Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

How can I get a bigger house off the council?

162 replies

Dreamzcancometrue · 22/06/2019 15:38

Hi all,

In 2016 after a brief stint staying in a hostel I started to bid for a property and successfully got a studio flat. I moved into the flat in May 2017 as a single woman. It was fine then and lived there happily until March 2019 when I gave birth to my lovely daughter and there being not enough space in the bedroom area for a large cot, I have a dbl bed which takes up most of my bedroom space . The living room and bedroom area are seperated by a big wall there aren't any doors just two entry points on either side of the walls.. Its frustrating. So Im in need of a bigger property atleast 2 bed. I live in the Southwark borough of London and I know council flats are in high demand here then any other borough. Moving out the borough is not an option for me as I have mental health issues and family support is paramount for mine and my baby's wellbeing.

Sorry im so shit at writing these type of things. If you've managed to follow up until now, basically what I'm asking is due to my mental health issues and the fact that me and my daughter are in a property that no longer suits my situation. Would the council help us?

My support worker, perinatal consultant and health visitor and GP have been advised to write me a supporting letter to back up my council housing application but not sure what else I could do?

I really would like to be re-housed so my daughter can have her own room. I can't afford to privately rent and I'm not working atm it will take me a while to get back into work.

Any suggestions would be beneficial. Thanks for reading.

OP posts:
donajimena · 22/06/2019 15:40

Have you actually spoken to the council?

piglet81 · 22/06/2019 15:41

If it's just you and DD could you get yourself a single bed instead of a double, to make room for a toddler bed for her?

TheQueef · 22/06/2019 15:41

They have a duty but you will be very low priority.
Shame you can't move to a less demand area but atm your option is private rent or a long wait.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Benefits
GrumpyCatLives · 22/06/2019 15:42

I'm really sorry to hear about your situation; it sounds challenging.

However, the council will house based on need. Since you have a house, you're unlikely to be offered anything bigger or better. Sadly, there are people in much worse circumstances than you.

The only way to get a bigger place would be to move to a less-crowded area, but, as you said, this isn't possible for you.

piglet81 · 22/06/2019 15:42

Sorry, cot not toddler bed - misread baby's year of birth!

HappyHammy · 22/06/2019 15:45

I would get a single bed and a cot. Not sure if this would be a priority at the moment as you have a home.

FlibbertyGiblets · 22/06/2019 15:45

Piglet that is a good idea. Single bed for you could work.

ItchySeveredFoot · 22/06/2019 15:45

It really depends how high demand your area is. In our area you'd be given points for your daughter sharing a room with you but not till she's over the age of 1. You can fill out a form and bid on things. You may get something eventually.

TheJoxter · 22/06/2019 15:45

There’s a website called homeswappers or houseswappers or something like that, it’s not just council it’s various housing associations too and you basically find someone who’s looking to downsize and arrange to swap with them, it’s all done officially through the council/housing association. Unfortunately I know from experience that even if you’re squeezing into one room you’re not considered priority, I was on the list for a council place for three years, sharing a single bedroom in a shared house with my ds, never got offered anything! Only moved out because I moved in with a partner!

strawberrypenguin · 22/06/2019 15:48

Agree with Pip's single bed and a cot for now. Talk to council and get the ball rolling as well but expect a wait as you are housed and you DD is still very young so not in 'need' of her own room.

ColdTattyWaitingForSummer · 22/06/2019 15:48

I would absolutely get an application in to the council, and definitely get as many supporting letters as possible. But be aware that the wait could be long due to the area. I would also consider, as a pp said, getting a single bed for yourself to make more room for the cot now, and toddler bed in the future. You can also get some quite good sofa beds now, suitable for longer term use; it might make better use of the space you have, as you could fold it up in the morning, and have more room to play.

Knitclubchatter · 22/06/2019 15:48

A hide a bed couch in the living room and child in the bedroom.

AtSea1979 · 22/06/2019 15:51

You will not be prioritised as you have a home, even though it feels small as you have a baby it’s not over crowded.
If I was you i’d focus on how lucky you are to have a council home and the bills must be low on such a small place so you’ll be able to save up some of your benefits to move out in to something bigger when your baby is older.

donajimena · 22/06/2019 16:05

AtSea save benefits? are you having a giraffe? How much do you think they give?

skybluee · 22/06/2019 16:12

Compared to somewhere where the bills are high there will be a difference, even if there's only £2 a week that can be put aside.

one of my friends friends was put into a flat thats single glazed with massive windows, of course he's happy to be there but the electricity bill is horrendous and he's cold all of the time. paying out that kind of bill makes a huge difference, of course it does - it adds up. i think what At Sea was saying is that it helps to focus on the positives and it's amazing that the OP has managed to get a flat and given that it's a studio flat hopefully all of her bills should be less - most definitely gas and electricity and given the recent massive rises at the end of May that's one positive bonus to focus on.

good luck OP, hope you find what you're looking for.

Zebedee88 · 22/06/2019 16:16

I think you should be grateful for what you have. If you want your daughter to have her own room then you will sleep in the living area...or just wait until something becomes available

TopBitchoftheWitches · 22/06/2019 16:17

Op, no doubt you will get some arsehole replies. Please try and ignore them.

Your best bet is to speak to your local Council directly. They can advise you.

Passthecherrycoke · 22/06/2019 16:20

Ask to be considered for housing association too

crisscrosscranky · 22/06/2019 16:20

Could you get a sofa bed for you and cot for baby? I don't think you'd be considered priority (I say this as someone who lived with their DH and DC in tiny one bed until DC was 18 months old as we couldn't afford to move.

teenagetantrums · 22/06/2019 16:22

I don't think you will get a two bedroom. But you should try and get a one bedroom then you can sleep in lounge. I spent years in a two bedroom with two kids sleeping on sofa bed. Have you applied to council for a new flat.

x2boys · 22/06/2019 16:24

Even with supporting letters from professionals it will probably be a long wait unfortunately, I live in the Northwest in a council house we could do with another bedroom due to having a severely autistic child, and we have support from a paediatrician and OT and we are not really getting anywhere .

Bookworm4 · 22/06/2019 16:24

Your daughter is only a few months old and does not need a bedroom to herself, I think up to the age of 5 councils consider it reasonable for child to share with a parent. Get your name down on the list at least.

NeverPutAWetFootInABirkenstock · 22/06/2019 16:28

If it’s just you and your DD can she share the double with you for now at least?

TheInvestigator · 22/06/2019 16:28

The council gave you a home. You chose to have a child in it before you wete standing on your own 2 feet. They don't have to find you another one whilst there are people in emergency accommodation. You don't need another house; they do, so you will be very low on the list.

I'm assuming you're single? So get a single bed. Or give the baby your room and get a sofa-bed. You've plenty of space for you and a baby.