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AIBU?

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Original poster

To leave social housing to private rent.

156 replies

CoconutSky · 29/03/2025 10:39

I’ve made threads about my social housing flat
Ground floor, adapted, ridiculously small kitchen and full of what they describe as “condensation”

I keep complaining, asking them for a move and I’m getting nowhere just being stuck on their allocations bidding list when their larger properties only go to homeless nominations

I am depressed, anxious, miserable and full of anger. I can’t exchange, decorating has been a waste of time as the mould has just ruined it all

Has anyone got any experience of leaving a social housing property for a private rental?

OP posts:
TaupeMember · 29/03/2025 14:41

What do you think to the suggestions to contact media?
I know you must be exhausted with it all but worth one go before potentially giving up and going into private renting?

This is maybe one thread we could do with the daily mail grabbing hold of...

Locutus2000 · 29/03/2025 14:38

OP I wish I knew how to help you, my circumstances are similar but my Housing Association is relatively good.

Could it be worth starting from scratch with a new Formal Complaint in the hope it is all reassessed? When I go to my HA website I have to click past a message asking if I have damp or mould issues, they take it seriously since the death of Awaab Ishak.

It's ironic to have Angela Rayner as your MP but to have not had a response.

If the only option you feel you have is to give up a social tenancy then I'd look at the nuclear button. Get it up on Facebook, contact local news, contact national news. If someone is living in such conditions post Awaab Ishak it would be a huge story.

JenniferBooth · 29/03/2025 14:37

MyKingdomForACat · 29/03/2025 14:21

I’m not suggesting you’re lying. Regulations regarding the upkeep of HAs and their duty of care where repairs are concerned has been overhauled in the past few years.

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Go look at Kwajo Tenoboas Twitter feed

Original poster
CoconutSky · 29/03/2025 14:37

Just as a psa
I don’t dry clothes inside I use a dryer
I have and run dehumidifiers
I cannot amend any of the adaptations

OP posts:
JenniferBooth · 29/03/2025 14:36

MyKingdomForACat · 29/03/2025 13:54

A HA wouldn’t leave any repairs that cause flooding.

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<falls about laughing>

Parispoem · 29/03/2025 14:35

CoconutSky · 29/03/2025 14:27

He’d have a job he’s been dead 2 years.

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Sorry to hear about your ex. Do you have parents? Does your ex have parents who would be concerned for their grandchild?

BeeCucumber · 29/03/2025 14:34

I remember your last thread. Move out and find a better place. Life is too short for this shit - you are miserable and no one is helping your damp issue. There is no value in a secure tenancy if your home is making you ill and affecting your mental health.

JenniferBooth · 29/03/2025 14:33

Notaflippinclue · 29/03/2025 12:17

Your daughters room is full of stuff and stinks - do you dry clothes indoors? do you store stuff against an outside wall. I would clean the walls line with polystyrene never dry clothes indoors and start from there

My DM dries clothes indoors No damp or mould.

Original poster
CoconutSky · 29/03/2025 14:27

Can’t re angle the floor due to the size. No drain issue.

OP posts:
spicemaiden · 29/03/2025 14:27

MyKingdomForACat · 29/03/2025 14:21

I’m not suggesting you’re lying. Regulations regarding the upkeep of HAs and their duty of care where repairs are concerned has been overhauled in the past few years.

Show quote history

An overhaul doesn’t actually make councils and HA’s stick to the rules though unless they are forced to. And that’s the problem with all public bodies - they gave to be forced to fulfil their duties and it’s often a war of attrition which they often win because they bury ordinary folk in process and paperwork.

Original poster
CoconutSky · 29/03/2025 14:27

Locutus2000 · 29/03/2025 14:20

Like clockwork.

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He’d have a job he’s been dead 2 years.

OP posts:
Parispoem · 29/03/2025 14:21

No one should live in conditions like this.

Any friends / colleagues who can do mates rates DIY work for you?

Have you looked at any private rentals to see what is available?

If you need to improve your financial situation can you put Uni on hold and up your working hours ( you can return to uni at a later date).

MyKingdomForACat · 29/03/2025 14:21

CoconutSky · 29/03/2025 14:06

I must be lying then.

Show quote history

I’m not suggesting you’re lying. Regulations regarding the upkeep of HAs and their duty of care where repairs are concerned has been overhauled in the past few years.

Locutus2000 · 29/03/2025 14:20

Tryonemoretime · 29/03/2025 12:15

Does the father of your child contribute maintenance? Could he help at all?

Like clockwork.

Youagain2025 · 29/03/2025 14:10

CoconutSky · 29/03/2025 13:27

The bathroom is flooding because it’s a tiny shitty wet room.

That's not really the answer though ? If it's flooding as you say there must be a problem with the drainage? Or the floor not at the right angle. For it to drain ?

I know you feel desperate but its honestly not worth the risk of renting privately

Original poster
CoconutSky · 29/03/2025 14:06

The wet room is not able to contain water. It goes all over the place. They refitted the floor but the issue is still ongoing.

OP posts:
Original poster
CoconutSky · 29/03/2025 14:06

MyKingdomForACat · 29/03/2025 13:54

A HA wouldn’t leave any repairs that cause flooding.

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I must be lying then.

OP posts:
Livelovebehappy · 29/03/2025 13:56

I'd be tempted to email a newspaper and highlight the issue and copy in Rayner. The newspaper might have an interest in running the story if they know she's your mp. Or it might give Rayner a kick up the bum to help get it sorted.

MyKingdomForACat · 29/03/2025 13:54

Semiramide · 29/03/2025 13:22

How and why is the bathroom flooding?

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A HA wouldn’t leave any repairs that cause flooding.

MyKingdomForACat · 29/03/2025 13:53

Parispoem · 29/03/2025 12:47

OP would have control over where she lives. If the landlord sells up she can move somewhere else that she chooses. Not perfect but much better than being stuck somewhere you hate.

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Control? Are you aware of the competition for private rented homes? Ok well, it’s up to the OP but the conditions now are the same as applying for a mortgage. I wish her luck

iamnotalemon · 29/03/2025 13:35

Branleuse · 29/03/2025 11:04

in private renting as a single parent who is both studying and working PT, you will be in a worse position, not better.
Your mouldy dilapidated flat would cost twice as much, and youd be frightened to complain because they could evict you.

The grass is not greener in the world of private rentals. I can assure you.
Keep on at your housing association and also worth doing as much as you can to deal with the mould yourself, (even if you shouldnt have to) dehumidifiers etc
Your children need the stability.

Unfortunately I have to agree with this poster. It does sound like your living condition is awful and I do have sympathy for you, but I don’t think private renting is the answer. More rent, less unstable future.

Hope you manage to find a solution.

there must be charities that can fight your corner?

Original poster
CoconutSky · 29/03/2025 13:33

4 years. Was a dump. I had it decorated twice to try and make it less of a dump. However due to mold, flooding from the bathroom my carpet is ruined. My DD’s bedroom has had 2 damp treatments and a passive air vent installed therefore aesthetically not very pleasing.

Private rented for years then fled DV. Had no choice but to accept this flat.

OP posts:
Parispoem · 29/03/2025 13:30

How long have you lived there? What condition was the flat in when you moved in?

Where did you live before you moved in?

Original poster
CoconutSky · 29/03/2025 13:27

The bathroom is flooding because it’s a tiny shitty wet room.

OP posts:
Semiramide · 29/03/2025 13:22

CoconutSky · 29/03/2025 12:49

Get the repairs done? Is this a joke? I’ve got a flooding bathroom and a kitchen with 8cm of work top space. I hardly think their repairs policy extends to making it bigger or unadapting it. Hating on a home people wait for is just laughable.

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How and why is the bathroom flooding?