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AIBU?

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AIBU to refuse a council house over stairs and no outside space?

281 replies

Stressedmum6761 · 25/04/2026 12:34

Hi, I really need some advice on what to do here please I've been crying all morning and scouring the Internet. I'm on the council housing list, have been for 3 years now because of the state of my current ground floor flat. The council came out to do a review and put my banding up.

I got a call yesterday out of the blue to view a house I bid on before Christmas and was 47th in the queue so didn't think I would have any chance. The woman said it has a small yard and a downstairs bathroom. My daughter is 6 and I'm so so scared she's going to fall down the stairs in the night time to use the toilet, she sleepwalks and is currently on the pathway for ASD, when she goes to the loo in the flat I have to battle to steer her back to bed or she's wandering about on her own for god knows how long.

I've also been to look at the house through the windows and it 100% does not have a yard as the lady said as the bathroom has been built on as an extension downstairs. I know this sounds so ungrateful but I don't want us moving from bad to worse, our current flat has a tiny little yard that I've managed to squeeze a bench and a mini greenhouse into so my daughter at least has somewhere she can sit outside when she's had a meltdown or needs to regulate herself.

I'm so worried if I turn this down by saying I'm worrying about the stairs at night I'll be taken down a band. Has anyone successfully turned down a property for safety concerns and not been penalised? Thank you 😊

OP posts:
Lomonald · 25/04/2026 13:07

I think seeing it first would give you a better idea.

FancyKeyboard · 25/04/2026 13:05

Have you thought that it might have a yard if they said it did... extensions aren't usually allowed to fill the entire outside space so I'm pretty sure there will be something.

See it with an open mind and let us know how it goes.

Lomonald · 25/04/2026 13:02

Moving from a flat to a house is daunting but you are just putting blockers in the way. The bathroom downstairs isn't the end of the world our only bathroom is downstairs.

Stressedmum6761 · 25/04/2026 12:56

Jollyjupiter · 25/04/2026 12:50

Why would you put your daughter outside if she is having a meltdown? Great way to piss off your neighbours!

Edited

Excuse me? If you read properly I said she goes after she's had a meltdown. I don't just send my daughter outside are you insane 😂

OP posts:
likelysuspect · 25/04/2026 12:56

You can get little movement alarms so you'll be woken if she is moving about

Can you put a camping loo in her bedroom, you can get some really good ones

Teainapinkcup · 25/04/2026 12:55

Soontobe60 · 25/04/2026 12:51

So thats your solution. A 6 year old waking in the night and sleepwalking without their parent noticing is a real risk,

tbh I would co sleep (same room) in this situation with a latch on the door so you will 100% wake and take her to loo, no wandering! also try to not let her drink a lot of fluid in the evening.

Lomonald · 25/04/2026 12:55

If she sleepwalks you need to be vigilant anyway what difference does a downstairs toilet make ? Put a stairgate up and. Then at least you will hear her. Your flat isn't suitable the council have offered you a house you need to decide if you can make the house work or not.

Soontobe60 · 25/04/2026 12:51

Stressedmum6761 · 25/04/2026 12:46

If the bathroom was upstairs this wouldn't be an issue but it would mean me having to listen out for her wanting to go the toilet in the night to take her and bring her back to bed

So thats your solution. A 6 year old waking in the night and sleepwalking without their parent noticing is a real risk,

Blushingm · 25/04/2026 12:51

Stressedmum6761 · 25/04/2026 12:46

If the bathroom was upstairs this wouldn't be an issue but it would mean me having to listen out for her wanting to go the toilet in the night to take her and bring her back to bed

Which is what you’re doing now as you ‘steer’ her back to bed

Teainapinkcup · 25/04/2026 12:51

Stressedmum6761 · 25/04/2026 12:34

Hi, I really need some advice on what to do here please I've been crying all morning and scouring the Internet. I'm on the council housing list, have been for 3 years now because of the state of my current ground floor flat. The council came out to do a review and put my banding up.

I got a call yesterday out of the blue to view a house I bid on before Christmas and was 47th in the queue so didn't think I would have any chance. The woman said it has a small yard and a downstairs bathroom. My daughter is 6 and I'm so so scared she's going to fall down the stairs in the night time to use the toilet, she sleepwalks and is currently on the pathway for ASD, when she goes to the loo in the flat I have to battle to steer her back to bed or she's wandering about on her own for god knows how long.

I've also been to look at the house through the windows and it 100% does not have a yard as the lady said as the bathroom has been built on as an extension downstairs. I know this sounds so ungrateful but I don't want us moving from bad to worse, our current flat has a tiny little yard that I've managed to squeeze a bench and a mini greenhouse into so my daughter at least has somewhere she can sit outside when she's had a meltdown or needs to regulate herself.

I'm so worried if I turn this down by saying I'm worrying about the stairs at night I'll be taken down a band. Has anyone successfully turned down a property for safety concerns and not been penalised? Thank you 😊

can the living room be her room on same level as bathroom? living room in 1 of the bedrooms?

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 25/04/2026 12:50

Stressedmum6761 · 25/04/2026 12:46

If the bathroom was upstairs this wouldn't be an issue but it would mean me having to listen out for her wanting to go the toilet in the night to take her and bring her back to bed

Is this unusual when they’re six though? Having to guide them to the loo at night? And surely most six year olds sleep through the majority of nights without waking for the loo?

I think you need to do a proper viewing. There might be a yard when you look properly.

mantez · 25/04/2026 12:50

OP, if she is sleepwalking you would have to listen out for her and take her safely back to bed no matter where she sleeps surely, or what am I missing here?

Jollyjupiter · 25/04/2026 12:50

Why would you put your daughter outside if she is having a meltdown? Great way to piss off your neighbours!

mantez · 25/04/2026 12:49

Could she sleep downstairs? I mean that as a solution if you will lose your banding or whatever if you refuse it.

Kirbert2 · 25/04/2026 12:47

You should be able to read the terms and conditions of your council and what it means if you turn down a property as they can vary slightly.

Do you have any medical evidence about her sleepwalking or could you get some medical evidence? If so, you may be able to turn it down but if not then it would be a risk depending on what your councils policy is.

Stressedmum6761 · 25/04/2026 12:46

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 25/04/2026 12:36

Stair gates?

If the bathroom was upstairs this wouldn't be an issue but it would mean me having to listen out for her wanting to go the toilet in the night to take her and bring her back to bed

OP posts:
SnappyQuoter · 25/04/2026 12:46

If you don’t like what the council are offering then private rent. There just isn’t enough housing stock, and however wrong that is, nothing is going to change in the short term. Unfortunately you have to take what you’re given or find yourself alternative accommodation.

Install a stair gate, and wait to see it as they’re saying it has outside space so go and check.

Error404FucksNotFound · 25/04/2026 12:46

You could get a camping toilet for nighttime use until she's a little older.

RoseField1 · 25/04/2026 12:44

Nobody can answer here. If you are allowed to decline a property and remain at the same place in the priority list then turn it down. If you will lose your banding and priority then don't.

Karma2023 · 25/04/2026 12:43

Google Maps it to see what the outside space it has but highly likely to have some space if its a house.

Stair gates is the way to go.

Fooledaroundandfellinlove · 25/04/2026 12:43

Was the banding increased on medical grounds due to the sleepwalking? If so, you might have a case. They may say that you bid on the property presumably knowing its condition so may cancel the higher banding.

If it’s good enough then you could look at things like a stair gate or technology that lets you know when she is up (sensor in the bed).

ItsPickleRick · 25/04/2026 12:43

Speak to your housing officer, you would usually be allowed to refuse one property without affecting your banding, but not a second. It may have changed since I worked in housing, and it may vary between local authorities, but they should be your first port of call.

ThoughtsOnLife · 25/04/2026 12:42

Why would you bid on a house? Surely if you are worried about sleeping walking and stairs you would only bid on properties without ie bungalows or ground floor flats.

TheChosenTwo · 25/04/2026 12:40

I don’t know how the system operates (esp regarding you turning down a property) and would probably take it. You can use stair gates for concerns about the stairs but it sounds like you’re up anyway if she uses the loo in the night (obviously not idea for you).
it wouldn’t hurt to go and see it though, surely?

Wolfpa · 25/04/2026 12:39

How bad is your current flat? Many houses have downstairs bathrooms I don’t think it’s enough of a reason to say no.

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