Been placed into Band B

Aphrodite_Persephone

Great news I've been placed into Band B on medical grounds assessed mobility level 2.

Unfortunately we're still only allocated a 2 bedroom property. My last post I explained I'd taken in my nephew following the death of my sibling/nephew's parent and I have a son 1 year older so the boys have always grown up like siblings. Anyway, I was told as they're the same gender they can share a bedroom. So my plan is, I'll move into the livingroom in the new property as I need my bedroom on the ground floor anyway & give the boys a bedroom each upstairs. 

I'm extremely happy to be placed in Band B as its been a long journey, mostly waiting on OT assessment. Now the other work begins of looking for suitable properties to bid on and hopefully be successful!

poppy123456

That's great news! Not sure what that means for your area. For my area i was placed onto the urgent medical priority list in August last year (2023). Mine was also 2 bedrooms but i could only bid on adapted properties. 

I placed 5 bids between Sept and start of December.I was then offered a 2 bed house the begining of December. Viewed it a week later and accepted it. Signed the tenancy agreement and collected the keys on 18th December. Moving date is 13th January. I'm very very excited. They are also going to install a stairlift free of charge but there's about a 6 month waiting list for that.

I was expecting a long wait and didn't think for 1 minute i would be moving house so soon.

Regarding your bedroom entitlement. Children of the same sex under the age of 16 can share a bedroom. Are you able to give them the biggest room to share and you have the smallest room? If there's a stairs in the property they can install a stairlift for you. Much better than sleeping in the living room.

Good luck and i hope you're not waiting too long.

Aphrodite_Persephone

@poppy123456

That's great to hear and hopefully I'll have the same luck as you. Well the children are 18 & 19 but due to them both being under 21yrs old they can share a bedroom. That's what my local council housing bedroom entitlement and my housing officer has said

poppy123456

Thanks. That's terrible advice you've been given there. Those aged between 16 and 19 are entitled to their own bedroom and not a bedroom to share, even if they are the same sex. I remember when my eldest daughter reached 16 and my youngest was 12, i was entitled to an extra bedroom for my eldest daughter. See link. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/housing-benefit/how-an-extra-bedroom-affects-your-housing-benefit/check-if-a-room-counts-as-an-extra-bedroom-for-housing-benefit/

I would contact them tomorrow and give them a gentle reminder of the rules for sharing a bedroom for those of 16 and over.

Aphrodite_Persephone

@poppy123456

Unfortunately it's actually written on my local council bedroom entitlement as I checked when I first added my nephew to my housing application after my housing officer informed me. It's really silly. Even back in 2003 I'd just had my son and was still living at home, a housing officer came out and said I can continue sharing a bedroom with my sister even though I had a baby! Same rubbish council but I'm just greatful I'm eligible for social housing. 


I'm considering writing to my local MP as I have evidence from my nephews GP & therapist who have written why he needs his own bedroom due to mental health issues of finding his parent passed away that morning. Unfortunately their evidence isn't enough as an OT housing needs report is what matters. I gave the OT the letters & also emailed them to my housing officer.

I've had no luck with hpmeswapper and I think I can only swap with another disabled tenant. 

Aphrodite_Persephone

@poppy123456

You're right I shouldn't give up. I've just read my banding allocation letter and I have 21 days to request a review of this. So I'm going to write an email detailing everything and also attached the GP & therapist letters for my nephew. 

Jimm_Scope

Good luck with that @Aphrodite_Persephone, let us know how you get on

Aphrodite_Persephone

@Jimm_Scope

Thanks and I will do