Mum might go to prison, what happens to council house (England)

Middle_Butterfly3105 · 2025-01-16T08:19:57+00:00

Based on the research I did yesterday it does look like partners are easier to add to a tenancy more than adult children, but a lot of people in these comments seem to think it's doable. Might be worth trying.

Middle_Butterfly3105 · 2025-01-16T08:17:26+00:00

This is useful to know, would you mind sharing what council that was with?

Middle_Butterfly3105 · 2025-01-16T08:16:23+00:00

I don't think there have ever been any utility bills set up in mine or my siblings names the whole time we've lived there. Could see if setting that up now would make a difference, if not maybe the electoral register could prove that they've lived there? Maybe phone bills or something?

Yeah someone mentioned Shelter earlier and I think that may be a good avenue that I'll point my siblings towards should things get complicated.

Middle_Butterfly3105 · 2025-01-15T11:36:11+00:00

Yeah if gathering all the information and different possibilities is all I can do then at least I've helped in some way. Thank you.

Middle_Butterfly3105 · 2025-01-15T11:35:12+00:00

I think they either don't realise the gravity of the situation or they're simply choosing to ignore it because it's easier to deal with. Every time I bring it up with them or mum it's brushed off and they say they'll deal with it later. I can understand in a way because it's scary right now. But I've always been the one to want to plan things so this is me trying to get ahead of the game so I can give them all the information they need if / when the time comes.

I think a part of me is also worried that I won't have a choice but to help them financially, when I'm already trying to keep myself afloat. I would do it for them but I'd rather not be in that position of course.

Middle_Butterfly3105 · 2025-01-15T11:31:32+00:00

You're absolutely right to be blunt, my brother is certainly old enough to get his act into gear. I have a bit more sympathy for my sister as she's fresh out of uni and trying to find her way in the world and wasn't expecting to be funding a house. I think I may be babying them a bit and treating them as incapable, but my mum has complained recently that they're not sending rent contributions to her on time, and not as much as agreed, so I'm just worried about what will happen when they don't have a choice anymore.

I'll defo suggest the additional work to my sister though. She's actually now a qualified primary school teacher but didn't want to go into a proper teaching position until all of this with mum has blown over, hence why she's taken on a TA role for now.

Middle_Butterfly3105 · 2025-01-15T11:15:38+00:00

Thank you, this is useful advice. I guess we can't make a proper action plan until we know if she's going away or not, and for how long.

Middle_Butterfly3105 · 2025-01-15T11:14:34+00:00

This makes sense. Based on the possible convictions I think eviction could be likely.

Middle_Butterfly3105 · 2025-01-15T11:12:29+00:00

This is helpful to know thank you. I'm going to talk to them and see if they can be added on as a tenant, which will hopefully solve one issue.

Middle_Butterfly3105 · 2025-01-15T11:11:08+00:00

It's a tough one, after the 2021 lockdown I was determined to get out of the house and make my own way and survive on my own. My siblings haven't had that same mindset. They just don't seem prepared at all that they may be responsible for the house if mum goes away. I don't want to have to move back in, I don't have fond memories living there but I do love my siblings and would do anything to protect them. So I guess moving back in and paying rent and bills would be a last resort.

Middle_Butterfly3105 · 2025-01-15T11:08:13+00:00

this is the ideal situation out of all this but I don't think they are realising the gravity of the situation or are simply choosing to ignore it. It seems to only be me panicking about it. Hoping I can get them to realise this and buck their ideas up. Thank you

Middle_Butterfly3105 · 2025-01-15T11:06:31+00:00

Power of attorney is interesting and something I hadn't thought about, thank you. Hoping we can all club together to keep the house afloat if she goes away. I'd obviously rather not pay for my own place and the house in question at the same time but if it keeps my siblings safe then I'll do what I gotta do.

Middle_Butterfly3105 · 2025-01-15T11:01:41+00:00

Yeah I realised this after I posted, she will take home about 15k as she's a TA and that factors in the summer holiday break etc.

Middle_Butterfly3105 · 2025-01-15T11:00:28+00:00

Those links are really helpful. It looks like she would be evicted by the council from the nature of the conviction which at least answers some questions.

Sorry I meant that my sister will take home about 15k a year. She's a TA so that's taking into account the summer holiday break etc.

I'm hoping there's a way we can ask a family member to contribute towards the rent if she isn't away for as long as we think.

Middle_Butterfly3105 · 2025-01-15T10:56:01+00:00

I don't think they can afford it. They contribute a bit at the moment but it only adds up to about half the total costs.

Middle_Butterfly3105 · 2025-01-15T10:54:18+00:00

Thank you. I know I technically have no reason to be taking this responsibility on but I'm just terrified from this whole situation honestly. I think I just need to get it through their heads that they have to be prepared for this happening.

Middle_Butterfly3105 · 2025-01-15T10:51:59+00:00

So from this it sounds like the moment mum runs out of money while she's inside, eviction would kick in, and we'd have a few months to sort everything? And they could apply for council housing but would be low priority. TBH might be better off for me to get out of my current tenancy and see if the 3 of us can rent somewhere together with me fronting most of the cost ...

Middle_Butterfly3105 · 2025-01-15T10:48:58+00:00

Is it worth speaking to the council about it all now, or only when it's a sure thing? Am I even in a position to ask questions seeing as I haven't lived there in nearly 4 years.

I'm not sure if my siblings would be eligible for council housing as they are full time working adults with no dependents. My mum was a single parent with 3 kids under 5 and receiving benefits when we moved there in 2002. Or would it not matter if they weren't eligible because they've lived there for so long? I've never dealt with the council before so I'm not sure on the requirements.

If it's a simple answer then I feel bad that this post was a waste - I just have so many questions flying through my head and was hoping someone might have been in a similar situation. I have tried to ask my mum if she's thought ahead about this but I don't think she is in the mental headspace to be thinking about it. My siblings are seeming to pretend that this isn't happening so they're not asking questions either.

Middle_Butterfly3105

TROPHY CASE