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Original poster

Council housing

75 replies

coco03 · 04/02/2020 10:50

I hi, I am 32 weeks pregnant and as I get closer to the end I realise I'm actually petrified to bring my baby home! I live in a 3rd floor flat I struggle with the stairs because I have bad legs and I'm scared off being stuck in all the time because it's a pretty rough area and I know I'll struggle carrying a pram and a baby up the stairs so I'm petrified off having to leave my pram at the bottom. the council won't help me because I'm classed as adequately housed. My dad also lives In the same block who I don't have the best relationship with he's been very nasty to me and is a very heavy drinker and drug user I don't want that around my baby! I can't afford to private rent or buy but I feel like the council just don't want to help...

OP posts:
ComtesseDeSpair · 04/02/2020 10:57

Mutual exchange / Homeswapper are your best bet - and if you don’t have any family support or a job (from your post I presume you have neither) keeping you in the area you’re currently in then you’d have the opportunity to exchange with somebody in a completely different area or even part of the country with less demand so may be able to find somewhere quicker than if you were attached to your local area.

ComtesseDeSpair · 04/02/2020 10:59

And practically, if you’d struggle with a pram and stairs then a sling is a good alternative for the first few months. Newborns are very portable.

Original poster
coco03 · 04/02/2020 11:20

My mum lives around this area I don't want to move away because she'll help me with my baby i have a job just not a well paid job not enough to afford £1,000 deposits on private rents

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Reginabambina · 04/02/2020 11:23

I would really rate baby wearing.

PityParty4one · 04/02/2020 11:27

In what way are the council not helping?

If you have a medical condition you could ask for an OT review from the council which may help with your banding priority.

rhowton · 04/02/2020 11:34

It's almost like you should have thought about this 32 weeks ago.....

Original poster
coco03 · 04/02/2020 11:35

The council have put my on a low banding meaning I can't bid on certain homes I can only bid on 1 bedroom flats! I'm about to have a baby in 8 weeks so 1 bedroom flats aren't ideal

OP posts:
lastqueenofscotland · 04/02/2020 11:37

The council will only offer you a 1 bed flat until your baby is much older.
In the nicest possible way it’s not the councils problem if you and your dad don’t get on.

Original poster
coco03 · 04/02/2020 11:37

Well I hadn't lived in my flat for a year till December so I've only had the rest off December and January to sort things out because I couldn't reapply till being in my flat for a 12 months so thanks for that but I've been thinking about it the whole pregnancy just wasn't a lot I could do

OP posts:
Wildorchidz · 04/02/2020 11:38

Can your baby’s father help you move to something better?

Original poster
coco03 · 04/02/2020 11:40

I know it's not the councils problem I never said it was it's just 1 off few reasons I don't want to bring my baby back here!

OP posts:
norealshepherds · 04/02/2020 11:41

I had a council house when I first had DS and they would only let me have a 1 bed until he was 5. But honestly it was fine. If you can get a decent 1 bed that suits your needs then that’s better than this. You can have a sofa bed in the living room when your DC gets older, but they can have a cot with you for the time being.

Other than that, baby wearing will help.

PityParty4one · 04/02/2020 11:54

As I said OP if you have a diagnosed medical issue with your mobility you need to ask the council for an OT assessment. This could increase your banding to priority so you can bid on other properties.

INeedNewShoes · 04/02/2020 11:58

I’d speak to your health visitor. They may be able to help.

randomsabreuse · 04/02/2020 12:02

You don't "need" a second room until baby is at least 1. I'm mostly in with my 15 mo because it's less disruptive than having the monitor on next to my bed- he's in a cot at thr foot of the bed and I can half wake to any mutterings then drop back off.

Sling that fits is good. Way more convenient than a pram - I live in an old town full of steps. Easier for buses too - always get offered a seat and obviously no need to fold a pram if the bus is full!

PixieDustt · 04/02/2020 12:03

When baby arrives you'll be entitled to a 2 bedroom.

Helpful rhowton Hmm

ColouredPolkaDots · 04/02/2020 12:03

I'm shocked at the amount of people having to stay in 1 beds. Once I was pregnant I was put on the housing register to get a 2 bed property band E, then when he was born got put up to band B. Same to anyone else in my area who has a child. I got my house when he was 4 months old and I'm in a popular, well sought-after area. I just don't get it.

purdypuma · 04/02/2020 12:08

If you have a diagnosed medical condition that affects your legs then you can put in an application for medical priority through your local council. If you get granted this then it will enable you to be placed in a higher banding for a more suitable property. When submitting the application make sure that any medical professionals provide with supporting evidence, eg a letter as this will be helpful. Good luck.

TorysSuckRevokeArticle50 · 04/02/2020 12:09

I think you've had some good advice as well as some judgement that may have been better left unsaid.

To consolidate the good advice, you need to:

  • see about getting a mobility assessment regarding your legs, start with your doctor to make sure it's all documented and CAB for guidance on next steps
  • go to somewhere like a sling library or John Lewis to try on some slings. You don't need a pushchair and it sounds like it will be more of a hindrance than a help for you.
  • we have a 3 bed and DD stayed I. Our room till she was 18 months old. You don't need a separate room for baby till they're older so focus on getting your 1 room ready.
  • find some local baby groups that you can go to, it will give you an excuse to get out of the house, or look on google maps and plot out some nice walks you can take. We found a surprising number of little hidden parks when we did that and we're in an urban location.
CorianderLord · 04/02/2020 12:12

@ColouredPolkaDots there are a lot more two bed houses available to the council in day, Poole than there are in London. Easy to figure out that there would be different amounts of house types in different areas

user1471449295 · 04/02/2020 12:18

Unless you’ve got a diagnosed medical issue which means you can’t manage the stairs, you are adequately housed. The council is correct. It’s not about them not wanting to help you, as you put in your post Hmm
Try a mutual exchange.

LonginesPrime · 04/02/2020 12:20

I feel like the council just don't want to help...

I don't think it's that the council don't want to help, it's that you're not a priority in terms of their housing criteria at the moment. That will obviously change as your child grows up and you will move into higher priority. There is a huge shortage of social housing so it's not like they're just trying to be mean. Personally, I would focus your energy and attention elsewhere in preparing for your baby.

I second the sling idea, and also requesting an OT/health assessment for the stairs.

I appreciate that you don't want to take a new baby to live somewhere that you don't find ideal, but it's your baby and that's your home (currently at least), so you don't really have a choice.

Naturally you want the best for your baby, but you're not necessarily stuck there forever. The baby won't even notice most of the things you don't like about the area.

grisen · 04/02/2020 12:21

We private rented a 1 bedroom for the first 8 months and then moved to a private 2 bed room.
The 1 bed we'd stayed in for a few years before he was born and was small, so wasn't particularly suited for a baby or a family. But it was absolutely fine, I know people in a studio flat with a 2 year old. You'll make that work, I'd try to get a flat you're more comfortable getting in and out of.

Your point about your dad isn't something the council or anyone will do anything about unfortunately. A little like any other neighbour, we've had really bad ones and there isn't much you can do about, although it's very unfortunate that it's your dad.

PinkJam · 04/02/2020 12:50

Speak to your midwife as well OP - they will be able to support you, especially regarding your dad.

Original poster
coco03 · 04/02/2020 13:10

For those off you who have tried to give support and listen thank you! To those off you commenting on my relationship with my dad you don't know the ins and outs so don't judge what you don't understand! Or know the full story too! I know it's not up to the council and I could off worded it a bit better than saying they don't want to help but I was upset this morning and just venting frustrations!

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