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Stupid living situation

13 replies

Kaloki · 30/11/2009 15:07

Really need some advice.

I'm currently living in Brighton with my fiance, we've been here 6 months. We both adore Brighton, having moved from Slough and Enfield it's nice to be in a town where you don't get regular any hassle for being alternative. (Fiance has a mohawk) Problem is, since being here I've been having back problems, which means that our top floor flat is now a cage for me more than anything else, because I can't cope with the stairs.

On top of that, this flat is horrible. We had a leaking roof for the first 4 months here (which meant a lot of fighting to get it fixed), since then there has been a constant stream of things going wrong. We had to call environmental health on a pub near us who suddenly decided that turning the volume of their music up was a good idea. (We could hear the words to songs and feel the bass from the other side of the flat! With door and windows closed!!) We've just discovered we have a new leak in the kitchen. The kitchen is unbearable anyway, even without the leak.

We've also discovered that the breeze gets through every single window in the flat, not good with the strong/cold winds we've been getting recently.

So, cold plus damp from the leaking, not helping our health at all.

We've tried looking for properties, and again we are restricted, because we are on housing benefit. So can only afford so much, and that's if the property accepts it at all.

Our choices currently are;

  • find somewhere in Brighton, in our price range, which accepts DSS
  • move back to my fiance's mum's house (really really don't want to do that, partly because it's Enfield, partly because it's his mum's house)
  • find somewhere different to look, but I have no idea where

Oh also, I got rid of my car when the back problems started as driving aggravates it. Which means we can't be far from a decent transport system, and even then, on bad days my back can't cope with buses, and if we were to move back to Enfield or Slough we'd be totally reliant on other people driving us places.

Any advice? Fiance is talking about leaving this place in a months time.

OP posts:
Lauriefairyonthetreeeatscake · 30/11/2009 15:11

How about a job where you live in - housekeeping/waitressing/nannying etc?

Kaloki · 30/11/2009 15:14

I can't stand for more than 10-15 mins without needing a lie down Don't imagine I'm particularly hireable (that's not a word, I know)

Stupid damn back messing things up

OP posts:
Lauriefairyonthetreeeatscake · 30/11/2009 15:17

What about fiance though, perhaps a job as a groundskeeper - the "Lady" magazine always has jobs with separate living accomodation? Are you going to be permanently disabled?

Kaloki · 30/11/2009 15:25

He's been getting disabilty allowance since we met, the idea was I'd be earning enough to support us both. Except then my back decided to mess up, I've no idea how long the back problems will last. The doctors don't know what's wrong, and appear to have given up on finding out, I've just been given painkillers to take. They were advised by my physio to do further tests as I have no flexibility at all, but they've decided against it.

OP posts:
kidcreoleandthecoconuts · 30/11/2009 15:35

If I were you I would start looking for a flat in Brighton as you really like it there and that's a big thing especially when you're ill and unable to work.
If you move back to his mum's house you won't be happy as you neither like the area or the idea of living with his mum.Can you imagine being housebound in a house where you're unhappy?
You could move elsewhere altogether but there's no saying whether you'll like it there.
Are there many properties in Brighton to rent?

MistletoeMonster · 30/11/2009 15:39

Kaloki, get your GP to refer you to the back clinic at Brighton General. Mine did this for me and it was sooooo helpful.

MistletoeMonster · 30/11/2009 15:46

Also, grab yourself a copy of

Latest Homes and find yourself a new pad in Brighton. There's quite a lot out there.

Kaloki · 30/11/2009 15:47

My gp actually refused to send me Mistletoe, how ridiculous is that?

I'm subscribed to mailing lists for every letting agent I can find in Brighton, there doesn't seem to be anything in our price range.

OP posts:
MistletoeMonster · 30/11/2009 15:52

It is ridiculous. I feel for you, I really do. I wonder if there's a different GP at your surgery that you could go & see and say that you'd heard about the back clinic and could they refer you please?

As for letting agents, I would suggest you try and go in and see some personally and maybe once you're there, there might be some scope for haggling. I know I would rather have a good tenant in my flat than a huge monthly rent.

mrsjammi · 30/11/2009 15:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Kaloki · 01/12/2009 06:52

It's now been decided that well be staying at my fiance's mum's house for a few weeks for a break.

Does anyone know anywhere good to look for private lettings?

OP posts:
Mollyfish · 08/12/2009 14:05

Hi Kaloki - The Gum Tree is good (brighton.gumtree.com/) or try the noice board outside Infinity Foods in the North Laines, or the one outside The Mad Hatter cafe on Western Road. Friday Ad also worth a look. Housing advice centre near Community base on Queens Road can give you a list of housing benefit friendly letting agents. Can you get a guarantor? (Anyone who owns a house). This would hel a lot.

Kaloki · 09/12/2009 01:25

Just thought I'd update. Hopefully this week we'll find out that we've got a new flat.

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