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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think the council is failing to keep us safe?

32 replies

Crazyhousewife23 · 25/04/2026 16:07

I am currently in a council house and unfortunately due to how bad the area is with drugs and theft I have built up a months worth of arrears due to having to stay at b&bs or travel to relatives to stay. It’s been a dangerous situation many times. My youngest has scarlet fever and was running a temperature so high that we had to take her in the car as the ambulance wouldn’t have been able to access our door due to the entrance being locked by vehicles by one of the drug dealers. The council have stated they won’t move me until the arrears are cleared. This was set to be reviewed at 6 months but when I checked online the terms were 3 months so I’m not sure why they extended it to 6 months. It seems the council don’t want to deal with the problems in the area and they have even blocked me from attending local meetings about housing problems in the area. They purposely booked an appointment whilst I was away and had to rush back from a trip 70 miles away to attend the appointment and cut out holiday short. They have stated that if the police say it’s too dangerous to live her they will move me, but the police aren’t going to say that as they would have to move everyone if that was the case. My youngest child has a lot of disabilities (mobility, deafness, speech delay, toileting issues and autism and sensory issues) and we will need to apply again for the disabilities facility grant for a wet room amongst other things. My worry is the council will refuse this but won’t move us also and struggling to get a private house with the demand being so high. My mental health is struggling so badly with everything with the house,.

OP posts:
ComfyKnickers · 25/04/2026 17:32

So nothing is your fault then?

Are you a product of gentle parenting by any chance?

Pldafa · 25/04/2026 17:31

Ask the family member that paid for the holiday if they can pay the arrears for you.

Crazyhousewife23 · 25/04/2026 17:29

I didn’t book the holiday a family member did as I have been paying off the arrears. This was my first priority however the arrears have been built up due to me having to live out of the property on several occasions. So theft of property, several times we have had the local drug addicts get the wrong house bang on the door and refuse to leave until the police have been called and moved them along( they are always very aggressive and trying to put the door through- the councils advice is just to keep reporting). Also, yes the council were aware that I was away and notified by 24 hours before about the appointment and I even stated they knew the situation but a missed appointment is a charge so I had to attend as I can’t afford charges for missed appointments. Had to use the other exit in the cul de sac to get out but an ambulance can’t access that way; hence my main exit being blocked. The arrears are nearly paid off but so many in my street are struggling to move (no one will swap unless they are already in this area and the council won’t put you on the list). The council have regular meetings with the police and had several consultations about the problems in the area. The appointment seems to have been made to prevent me from attending the consultation about the problems in the area as the housing officer is not documenting them so I’m having to formally complain to those above the officer to get anything logged.

OP posts:
toomuchfaff · 25/04/2026 17:07

On Holiday
Rent arrears

erm....

excuses excuses.

ginasevern · 25/04/2026 16:27

Well you really shouldn't be going on holiday if you have rent arrears. And trust me, the Council won't do anything for you until those are cleared. In fact you run the risk of eviction, even with a disabled child. I can't imagine an ambulance refusing to attend. They're used to visiting estates where drug dealers live and all sorts of nightmare scenarios. How did you get out of the building if the door was blocked? I'm also pretty sure the Council wouldn't have deliberately booked an appointment whilst you were on holiday.

ButterYellowHair · 25/04/2026 16:13

What actual danger have you experienced? As all you’ve said is that drug dealers live there and lock the doors sometimes and there’s some theft.

None of it sounds ideal, but what about it is more unsafe than anywhere else (drug dealers and theft are relatively common unfortunately, especially in lower income areas)?

If you can demonstrate / report actual threats, acts of violence etc they’ll be more likely to listen.

ComfyKnickers · 25/04/2026 16:11

Pay your arrears rather than going on holiday.

The council aren't booking appointments when you are away on purpose, don't be ridiculous.

If your door was blocked meaning the ambulance couldn't access, how did you get out?

It sounds like a lot of excuses to me.