Hi, my name is rebeccaweeks! Section 21 questions.

rebeccaweeks

hello. I'm looking for support. i received a section 21 no fault eviction so now I'm in temporary accommodation. Ive been offered a place I was 5th in the bidding. I really dont want to move to the place that is being offered. it is VERY rural no facilities. You need a car or bus to get to anything like food, doctors. I have no rights as I'm classed as homeless. I read I could ask for a review stating  why its not suitable. Do I really have no rights? will the council withdraw any help and I really will be on the streets. 

what are my rights if any?

Jimm_Scope

Hi @rebeccaweeks, this sounds really stressful. I will try my best to find you answers and support you need with this situation. You do indeed have rights, I hope I can point you in the right direction.

Firstly, can I ask if you have anyone else helping you? Friends or family for support?

Citizen's Advice have a support page regarding council homes here Getting a council home - Citizens Advice.

Have you tried contacting your closest Citizen's Advice Bureau? Search for your local Citizens Advice - Citizens Advice 

Shelter are a charity that specialise in homelessness and housing. You can find multiple ways to get in contact with them here Get help from Shelter - Shelter England.

Let us know how you're doing and keep us updated on what's happening.

rebeccaweeks

thank you so much for getting back to me. I had to leave my home of 11 years then the town which was my home for 30 years. I'm in temporary accommodation about ten miles away. The area in which I'm currently living is really nice. Lots of facilitates, food shops within walking distance, lovely dog walks. I'm very grateful.  I spoke to the mental health team at my doctors. They told me their hands as tied as its to do with housing. I have a support worker with a group called people first. I am just being told I have no choice but to take the place. I tired to say its far from all my support, doctors, therapist, friends. I went on shelter.

Ask for a review within 21 days of the final offer if you do not think it's suitable. But accept the offer anyway in case your review is unsuccessful.

You only have a right to ask the council to review the suitability of an offer if the council has accepted the 'main housing duty'. This means the council is responsible for finding longer term housing for you because you're homeless.

I have a car but i'm only able to have this becasue of my pip which is currently being reviewed.

I dont want to live in a remote rural area based solely on me having a car which I have no guarantee of.

can I say no? will the council stop helping me?  they could refuse to find me another home.

I have no say in my own life.

Jimm_Scope

rebeccaweeks said:

Ask for a review within 21 days of the final offer if you do not think it's suitable. But accept the offer anyway in case your review is unsuccessful.

You only have a right to ask the council to review the suitability of an offer if the council has accepted the 'main housing duty'. This means the council is responsible for finding longer term housing for you because you're homeless.

Is this the advice you got from Shelter? Did they have all the information, such as you being disabled under the Equality Act for example? 

You could also try Citizen's Advice that I linked to see what they say. From what I understand, you can dispute the suitability of the offer as Shelter said. The should review it, taking into consideration your circumstances.

rebeccaweeks

yes that was on the shelter website.

thank you.

rebeccaweeks

I wrote this in the early hours of this morning, Its to my solicitor who is with citizens advice. she helped me when I got the section 21 no fault evection.

Dear

Anne

 I feel I am mentally drowning to day. I would never have bid on the property in [Removed by moderator – Personal Information] if I was made fully aware I had a choice not to bid on a area that was not suitable.

I felt forced to bid on Removed by moderator – Personal Information] through fear of having any help taken from me. leaving me vulnerable.  

I have lot my appetite and have barely slept in two nights due to deep concern over my situation which is not my fault.

A friend was very concerned about my mental state came and stayed with me last night. We decided to go to [Removed by moderator – Personal Information] and look at the area. They drove becasue I dont have the confidence and did not want another panic attack. 

I have no connection to [Removed by moderator – Personal Information] or the surrounding area, unlike [Removed by moderator – Personal Information]

I have serious concerns regarding my mental health at being forced to live in such a isolated area. I am a person who is on their own with no family or close network of friends, I struggle with a lack confidence and find making and retaining friendships extremely difficult. Putting me in such a isolated situation is not going to help me engage with my surrounding which are severely lacking in facilities. My mental health problems will become compounded and I fear become worse. It is my hope to become part of a community and work I would need the right surroundings to do this [Removed by moderator – Personal Information]  is not the place.

I would be solely reliant on a car to get my anywhere as not even the basic food souse is close by, my nearest being M&S in [Removed by moderator – Personal Information]. I can not walk safely to any amenities as there are not pavements street lights or pedestrian crossing's. I do not feel safe walking the dog in such conditions. I would have to drive just to get to a safe place to walk the dog. I'm constantly by a busy main road while walking.

It is not safe or suitable for my mother who has mental and physical health needs. She would be unable to physically navigate the area, again this is cutting me off from my mother which again will impact my mental health.

I did not view the property as I have no access to it. I felt completely unsafe and exposed while viewing the area. 

[Removed by moderator – Personal Information] it totally unsuitable for my mental health needs. Unlike my current situation.

I'm completely at a loss at what my choices if any? I felt forced to bid on [Removed by moderator – Personal Information]  through fear of having any help taken from me. leaving me vulnerable.  

I appreciate any advice you can give me. I have bid on other properties in [Removed by moderator – Personal Information] which I'm currently standing at 4th

being forced to live in a extremely isolating area with scant facilities  is not suitable for me or my needs.

Regards

Rebecca

Jimm_Scope

Hi @rebeccaweeks, I first of all just wanted to inform you that I removed all possible personal information  from your post for your own safety. 

I'm glad you've reached out to a solicitor you already know and has some idea on your current situation. I hope they can help you inform the council about how unsuitable it will be and hopefully find a solution.

rebeccaweeks

yes good idea thank you for doing that. I am very pleased to tell you that I dont have to go to the unsustainable place to live. I will not have that privilege again. This is a whole new experience for me regarding homelessness and bidding on a home. Its very stressful. I'm doing better to day. I have washed and eaten. Three days of sheer hell. I'm trying to keep on moving forward.

thank you for response much appreciated.

Albus_Scope

Hey @rebeccaweeks, it's been a while since you last posted, so I just wanted to check in and see how you are getting on now? I'm keeping everything crossed for you! 

rebeccaweeks

hyia thank you for your concern and getting in touch. I'm not doing so great. I currently feel I have a invisible gun pointed at the back of my head, which says you have to go there, you have to do this and you have no way out and no choice. I'm allowed to want better what is best for me. I am also grateful for the support I am receiving. My temporary accommodation is very pleasant and i am happy here. Ive been offered another place to live in and this time I have no choice but to go.

I was meaning to share my experience of using the jigsaw home choice website.

rebeccaweeks

That's a whole another **** show. The place I got to go.