Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be disappointed we are not able to access social housing

46 replies

billiejeanbob · 04/03/2015 19:01

I am a full time carer to my two disabled dc, also have a third dc currently being assessed for SN. I suffer from mental health problems and have bad depression and anxiety. My dc have complex needs and are statemented and recieve middle and high rate dla. I am really struggling at the moment.
We have lived in our privately rented house for 5 years and the landlord has not done any repairs. The house is in desperate need of repairs being done. There is a lot of mould and damp, hole I'm the ceiling from a leak, the bathroom floor is rotten and has a big hole in it. The window looking into the garden from the kitchen does not close at all and the house is freezing. I have repeatedly asked the landlord to do the repairs but he refuses and has now served me with a section 21 notice to quit as he is selling the house. I am now expected to have potential buyers in almost daily viewing the house, which is very difficult with the dcs.

I have been to my local council who have told me that I need to privately rent again. I feel stuck as I can't afford a deposit and the landlord here will not give me a reference as he is not happy I have complained about the repairs. I am worried about what will happen and anxious. I can't sleep properly, I have been looking every day for properties to rent but none are within my budget. I really hoped that the council could help us with affordable rents with social housing. AIBU?

OP posts:
MrsTawdry · 04/03/2015 21:21

I can't believe this! You've got band E and a notice to quit!?? Which council are you with? Are you in London?

NiceCardigan · 04/03/2015 21:21

You could try the CAB as well OP. Band E doesn't sound right for your situation can you appeal the decision?

PolterGoose · 04/03/2015 21:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lovebug85 · 04/03/2015 21:53

Heath visitor or school nurse, GP, paediatrician can all write you supporting letters to the council expressing your very great need for housing, stressing the strain to your familys mental health.
I would also get in touch with CAB and shelter and explain your situation- are you entitled to more benefits etc (??) to facilitate a move (unlikely I know, but you never know what resources are out there that can be tapped into.)
I also found that my MP was VERY helpful when I had a housing issue. I could vent at him and he applied substantial pressure on my local council to rehouse me out of a block of flats with a dodgy lift when I was pregnant. Give them a ring or drop into see them during their offices times, you can google who is yours. They are there to work for you, use them.
Thinking of you

Lovebug85 · 04/03/2015 21:55

Oh, and it also had a friend who lived in circumstance similar to yours by the sounds of it and she contacted environmental health. She used this as another stick to beat the council with. I don't know if that's helpful also?

CunningCat · 04/03/2015 22:11

As you have 2 disabled DC's perhaps you should contact children's services and ask for an assessments from the children with disabilities team. I work in this field and many families have priority to social housing and adapted properties, but you need to access this service first. Then the council will have a duty of care for you and your children. You will also be able to access other services/funding that may benefit your family. I really hope you consider this, best of luck.

QueenStromba · 05/03/2015 14:16

You shouldn't need an appointment with the paediatrician to ask them to write a letter for you. If you call the hospital you should be able to talk to their secretary/admin person and explain the situation.

26Point2Miles · 05/03/2015 14:22

there are just no houses in most areas....roughly where are you?

whats happened to your initial deposit/months rent advance?

do your LA have the rent assist programme?

do you have a partner?

bluejelly · 05/03/2015 14:33

No advice but lots of sympathy. You and your children deserve so much better from your landlord and the LA!
I know this doesn't help but wish Margaret Thatcher hadn't let councils sell off their housing stock. There really should be enough social housing to house people who need it (like you and your family).

manicinsomniac · 05/03/2015 14:48

Sounds like an awful situation to be in. I can sympathise but I don't understand to be honest. It all sounds hugely confusing.

I don't get the advice about shelter and homelessness and stuff. Why will this help the OP get a council house when she has the alternative of renting another house? Can you really just say that you don't want to privately rent another one and therefore the council HAVE to house you? Even if you don't qualify?

It sounds like a dangerous risk to take to me. I would have thought you'd be better off renting another house privately.

expatinscotland · 05/03/2015 15:27

You are never better off renting a private house. This is what you have to do to get a council house, you cannot just say you don't want to rent privately, which let's face it, may be impossible for the OP anyway, given her situation.

specialsubject · 05/03/2015 15:40

refuse all viewings. You do not have to allow ANY AT ALL. End of.

check your deposit is lodged correctly so it comes back quickly. (If it isn't lodged, sue the bugger for 3 times its value)

and the sooner you are out of this unspeakable shithole, the better. The landlord should have stopped renting it long ago as it is clearly unfit. Surprised environmental health didn't do anything. The landlord is either crooked or out of money, either way is no excuse.

Don't worry about the reference, the one from the previous landlord is always ignored. (Why? Because it might be a landlord wanting to get rid of a nightmare tenant - obviously this isn't you).

BTW if Sarah Teather's 'revenge eviction' bill had passed (it still might) you could refuse eviction, but you'd still be living in a shithole. No-one should have to put up with that.

and yes, there aren't enough council houses because they were and are being sold off, and being replaced at 1/5 the rate.

engeika · 05/03/2015 15:57

No practical advice to offer OP but I agree with you the system stinks. You should clearly be a priority and there should be a house for you. All I can say is get as much advice as you can -- here is a good start - and I wish you luck.

Original poster
billiejeanbob · 05/03/2015 16:10

Thanks for all of the replies. We aren't near London we are down south in Devon.
I don't mind renting privately, I don't mind where we go tbh as long as my dcs have a roof over their head. I have been looking every day for a suitable private rental but so far the ones that are charging a rent that we can afford won't take housing benefit.
I didn't pay a deposit for the place I am currently in just a months rent in advance. However as I recieve housing benefit I cannot simply withhold the last months rent as the final payment is made direct to the landlord and I doubt he will give it back to me without me hassling him, which will take time we haven't got.

OP posts:
Original poster
billiejeanbob · 05/03/2015 16:16

Regarding refusing the viewings I am really worries about doing this. The Landlord constantly rings me and has been around here shouting in front of the dcs as he was not happy that I had to rearrange a few and so the people cancelled. I know I could call the police etc but my dcs would be petrified. I don't want the landlord here kicking off and I don't want the police here so I guess it's easier jist to allow the viewings as then dcs aren't scared.

OP posts:
Original poster
billiejeanbob · 05/03/2015 16:17

Sorry for the typos! today so far I have called shelter and I am able to go to a drop in advice centre next week. Am also waiting for a call back from the paed. Thanks for all the advice.

OP posts:
Branleuse · 05/03/2015 16:34

youre not actually homeless, so youre not enough of a priority to be housed.

The rest of it would be points in your favour if you actually were homeless, but at the moment you are housed. Inadequately, but youre not a priority.

If you were to be evicted, then you would need to go back. They may have a duty then to provide you with emergency temporary accomodation. You could be in this for a long time before you were offered permanent housing, and its a big risk, and would be certainly stressful and difficult.

Unfortunately most council housing was sold off in the 80s and 90s and there is very very limited accomodation available now.

My situation is not far off yours, and I privately rent.

Sparrowlegs248 · 05/03/2015 18:24

Shelter should be very helpful. Make sure you take all info with you, tenancy, notice etc.

The LA should have housing options available to assist you before you get to eviction stage. They will advise you re viewing (I am not sure you can reasonably refuse all viewing, at pre arranged suitable times) Good luck.

26Point2Miles · 05/03/2015 18:29

op is already on the housing list....the LA are acting correctly

specialsubject · 05/03/2015 19:55

well, that answers one question; the guy IS a crook. HE is not allowed to harrass you like this in YOUR home. Please report this to 101.

the best thing you can do for you and your kids is to stop paying him, by getting out. I know it isn't that easy but it has to be done.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page