Been bidding since 2006 on Lambeth choice based lettings!!

[roy_orbison]

I'm at my wits end now. I've been on the bidding list since 2006 so 16 years and still haven't got a move. I live in a 2 bedroom flat with my 4 children. When my oldest son still lived here there were 6 people in this 2 bed flat and I was on band B. Since he moved out in 2014 I've been pushed down onto band C2 even though there's still 5 people living in a 2 bed. It's ridiculous and honestly I'm fed up. Is there a way to get a higher band on the bidding system or do I have to sign up for home exchange instead?

 

[BristolEcho]

I'm not in the area, but home exchange is possibly an option and is the quickest route around here most of the time.

If possible maybe you could get some supporting evidence from anyone else involved in your family. EG - GP, Family Support, School or health visitor, mental health worker , CHAMS etc. But most people don't have that sort of support Involved and it often has limited affect unless it's clearly a risk.

I cant remember the housing experts on here to tag so hope the bump helps.

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

I'm not in the area, but home exchange is possibly an option and is the quickest route around here most of the time.

If possible maybe you could get some supporting evidence from anyone else involved in your family. EG - GP, Family Support, School or health visitor, mental health worker , CHAMS etc. But most people don't have that sort of support Involved and it often has limited affect unless it's clearly a risk.

I cant remember the housing experts on here to tag so hope the bump helps.

marty21

 

[marty21]

I'm not familiar with the social housing situation in Lambeth, but in general terms , make sure your housing application is up to date, check it . Are there any health issues that you haven't put on the application?

Other than that , bid for everything you are allowed to bid for , be prepared to accept a flat that may not be totally suitable. Having a larger flat makes it easier to mutual exchange/homes swap.

Register for a move mutual exchange/ Home Swap sites. People also advertise for swaps , either on shop windows, or on social media. There are social housing tenants who need to downsize, generally it's because their kids have moved out & they are subject to bedroom tax.

Contact local councillors/mps about your situation (I don't know how effective this is in Lambeth)

 

[Gramsci]

I'm at my wits end now. I've been on the bidding list since 2006 so 16 years and still haven't got a move. I live in a 2 bedroom flat with my 4 children. When my oldest son still lived here there were 6 people in this 2 bed flat and I was on band B. Since he moved out in 2014 I've been pushed down onto band C2 even though there's still 5 people living in a 2 bed. It's ridiculous and honestly I'm fed up. Is there a way to get a higher band on the bidding system or do I have to sign up for home exchange instead?

Might be idea to have put this on Brixton forum.

I live in Lambeth. Only way to get anything done is to kick up a fuss. Otherwise you'll sit there on the list. See what Council Ward you are in and email your Cllrs. Copy in your MP.

Give the full history of your situation. A Cllr can question officers. In particular argue for you to go on higher banding. After all moving will give Lambeth another flat to let. So they aren't really losing anything.

 

[donkyboy]

I got my flat in Lambeth in 2011 after I think it was 6 years of bidding and never being selected for viewing. It was infuriating. I wrote to Kate Hoey who then contacted Lamebeth who then called me. Nothing came out of the call, besides suggestion of a hostel for a while, I seem to recall. But it got lambeth housing to at least call me.

Luckily, out of the blue, I got a call asking me to come in for a viewing. the person who had first refusal didn't show up and shockingly, the housing officer turned to me and said I now have first refusal as she was not prepared to wait for the person to turn up.

Its interesting that I got the flat with just 56 points. This would never happen now or again, I think

 

[wemakeyousoundb]

I got my flat in Lambeth in 2011 after I think it was 6 years of bidding and never being selected for viewing. It was infuriating. I wrote to Kate Hoey who then contacted Lamebeth who then called me. Nothing came out of the call, besides suggestion of a hostel for a while, I seem to recall. But it got lambeth housing to at least call me.

Luckily, out of the blue, I got a call asking me to come in for a viewing. the person who had first refusal didn't show up and shockingly, the housing officer turned to me and said I now have first refusal as she was not prepared to wait for the person to turn up.

Its interesting that I got the flat with just 56 points. This would never happen now or again, I think

Happened to a friend of mine who was 3rd on the viewing day and no one else turned up.
But also roy_orbison : go for all the exchange schemes you are eligible for, widen the net as much as possible.
I got my HA flat in brixton because nobody wanted to live here back then, different situation 2+ decades later

 

[Southlondon]

I'm at my wits end now. I've been on the bidding list since 2006 so 16 years and still haven't got a move. I live in a 2 bedroom flat with my 4 children. When my oldest son still lived here there were 6 people in this 2 bed flat and I was on band B. Since he moved out in 2014 I've been pushed down onto band C2 even though there's still 5 people living in a 2 bed. It's ridiculous and honestly I'm fed up. Is there a way to get a higher band on the bidding system or do I have to sign up for home exchange instead?

Band B is medical needs whilst C2 is overcrowding I believe. If your Son who moved out was the member of your family with a medical need then you would no longer qualify for B. If you still have a member of your remaining qualifying household has a medical need then you should still be in band B. There is no other way to move up to band B I don’t think and it has nothing to do with who shouts loudest but down to which band your housing needs qualify you for.
With over 30,000 on the waiting list and very few homes becoming available it is as others have said a case of applying for every flat you can and making use of a mutual exchange if possible otherwise it could be a very long wait

 

[donkyboy]

I would defo email MP. Worth a shot.