Offered council property in terrible area

I'd take a top floor flat over any other floor - so much quieter! Barely any Street noise and no neighbour noise.

Ground floor is hell - cold floors, often damp, noise, smells, lack of security and privacy... Ugh!

Lol you should see the state of my neighbours property he owns. Broken glass panes in the front door, covered up by duct tape. Garden a jungle and broken fencing. Wooden window frames paint peeling off. Front garden overgrown mess. His house looks completely run down and people think its abandoned.

Its been like that for over 5years.

So even nice areas have shabby properties too

When you guys say estates, what do you mean? I don’t think all council properties are in an estate; well, in London anyway. It’s almost a given on this chat that all council properties will will be awful and that you should make do.

OP, I wouldn’t take it but I know I’m not being realistic probably. I would try to figure something out. If you’re prepared to fight it out with the council, you may stand a chance. Maybe see a DR for your dizziness (heights) and anxiety (lifts). I would rather explore everything than just accept this so called fate.

dont decline Flat until you’ve taken advice & understand the consequences
Do google CAB and free law centres (most will give housing advice)
and good luck

I really don't know what you are expecting. You can't have it all I'm afraid

I used to live on a really rough estate years ago with my ex, my neighbours were lovely, we lived in a block of flats and we never had any issues with them. I only left when my exs crazy ex gf torched my car!

I live in the most middle class estate imaginable these days and my next door neighbour was raided by the drug squad for having a cannabis farm in his garage.
No matter where you live you can’t pick who your neighbours are!

Wow

Take the flat!!!

Absolutely… what a horrible nasty comment

As others have said you don't have much choice. Living in your mum's lounge isn't ideal for anyone, you can't afford private rent and you'll be chucked off the council list if you don't take it.

My last house was in a ‘dodgy’ area, we aren’t from around here and didn’t know. We loved it, it was so quiet and our neighbours were really friendly. Sometimes, more so during lockdown probably because we were home we would see the police going up the top end but never heard a thing or knew why they were there. We were sad to leave but it had only been a stepping stone on the property ladder for us. Only found out about how bad the area was perceived through neighbours and work colleagues!

pinkdelight · Today 23:32
that must be one of the most disgusting comments I have read on mn I hope you never end up in that situation yourself. Your kids must be proud.

We were offered a council house a few years ago, like you we turned the first one down, due to rough area, and the second one, also rough area, we had to accept, had no choice or we would be taken off the list. We made it nice,there were a few dodgy characters, but honestly our neighbours were great, best we've ever had! Anyway, put it up for a swap, we were only there 18 months and we were really lucky to get a swap with someone, who wanted to be near family, to a mostly private, sort after, estate, with only about a dozen council properties. You never know, you could get lucky!

Take it, if you’re going to be removed from the list then at least give it a try. You’ve nothing to lose.

The area I live in isn't the best, in fact it is rough but the positives are that most people on my street are nice, we live here because we don't have the money to go anywhere better. The schools are ok, the health centre is good, there are shops, good transport links, these are all things to consider. I have got involved with community groups, people who want better for the area. Yes I have days where it gets me down, but I always see friendly faces when I am out and the majority of people are decent. I'd take it and see how things work out

Your 2yo is only going to get bigger and start taking up more space -you need a sustainable plan for the future. You need to take the flat. What would happen if your mum decided she wanted her living room back and yet you’d turned down the flat? You’d be homeless. I really can’t believe you’re willing to take that risk because a council estate is a bit undesirable. Once you’ve got yourself and your child a stable home, crack on with a plan about how you’ll earn enough to afford to live somewhere more “desirable”.

You take the flat or you live forever in your mums lounge. Doesn't matter what anyone else would do, they are your choices.
If you can't house yourself, what else is there?

The last house I lived in, there were drug dealers a few doors down, and we owned that house!

Take the flat. Look at it as an opportunity. At 2 your child won't care if his bedroom is in the living room. In a few years he'll be at school and wanting play dates at home and then it'll be more of an issue. You might be even more desperate for some space. Childcare is prohibitively expensive right now but when he's at school it's not so bad if you can utilise wraparound care and holiday clubs which UC will contribute towards if you're working by then. You can work towards having a career if that's what you want then you'll be in a better position to move.

Can you stay with your Mum until you’re in a position to rent privately? If not, what are your housing options if you turn this flat down and are booted off the council list?

You need to consider whether taking/not taking this flat will help or hinder you longterm, IYSWIM. If your Mum needs you to move out soon and you turn down this flat, where will you live?

No, sometimes people are looking to swap because they need to downsize due to bedroom tax or because they want to be nearer to family.
Often 'bad' areas have some really decent people and you could end up being very happy there.

Most council properties are in the less desirable areas of town. However you sound like you don't have much of an alternative. Take the flat and try a swap? No idea how they work but worth a shot.

I would take it. I used to live in a very run down area for 2.5 years but the house was pretty decent and rent was reasonable. I used that as a stepping stone to build myself up and get good references and find better work so I could rent in a much nicer area.

Do the same. I'm sure you and your DS are desperate for your own space.

I’d take it, OP. You don’t want to be kipping in your mother’s living room five years from now.

I took one in a known rough area and it's actually fine. The neighbors are nice and while there is some drama etc it's actually a good community. Never had this when I was private renting. Take the flat you'd be mad not to, unless it's truly awful but I doubt its that bad and honestly most council properties are in a bit run down areas but it really only matters what your immediate neighbors are like. once you're in for a year you can try to exchange it for another if you aren't happy.