Housing advice

[Thewigster]

Not my issue but a friend is living in a 2 bedroom house with her 3 kids. The kids all share 1 room which is 10x8. All she can fit in the room is bunk beds and a small toddler bed.
She has 12 yr old boy , 8 yr old girl and 5yr old boy.
She wants desperately to move but because she is a full time mum private renting is near on impossible because she gets housing benefit.
Now my question is isn't there a law on overcrowding under the housing act that says it's an offence to allow this?
She has approached the local housing authority but they have said they won't help her because she is currently housed and not in any danger of becoming homeless.
Anyone help with this please ?
Thanks
Wiggy

[Kati]

Re: Housing advice

will they not help her because the children are of a certain age?? (up here ... kids under 10 of any gender can share a room. after that they are eligible for their own)??

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has she looked into a housing application due to 'overcrowding'??

[Wylderose]

Re: Housing advice

Whilst she may not be able to get onto the Housing List because she is "housed and not in danger of homelessness", if she has 3 children, she would be entitled to the 3bed rate of the Local Housing Allowance if she is renting privately.

Whilst is is difficult to raise the deposits and first month's rent for a larger property, moving is by no means out of her reach. If she approaches her benefits department and completes a discretionary housing application form, they may be amenable to paying these costs in order to enable her to move. We often do this.