Council Flat - is this allowed or will I be breaking rules

[cakemiddletonedeaf]

I’m a council tenant in a two bedroom flat in a good area but extremely run down block and flat.

I don’t expect getting a mortgage and would ideally do a swap but no one wants high rise so I’m staying here.

This flat needs a make over - new floors, doors, wallpaper. I can keep the bathroom and kitchen cupboards but these would need some work too.

I’m expected to get inheritance (from family in another country) + I just got promoted on my job and on track to get promoted again by the end of the year which would then give me the experience and skills to go become an independent contractor and earn a lot more if I choose to + a boyfriend willing to chip in financially (he lives in his own house but has no dependants so some money to spare)

My idea is to:

• get rid of all my furniture - not a lot and everything old, battered and 2nd hand since I moved so many times
• move out to nearby rented accomodation with DD for a few months taking only clothes and devices and personal stuff (again, we dont have a lot of things at all, we are very frugal)
• get the work done in an empty flat at once
• move back in and slowly buy furniture again starting from fridge/cooker/ washing machine and maybe get some credit - pay in instalmments (I usually save and pay full amount outright but again I never bought brand new big ticket items)

My questions are:

1- Would this be allowed under council tenancy regulations? I know I have permission to redecorate the flat, but moving out temporarily while the work is being carried out, is this allowed?
I will not change my name on the utilities on the new address and will probably rent a room on a shared home.

2- Is this a good idea and has anyone done this before? I see on the swap groups, some council properties are so beautiful inside, how do ppl manage to do work and live at the same place is a mystery to me…maybe easier if it is DIY but I will need professionals. And my place is so small, there is no space to move furniture around and live a normal life with me, DD, workmen…plus I WFH too.

Also within the next 2 years, the council will redecorate the block communal areas/replace windows etc so the outside will look better too.

Why do you need to move for a few months?!

Decorating a basic flat should be 2 - 3 weeks at most!

But I doubt the council would care if you do live elsewhere whilst this is happening - after all you’re upgrading it in a way.

Check your tenancy agreement. Mine says it must be my regular home, and they class that as not being out of it for 3 months or more.

Why move out? It's decorating not rebuilding!

Some council tenancies state you can’t be not living in the property for more than 28 days. This would also impact any benefits you may receive.

root your tenancy agreeement!

Why would you bother moving out, you're only getting it redecorated?
In any case, no-one on here knows what your Council's rules are!

If you can afford all that, you can afford to rent privately and leave the subsidised property for someone who needs it!

If you get found out you would be in breach of tenancy and face potential eviction. Why would you waste money on rent while redecorating your flat on credit? Makes no sense

Because I need new floors everywhere and I dont have the space to move furniture around and if I live here I will need the furniture so can’t get rid of it?

As I said it is a mystery to me how ppl do it - I never did and this will not be DIY - I will need professionals.

It is all in the post

No I wouldn't expect that would be allowed. It all seems pretty drastic anyway??

Oh hush. Nobody is obliged to leave a secure, affordable tenancy for insecure, overpriced private rent because they 'can afford to'. Council property isn't subsidised, it's just not profit making.

Can you put your possessions in storage and do one room at a time while staying in the flat. Just with mattresses, kettle, microwave? I don't know about your individual tenancy agreement but never underestimate the propensity of people to report you for any perceived wrongdoing.

How do you think every well else manages? You move furniture out into other rooms even if it means it's all piled up and you're living in a mess. You manage.

Read your tenancy and find out how long you could move out for.

You could get rid of all your lounge/dining room stuff whilst you decorate downstairs then move the bedroom stuff downstairs whilst you do upstairs or vice versa.

Are you mad?
It is a one off inheritance coming up it will not help me pay private rent - yes in London - forever

I dont know hence the post with questions🧐🧐🧐🧐

I wouldn't move out. It's not necessary, most people don't have that option when having work done. Just put up with it for a few weeks.

Slightly off-track, but is there any reason why you couldn't live in your boyfriend's house while you're is done? And if the schedule allows for not all the rooms to be done at the same time maybe nip back at the weekend, so just leave enough stuff to sleep on and camp. You could eat cold food or takeaways.

And the two promotions?

nope because the possessions are crappy and falling apart just like the flat and the block and I’d rather buy something nice and new for the first time in my life ever at 46 years old.

This load of bollocks again….,,she’s entitled to social housing …….doesn’t matter what she can or can’t afford….it’s her home…..end of

there is no downstairs lol
it is a small 2 bedroom flat with a tiny kitchen and tiny bathroom with no outdoor space

And???
You know fuck all about the OPs job, her financial situation or life in general, yet seem to be making a heck of a lot of insinuations.
We get it. You think all council tenants should be eternally grateful, put up with basic living standards and not want to improve themselves.

Good on her……getting on with her life…..doing well

But you have a lounge?