I live in a council bedsit with my 4 kids – I’m paying £443 a month just to keep our belongings in storage, it’s so hard
A MUM has revealed how she is struggling to keep up with payments after having issues with her housing.
Charmaine, who has four kids aged 18, 17, nine and four, suffers from Fibromyalgia and sciatica, whilst her eldest child also has autism and mobility issues.
Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread pain and extreme tiredness.
The mum, who works part-time, originally lived in a rented accommodation until it became infested with rats.
But in September 2022, she decided to leave her seven year rented house due to the condition of it.
Charmain got a solicitor, and went to the council who said they have a duty of care to house her and her four children.
The mum said they were sent over an hour and half away from the kids’ school, and placed them in a self-contained bedsit, which included two rooms, a kitchenette, and a shower room.
But this was a big difference to her previously rented three bedroom house, which had a bathroom, dining room and garden.
And because her current home is a lot smaller, it meant that Charmaine had to put all her life belongings into storage.
She explained that the family could only take their clothes, TV and essential items because the bedsit wasn’t able to hold everything.
Charmaine explained that the storage cost her £1 for the first month, and £382 for thereafter. But it went up in April last year £440, then it went up by another £3 due to interest.
She says: “My storage 125 square feet unit is costing £443 a month, of which I get no help from the council.
“I was told to apply for a DHP – Discretionary Housing Payment – application to get help, and they can only help for three months of storage costs.
“They gave me £700 for less than two months of storage costs.”
How can I get a council house?
To apply for a council home, you need to fill out and hand in an application to your local authority.
To find your local authority, simply use the Government’s council locator tool on its website.
Once you have access to your local council’s website, it should offer you guidelines on how to complete your application.
After applying, you’ll most likely have to join a waiting list.
Bear in mind, even if you are put on a waiting list, this doesn’t guarantee you a council house offer.
Your council should also offer you advice on how to stay in your current home and solve any issues you might have, such as problems with a private landlord or mortgage.
You are eligible to apply for council housing if you are a British citizen living in the UK providing have not lived abroad recently.
Each council has its own local rules about who qualifies to go on the housing register in its area, but it is based on “points” or a “banding” system.
For example, you’re likely to be offered housing first if you:
- are homeless
- live in cramped conditions
- have a medical condition made worse by your current home
- are seeking to escape domestic violence
Once you are high enough on a council’s waiting list, it will contact you when a property is available.
Some councils let people apply at the age of 18, while others let you apply even sooner at 16-year-olds.
EU workers and their families and refugees may also be eligible.
A council house is reached through a points system, so depending on your housing needs, you may be considered low priority.
The council will contact you about any available property once you are high enough on the waiting list.
There is no limit on how long you can expect to be on the waiting list.
A Discretionary Housing Payment is a discretionary and short-term payment made in the United Kingdom that helps people with their housing costs.
Charmaine, who admits she gets help from the government and works part-time, says the situation has affected her mental health.
She claims the council said she would only be in this position for six weeks, but nearly two years later it seems that nothing has changed for her.
Charmain says: “It’s literally making me suffer. I feel drained, my mental health. It is a violation.”
They gave me £700 for less than two months of storage costs
Charmaine, mum-of-four
Charmaine revealed this in a video shared on her TikTok page, and it since went viral with many rushing to the comments section to share their thoughts.
One wrote: “Was in this situation last year in hotels for months. I emailed the MP & then got moved to a two bed flat the next day.
“Wish you all the best.”
Charmaine replied: “I keep hearing everyone got moved when the mp was involved and lord knows i want a move so bad so i hope so.”
Another added: “I was in temporary housing for two years in a two bed flat with four kids but I found myself in a three bed house through a housing association. It’s not easy at all.”