasn't priority even though i badly sprained my ankle from falling down the stairs with the pram, best of luck to your daughter.

I have had many arguements about this " letting policy ". it is so stupid as to be unbelievable. I received a letter recently regards this system. This is one of the systems that was forced upon sheffield by the Government. this is intended to give people a better chance and a better choice of where they want to live. This is so rediculous as this does not work. the letter I received back from the Council is just a load of old twaddle. But, I would suggest that all those that are unsatisfied write to the property shop. E-Mail Address is. propertyshop@sheffield.org.uk This could prove to be a waste of time. but it is worth letting them know just how you all feel. Barrack them with e-mails and send them copies of the comments on the forum. Now that there are so many Association Houses and other agencies controlling houses for rent in Sheffield the system has become worse. Many agencies and associations pick and choose thier tenants. You will also find that rent increases are now very regular. That is why this Counil are intent upon the sale of council land to Associations and private Landlords, Why there are so many demolitions in progress. Many good houses are being knocked down and being replaced with houses that young families just cannot get or even afford the rent. the Council get round this by forming " Forums ", these in turn persuade tenants to conform to the changes that we are having to endure. You will be told that this is the only way to get funds to remodernize homes etc. but rents are now so high that young people cannot afford them. Many young people are thrown out onto the streets by parents because the Council charge far too much extra rent and rebates are lost when a child starts work. Parents cannot afford all the extra charges imposed by the Council. Hence so many young people on the streets and this in turn breeds a lot of crime. It gets worse but far too much is involved to put into this reply. Maybe everyone on this forum can make a difference if they shout out all at once.......................

im interested in finding out how long
people r waiting to be rehoused on prioity
ive been waiting 5mths now and hoping its getting nearer to my turn and just wanting to know how long others have waited be 4 getting a offer
thanks

Dont hold your breath, we have been waiting 13 months, apart from one offer of a 2 bedroom flat, nothing.USELESS!

Dont hold your breath, we have been waiting 13 months now, "With priority" apart from 1 offer of a 2 bedroom flat, NOTHING. USELESS!

My nephew has been waiting five years. he cannot get a place unless he becomes homeless. This system of housing is Government Policy not Council. The Housing ( Sheffield Homes ) state that this system works perfect. I do not know how. All I know is that everyone I know has problems using this system. It is time it was stopped and we reverted back to the original tried and tested system. The Housing in Sheffield is in a complete mess with many empty houses and flats. yet they are demolishing many more. This is so that the land can be sold to Housing Associations. It is the back door to privatization. The problem with Associations is that they pick and choose what tenants they will take. Some even want three references of character before they will put you on a list. This in all respects is discrimination. Many young people get into trouble because they have no home. There are many problems with housing. There was a time when I would say that " People are homeless by choice ". I no longer have that opinion. Sky High rents, Discrimination against young people, Parents that throw out their kids, Because when they reach a certain age the rents go up, So much, That parents cannot afford to let their kids stay at home. Hence we have kids sleeping rough, Kids abused on the streets, Kids go missing. We call ourselves civilized. This is a disgusting state of affairs. We have a Council that is afraid to implement it's own Policies. We have a public that do not care, Why, Because there are so many of us that have no idea what it is like to be homeless. I no longer criticize the homeless. I do think that there are those that cannot be rehoused. I do think that there are those that do not deserve a home. But the majority DO. I admit, I have been wrong in this area of opinion. But I am not afraid to speak out against the corruption and the bad ways that exist within Housing Associatons as well as the Council. I know of many people that have gained because they know the right people to talk to ? ? ?. I also know of a Committee member of a T.A who's grown Kids have now all managed to get nice Council Homes. ie 2 BED houses for singles etc All modernized and close to the family ties, ie the same estate.

Dont hold your breath, we have been waiting 13 months now, "With priority" apart from 1 offer of a 2 bedroom flat, NOTHING. USELESS!

You have been offered something, in the form of a flat with two bedrooms.

Can I ask, in all seriousness, (excuse my nosiness)

How does it differ from what you have applied for?

How does it differ from what you are entitled to under the council rules? (eg what size is your household? are you a couple with no children for example, asking for a five bedroomed house? are you a couple with six children, being forced into two bedrooms? Or are they offering you a top floor flat, and one of you is confined to a wheelchair? NB- just three hypothetical scenaria)

Me and my boyfriend both have seperate applications and both have been on the list for 5 years we've been bidding for the last 2 and a half years and been offered one property a flat on the 13th floor of a highrise. It was vile so we turned it down. They have knocked loads of council properties down, my boyf has a friend that works for the council and he says that they don't plan building anymore for at least 5 years (don't know if this is true or not). We've been bidding in places like Stannington and the surrounding area but it's so hard to get one there because it's such a good area. We've now given up on the council and were trying to rent which will totally skint us as I've just found out I'm pregnant too

Housing now comes under the auspices of Sheffield Homes. It is supposed to be private now and seperate from Council Control, This is a load of bull. Sheffield Homes will not build or take over any more homes. This is the Back Door into privatization, Because, If they had a referendum then housing would have remained Council controlled. Now we have ended up with a mess, Corruption is rife, The ways that Sheffield Homes allocates properties is designed to make you apply to Housing Associations as a last resort. Many Sheffield Homes properties are being handed over to associations as they become empty. This Council get their way even if they have to use force and corruption. You must remember, We live in the Republic of South Yorkshire. A dictatorship. They are so evil, They will knock homes down to get their own way, Even if they are good homes. It does not bother this council that there are many homeless, and many suicides as a result of Council Policy

What puzzles me is that the housing have a book, available on request with all of their properties in it and the waiting times for each of the property. I cant figure how they can produce this info book which they prefer to say is for internal use but is available on request, with info in that they don,t stick to?

What I don't understand is why they only advertise a handful of properties a week when they clearly have loads more on offer?:loopy:

Me and my boyfriend both have seperate applications and both have been on the list for 5 years we've been bidding for the last 2 and a half years and been offered one property a flat on the 13th floor of a highrise. It was vile so we turned it down. They have knocked loads of council properties down, my boyf has a friend that works for the council and he says that they don't plan building anymore for at least 5 years (don't know if this is true or not). We've been bidding in places like Stannington and the surrounding area but it's so hard to get one there because it's such a good area. We've now given up on the council and were trying to rent which will totally skint us as I've just found out I'm pregnant too

Congratulations on your baby!

if you are PG, then that should give you more of a priority, as you are classified as "more vulnerable" than if it were just yourself applying, with no children/ not pregnant. theoretically, not for a high-rise, as the council's own rules state that they do not put children "at height" (i.e in high-rise properties.)

Congratulations on your baby!

if you are PG, then that should give you more of a priority, as you are classified as "more vulnerable" than if it were just yourself applying, with no children/ not pregnant. theoretically, not for a high-rise, as the council's own rules state that they do not put children "at height" (i.e in high-rise properties.)

Thanks I've given up on the council for the moment I'm going to move into the rented property on short hold lease and then get a council a few months before the baby is born. If they put me in a hell hole I'll be straight on to the Sheffield Star and Hallam FM

i have a similar thread to this running
i spoke to lettings at howdfen house the other day because there is an empty house on my sister in laws rd what has been empty for 16 months
i was told it was not for re-let cos of problems i asked what problems
the house is next to gennel where smack heads sometimes hang out
DOH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO WHAT

how ridiculous is that

I have been on the waiting list for 2 yrs and no joy.
I bid on flats every week.
Apparently, I earn too much money to be priority even though I declared myself homeless.

its nothing but a joke!! I have been waiting for a place for 15 years!! Yes 15 years!! I did bid on a place and later found out they gave it to a 17 year old pregnant chav instead!!!! USELESS!!

You have been offered something, in the form of a flat with two bedrooms.

Can I ask, in all seriousness, (excuse my nosiness)

How does it differ from what you have applied for?

How does it differ from what you are entitled to under the council rules? (eg what size is your household? are you a couple with no children for example, asking for a five bedroomed house? are you a couple with six children, being forced into two bedrooms? Or are they offering you a top floor flat, and one of you is confined to a wheelchair? NB- just three hypothetical scenaria)

I'm glad you asked the question, and I'm still waiting to read the reply PT!

Many Sheffield Homes properties are being handed over to associations as they become empty.

and where is the evidence to support such a claim? Other than areas with block stock transfer, which was as a result of a residents vote?

This Council get their way even if they have to use force and corruption. You must remember, We live in the Republic of South Yorkshire. A dictatorship. They are so evil, They will knock homes down to get their own way, Even if they are good homes. It does not bother this council that there are many homeless, and many suicides as a result of Council Policy

Slightly melodramatic I think. If you have issues surely you can substantiate these claims with facts instead of a soapbox tirade. :rolleyes:

I have been on the waiting list for 2 yrs and no joy.
I bid on flats every week.
Apparently, I earn too much money to be priority even though I declared myself homeless. Someone may have suggested that as you are working you are capable of finding accommodation other than through the council? The reasons for not awarding you priority are likely to be a bit less financially biased - for instance; are you under 18 or over 65? Do you have responsibility for a child? Are you registered disabled? These are some reasons for priority being awarded to certain categories of homeless people where councils have a duty to ensure they are housed - and not necessarily housed in a council house! The only duty they have to most of us is to let us register, explain the policy (its all on the council website) and provide advice about housing in general. Council housing isn't a right.

The only duty they have to most of us is to let us register, explain the policy (its all on the council website) and provide advice about housing in general. Council housing isn't a right.

I have said this before, well done Macbeth.

Sheffield Homes is a social landlord, just like Sutton, or People for Places. It's one of many landlords you can apply to.

Housing now comes under the auspices of Sheffield Homes. It is supposed to be private now and seperate from Council Control, This is a load of bull.Sheffield City Council still owns council houses, they pay Sheffield Homes to take on landlord responsibilities, it is still SOCIAL housing as are housing associations Sheffield Homes will not build or take over any more homes. Why would Sheffield Homes build houses? This is the Back Door into privatization, Because, If they had a referendum then housing would have remained Council controlled. There were ballots on every estate, some went for transfer to housing association, some to ALMO (Sheffield Homes) so are still owned by the council. Every tenant had the opportunity to vote, but didn't all use it Now we have ended up with a mess, Corruption is rife, Evidence? The ways that Sheffield Homes allocates properties is designed to make you apply to Housing Associations as a last resort. Why do people think they are a last resort, they are usually newer properties. Govt has encouraged housing associations to build more social housing to take up some of the shortfall when people buy their council homes Many Sheffield Homes properties are being handed over to associations as they become empty. See fox20thc reply This Council get their way even if they have to use force and corruption. You must remember, We live in the Republic of South Yorkshire. A dictatorship. Well someone voted for them - and there are tenants and other representatives on Sheffield Homes board. They are so evil, They will knock homes down to get their own way, What way is that?You've completely lost me now Even if they are good homes. Lots of homes that have been/are being demolished are past their sell by date, some others were high rises that no one really wanted. It does not bother this council that there are many homeless, and many suicides as a result of Council PolicyI've never seen any evidence of this, but people who are roofless as well as technically homeless, may have drug or acohol dependency, or mental health issues as well - so could lead to self harm or suicide

I've taken the time to answer most of your points, I'd love to know where you got the information?

I have said this before, well done Macbeth.

Sheffield Homes is a social landlord, just like Sutton, or People for Places. It's one of many landlords you can apply to.

Thank goodness you and some others like PT understand the reality that is social housing in 2006! Unfortunately too many people only see their own situation. They often think lettings policies are still based on the time before 'Cathy Come Home'! The basic facts are that there are too many people wanting too few council homes. Living with a baby in a flat is still a fact of life for many people, they just have to get on with it. Lots of the people who moan about lack of council houses have parents who've bought theirs, but still don't realise that has left less for them. I get really fed up with some of the ridiculous statements that are posted as facts - must get them from the Beano!:rant:

Lots of the people who moan about lack of council houses have parents who've bought theirs, but still don't realise that has left less for them. I get really fed up with some of the ridiculous statements that are posted as facts - must get them from the Beano!:rant:

lol - ironic isn't it. The number of times people have said to me, why don't you buy your council house it'll be cheaper than renting.

BECAUSE... My principles mean I wouldn't. Its a council property, thankfully with the current system mine til I die or choose to leave. Then its back in the pool of available housing. If I were in a position to buy I would choose one from the open market! :rolleyes:

lol - ironic isn't it. The number of times people have said to me, why don't you buy your council house it'll be cheaper than renting.

BECAUSE... My principles mean I wouldn't. Its a council property, thankfully with the current system mine til I die or choose to leave. Then its back in the pool of available housing. If I were in a position to buy I would choose one from the open market! :rolleyes:
You are very much in the minority fox. I'm going to reply to one more comment then leaving this thread for good.
but rents are now so high that young people cannot afford them. Many young people are thrown out onto the streets by parents because the Council charge far too much extra rent and rebates are lost when a child starts work. Parents cannot afford all the extra charges imposed by the Council. Hence so many young people on the streets and this in turn breeds a lot of crime. It gets worse but far too much is involved to put into this reply. Maybe everyone on this forum can make a difference if they shout out all at once.......................
This is a ridiculous statement - if young people are working and can afford to pay the rent on a flat on their own then why can't they afford to give their parents some rent? :confused: If the parents are on full housing benefit, and a child starts earning, the housing benefit is reduced on a sliding scale. Very rarely does that mean paying full rent, usually only a small part. The kids who tend to get thrown out are those that don't work, have left school but don't want to study so get no benefits. The parents who are probably also on benefits don't want to keep them. If the youngsters (under 18) then have to be rehoused as homeless they will get benefits themselves. This country has to thank the benefits system for many family breakdowns.

correctamundo, Macbeth... the sliding scale is actually quite generous, it doesn't just slide exponentially according to the "child's" earnings, it also slides according to the age of the child, so, for example, a child aged 16-19, who was earning, would lose the parent less housing benefit than a 20-yr old, who was out earning.

i have just got priority to move from my 3 bedroom house to a 2 bedroom house. i dont know how long i will be but i know its suppose to be about 6 weeks. if i dont get a property before my house as been modernized that is anytime between january and april next year i have been told, then i am staying put.to be honest now i have got priority i am not sure i want to move. i dont fancy all the work thats going to be done on the house especially the knocking down of the wall between the bathroom and bedroom, also the house as not got happy memories for me first we had trouble with neighbours but thats ok now then with my hubby getting ill and dying. just feel i need a new start. also i feel guilty living in a 3 bedroom house with just myself and my son when there are bigger families living in 2 bedroom houses.
the moving does not bother me as i have done plenty of that in 31 years i have lived in 10 properties 9 housing and one private out of those ten properties only 4 are still there 5 have been demolished and 1 is empty as they are being done up.i have always found the housing to be pretty fair in their dealings with priority but i have never had to bid before. they do fob you off with lies at times. i know this on a few occasions.

Originally Posted by Macbeth
Lots of the people who moan about lack of council houses have parents who've bought theirs, but still don't realise that has left less for them. I get really fed up with some of the ridiculous statements that are posted as facts - must get them from the Beano!
--------------------------------------------------------------
Originally Posted by 20 Century Fox
lol - ironic isn't it. The number of times people have said to me, why don't you buy your council house it'll be cheaper than renting.

BECAUSE... My principles mean I wouldn't. Its a council property, thankfully with the current system mine til I die or choose to leave. Then its back in the pool of available housing. If I were in a position to buy I would choose one from the open market!
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A number of people who have bought their council home on the Totley Brook Estate formerly lived in their own home in the re-developed area at Heeley. These home's were bought at a rock bottom price under compulsory purchase orders by the city council and the people re-housed onto the Totley Brook Estate.

Since they have lived here, the Heeley area has been re-developed and a number of commercial properties now occupy the land where some of the compulsory purchased houses stood. In other areas, new homes have been built which can now be bought under a democratically passed law which gives the present tenant ' The Right to Buy their home '.

What is wrong with someone lawfully purchasing their council home at Totley Brook when the council lawfully, compulsory purchased their former home at a knocked down price. Then re-developed the area to speculate by selling to commercial financial interest land for commercial development or selling the newly built homes under the act to present Tennant's. But at a substantially increase land price?

An example of a young persons expences in a Council flast on Wynne Gardens. Rent. £68.00. Council Tax ( Not sure but gets no rebate ) So we can safely say £10.00 a week. Gas £ 15 A week but more in Winter when it is cold. Electric is roughly the same, Both paid by token card. Then we have bus fares to Attercliffe for work. We have food. We have such things as toiletries and cleaning items. It is a good job this man is in Council and not Association Housing. Flats for single people with the Associations on Upperthorpe are over £100 pounds per week. How much is this young 19 year old expecpected to pay in Board if he was at home. He cannot be expected to fully support his parents. Plus the Council do not lose by this young man being with his parents. They actually gain. They would have an extra flat in the stock pile of homes waiting to be sold to associations at a corrupt price. There is corruption within Council Housing as well as other departments in the Council. Privatization of housing has made certain people rich. Regeneration for want of a better name . Has made quite a lot of people rich. Stopping Benefits of elderly relations for helping family with accomodation is wrong. People in Authority should look outside the box. But no. Sheffield would tax babies push chairs if they could get away with it. But I still say that a young person should be helped with housing not have to beg and wait over 6 or 7 years on a comical waiting list. Have to live in misery when they get a flat because the bills are far too high to allow the young person to have a life outside of the home when this person only takes home £195.00 a week. Those on benefits and ex crims with social workers, Single mums with loads of kids waiting for a home to wreck. Teen mums that need serious social education.. Drug addicts, Granny Bashers, These are the one's that benefit , The social misfits get all the help. Those that try get none.

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A number of people who have bought their council home on the Totley Brook Estate formerly lived in their own home in the re-developed area at Heeley. These home's were bought at a rock bottom price under compulsory purchase orders by the city council and the people re-housed onto the Totley Brook Estate.

Since they have lived here, the Heeley area has been re-developed and a number of commercial properties now occupy the land where some of the compulsory purchased houses stood. In other areas, new homes have been built which can now be bought under a democratically passed law which gives the present tenant ' The Right to Buy their home '.

What is wrong with someone lawfully purchasing their council home at Totley Brook when the council lawfully, compulsory purchased their former home at a knocked down price. Then re-developed the area to speculate by selling to commercial financial interest land for commercial development or selling the newly built homes under the act to present Tennant's. But at a substantially increase land price?

No one mentioned any specific area, and I certainly didn't criticise any individual for buying their council house. Realistically most people would. The point was that many people still expect the same choice in council housing as there was before the Right to Buy was introduced. My experience as a housing worker was that many of the young people who wanted houses, usually in very high demand areas, seemed to find it impossible to comprehend that there were very few left to rent. Even though their parents or grandparents had bought their council houses, it hadn't sunk in that this then meant fewer available for them. Of course, they wanted the same deal as their parents too, a house in a nice area, live in it for a few years and buy with a discount, and seemed to think it was grossly unfair when they couldn't.

Its likely that councils will be able for the first time in decades to build new homes again. Should they come with the same option to buy at a discount? Or should any new ones come with a proviso, rent only?

An example of a young persons expences in a Council flast on Wynne Gardens. Rent. £68.00. Council Tax ( Not sure but gets no rebate ) So we can safely say £10.00 a week. Gas £ 15 A week but more in Winter when it is cold. Electric is roughly the same, Both paid by token card. Then we have bus fares to Attercliffe for work. We have food. We have such things as toiletries and cleaning items. It is a good job this man is in Council and not Association Housing. Flats for single people with the Associations on Upperthorpe are over £100 pounds per week. How much is this young 19 year old expecpected to pay in Board if he was at home. He cannot be expected to fully support his parents. Plus the Council do not lose by this young man being with his parents. They actually gain. They would have an extra flat in the stock pile of homes waiting to be sold to associations at a corrupt price. There is corruption within Council Housing as well as other departments in the Council. Privatization of housing has made certain people rich. Regeneration for want of a better name . Has made quite a lot of people rich. Stopping Benefits of elderly relations for helping family with accomodation is wrong. People in Authority should look outside the box. But no. Sheffield would tax babies push chairs if they could get away with it. But I still say that a young person should be helped with housing not have to beg and wait over 6 or 7 years on a comical waiting list. Have to live in misery when they get a flat because the bills are far too high to allow the young person to have a life outside of the home when this person only takes home £195.00 a week. Those on benefits and ex crims with social workers, Single mums with loads of kids waiting for a home to wreck. Teen mums that need serious social education.. Drug addicts, Granny Bashers, These are the one's that benefit , The social misfits get all the help. Those that try get none.

Don't quite know what your point is. And would you like to substantiate the allegation of corruption in housing?

I'm not sure about ("tommy") gunner, but we've got ("Tommy") ROT

let me refute your comments:-

An example of a young persons expences in a Council flast on Wynne Gardens. Rent. £68.00. Council Tax ( Not sure but gets no rebate ) So we can safely say £10.00 a week.

erm- in sheffield the MINIMUM council tax is £16.00/£20.00 for a band A property (depending on receiving a single person's 25% discount)

Gas £ 15 A week but more in Winter when it is cold. Electric is roughly the same, Both paid by token card.

1) I live in a 2-bed house, with central heating, a gas fire and a gas cooker. I pay 12.00 per week for my gas, and the same for my 'leccy, on a budget scheme thingie, spread over a year on the budget. Anyone spending fifteen quid a week on gas and light in summer, in a 1-bed flat (or actually a bedsit, which is normally what those properties are) is obviously either wired up to the local factory by mistake, or is feckless as to how they use their fuel. (do they have the heating on full, Winter and Summer, perhaps, with all the windows open?)

2) if you are on a token meter, instead of a credit meter, then you are financially - foolish, IMO, as you pay a far higher tarrif for usage, and a much higher standing charge for the supposed "privelige" of having a token meter. You are much wiser to have a budget card to pay weekly/ fortnightly/ monthly at a paypoint or post office. Surely, any money you are overpaying to the fuel company(ies) is better off in your pocket than lining theirs?

3) district heating schemes are a P.I.T.A., as you do pay £15 or so a week for that. thankfully, few properties are on this rip-off.


Then we have bus fares to Attercliffe for work. We have food. We have such things as toiletries and cleaning items.

bus fares to Attercliffe? the Supertram runs directly to Attercliffe from Winn (note spelling) Gardens, and Stagecoach have special offers on weekly savercards. food? the tram runs to the market, where you can get cheap fruit and veg, and meat (If,unlike me, you are a meat eater) and make quick and easy soups and stews etc.

Toiletries, and cleaning stuff? they don't need replacing every week.

It is a good job this man is in Council and not Association Housing. Flats for single people with the Associations on Upperthorpe are over £100 pounds per week.

Do what? Over £100 pw for a HA property? Where do you get that ludicrous figure from? My 2 bed house is £80, and that's top-end pricing.


[QUOTE=Gunner;2643449]How much is this young 19 year old expecpected to pay in Board if he was at home. He cannot be expected to fully support his parents. Plus the Council do not lose by this young man being with his parents. They actually gain. They would have an extra flat in the stock pile of homes waiting to be sold to associations at a corrupt price. There is corruption within Council Housing as well as other departments in the Council. Privatization of housing has made certain people rich. Regeneration for want of a better name . Has made quite a lot of people rich. Stopping Benefits of elderly relations for helping family with accomodation is wrong. People in Authority should look outside the box. But no. Sheffield would tax babies push chairs if they could get away with it. But I still say that a young person should be helped with housing not have to beg and wait over 6 or 7 years on a comical waiting list. Have to live in misery when they get a flat because the bills are far too high to allow the young person to have a life outside of the home when this person only takes home £195.00 a week. Those on benefits and ex crims with social workers, Single mums with loads of kids waiting for a home to wreck. Teen mums that need serious social education.. Drug addicts, Granny Bashers, These are the one's that benefit , The social misfits get all the help. Those that try get none.

so hang on.. make your mind up...? is this chap in his own place, or is he lodging with the parents?

Can we have a bit of cohesion, and continuity in your post, please? What exactly IS your point?

On a scale of one-to rambling, it rates about a 10.5 on my "rot"-ometer.

my best friend is currently homeless.

she has been homeless for about four months, and has also been given mobility priority. She has to bid for properties, too, which, for anyone on homeless priority I think is totally and utterly stinking ridiculous!

Now, she doesn't have to bid for them, per se, someone in the homeless section actually does the bidding for her.

So, Knowing that she uses a wheelchair, and has been given the priority what do the imbeciles at the council do? They send her for upper-floor flats(!) or other flats that are inacessible for her wheelchair.

So, not only does she have the hassle of being homeless, and desperate for accommodation, she has to endure the cretins at the housing sending her for unsuitable properties, she has the stress of having to bid, too!

She has bid for a number of suitable properties, over the last few weeks, but been unsuccessful with them

What a totally stupid way to treat homeless people.

PT

They should be in place a system better accomodated for housing the homeless, the properties for the homeless should be available immediately (somebody in a car 24/7 with the keys) it would be cheaper than having 3 people see to organising an interview.

Homeless = takes what offered!

It also makes better use of the properties.

Here we have a system brought in as an experiment by the Government. It does not work . My nephew has waited for six years. He moves from home to home whilst he is still working. It seems that criminals . Druggies, Asylum seekers, Teen mums, etc. Are all first to get a home. Many single people get 2 bed houses ( not flats as is required ) Then they wreck them or become neighbours from hell. The Property Shop is a Corrupt system. However, If you have contacts in the right place or related to some politically correct committee you will soon be accomodated. Sheffield are trying to privatize all housing. Hence they keep a property empty for as long as possible, They then either demolish, or they give the house to the Housing Associations. Some of these Associations make it difficult to get a home from them by certain rules. Also houses ( see Upperthorpe ) and the high rise flats that have been taken over by these associations, Where rents were reasonable, We now find the rents have trebled. £120.00 for a high rise single flatlet. How can our young people on a low wage afford this. as well as the High Council Tax and all the ever increasing power bills. This as well as all the stupid and political correct legislation that this corrupt and government are introducing is against Human Rights. But, When have this Council or Government afforded us our rights. Only the criminals get this luxury.

Gunner, I've read your posts, and there is nothing in either of them to substantiate corruption. Let me try and respond to your latest post:

I've no idea what system is a government experiment. Legislation around social housing changes to reflect real need in society.

I don't understand why someone who is in work has to wait 6 years for accommodation - lots of people on low incomes rent rooms, or share houses until they can afford something better. A council home isn't a right.

Asylum seekers don't get council housing, they aren't eligible. Young mums will probably get somewhere if they have nowhere else to live, but thats because local authorities have a duty to ensure that families that include children have somewhere to live. Thats been the case for many years. Druggies, criminals etc - there is a higher percentage of people with social problems who live in social housing as they are unlikely to have the means to buy or rent privately. However, many ex criminals and many drug addicts are homeless and get no priority for council housing.

There are still more than 40 thousand council homes in Sheffield, and tenants voted for estates either to remain in council ownership or to transfer to housing associations. It costs money to leave a property empty, and the council rarely sell off individual homes outside the Right to Buy. Housing associations don't have exactly the same rules as the council, but they still supply social housing to those who meet the criteria for it. I don't know what you mean by 'certain rules'? Don't know what you mean by 'Upperthorpe' either.

I've had a quick look at the weekly rents charged for some council flats from Sheffield Homes this week - unfurnished 1 bedroomed range from £41 to £54, 2 bedroomed £57 to £58. Furnished 1 bed £67 to £74, and there is one furnished 2 bed at £80. Even a house for around £60. Nothing anywhere near your figure of £120 per week.

Which of your human rights is affected by government legislation, or by the way the council lets its homes?

I don't see any evidence of corruption in what you posted, sorry. I think you just don't like the government or the council, because the rules don't suit your nephew.

McBeth
Sorry, But I guess you either work for the Council or you have not done your research correctly. We hear, See and experience this corruption every day in Sheffield and other places. Corruption may be a strong word, But they have lived and worked with this for ages. Kelvin Flats, Well that was one of the first where i experienced this. But this Council cannot destinguish between Corruption or Mistakes anymore. They seem to take this as normal. Wrong. It is the right of every individual to have a home or a decent place to live. I guess again that you come from a fairly affluent family that have not experienced this. The benefits system is unfair to many families whilst pandering to those that know how to abuse it. But a home is a right. Yes we have shared housing. But some people like myself would not like or addapt to this. Then we have Hostels, Many filthy and expensive. Many where abuse of young men and women is commonplace. As for high rents. Please do your homework again. There are many flats over the price and rents I have quoted. I refer you to the high rise on Upperthorpe. I was rand last month with the first offer in six years for my nephew. They mentioned before they even told me that the rent was very high. I was asked " Would my nephew be able to afford £118.00 per week ". My nephew does have a support worker. He is not asking for any difficult area. Yet he has worked all through leaving school at 16 without time off. He was told by housing that he could have priority if he fitted the certain ethnic groups. These included drug addicts If you work for the council. I suspect you do, You may contact me and have my explicit permission to look into this. Yes I say Corruption because this is corruption. How do we account for the fact that certain applicants that have family on area and estate committee's manage to get a flat in their own area with the family they come from. This after being on the waiting list ( this does not exist according to one member of staff ) for only a few months. I am informd that houses that are empty for a cetain length of time are on the list of homeless properties held for the homeless. That they are empty because people do refuse them and they remain on this list. Many are in degenerate area's where even a scum bag would think twice before taking. The regeneration projects have caused much of this suspect corruption. There are many questions that need to be asked. Many anomolies and even short cuts taken by contractors in order to make larger profits. It is amazing just how many so called new companies have made vast profits in this area. Even the alarm systems that tenants were able to have fitted at a small cost ( granted ). On top of their rents. This was one big con. The expensive system was laughable. The work on homes is substandard. In may cases dangerous. I had an inspector from health and safety look at windows fitted under this project. He agreed with me but stated. " They have no authority against the Council. I have my own OPINION same as many others. Yes I say corruption. In many areas not just housing. I have this right to this opinion. Just as people have a right to a home .

I don't work for the council, I have worked in the past for housing organisations so I understand the legislation. I'm not affluent, far from it, I'm retired, but I've worked all my life and have been a council tenant, a private tenant and a homeowner.

You do have a right to an opinion, but please don't confuse your opinion with fact on every issue. I quoted council rents, £118/120 pw certainly isn't for basic rent. You can check out these facts on Sheffield Homes website here http://www.sheffieldpropertyshop.org.uk/filterpage.asp? You didn't make it clear if they were for housing association or private rented.

The benefits system is another topic, if you know people are abusing it, report them.

If you have evidence that housing is being allocated outside the rules, then I suggest you put in a complaint, either to Sheffield Homes, the council, or directly to one or all of the councillors in your area. Same applies to evidence of corruption in other council departments. I can't really add any more as you obviously have your own beliefs about how things are.

They should be in place a system better accomodated for housing the homeless, the properties for the homeless should be available immediately (somebody in a car 24/7 with the keys) it would be cheaper than having 3 people see to organising an interview.

Homeless = takes what offered!

It also makes better use of the properties.

I think I made it perfectly clear, in my post, Tom, that my friend who's case I related in the post you quoted is, like me, a wheelchair user, and that the properties which she'd been offered were patently unsuitable,for a wheelchair user, as they were upper-floor flats/inacessible flats.

Now, if you could have suggested to me, a means of getting her, and her electric wheelchair up any number of steps to a property in a block of flats where there is no lift or ramped access, you're a better man than I am, Gunga Din!

My friend had very specific needs, IE an accesssible property.

There was no point in the homeless section offering her a property to live in, that she could not actually get to the front door of, to get inside, was there? Because that would be as nonsensical as leaving a property empty.

Since that post of mine was made (in summer 2004), my friend has, fortunately, been rehoused, and has a lovely little flat, which is accessible, and has the adaptions which she needs (shower room, level access,etc) but it took her a good eight months, and that with a priority to get the property. It is completely on the opposite side of the city to her family and support, but, it came up, it was adapted to her needs, it was accessible, so she took it, despite being so out-of-the-way.

When someone applies for a home I understand that they submit a application which is then added to those who have or are expected to apply.
A Sub Committee then makes the decision of who will be offered the first chance of tenancy or the chance of the first refusal.

How does a applicant know that when they apply that their application will be added to the initial applicant list and not put in the waste bin?

When someone applies for a home I understand that they submit a application which is then added to those who have or are expected to apply.
A Sub Committee then makes the decision of who will be offered the first chance of tenancy or the chance of the first refusal.

How does a applicant know that when they apply that their application will be added to the initial applicant list and not put in the waste bin?

Before anyone can bid for a property, they must already have filled in a registration form, and have been accepted on the register. They can bid for any property that is advertised, although there are guidelines regarding who can get what size and type of home. Every advert carries information such as 'age 60 and above' (for some flats), 'suit single person or couple' etc. They also state whether they are intended for people with priority, or for people who are bidding purely on waiting time. If its waiting time, the advert also gives an indication of how long is needed, ie 'approx 3 years waiting time'. This is based on how much waiting time the last successful applicant had for a similar property in the area. The advert may say 'priority applicants' which can include homelessness,demolition, overcrowding, disability and other types of priority. Some will specifically state 'preference will be given to people with mobility priority' for obvious reasons.

Each week, all the bids for a property are looked at. For example, if a flat is designated for over 60s and is to be let on waiting time, the most likely person to be offered it would be the bidder who has the longest waiting time and is over 60. If it was to be offered to someone with mobility needs, then the offer would likely go to the bidder who was awarded mobility priority before other bidders with the same priority. The main problem is there are not enough council properties, and when a suitable one becomes available (as in PT's friend's case) they aren't always in the areas people want. So if someone has priority (which isn't easy to get) but don't bid on suitable properties, a decision will be made to offer them one which in most cases they must accept or lose priority.

Thats about as clear as I can make it, someone else may be able to simplify the system a bit more. People can check their registrations on line, and see previous lettings of properties. Its not a perfect system, but whatever system is used for letting council homes it won't suit everyone.

To answer your question about putting them in the bin - I certainly don't think that happens. What would an impartial group of people gain by getting rid of the bids?

Perhaps if the council didn't allow people to stay in these council owned houses forever - there would be properties for the people who need them. I am aware of a few couples who live in council properties and each couple has a joint income of just over 35K. This doesn't seem right.

Perhaps if the council didn't allow people to stay in these council owned houses forever - there would be properties for the people who need them. I am aware of a few couples who live in council properties and each couple has a joint income of just over 35K. This doesn't seem right.

There's no legislation to make people leave a council home, unless they break their tenancy agreement. Most people in the situation you mention buy - either their council house, or on the open market. I can understand your thinking though, as 'social housing' its main aim is to house people 'in need'.

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Ms Macbeth:- To answer your question about putting them in the bin - I certainly don't think that happens. What would an impartial group of people gain by getting rid of the bids?
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My question would not arise if a open governance of all public matters existed.

My question would not arise if a open governance of all public matters existed.

If every single transaction was subject to public scrutiny, no one working for the public services would every get any work done. :roll: Local government policy is agreed by those we democratically elect to run our city (councillors), and implemented by employees of the City Council, or Sheffield Homes on behalf of SCC. Sheffield Homes have a Board of Directors, and also local boards. They are made up of tenants, councillors and independent people - some information here: http://www.sheffieldhomes.org.uk/about-us/board-of-directors

Surely there is more transparency with this system than when everything was carried out behind closed doors?

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Ms Macbeth:- To answer your question about putting them in the bin - I certainly don't think that happens. What would an impartial group of people gain by getting rid of the bids?
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My question would not arise if a open governance of all public matters existed.

Or, as you have access to the internet, you could check your bidding history by logging in to your details on the property shop website. If your bids are showing then they've gone through. Simple.

As Ms Macbeth said, it's a transparent system now. It's certainly fairer than the original system where it was much more cloak & dagger. Now, all properties have to be advertised and bid for with the property being offered to the longest waiting time or the person who's had priority the longest. On the old system, people could show a preference for a property and stand a chance of getting it because no one knew exactly where they were on the list and didn't know who were above them. The details of the person who accepted the property were never published as they are now so applicants couldn't be sure that it was a fair system.

i have waited 7 years!and still in a 2 bedroomed with 4 of us!
i applied with a disability with my little one too and they never wanted to help
still waiting even with medical records supplied

i have waited 7 years!and still in a 2 bedroomed with 4 of us!
i applied with a disability with my little one too and they never wanted to help
still waiting even with medical records supplied

Who is living with you? And what kind of properties are you wanting?

there is me,my partner and 2 kids,boy and girl,my daughter was born at 23 weeks and need oxygen at home,she was getting full dla and i was her carer and we applied as soon as my son was born as they were no allowed to share a room due to her health,the concil did nothing for us and still havnt

But wasn't it your responsibility to be suitably housed before having more children, instead of using them as a way to get a bigger house?

how dare you say i am using them!how rude are you!!!
if you can read,i was in the 2 bedroomed when i had my disabled child so when i got pregnant i DID apply,no doubt you have disabilities and know what i went through!
had i wanted to USE as you state...dont you think i would have about 8 kids!!!!!!

how dare you say i am using them!how rude are you!!!
if you can read,i was in the 2 bedroomed when i had my disabled child so when i got pregnant i DID apply,no doubt you have disabilities and know what i went through!
had i wanted to USE as you state...dont you think i would have about 8 kids!!!!!!

I meant, shouldn't you have got a three bedroom property before trying for another child? You've basically created an over crowding problem and now want the Council to sort it out for you.

They've probably got thousands of families in the same position as you and only a limited number of properties in which to rehouse them.

the council doesnt have a policy to give 3 bedroomed homes to 2 parents and ONE child so how could it be sorted before?????they wernt going to rehouse me just because i MAY have a 2nd child.
and if i am in overcrowed housing then why am i still trying after 7 years!

the council doesnt have a policy to give 3 bedroomed homes to 2 parents and ONE child so how could it be sorted before?????they wernt going to rehouse me just because i MAY have a 2nd child.
and if i am in overcrowed housing then why am i still trying after 7 years!

So, basically, you had another child expecting to be given a thre bedroom property. You've reinforced my original comment. If you can't afford to buy or privately rent a three bedroom property then why create an over crowding problem for yourself?

You put yourself in a position you thought was easy to get out of but found it isn't. Now, you want to blame someone else for a situation created by yourself. This is why the planet is becoming overcrowded. It's because people don't take responsibility for their own actions. If you hadn't had another child, you would now be suitably housed. Is that correct?

i was expecting to get a 3 bed??????
and as you know so much....then you will know that most rented syha/council 2 bedroomed houses are classed as suitable for 4 persons!
are you saying i planned my kids not out of wanting a family but to sponge for a bigger house???!!!

how dare you!!!!
and as for affording a home...how could i work with a disabled child,oxygen dependant!!!!!!
i had to leave my job at 23 weeks so you are now saying i planned that for a bigger house?????
i lost money having to leave my job and couldnt return to any employment for 5 years and arers money and dla is not the same money as a fulltime job so you are telling me i should have bought a house with the socials money because i had a sick child?????????

i was expecting to get a 3 bed??????
and as you know so much....then you will know that most rented syha/council 2 bedroomed houses are classed as suitable for 4 persons!
are you saying i planned my kids not out of wanting a family but to sponge for a bigger house???!!!

how dare you!!!!
and as for affording a home...how could i work with a disabled child,oxygen dependant!!!!!!
i had to leave my job at 23 weeks so you are now saying i planned that for a bigger house?????
i lost money having to leave my job and couldnt return to any employment for 5 years and arers money and dla is not the same money as a fulltime job so you are telling me i should have bought a house with the socials money because i had a sick child?????????

Noooooooo, I'm asking why have another child when living in a two bedroom house?

out of love?because i felt the need to at a point and time in my and because i wasnt to know that with the 2nd one there would be problems also and we in fact were going to buy a house but them couldnt afford due to illnesses etc so due the that i had no option and because the doctors insisted they couldnt be in the same room is why i had to ask the housing

out of love?because i felt the need to at a point and time in my and because i wasnt to know that with the 2nd one there would be problems also and we in fact were going to buy a house but them couldnt afford due to illnesses etc so due the that i had no option and because the doctors insisted they couldnt be in the same room is why i had to ask the housing

So you had a second child because you wanted one? How selfish. I'm not talking about the fact that your child is ill, that's no ones fault. But you had a child because YOU wanted one. Didn't you think: "Well, we haven't really got room for another child so, even though I want another one, I think we should wait until we've got the space and financial stability to be able to live comfortably"?

Instead, you thought: "I want one so I'm going to have another one and hope everything works out in the end". Why should you get what you want when there are thousands of other families out there in the same position as you? Possibly more worse off than you.