Advice??

saryna_ocean
saryna_ocean Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
in Housing and independent living

Hello,

Me and my long term partner are currently in talks of moving out as a couple. We both still live at home with our parents so this’ll be a big move for us both.

Can i just ask for advice on what’s in place for disabled people? We’re currently discussing going on the council list for this move, as we think it’ll be easier to find accessible living spaces than renting will be. I’m disabled and my partner is not (although he does have medicated epilepsy).
The whole concept of moving out and sorting everything is very overwhelming to think of, so if things can be explained in simple terms, quite literally as if you’re talking to a child, that would be helpful haha

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Comments

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,619 Championing

    Hi,

    Do you mind giving us some idea about your disability and the type of property that you would need?

    Sadly the council waiting lists are very long, even for people who are homeless, so it is likely to be very difficult to get any property when you both still live at home with parents.

    If you could manage with an adapted house (stairlift, wet-room, etc) then there is more chance of getting something like that than a bungalow.

    If you have a Housing Association in your area, you should look at applying for their list as well. They tend to have more properties available than the council, though it does depend on the area you live in. Applications can often be made online through their websites.

    Private renting is still an option, especially if either of you work, though it is difficult to find a landlord who accepts benefits tenants nowadays.

    If you have a local disability advice centre, they might be able to help explain the options available in your area.

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 5,910 Championing

    This might be a good starting point:

    https://advicefinder.turn2us.org.uk/

  • saryna_ocean
    saryna_ocean Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1027979#Comment_1027979

    hiya, i have ehlers danlos syndrome and require a wet room (or at least no bath), ground floor if in flats and wide entrances for my wheelchair (ambulatory wheelchair user)!!

    i am aiming to work part time, with my partner working full time.

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,619 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1028066#Comment_1028066

    Thank you. As you have a recognised mobility condition, and use a wheelchair for at least some of the time, those things should help you score more points with the council or Housing Association.

    As you are open to ground floor flats, that gives a lot more opportunity, as there are far more of those available than bungalows.

    If your partner works full time now, that will give you both a much better chance of accessing private rentals than being on benefits alone.

    I would recommend applying for the local housing association as soon as possible. That way you can check all of the properties that they have available each week in your area. You won't be forced to move, it is up to you to 'bid' for any property that you like the look of.

    I would also recommend looking at the private rentals through sites such as OnTheMarket and Rightmove. Private rental will be a bit more expensive for the same thing, but does give more choice.

    Often a private landlord will want to see bank statements showing income of around 3 times the monthly rent. So just for example, if you apply for a flat that costs £500 a month in rent, they will want to see that you have £1500 a month in income. Sadly benefits are often not counted as income for this, but full time work definitely will be.

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