I'm stuck

[Barbi2019]

I'm a single mother of three kids under 10 y olde , my London council send me to Luton in 3 bed flat I'm suffering with my kids , I want a house with garden for my kids but the council refused . I'm working part time in Tk maxx Luton . What should I do and because I'm working 16 h to 20 h a week is that make any difference . Because I want to move to st albans and I want a house. Please answer me . Thank you.

I don't know the difference between St. Albans and Luton, are they near each other? Would you still be able to make it to work from St. Albans?

Council house waiting lists are usually really long, especially for a house with a garden. Can you make the most of the outdoor spaces you have nearby?

For me it would make more sense to stay close to work and school if that's where your children are settled. There might be certain criteria that put you higher up on the list for a house but its difficult to say without knowing more about your circumstances.

The fact is you have a roof over your head which is big enough for your family to be comfortable, there's not really much more you can do but be patient unless you can afford to rent privately.

Can you look for a job in St Albans?

There are many that do not even have a flat, think of the people in bedsits, with mould and leaking roofs, dangerous electricity, shared facilities. Perhaps you could give up your home for someone in a DV situation that is living in a refuge if you hate it so much?

KeepYourCup, St. Albans is nicer than Luton and more expensive.

You could try to get an Exchange?

You can look for an exchange but it’s unlikely anyone will move from St Albans to Luton, especially from a house to a flat. Your best bet is to initially try and exchange from the flat to a house within Luton and go from there. I had to exchange 6 times over several years to get to where I eventually wanted to be. It won’t happen overnight.

If you’re in a 3 bed flat then you’re adequately housed as far as the council is concerned. So there is nothing else they will do.

You are so fortunate to have been allocated a council property that is big enough for your family.
As pp have said, there are lots of families who cannot get anywhere near the top of the list for a council property.
There are lots of green spaces and parks around you.

What you do is start looking for ways to improve your income and then save like hell. Eventually, you'll be able to buy or rent your dream house.

Alternatively, you could be bloody thankful that you're adequately housed with a landlord who isn't going to give you notice after 6 months.

I also want a house with a garden in a nice area. Where do I sign?

Op. Give Luton a chance. It's a big step going to somewhere like St. Albans. It's quite expensive. Can you open a separate savings account so you can save for your own privately rented accommodation??

I don’t imagine that the council refused, more that they didn’t have a property available that had exactly what you wanted.

In the nicest possible way, there is no comparison between the 2 places.

Appreciate what you currently have got. It may not be ideal but it’s a heck of a lot more than what others have.

I repeat what several others have suggested and wish you well.