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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Offered a ground floor flat?

115 replies

lookin4advice · 05/08/2026 23:24

I bid on several flats in the same block and I have been shortlisted for a ground floor flat.

I received an email advising me my other bids had been slipped as I wanted to be considered for this home.

I have security and privacy concerns with a ground floor flat.

I am extremely grateful for this opportunity but as I was not asked which was my preferred choice would it be unreasonable to ask the HO at the housing association?

AIBU

OP posts:
OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 06/08/2026 00:02

Once you move in, one day you will be able to go on home swapper etc. and someone will swap with you very very very quickly - there are so many people wanting the ground floor !
and a new build sounds very desirable.

Original poster
lookin4advice · 05/08/2026 23:58

@Unexpectedlysinglemum- Hi, as it's a new build there are no pictures nothing as it's in the final stages of completion.

I am driving down Friday after work to have a look at the set up as I was wondering this myself.

OP posts:
Vanillaicelatte · 05/08/2026 23:58

lookin4advice · 05/08/2026 23:41

It's a block of new build apartments with a lift.

Yes I didn't think of it that way, I have never lived in a ground floor flat before, has always been 1st floor and 2nd floor.

Thanks for your advice on the sensors, but what kind of sensors?
I was thinking about a ring door bell but not sure if it would be permitted in an apartment block?

Get a ring doorbell / alarm and a few cctv stickers on windows

make sure you have decent window locks

they are really easy to set up I set my sons up
in under 45 mins

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 05/08/2026 23:56

Watch out for damp etc. and are your windows on the street or protected by gates etc?

Original poster
lookin4advice · 05/08/2026 23:55

@Pieandchips999 - Thank you, I will have a look at the Ikea ones.

OP posts:
Original poster
lookin4advice · 05/08/2026 23:53

There is no garden unfortunately.

I will speak to the Lettings Team and see what they can advise.

@avilsdedvocate I always thought ground floor flats were the ones nobody wanted lol.

OP posts:
avilsdedvocate · 05/08/2026 23:49

I would speak to the council, explain concerns and find out the score. Depends on your area bit generally ground floor will be in high demand so they may be happy to let you decline. But if not, take it.

fashionqueen0123 · 05/08/2026 23:48

Cooler in the summer.
No lugging shopping or kids up stairs
No worries about lifts breaking down.

Is there any access to a communal garden?

Pieandchips999 · 05/08/2026 23:46

lookin4advice · 05/08/2026 23:41

It's a block of new build apartments with a lift.

Yes I didn't think of it that way, I have never lived in a ground floor flat before, has always been 1st floor and 2nd floor.

Thanks for your advice on the sensors, but what kind of sensors?
I was thinking about a ring door bell but not sure if it would be permitted in an apartment block?

Ikea and a few other places so a system where it senses window movement and sets off an alarm. Just Google window sensor alarms. You can also get doorbell cameras where there's no subscription and they just stick on. Argos do some. You might be worrying too much though if it's not a high crime area

Dilemma999 · 05/08/2026 23:45

There are positives and negatives to ground floor. Positives as above. Negatives in a block might be people knocking at your door/window to get in, always hearing the main door, people chucking nappies etc out of their windows into your garden. Hopefully it’s not a high rise.

sesquipedalian · 05/08/2026 23:41

OP, my DD lives in a ground-floor London flat. She’s never had any problems, and says she’s glad she’s on the ground floor as it’s so much easier with a buggy, bringing shopping home, no worries about whether the lift works etc.

Original poster
lookin4advice · 05/08/2026 23:41

It's a block of new build apartments with a lift.

Yes I didn't think of it that way, I have never lived in a ground floor flat before, has always been 1st floor and 2nd floor.

Thanks for your advice on the sensors, but what kind of sensors?
I was thinking about a ring door bell but not sure if it would be permitted in an apartment block?

OP posts:
Pieandchips999 · 05/08/2026 23:35

Is it a block of flats? Totally depends on the area, but generally people are more likely to do antisocial behaviour when they are up out the way of sight. Including often neighbour arguments. I find when it's ground floor there is less issues like that as it's a bit more public. Plus depending on the age of your LO it saves you having to drag a buggy up when the lift is broken. You can put on sensors, safety film etc.

Original poster
lookin4advice · 05/08/2026 23:31

@Pieandchips999 Yes I meant skipped sorry lol.

It appears I have already been allocated judging by the tenancy reference consent form I received.

What do you meme by issues on the higher floors?

I have a LO as just concerned about breaks ins really.

OP posts:
Pieandchips999 · 05/08/2026 23:28

I'm assuming you mean skipped? I think all you can do ask to see if there is any chance to be considered for the other levels. However I would try and see the positives in you being shortlisted for this one. You might not have a chance with the more popular ones. So many people are bidding. There can also be issues with neighbours and security higher up as people are more out the way of being checked on. You can put in extra security measures if you are worried