A MUM-OF-TWO who was left homeless by her local council has been moved to temporary accommodation where she doesn’t even have a bed.
Chantelle was forced to leave her original rented flat because the landlord told her he was selling.
Chantelle and her kids were forced to sit in the council offices with their suitcases after their temporary accommodation wasn’t sorted out in time[/caption]
She and her kids were forced to drag their cases around as they headed to their new home[/caption]
They ended up in a one-bed flat, but Chantelle has to sleep on this sofa as her kids are in the bedroom[/caption]
And while she had been promised a temporary abode to move into until something more permanent was found, the council left her and her children “homeless” and waiting for a solution.
In a video on her TikTok page, Chantelle showed how she and the children had been forced to wait in the council offices with their suitcases, as she said: “We’re homeless.
“We’re sitting up the council with our suitcases – we’re waiting up the council to find somewhere to live because they’ve still not sorted anything out.”
She added that they’d had to leave all of their things in the flat, but luckily the landlord had given them some leeway and given them seven days to get their things out.
In another video, Chantelle offered an update as to their temporary accommodation situation.
“I got a one-bed but it’s an hour and a half away from where I used to live so I don’t know what’s going on with the kids’ school and stuff,” she said.
As there is only one bedroom, Chantelle has given that to her kids, which means she’s had to relocate herself over to the sofa.
In addition, the council gave her a fully furnished abode, which means she’s got to find somewhere to put all the furniture and bits and pieces from her original flat until she moves to somewhere she can use them.
“I have to put it in storage and I’ve got to figure out how to get the money from to store it, the van and stuff,” she sighed.
She and the children had to get a train to their new home, and got no funding or money back for the journey, but Chantelle said she “can’t complain” as they at least have a roof over their heads.
“I’ve already been through this process when I was pregnant & got put in bed & breakfast and two other properties until the council found me a private which I was in for 4 years,” Chantelle told Fabulous Online.
And while she wasn’t allowed on the list for a council house back then, she is now – although she’s number 150 on the list in terms of priority.
Another rule for being in the council flat is that she isn’t allowed any visitors past 9pm.
“Prisoners get treated better than this!” she joked.
“At least they get a bed, and food & stuff!”
While there were some people in the comments section on the TikTok who didn’t have anything nice to say, others offered Chantelle their support.
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.
“Took me and 3 kids 2 years in hotels to get my home,” one wrote.
“Absolutely disgusting. Good luck!”
“I’m in a women’s refuge,” another added.
“I’m having exactly the same problem every week coming 37 on flats! I’m in band one, it’s so frustrating.”
“I feel you girl! I’ve been in temporary accommodation for 7 months with my two small children,” a third commented.
“The council have now kicked us out of there and said they’re no longer helping us – I have to find private rent or nothing at all.”
“I’ve just gone through that, it’s horrendous,” someone else sighed.
“I hope you get a good home and new beginnings.”
“The council are an absolute joke and should be ashamed,” another raged.
“Hope you get the help you need.”
There are strict rules for the temporary accommodation, including that she isn’t allowed any visitors after 9pm[/caption]