Hello all,

My friend and I need some advice. I have just seen some lovely apartments down on Hyde Park but when I went to the Housing Association they told me there was an 18 month waiting list unless I was homeless.

I have been on the council list for 10 months but its the same story there.

We're in a shorthold tennancy now. Its a 4 bed house, seperate contracts, so we would have to live with 2 strangers if we stayed here which we don't want to do.

Any suggestions?
Are there any associations we might have some luck with? or are we going to have to go private?

When the shorthold tenancy comes to an end wont you effectively be homeless? You could try that angle I suppose.

The only advice I would offer is to add your name to as many housing association lists as you can find and wait. Thats what we all have to do. Have you tried North British Housing? Ive just gone on their list.

Have you tried the Northern Counties Housing Association ?, or is that the ones you tried.

I live at Hyde Park, but didnt have to wait 18 mths for this flat.

Thanks

from what I gather regards the tennancy it depends whether the landlord would chuck us or out or whether he wants to extend the tennancy. I understand he would have to write and say he's chucking us out and I don't want to drag him into that.

I'll look into North British, I'd never heard of them. Do you have a link?

I have the paper work for NCHA but yes I spoke to them this week and was told 18 months. Its because priority is being given to the Park Hill relocations I think.

A phone number, somewhere:
0800 432 0002

This was given to me by another kind forummer. They didnt take long with the application, but the waiting time is another story I guess.

Thanks, I'll give them a try as well

Here's a link to a list of housing associations that have properties in Sheffield - some may take applications direct, others will require that you are registered with the council - which you are. Hope this is helpful
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/housing-services/housing-aid/looking-for-a-home/housing-associations

Once they accept you on their list it is extremely important to be persistent and remind them of your existence on a very regular basis so ignore anything like "we'll contact you when we've got something suitable", ie dont call us we'll call you type of thing. Treat this as a project and call them every 7-14 days.