Refusing a council house offer

[Crystal1970]

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.

Did they mean you were only entitled to two bed houses/flats though?

No, because

1. You wouldn't get anywhere and your eligibility for temporary housing would cease.
2. Children of the same sex can share.
3. From the point of view of somebody who was lucky to access secure social housing that was accessible for disability after a very, very long wait - beggars can't be choosers.

Thank you

I was always happy to move areas but we was not allowed

I am a tax payer I work nearly 55hrs a week sometimes more and My boys are to big for bunk beds now 19 21 And 23 😂 and medical reasons I need a bigger bed (and no not because I am overweight) otherwise I would go into the small room , my eldest like myself work from home that’s why I am a bit concerned about the size of the smaller bedroom as he needs a desk in there M the other 2 boys can share

no they said I was entitled to a 4 bed and when I have questioned them previously about not being allowed to bid on a 3 bed that I would then be classed as ‘over crowded’

The way housing is going I’d just accept it and then get on house swap and see if anything comes along?

I also wouldn’t be going just by the word of “someone you know”, see the property yourself and see what you can fit on it.

Could the change be because of the ages of your children? They are now all adults (legally), would that change what you are entitled to/can bid for?

Sorry, that posted twice.

I'm guessing your family was assessed as 4 adults when you were told to bid on 4 bed properties. Do you have that advice in writing? During the years you have been in temporary accommodation have there been many 4 bed properties come up for you to bid on - they are generally much rarer than 3 beds. At least view the house and measure bedrooms before you decide. Some/all of your sons might want to move into their own homes soon.

How are you managing in the temporary accommodation, do you have four bedrooms there? What is it, a hotel?

@Kendodd 4 years in a hotel doesn’t seem feasible

@Crystal1970 is there any reason your adult sons can't actively contribute / move out?

If your kids are 19, we and 23 at least one has a job, why don't you rent a four bed privately?

I know. But where will they be and it sounds like they have a bedroom each?

OP, in the kindest possible way... All your children are adults, I thought they were small children and teens. Is it not time for at least the oldest two to fly the nest? They could rent a two bed flat together. Just take the house. Surely it'll only be a squeeze temporarily, you can't be expecting to house your adult children indefinitely? Tighter living arrangements might give the eldest two a nudge out of the door also

I'm amazed they've not moved out and that you've been offered a 3 bed to be honest. They are adults and they should be contributing!

Stating you had 3 boys to house was misleading. You have 3 adults. What a piss take.

Your "kids" are actually adults. If they want their own rooms, they can pay towards private rent or a mortgage (older 2 in particular).
OP, your kids will move out soon. You need to think about your own long term security.
I'm surprised you've been offered a 3 bed at all to be honest at those ages. I'd have expected you to be told the adults should move out or help pay bills.

Your ‘children’ are young adults. Beginning to think this is a troll thread with the latest drip feed. The young adults can help with rent surely?

Also, you work fifty five hours a week, that’s 5x 11 hour days per week. Under the Working Hours directive, you shouldn’t working for more than 48 hours per week.

You don't have any kids at home. You are a household of four adults. You should be able to more than cover rent.

If you work 55 hours a week you’ll be on at least £35k (more if not on minimum wage), so kid you have 3 adult DS so potential for 4 full time incomes. Why can’t you private rent instead if you don’t like what you’re being offered?

Your ‘kids’ are adults and you work 55 hours a week. Why can’t you privately rent?

Your Sons are all adults they may be a reason that they think a 3 bed property is suitable. Do any of them have SEN? Do they work? I understand that they are young adults but not sure they are still dependents.

Is the house better then your current temporary accommodation?

My friends 23 year old daughter wasn't allowed to go on her housing application.she had to go in to temporary accommodation by herself and ended up in a flat ,mum and the two boys had to take a very small two bed .
Be grateful they seem to be letting you all stay together as a family.
Although would it not be better for your eldest child to go for his own home rather than in with u