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Original poster

Finally got a council house but stressed with everything to do

29 replies

Holly03 · 21/05/2023 19:49

So if you have seen my previous posts the house I am in is shocking and was about to be declared uninhabitable due to how bad the damp and mould is, the carpets are soaking and stink. It’s that bad and the landlord has ignored it for years previous tenants moved for this reason. The house isn’t in the area I am or school area but to be honest I don’t care because I’m so grateful to have a house that is clean and safe for my children that I can sort transport for a school as that’s the only tie to this area. The thing is I’m so stressed with how to move so quick and sorting out cash for carpets and also replacing things like curtains and tables and things that have been ruined at this property. I’m having to delay the move by a week to be able to get in and decorate and also get the carpets in the week we move(hoping to move the day or so after the carpets are fitted) as I only get the keys next week so my aim is to move the first week of June due to stripping and decorating and then carpets which I’m only going to hopefully get the living room, kitchen and bedrooms done. I feel like I’m trying to do too much and stressing over money as I know it’s not gonna get all done and I just want it all ready to move as my son has additional needs and will struggle with the move as it is and it’s hard to decorate and move home around children especially with one being in nursery on 2 days. Any suggestions on how to get everything done in a week and a half- 2 weeks max

OP posts:

BMW6 · 21/05/2023 19:55

Got any family or friends who could help with cleaning and painting the new place?

Can you afford to carpet all at once? If not just do his bedroom?

BMW6 · 21/05/2023 19:57

Also try not to get stressed - that would surely make him stressed too. Can you get him to see it as a great adventure?

MogHog · 21/05/2023 19:58

I'd say just to get one or two rooms done and the do the rest one at a time when you can afford it.

Get the living toom and kids bedroom done and then move onto which ever room is the next important and so on. Rome wasn't built in a day and there is no point rushing and skinting yourself trying to get everything done all at one.

Facebook market place is great for cheap furniture to put you on

Good luck!

Luna42 · 21/05/2023 19:59

There might be grants you can apply for and support to move, especially as you have a child under 5, and /or with additional needs. I would ask your local CAB, your health visitor or children's centre. Also have a look on Turn2Us website.
It's alot to organise, but you sound so positive I'm sure you'll get there! Don't be afraid to ask for help, you shouldn't have to do this all by yourself.

LakeTiticaca · 21/05/2023 20:00

Make a list of things you need to prioritise, a working kitchen, beds, bedding. Carpet the main areas, things like the stairs can wait. As can decorating. Do a room at a time as and when you have time/can afford it.
Tick off the list as all the jobs get done.
You'll get there eventually!!
Oh and enjoy your new house 😀

SeatonCarew · 21/05/2023 20:19

Do you have helpful friend or family member? I second the suggestion to use facebook marketplace or a local community store if you have one, youcan pick useful things up to put you on for little or nothing.

If you could delegate to them to arrange a few items for you that would ease some of the load.

If you could put your general area on here, there may be people on here who could help. If you were in my local area (Yorkshire ish) I'd have some things you could have.

Good luck. 😊

2bazookas · 21/05/2023 20:34

I've never redecorated and recarpeted and got new curtains before moving in.

We buy do-er-uppers so most of our homes have been pretty basic on arrival.
Then we make do while we DIY.

I'd really recommend you do the same because its only by living in a house that you get a proper sense of the best way to improve it.

Dump all your wrecked carpets/curtains /furniture etc; a charity like New Start will help you with basic second hand furnishing at minimal cost.

dotdotdotdash · 21/05/2023 20:45

You don’t have to do it all at once. Treat it like camping and do it up gradually. Important things are beds, fridge, cooker.

if you have a spare room, store stuff in there initially so you can decorate gradually without clutter.

If you feel positive about it, the kids will enjoy it too. Take your time and all the best to you

Nat6999 · 21/05/2023 20:46

I got the keys for my council house 22/10/2010 & moved in decorated, carpets down, burglar alarm fitted, new furniture delivered & all my possessions in 05/11/2010. My tips, paint the whole house one colour, find a carpet seller that will come, measure up & bring carpet samples for you to choose, I chose a cheaper carpet & had better quality underlay, I got mid price vinyl for the kitchen & bathroom. I chose Ivory for the whole house with a toast coloured carpet & then added colour with throws, cushions, lamps & pictures.

gogohmm · 21/05/2023 20:47

Get the keys move in then buy as you can, I had airbeds and a portable clothing rail when I first moved into my house.

Original poster

Holly03 · 21/05/2023 23:09

Unfortunately no friends or family to help. Only have an elderly grandparent that is going to guide me on how to wallpaper as they are ill health to be able to help decorate now. I’m aiming to do the living room, kitchen and bedrooms. I need to go in and strip the wallpaper off the walls and I’m hoping I can just paint but it looks like very bad walls. I’m trying to focus on the basics but there is so much.

OP posts:

cittigirl · 22/05/2023 00:22

If it's a council house, shouldn't it be habitable to start with? It doesn't sound like it is.

AndTheSurveySays · 22/05/2023 01:02

If it's a council house, shouldn't it be habitable to start with? It doesn't sound like it is

Council houses are stripped bare. You have to provide everything yourself.

Intarestine · 22/05/2023 01:11

Yes but there's stripped bare and there's uninhabitable. Do council houses have landlords?

Or did OP miss a few lines in her post?

ShivWambsgans · 22/05/2023 01:12

Holly03 · 21/05/2023 23:09

The living room, kitchen and bedrooms — isn’t that pretty much the whole house? If you can get it done that’s great but it sure does sound like a lot to sort out before you move in! If I were you I would prioritize basic furniture and white goods to make the house livable and worry about things like wallpaper later on once you are settled.

Intarestine · 22/05/2023 01:13

Ah never mind. The OP was written as if it's the same house that's uninhabitable but upon re-reading a few more times, I can see there are two houses being talked about.

Fraggiola · 22/05/2023 01:19

Contact the St Vincent de Paul Society chapter in your area. They are a Catholic volunteer organization that help anyone who needs it in practical ways, your needs are exactly the kind of situation they serve. They can arrange practical help to get the house ready and help you with your move. They may even be able to get donated carpet or carpet fitters to help. Main thing is reach out asap and see what they can do. They also work with local government agencies so they will be able to figure out any grants etc. you may be entitled to. There is no cost or obligation to you and you do not need to be a Catholic or a believer of any kind. It just neighbor to neighbor help and support.

https://svp.org.uk/request-help

Request help

Going through a time of need. Get help now. SVP volunteers will arrange to visit you to make an assessment for help. Request help or make a referral.

https://svp.org.uk/request-help

Fraggiola · 22/05/2023 01:30

If you contact the St Vincent De Paul Society and they serve your area (and they usually will or they will try and find someone who does) a couple of people who are screened and trained local volunteers will come and meet with you to find out what you need so they can assess the situation and prioritize. Obviously with deadlines and children involved you would be high priority so contact them asap so they can swing into action.

Zeonlywayisup · 22/05/2023 01:36

For the kids we found a cheap pop up tent really helped. Gave them somewhere to call their own while beds were being built and floors were in need of a clean. Aim for one room safe clean and done and remember beds take AGES to put up.

Original poster

Holly03 · 03/06/2023 17:16

Thank you for the advice. Yes the bedrooms and living room, but also I have to do the stairs/landing/ kitchen/porch/bathroom. I’ve decided to delay moving in by two weeks as I’m going to have to try and move myself as no help seems to be available but this is allowing me to pay for flooring from a local business and get the basics I need like a cooker etc. I’m stuck in a really bad house at the moment whilst i try and quickly decorate and put flooring in but I’m reminding myself it’s two weeks and I’m going to get as much as I can done. I think I’m over stressing trying to get everything perfect but really as long as I get flooring down and moved in everything else is just an extra that can be done. I just need to let go of this moving into a perfectly finished house and everything being done. Going in the house now I just want the flooring down and to be moved in as I can’t wait to get in. Slightly stressing about the cost so I’m just trying to budget what I can which is removal costs, cooker and flooring. I’m focusing on this being a new start for my family after a really bad housing situation and the bits I’m worrying about being so minor

OP posts:

TonTonMacoute · 03/06/2023 17:36

My advice is write down everything you need to do no make a plan from there.

Put the stuff that must be done at the top, the things that can wait lower down.

You won’t be able to get everyone done at once and you don’t need to.

From what you describe you will be far better off in the new place, even if you are semi-camping. Perhaps focus on getting your boy settled and comfortable in his new space first and take it from there.

Wehadthistoo · 03/06/2023 17:40

7 months between getting the keys to my council house and moving in as it was that bad . DP had to go and do decorating etc every night after work to get it up to standard

SapatSea · 03/06/2023 18:19

If the walls "are bad" you might be better leaving up the existing wall paper and painting over it, especially for now. If you remove the paper, a lot of plaster could come away, that needs fillering and sanding and you may find the walls need skimming at the least or fully knocked back and plastered at the worst. Very dusty, dirty work that needs professionals and will really cut into your budget.

I'd concentrate on painting the living room a nice clean (Cheap) white (for now) that will act as a good base for nay colour you might choose for later. You can all camp out there. My DC remember all sleeping together in the living room as a great time when we had to move into an unfinished house. If you aren't replacing kitchen units and bathroom fittings then I'd get those all scrubbed and clean even if the rooms look dated. Then systematically do up one room at a time when you can- let he DC choose their carpet colour/paint colour etc. Moving is stressful and expensive enough without trying to have the finished article to move into. You are getting out of a horrendously damp place into secure housing which is great! The rest will come in time.

user1471538283 · 03/06/2023 18:46

Please just do what you can. With our latest move I promised myself lovely bedrooms to escape but even then and with help it took 4 weeks to strip, paint and carpet.

As long as the other areas are serviceable you will be ok.

2bazookas · 03/06/2023 18:49

Its summer dry and warm. So you can perfectly well move in with a bare wood or even concrete floor. Sweep it, wash it, dry it.

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