Hi, my name is Jarek! Council won't give my carer an extra room, any advice?

Jarek

I've got cancellation of my Tenancy agreement and I couldn't rent with my carer privately, recently my health has deteriorated after two spinal surgeries, and I have more to come. I'm a mother of a 4.5 year old son and I can't look after him myself, I have a registered carer with service carer, but the council won't give him an extra room. I can't cope on my own. Can you help me?

Rosie_Scope

Hi @Jarek, welcome to the community. Sorry to hear you're struggling at the moment, I hope we can help offer some friendly advice.

Just so I understand, are you living in a council property at the moment but with no extra bedroom for your carer? Have the council explained why they won't allocate an extra room at all?

If you haven't already had a needs assessment, that might be worth looking into 😊

Apply for a needs assessment by social services - GOV.UK

Jarek

Hi Rosie,
Thank you for your quick response.

I don't rent from the council, I rent from a private landlord who gave me a cancellation of my tenancy agreement. My carer and I have applied for a flat with the council, but we haven't received an offer yet. As I can't find a flat on the private market because I'm on benefits, I applied to the council and applied as a person at risk of homelessness. After seven months, the council offered me a flat that is not only not suitable but also absolutely refuses to agree to an extra room for my carer, without which I simply can't cope.

On top of that, my carer also has his own disabilities which mean he can't use public transport, and even if he could, there is no connection to the place they want to move me to at such an early hour. Under the amendment to the Housing Act, the council can rent a flat for me in the private sector that is suitable if they don't have their own resources, but in my case the council simply won't do that.

Kimmy87

The first step would be to go through the Council's complaints process. Then when that is exhausted, or you are unhappy with the response you can go to the Housing Ombudsman.

Have you been in touch with your local MP or councillors?

Jarek

I do all 3 things without results, I go even to court with them but case stuck there.