Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AMA
Original poster

Refusing a council house offer

228 replies

Crystal1970 · 27/08/2025 01:26

Hi, I have been in temporary housing for 4 years now during that time I was allowed to bid on 4 bed houses and advised when asked I wasn’t allowed to bid on 3 bed ones, the council have now visited and said we have found a suitable property for you it is a 3 bed house 🤔 one bedroom being a box room, I have 3 sons who are not small kids now I don’t mind 2 sharing a room but someone i know has said all you will get in the box room is a single bed . Now can I refuse this as jot being suitable I think it was under section 8 so if I refused they wouldn’t help me anymore.

OP posts:
PersephonePomegranate · 27/08/2025 07:44

If you want to be that picky, I'd suggest providing your own house for them that fits your desires.

We're not talking damp or access issues here, are we? Many people have to just put up with things that aren't exactly what they'd like if they were in a position to choose.

bestcatlife · 27/08/2025 07:45

Why on earth would you refuse? You've been in temp for 4 years!

Lougle · 27/08/2025 07:45

We have 3 girls. We aren't entitled to a 4 bedroom house because the dining room can be (and is) used as a bedroom. The smallest room is tiny. A bed only fits in one direction because although the other direction is technically big enough, the radiator and socket make it too small. It has a built in over stairs wardrobe, a bed and a small kallax unit.

I would take the house. The security of a permanent tenancy is more important than a bit of extra space.

itsmeits · 27/08/2025 07:45

Ever heard the expression begers can't be choosers!
You take the house wait 12 months and go on a mutual exchange, sign up to bid again.
How old are the DSs as if they are close to the age of moving out. That's what they need to do move.
With a four bed you will be hit with bedroom tax the minute one leaves home. With a 3 bed you will have breathing room till a second son moves out.

Hairshare · 27/08/2025 07:53

I’d grab the house while you can and find ways to make the most of the space.

theressomanytinafeysicouldbe · 27/08/2025 07:56

You should accept the 3 bed and then see if anyone wants to do a swap, I see it on social media all the time in our area, someone wanting a smaller house in a different area swapping with someone else.

How old are your children?

small box room get a high sleeper with wardrobe/drawers/desk underneath, or an ottoman bed with the storage underneath, but in most box rooms you can get a single bed some drawers and a small wardrobe in

WorriedRelative · 27/08/2025 08:02

Do not turn down the last property they offer. You will get far less for your money in the private sector with no security.

Take this one make it work and look for a mutual exchange.

Lots of families manage with a box room. Get a cabin bed with storage underneath use wall mounted shelves and cupboards, put additional storage in another room or on the landing.

Alternatively put all three boys in the largest room, using bunks for space. Then you take the second room and use the smallest for storage.

Lots of families manage in similar situations. Amongst my school friends I can remember a couple with three teenage boys in a two bed, a family with five girls in a three bed (although by the time the baby moved into her own room the oldest had moved out), and a family with two boys and two girls in a three bed where one room was a box room.

ComfortFoodCafe · 27/08/2025 08:08

Beggers cant be choosers. We have a box room its got a built in wardrobe over the stairs & only fits a single bed, small bedside table and thats it! Its fine, we make it work. DS has a computer desk downstairs with his PC on. Youll be waiting forever for a 4 bed and surely stability is more important after four years?

WorriedRelative · 27/08/2025 08:11

MellowPinkDeer · 27/08/2025 07:44

Surely this is better than temporary accommodation? Honestly I don’t think you’re in a position to be fussy, though less than ideal it should be policy that if you refuse you go to the bottom of the list. If you want a mansion then you need to get yourself the means to buy one!

What actually happens is that if you refuse the offers unreasonably the council end their housing duty and you come off the list, they will also start possession proceedings to get the person out of temporary accommodation.

hattie43 · 27/08/2025 08:12

I think if I was in temp accommodation I’d take the house and make it work . Nothing has to be forever , you could swap later , the kids will grow up and leave and more than that it’s an opportunity to put down roots .

crowsfeet57 · 27/08/2025 08:12

Where I live you get one offer when you are in temporary accomodation and if you turn it down you are taken off the list and the temporary accomodation is ended as well. Most 3 and 4 bedroom houses have a small/box room as the smallest bedroom.

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 27/08/2025 08:13

Why on earth wouldn’t you take it? Confused

Tablesandchairs23 · 27/08/2025 08:23

You should accept it. Otherwise you might be taken off the list. No reason why your son can't sleep in a box room. I did till I moved out of home.

MrTiddlesTheCat · 27/08/2025 08:24

I think 3 bedrooms is the right allocation for you and it was a mistake to tell you to apply for 4. I think you should accept what you're offered.

whatasillygoose · 27/08/2025 08:25

@Crystal1970ask the council or speak with Shelter. You’ll get a lot of judgment and opinions here but not necessarily the facts you need.

Iloveeverycat · 27/08/2025 08:31

Lennonjingles · 27/08/2025 07:23

I own a 3 bed house, bedroom 3 is tiny, 9ft x 6ft but has a single bed, single wardrobe and desk, DS lived in that room for 29 years.

My son had a small room 7 x 8 as we had to split 1 room into 2.
He had a higher bed built on top of IKEA drawers underneath for his clothes. Only enough room for a small desk and chair was in there until 22.
Sorry but I think you should be greatful.

ThejoyofNC · 27/08/2025 08:32

I'm sorry OP but you're being unbelievably entitled/ungrateful. Kids all over this country live in box bedrooms. Why can't yours?

KhakiOrca · 27/08/2025 08:32

I was top of the list for one, I had 3 teens at the time. 2 girls and a boy. The main bedroom was OK in size but the other two were box rooms and my teen girls would have had to have a bunk bed. The toilet was downstairs next to the kitchen with a tiny shower. There was no dining area, just a small living room.

When I went to view it there was another person viewing too who could have it if I refused, she had a boy and a girl and was a single parent so it was ideal for her. ( there's always another person viewing if the house is small)

Anyway I refused and she had it, but her mum was there trying to encourage me to take it, as even she thought it was too small for 3 people!

I then got first refusal on a much bigger house in a better area with 2 toilets and more rooms. There was no one else viewing with me as they knew it wouldn't get refused.

The fact they have come to you with an offer though, could mean they may not help again if you refuse.

Fundays12 · 27/08/2025 08:35

Take the house and get creative with storage. You may not get offered another property for years or at all if you don't.

To put in context I have a 3 bedroom and 3 sons. Me and dh have one room, the 2 younger boys have the larger room and just eldest who is a teenager has the single room. The older they get the less toys etc they have so storage is less of an issue. We manage absolutely fine.

BunnyRuddington · 27/08/2025 08:36

How far away is the house? Where we live you’d be expected to move 60 miles to accept a 4 bed. Would your DSs be happy moving schools, jobs, friends to have a bigger bedroom?

Iloveeverycat · 27/08/2025 08:37

the other two were box rooms and my teen girls would have had to have a bunk bed.
2 of mine were in bunk beds in their 20s.

Slightyamusedandsilly · 27/08/2025 08:40

  1. If they turn it down, they will offer you no more housing.

  2. Will they allow you to remain in emergency housing if you turn it down?

  3. Can you afford private rented (no security of housing at all) of the size you want?

Your boys will leave home eventually, if they're already older kids. This isn't forever.

Crucible · 27/08/2025 08:42

I'd take it and use the living room as my bedroom. The kids could have a room each and rotate the use of the box room. If you're a single parent thats even easier. Sofa bed or wall bed. You can kick them all.up to bed as necessary and have the TV to yourself.

indoorplantqueen · 27/08/2025 08:44

I would take it. Having a bedroom each for your children is a luxury afforded to those who can afford it themselves. I shared with a sibling for most of my life, it’s not really a hardship.

HereWeComeAtLast · 27/08/2025 08:47

There are enough bedrooms for everyone, with two sharing.
A box room is quite common and whilst you might not believe it's ideal it is reasonable to expect one boy to be in there.

This is the same situation as many families find themselves in either through owning or renting properties. You might not think it's ideal but surely better than temporary accommodation? Also, as others have said it means you're in and can then look at possible changes later, or one or more of your sons may move out so the issue may then be resolved.
If you decline this house you may not be offered one for a while.