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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Offered council property in terrible area

307 replies

ShouldITakeIt · 03/04/2023 20:27

Single parent of DS who is 2. Currently living with my mum but have been on the council waiting list since he was born. Was offered a flat before but turned it down due to it being in a rough road and have been offered another one this week which is in an even worse area! The flat itself is actually really nice but the estate it is on used to have a really bad reputation and is a deprived area. It was fairly quiet when I visited but pretty run down looking and I saw a few undesirable looking people walking about :( the problem I have is that if I decline this flat, then I'm booted off the list. Private renting isn't an option for me and I'm currently living in my mum's lounge. Would you take the flat? Does anyone have any experience of living in an undesirable area? Help!!! :(

OP posts:
SUPsUP · 03/04/2023 20:35

Is it ground floor? Would you feel safe inside? If the flat itself is nice I’d try and make the best of it and try a swop if you need to before LO starts school

milkysmum · 03/04/2023 20:34

I think you are going to need to take the flat. As others have said you can always look for a swap later on but for now you will wt least have your own space.

AlltheFs · 03/04/2023 20:34

Of course you take it. What is the alternative? If you can’t private rent or buy then you have no choice.
Take it, work on your ability to earn a higher income in the future to give you choices. The council isn’t going to offer you anything else. Your child needs a proper home before they get much older.

strawberryjeans · 03/04/2023 20:33

If you’re safe, stay with your mum there. Rather less space and feeling safe any day over actually feeling unsafe

Busybody2022 · 03/04/2023 20:31

Take it and bide time for a swap

derbylass81 · 03/04/2023 20:30

I have no direct experience, but if it really is as simple as take it or you're off the list....I would think you might have to take it Sad

Perhaps you could try posting the town/location, see if anybody here knows it? Maybe it's not as bad as you think?

You could take it and try to swap?

StylishM · 03/04/2023 20:30

Take the flat, every area will have its rough inhabitants but the alternative is losing all council support & being effectively homeless. You can always apply for a swap in the future