Bromley housing

Me. However it was with Greenwich council, I think Bromley offer the same thing but they call it something else (not sure what). Greenwich call it the HACTRAC scheme, I was homeless, single and pregnant - they told me to go private. What the HACTRAC scheme does is allow you to rent privately but the council act as a guarantor and pay the deposit to move into x property. They do have some private homes under this scheme which is a private landlords property but they’ve basically allowed the council to find tenants for it. Under this scheme you can are encouraged to find your own property that allows this, for me this was really hard I was offers viewings of properties they have with private tenants but luckily knew a landlord who joined the scheme for me to live in his property. At first it’s a short term rent, a contract of one year then they review it with yourself and the landlord and if the landlord is happy for you to stay, then it becomes a long term let.

Not Bromley but lewisham, I was living at my mums with my new born, 2 brothers(1 autistic) and mum in 3 bed, sleeping in front room due to medical needs, they told me the same. Told my mum to keep me there and that it would take years. I am now in temporary housing, 1 bed flat but been moved an hour away, this is after I was living in 1 room with my child for 7 months, with shared kitchen. I now have a bidding number but I’m always like 100+ on bidding despite homeless and now disabled with a baby and single 🤷🏽‍♀️ They did say housing benefits will pay for private renting, however I struggled to find suitable accommodation. So you can go down the homeless route, however you may not be lucky and have to wait in tiny flats. Sorry no advice but hopefully hearing another story will help! Good luck!

Again, I can’t find what it’s called / if they do the same in Bromley but perhaps it would be worth asking them if they do the same or similar? This is the Greenwich site which will essentially give you more info on what it is / more depth of my explanation, may be helpful for you if Bromley do offer this as well: https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/200185/tenants/547/help_finding_private_rented_accommodation

Adding onto this, my housing officer at the time said I could look anywhere in the country it didn’t have to be in Greenwich borough - I slightly wish I did find one and move out of London then as I just cannot afford to move now, but as I say I did find it hard to find landlords who accept this especially where many people don’t know what the HACTRAC scheme is, especially where places name it different things. You have to be able to afford the rent or find a property in the Local housing rate price. In Bromley the LHR is £1,100pcm my rent is £1,250. I have to find the extra £150.00 myself to pay toward the rent but my uc / housing benefit pay the LHR amount

It's a scare tactic. They want you to private rent so you aren't their problem any more. Ride it out and you'll get your council place I promise you. Took me 14 months xx

@Hayley thank you my darling, this gave me hope! Xx

It won't be easy and they'll be on your back, but that's when you say no landlord wants to accept you for private rent due to one income (I'm assuming) sorry if I'm wrong on that. They'll say they'll cover the first month's rent on a private rented property too, and again just ignore it. The moment you private rent, you won't ever get back on the housing register and you won't have security. Unfortunately to prove to them that you are serious, you will have to accept any temporary accommodation they offer you. We was living in a homeless shelter with rats, drugs users, wrongens, it was bad, but we're in our forever home now and have the security xx

@Hayley Do you think it's possible for me to stay in this overcrowded home until they provide a permanent home for me and my children? Also, how long were you in temporary accommodation if you don’t mind sharing x? They mentioned that if I get temporary accommodation, they might place me outside of London, which I'm not very keen on.

I reckon you'll be given the least priority band if you stay where you are. They said to us that the temp could be as far as Birmingham, but we said we have to stay local due to work, the support network we need for the kids and the nursery (not that they care about that) but they kept us local in a hostel in St Paul's Cray which has since been boarded up ready to be knocked down. I think in order for them to take you seriously, you have to take what they offer. It's honestly so hard now, but it does pay off I promise xx

I was overcrowded by 2 bedrooms. Was in a 2 bed private rent with my 3 but only classed as a 1 bed as only a toddler bed would fit in 2nd bedroom. Was put on the list in September 2022 and was offered my 3 bed property in May 2023. I believe the wait is longer for 2 beds though. I’m with clarion and my rent is £1130 a month so I think that played a part in why I was successful. I wasn’t bothered about cheap rent whereas most people are so wouldn’t of bid on my property

Bromley placed me in private rented sector with a company called pinnacle housing If you get UC they will cover all of your rent.. Only problem is that they have to see if you are eligible for the scheme which id say you are. It may be worth contacting them asking if you could be considered. I’m with pinnacle and my rent is 1321 which is fully covered. I think nowadays they are reluctant to place people on soical housing as it takes longer when bidding. I use to be with clarion and it took me a year back in 2017 whereas now the wait it’s up to 5 - 6years max depending on priority. The choice is yours though.

Hi everyone, I just wanted to give an update they refused to put me on the housing register. Their reasoning is that I have access to one bedroom. But I don’t understand how they expect me to live here with my ex partners family in one bedroom with two kids. Any advice on what I can do would be helpful. I’m so upset about this.

Eviction letter is the next step and you'll be put in temp accommodation. If you don't take these steps then they won't help you xx