Social housing London

[DianaXXX]

Iv been leaving in a one bedroom council flat for the past four years. Me and my boyfriend are On and of and with this attitude i don't even want him to stay around as my baby once born would need stability.
The issue now really is that, the flat that i live in is on a ground floor in a purporse build block with four flats downstairs and four upstairs. I'm downstairs in a middle of two neighbours. On one side I share the bedroom wall with an old neighbour of 80+ that smokes and drinks all day long and the smoke gets into my flat as the flats are small and the walls are thin. When I moved in 4 years ago he fell asleep with a fag and half of his flat got burned down so the council had to re do the whole flat including new windows. On the other side I have a mentally disable guy who makes noises at all hours of the night always poking his head in my windows and last year he nearly burned himself down as well, he has a mind of a 5 year old and no social worker or anything to help him with his issues which he clearly needs.
I was uncomfortable with these sort of neighbours for a while now but considered myself lucky for having a council flat, however now that I'm 26 weeks pregnant I am worried for the health and safety of my unborn child and i applied for rehousing. The council refused me on the grounds that's my reasons are insufficient. I'm really worried now & don't know what to do!
I think I should be rehoused to a safe environment and to a larger more suitable property for me and my child.
Any advise would help a lot, thank you for taking your time to  respond x

[GypsyMoth]

Just because you are preg it's now unsafe??

[DianaXXX]

I definitely feel so

[mumblechum1]

Are you working? If so I wouldn't waste time waiting for the council to help you out, save up a deposit and rent somewhere privately.

[DianaXXX]

No, i got pregnant when I was doing my final exams at university. As I have no experience I wasn't able to get a job and now I'm due in February. It was very hard for me to get a council property in the first place ( 3 years in supportive housing) so I wouldn't consider giving up a secure tenancy as being a single mum its unlikely me being able to get a mortgage or having enough money to rent privately due to child care etc...

[GypsyMoth]

Mutual exchange?

[Prolesworth]

Yes it's definitely worth looking at a mutual exchange - if you google there are a number of websites where you can advertise for a swap/look at what's available. I've done three mutual exchanges, all through the same website (but I can't remember which one it was now, sorry!). Your council or HA might be able to recommend where to look for an exchange too - worth giving your housing officer a ring?

[DianaXXX]

How long did it take for mutural exchange? Iv been on home swappers for two years and no joy so far :(

[GypsyMoth]

'underoneroof' used to be a good one, not been on for ages tho

[Prolesworth]

I think the one I used was called something like "councilexchange.org.uk"?

I was pretty lucky with my swaps in that I didn't have to wait long in each case to find an exchange, but it varies a lot I know. Worth a try though: it costs nothing and you never know, there may be someone looking for a flat in your exact area because they want to be near family or work.

[DianaXXX]

I'm with home swappers but yes maybe if I try different sites I'll be able to find something else x

[eminencegrise]

Your own HA or council may have a list of swaps available.

[Prolesworth]

Good luck Diana - hope it all works out OK for you :)

[DianaXXX]

Thank u

[Kladdkaka]

Have you considered looking for a swap further afield from London? My friend has a 1 bed flat in London and wants to move out to the countryside somewhere. She's been innundated with people from people who want to move into London.

[DianaXXX]

I wouldn't move out of London as all my family and friends are here

[DianaXXX]

I ended up getting a swap for a two bed in Islington

[RedHelenB]

Nice to have an update.