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AIBU?

to think that this is unfair?

11 replies

mspmsp · 14/02/2014 10:56

Basically, we were offered a one bedroom housing association flat when I was pregnant. We were due to sign the tennancy on the 19th and my due date was the 21st of the same month which they knew. My son was born on the 9th, my partner went to view the flat and when the housing officer asked how I was he told her that I'd had the baby and she said that we would no longer be able to move in and would have to wait fir a 2 bedroom flat. We were told this only take a few weeks. I would have been less bothered if they told us that in the event of my son being born anything more than 3 says early we wouldn't be able to move n but they didn't. The woman actually said "you might have had the baby by then so you'll have to move in with a new born which would be a hassle but I'm sure you'll manage" it's now been 6 months, and due to changes policy we've been removed frontage housing register even though we were all sharing a room with my 10 year old sister. ( we e ow living with my partners mother who smokes 80 a day and sets fire to her bed about once a night and refuses to have smoke alarms...terrifying when you have a 6 month old baby.
We were constantly told we were at the top of list and it wouldn't be long, it seems they were just tying us off until the policy change came into effect.
we've been trying to find somewhere to rent privately but on my partners wage it is not easy, there are almost no flats here for less £900 a month and they tend not yo accept housing benefit. Landlords can be very picky here as most people are well off and it's good for commuting to London. Not to mention that we were asked to pay £3000 up front from one agency, I don't have that kind if money to spare. I do understand my housing is my responsibility but I'm at f what to do

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mspmsp · 14/02/2014 10:57

*At a loss of what to do, bloody kindle

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WooWooOwl · 14/02/2014 10:58

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littlebluedog12 · 14/02/2014 11:03

WooWoo that was totally uncalled for!

OP YANBU, that sounds awful. Have you tried the citizens advice bureau for help?

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TheListingAttic · 14/02/2014 11:03

You mention commuting into London and it being a well-to-do area - are there other areas that are commutable (am assuming that's what you need) that would be cheaper?

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TheListingAttic · 14/02/2014 11:03

I was going to suggested CAB too.

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Tryharder · 14/02/2014 11:11

Jesus, that sounds awful.

Can you not declare yourself homeless and go into a B&B - at least that would be safer than at your partner's mum's.

Or move out of the area to somewhere cheaper with more housing prospects. You don't say if your DP works.

I'm sorry OP. The lack of affordable social housing in this country is ridiculous. Agree that you need assistance from CAB. Have you tried contacting Shelter?

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hellsbellsmelons · 14/02/2014 11:12

2-3 bedroom houses are around 850 per month here.
And it's only 25 minutes from here to Marylebone on the train.
Maybe look further away as a resolution.
And as PP have said - CAB is a good place to start.

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Tryharder · 14/02/2014 11:13

Oh yes you do mention he's working. Sorry should read posts more carefully.

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attheendoftheday · 14/02/2014 11:13

Woowoo that's a bit mean.

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mspmsp · 14/02/2014 11:45

Woowoo- There isn't a shortage of one bedroom social properties here though, which I was perfectly happy to accept.
TheListingAttic- We don't need to commute to london, I just meant that a lot of people move here because it's good commuting to london, the only place we need to commute to would be here as it's where my partner works.

Tryharder- apparently according to the housing officer, the b&b would be in Southall or further (I live in Berkshire) and only me and my son would be able to go due to the fact that my boyfriend moved out for a few weeks when we were at my parents (because it wasnt fair on my sister really sharing with a man she doesn't know too well), that means we don't count as being part of the same household for the homeless application because we haven't been continuously living together for the past 12 months. Makes no sense to me you'd have though that parents and their child would be considered a household. Might have no choice but to just do it though, at least we won't go up in flames that way.

I wish there was a cheaper place to move to that was close enough for my partners work but south east is just..expensive. Maybe Slough but they have worse housing problems than here :(

Thankyou everyone for the advice. It's good to know I'm not being totally unreasonable, the attitude of about 50% of the housing officers I've spoken to have made me question if I was, they just refuse to talk about it and blame the housing association, the housing association do the same and blame the council.. think I'll give CAB a call soon and see what they say.

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cjel · 14/02/2014 12:00

I have no advice but hope you find a lovely new home soonx

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