I live in a 3-bed council house with 1 kid – trolls say I must have scammed the government & be on benefits for life
A MUM has revealed how she ended up with a spacious three-bed council home, despite her and her partner having jobs.
TikTok user @ashlan_hindle uploaded a clip explaining how they managed to get the number of bedrooms they did, even with having just one child.
She shared: “I lied on my council house claim form. I’m a single mother, I don’t work, and I receive benefits—are all the assumptions I’ve had in my comments regarding how I got my council house.
“So, let’s discuss how I actually got it.
“I received a Section 21, which meant I was getting evicted from my private rented property.
“This was due to no fault of our own, just purely because the landlord needed to sell the property.
“I was given eight weeks to move out with a baby.
“ We searched high and low for all kinds of private rented accommodation, but there was nothing on the market due to it being so close to Christmas.”
Ashlan shared how she contacted her local council the day she received her eviction notice, and said it was thankfully a “very quick transition.”
In the video, she showed her modern-looking home, with a stylish white kitchen, large garden and spacious bedrooms.
She added: “However, I will inform you that we are a two-parent, two-income household.
“We don’t receive any sort of help.
“So, to all of you saying, ‘Ah, this is what being a single mother gets ya,’ it isn’t the case.
“My partner and I are both on the tenancy agreement, and my child is registered as being here.
“I have no idea how I managed to get a three-bedroom household, I really don’t, but hand on heart, I’m so, so grateful for it. I count my blessings every single day. Much love.”
Her video has racked up over 3,000 likes, and people were supportive of her situation.
One said: “This is what the system is for, to stop hardworking families becoming homeless through no fault of their own.
“Don’t apologise or feel bad for having a lovely home! Congratulations .”
Another added: “I got a 3 bed council house as a single person with no dependents, it was pot luck I managed to get mine, some areas if you earn over 15k a year you’re entitled to a 3 bed.”
Meanwhile, one mum wrote: “I’m a single mum to a 1 year old, while also working full time and have received a section 21 got in contact with my local council to be told they can’t help me at all.”
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.