Hi, just wondered how private landlords viewed council tennants who are wa nting to move to renting privately? me and my partner and 3 kids currently live in a council house and hate it - we've been here 9 years - and want to rent in a different area, but will have to do it privately as there is a long long waiting list for council properties in that area. I wondered if we would be viewed as less desirable potential tennants ... especially as providing references will be difficult. we both work, im a nurse and oh is a plasterer and want to live close to school the kids go to so will be involved in local community a great deal (boys play for localteam etc)
will we have problems securing a tenancy?
I appreciate any input/advice anyone can give me ...

Sue

Hi, just wondered how private landlords viewed council tennants who are wa nting to move to renting privately? me and my partner and 3 kids currently live in a council house and hate it - we've been here 9 years - and want to rent in a different area, but will have to do it privately as there is a long long waiting list for council properties in that area. I wondered if we would be viewed as less desirable potential tennants ... especially as providing references will be difficult. we both work, im a nurse and oh is a plasterer and want to live close to school the kids go to so will be involved in local community a great deal (boys play for localteam etc)
will we have problems securing a tenancy?
I appreciate any input/advice anyone can give me ...

Sue

You shouldn't have a problem tbh. I had a 1 bed flat with Chevin(housing association) and my ex moved in with me. We wanted to move from area as was crap, and got a private rented through agency. They got references from our employers and they wil get in touch with your previous landlord to check on rent accounts and length of tenancy. However, I have now gone back to council!
Good Luck!

If you are both working you shouldn't have a problem. It's people who claim housing benefit that they discriminate against.

I can't see you having a problem. What you do need to consider is the security of your tenancy. With a council house you have great security. Unless you break the tenancy agreement very badly your home is your home.

In a private tenancy you can be evicted for no reason with, generally, two months notice. Private landlord have their houses repossessed, sell them to release cash, decide they want to rent to family or friends. Many people find that they have to move quite frequently when they privately rent.

However much you hate your current house is it worth giving up your security.

Thank you all very much for your replies - you have certainly made me feel a little more confident now. Amyvictoria - good points, hadnt thought about it; but, there are 5 of us in a 2 bed house, 11yr old girl shairing a bedroom with her 7yr old twins brothers isnt really working any more, so from that point of view we have to move - council not very helpful unfortunately.
thanks again for your replies,
sue

Hi there

I would second the above re: your tenancy in your council property. Council tenancies are pretty much like gold dust now and sometimes people in private rentals end up having to move round a fair bit due to you being given an assured shorthold tenancy compared to a council secure tenancy. Some private landlords are selling up due or poss getting behind on their mortgage payments and getting the house repossessed which means very short notice for you.

Be very careful, I can understand your reasons but think carefully

Lou

if you have a girl over 10 sharing with 2 boys you should be able to get priority but then for a 3 bed its slow to get one even on priority and i suppose it depends on the area you want as well. have you tried to get a council exchange

Thank you all very much for your replies - you have certainly made me feel a little more confident now. Amyvictoria - good points, hadnt thought about it; but, there are 5 of us in a 2 bed house, 11yr old girl shairing a bedroom with her 7yr old twins brothers isnt really working any more, so from that point of view we have to move - council not very helpful unfortunately.
thanks again for your replies,
sue

did you know that by law the council have to rehouse you into a 3bed as your daughter is of an age when she should have her own room. You can also go into a housing ass house without losing your secure tenency status. A friend of mine did what you want to do, had about 6 homes since, the last one the guy who owned the house let her do it up promising longer lease( yes, i did tell her not to.) then he decided he wanted to sell, she had 2 mths to find somewhere for her and her 2 kids, all this whilst holding down a full-time job. If i where in your shoes i would try other options first before going down that road. Best of luck whatever you decide.

thank you all very much for your replies;
summer/liza - we applied for rehousing in september due to overcrowding, but at the time i was the main carer for my elderly mum who lived 15 doors round the corner from me. when i spoke to the tenancy manager, i specified (at his bequest) that i needed to be no more than 2 minutes walk away from her - they offered us 3 different houses, all at least a 10 minute drive away; my mum unfortunately was quite ill while these offers were being made so dealing with them wasnt high on my list of priorities and ididnt get chance to contact them ... im going to ring tomorrow though and see whats what; not sure if you have to wait a set amount of time from last refusal, to being able to apply for priority again. will let you know how i get on :D

thanks again,
sue

thank you all very much for your replies;
summer/liza - we applied for rehousing in september due to overcrowding, but at the time i was the main carer for my elderly mum who lived 15 doors round the corner from me. when i spoke to the tenancy manager, i specified (at his bequest) that i needed to be no more than 2 minutes walk away from her - they offered us 3 different houses, all at least a 10 minute drive away; my mum unfortunately was quite ill while these offers were being made so dealing with them wasnt high on my list of priorities and ididnt get chance to contact them ... im going to ring tomorrow though and see whats what; not sure if you have to wait a set amount of time from last refusal, to being able to apply for priority again. will let you know how i get on :D

thanks again,
sue

Would you now take a 3 bedroomed property in the areas you were offered? If the answer is yes, then I'd get back in touch and explain why you didn't respond - your mum being very ill is a reasonable excuse. If they won't accept your reasons, contact your local councillor(s) and explain why you hadn't responded to these offers. They may be able to support your application - so its worth a try. Some housing managers are much more flexible than others! Its also possible that there weren't any suitable houses available 2 mins from your mum's though, and they can only offer what comes up. Its been said before that there is a great shortage of larger properties (3+ bedrooms) so to get 3 offers is pretty good - hopefully you'll get another one!

I'd seriously consider your security of tenure before moving (already pointed out) as private renting doesn't give you the same rights as being a tenant of either the council or a housing association.

Also I think you need to check the laws on security of tenure because I think you may well find that once you move from council to housing association you may well loose your security of tenure.