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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to think the council should clean your house before you get the keys?

243 replies

Kellyjohnson23 · 28/07/2017 16:43

I'm so sad today,got the keys but it seems totally impossible.
Everywhere is dirty,muck everywhere,the walls are scruffy,the skirting boards and doors are a horrible dirty yellow (that the white has turned into )
I don't have anyone to help me decorate so it's all on me.
I just feel sad

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
Fairylea · 28/07/2017 17:00

You can do it. Look in wilco and poundstretcher for very cheap wallpapers and paints; it all makes a difference. I just did a feature wall in my bedroom with a £6 roll of paper and £2 paste packet!

George at Asda also has some lovely home stuff.

Fairy power spray is fab for cleaning grease and really ground in dirt off.

MsMims · 28/07/2017 17:00

I actually think the council should have left it in a basic state of cleanliness for you. Tenants should be seen more like customers than just a source of revenue. Not everyone would physically be able to scrub the place from top to bottom.

On the plus side well done for getting stuck in and I'm sure it will be lovely once you're finished. How many rooms do you need to do? Can you prioritise the essential rooms like kitchen, bathroom and a room to sleep in?

Notreallyarsed · 28/07/2017 17:01

I remember about 20 years ago a friend of mine getting the keys to her flat in Granton in Edinburgh, when we went in there was a stain from a pool of blood on the floor and arterial spray up the living room wall. Turns out the previous tenant had been murdered and the council had just lifted the carpet and re-let it!

gamerchick · 28/07/2017 17:02

Crack open the sugar soap, don't just paint over the muck.

It's just the way it is, it took me weeks to get my house up to scratch.

FlyMeToDunoon · 28/07/2017 17:02

Not nice for you and it's a shame it's taken the shine off getting yourself a new home.
Hopefully you're seeing some results now.

The state of UK social housing is scandalous.

Notknownatthisaddress · 28/07/2017 17:02

Can you not get a decoration allowance from your landlord/the council? Ask them. Smile

At least you have a social housing tenancy though! Smile Once it's sorted, you will have a tenancy for life. They are like gold dust these days.

Hope you will be happy.

DramaInPyjamas · 28/07/2017 17:03

When we moved in our house it was orange with years tobacco and grease. (Not an twatty previous tenant, a 90 year old man who had died.)

After I got the keys I was given just a week to try to clean and move everything.
The council then had the cheek to charge me £185 for disposing of a hoover and a trike I had accidentally left in the old loft

x2boys · 28/07/2017 17:05

Onthink they have a duty to remove the carpets and wall.paper mine was a mess when we moved it paper hanging off the wall bare floored etc we got £250 decorating vouchers ,this was two years ago ,is there anything like that ?

Tw1nsetAndPearls · 28/07/2017 17:06

It is a shame that it isn't clean. IME most private rentals are cleaned before a new tenant moves in.

KathyBeale · 28/07/2017 17:08

Where are you in the country? I have some rolls of really nice wallpaper and lots of paint left over from when we did our loft conversion recently, which you are welcome to have. But we're in SE London where there is no social housing so I'm guessing you're not nearby...

MissWimpyDimple · 28/07/2017 17:08

Council houses are like hens teeth. Yes they aren't rent free, but try paying £1000 a month and having no security. I'll take the grubby council place please.

Billben · 28/07/2017 17:09

Be grateful you are not sleeping on the street.

chickenowner · 28/07/2017 17:09

Three weeks is plenty of time for you to clean and redecorate. I know it seems daunting at the moment but just focus on one area/job at a time.

It will all be worth it when you have a lovely house to live in!

Original poster
Kellyjohnson23 · 28/07/2017 17:09

Apparently no decorating vouchers
I've bought my paint already
It's just the thought of having to do it all
I feel a bit weepy

OP posts:
Original poster
Kellyjohnson23 · 28/07/2017 17:10

This is living room ..

Aibu to think the council should clean your house before you get the keys?
OP posts:
itstoolateforthisbollox · 28/07/2017 17:11

You think they would be clean tho...It's not like they renting them for free..

Why would they? My rented house wasn't cleaned before I moved in, nor the one I bought. Who do you think should pay for cleaning your gaff?
And it's not free, but its a lot lot less than private rent or a mortgage, so you can afford some marigolds and a bottle of flash....

Original poster
Kellyjohnson23 · 28/07/2017 17:11

......

Aibu to think the council should clean your house before you get the keys?
OP posts:
needsomesunshineandwine · 28/07/2017 17:11

There is no need for the state of some council houses! Don't expect the council to paint or decorate your house but come on. People are paying their rent.

I remember moving into my old house when I was younger and it was atrocious, walls fallen apart, broken bath, kitchen that had broken tiles and different work tops??

Took me ages to clean the nicotine of the walls and ceiling etc.

x2boys · 28/07/2017 17:12

And here we go again council houses are not like hens teeth everywhere we don't all live in the South ...

Original poster
Kellyjohnson23 · 28/07/2017 17:12

Bedroom ...

Aibu to think the council should clean your house before you get the keys?
OP posts:
chickenowner · 28/07/2017 17:13

Tbh it doesn't look that bad to me!

Moanyoldcow · 28/07/2017 17:13

3 weeks and that place will be fab, cleaning and decorating whilst empty will take no time. You can do it - chin up.

Original poster
Kellyjohnson23 · 28/07/2017 17:13

Bathroom ...

Aibu to think the council should clean your house before you get the keys?
OP posts:
x2boys · 28/07/2017 17:14

Yeah mine looked like that when I moved in same flooringGrin I like your window though .

gamerchick · 28/07/2017 17:15

IT doesn't to me either. Good size rooms there OP. Just get stuck in. Paint the walls white before you decorate maybe.

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