I’m in a bit of a dilemma so I will get straight to the point, disabled DS (quite severely disabled, he receives higher rate DLA and mobility) and I are currently living in a privately rented 2 bed house with very expensive electric heating, rent is £875.00 a month of which I receive £680.00 in housing benefit, I make the rest up myself.
I have been bidding on social housing properties since March, I received a phone call yesterday from a housing association offering me a flat in a city about 12 miles away from where I live now. I jumped in the car and drove into the city to have a look at the outside, it’s on quite a notorious estate, first impressions were not good, yes there was an overturned shopping trolley in the communial garden and various other things that make up a typical deprived area.
The flat is vacant so I looked through the windows, it’s been gutted, no flooring etc. The flat is nice enough, I liked what I could see, the front door looks very secure.
The huge communal recycling bins were overflowing with beer cans and bottles. A few of the other flats don’t look desirable, blankets and towels used as curtains etc.
I really don’t know what to do.
Should I accept because of the cheaper rent (£402.00) and the fact that it’s half a mile away from my DS’s special needs school? I currently have to get him up at 5.45am to have him ready for school transport at 7.15am, he often isn’t home until 4.30pm, it’s a very long day for him.
I’m concerned about him being ridiculed by the other children on the estate, he would be oblivious but it would cut me like a knife. I have until Monday to decide, if I accept then it would be sign up Monday and move ASAP. My current letting agent has spoken to my landlord and he is willing to let me out of my tenancy 2 months early without penalties.
All my family and friends live in the small town where I currently live, I grew up here, everybody knows my DS, he’s safe here. I know nobody in the city.
I really don’t know what to do. It would mean moving literally days before Christmas to a flat with no flooring, I have little furniture because my house was let to me furnished and I have been there for years.
I honestly didn’t think I would be offered anywhere as we are adequately housed, I bidded on the flat several months ago which means quite a few people have viewed and refused before it was offered to me.
Mumsnetters, what would you do?