AIBU to think it shouldn't be so expensive to move into a council house?!

[FreshStarts00]

NC.
So we've finally been allocated a house! Viewing is really soon. They want first 2 weeks rent 6 days after the viewing, then they say they can give us the keys 2 days after that.
Few hiccups:
We'd be paying rent on 2 houses. Need to give landlord 1 months notice from the day we pay rent, which is the 1st of the month. We barely have anything left over as it is after bills. Let alone magically coming up with another £250+.
They don't provide flooring.... AIBU to think this is a hazard with a 3 Y/O?? Splinters and nails and rough floorboards
No white goods whatsoever... So we'd be without an oven and a washing machine. Also microwave ect but that's not vital.
No bath- LO will just have to get over her hatred of showers, this one isn't really a major issue.

Anyone got any magical ideas?
Or been in a similar situation?
AIBU to think it shouldn't be so expensive to move into a council house?!

Yabu and it comes across as ungrateful but I'll offer you some advice anyway

Carpetright offer 0% finance for 4 years can get a serious bargain if you go into a show room, measurements and fitting is quick but you have to pay the fitters their fee on the day, few hundred at least. Keep 6ft down by having the same carpet throughout or carpet remnants for different room.

White goods - try Facebook and gumtree.

Is the Council letting the house to you, or a housing association? I’ve worked for a HA and the liability insurance that they take out for their housing stock would not cover flooring that a previous tenant had fitted. The HA would be open to all sorts of legal claims, mostly from the companies who phone tenants up asking “we heard about your recent accident / illness etc” and then sue the HA.

Also, having to incorporate carpets and white goods into new development build appraisals, well the scheme would never be ok’d, there are all sorts of financial limitations that HA’s have to work within. Social housing development would grind to a halt as it wouldn’t be financially viable.

A lot of HA housing is funded indirectly by housing benefit and state pensions. And a lot by tenants wages. So a mix there.

A friend of mine moved into a flat nearby and got a grant to buy some essentials for her flat as she had almost nothing. It’s rough going buying all this stuff carpets are so expensive too. Hope you get something sorted laundrette for clothes at least but you obs need a fridge just be savvy about where you buy them from

When we moved in from a hostel we literally had nothing and moved into literally a shell there was no bulbs no flooring no white good nothing. We didn't qualify because I work but you might be entitled to a loan from the job centre for your white good ect. It's not a lot but should be enough to get a machine machine and fridge freezer. Just think a year down the line it will feel more like home.

I'm in a private rented house.
It cost me close to 2 grand! to move and I bought all of my white goods myself.
On top of this, my rent is extortionate!

YABU.

Keel
Op I don't know where you are based but you're welcome to message me. Have a newish washing machine, and fridge freezer and sofa which was in mil's house

I'm absolutely NOT suggesting the OP is posting to get free stuff but there have been troll threads about someone who was skint and couldn't afford flooring etc in their new council house. They turned out to be troll thread and were deleted. Giving away free stuff to random people on the internet even if they are 100% genuine encourages trolls to try their luck. It is lovely of you to want to help but I'd suggest you consider giving the items to a local housing charity where you can guarantee that it will end up helping out someone in need.
To be fair to the OP they haven't suggested that they were trying to get people to give them anything.

Hope you understand what I'm saying.

Then removing the carpet may have been a blessing in disguise. When we moved into our house the carpets were matted with dog hair, stunk to high heaven and triggered my asthma something chronic. We had to rip them up ourselves and then I mopped the floorboards with dettol So while I get why they pull up carpets I’m surprised they actually bother!

I wouldn’t have expected white goods in a LA house though, no more than I’d expect a bed, sofa etc

Second the St Vincent de Paul option, we have several of their charity shops near where we live too. Or do you have any local Facebook groups you could ask for advice? And while posting there there may be someone who’s throwing something out and offers it to you. Free cycle is good but you usually have had to have given something before you’re eligible to take (I think), and usually there are lots of replies for things like fridges etc. But you could be lucky!

I find it hilarious that you expect the council/housing association to provide you with white goods.Perhaps a nice American style fridge freezer, top of the range dishwasher and matching microwave The flooring is slightly different, there should be a basic carpet of lino down from the previous people no? I have never handed out grips but you really need to get one, talk about entitled.

I moved to a HA property, after a spell at my parents because of a failed relationship. No carpets, curtain rails - nothing of that description at all. I had white goods, and some furniture. My HA helped me access a grant for carpets and some essential things. It was from a private company that gives one off grants to people in my position, in a certain profession and in certain circumstances. I was put forward by an advisor in the HA as I'm working I didn't qualify for government grants or one from them. I cried when I opened the letter - there's no way I could have afforded the flooring and essential things straight away. The rest I'm doing and getting as we go. For me it's a small price to pay for having the place in the first place, the fact the rent is lower than market price, and the support available when things go wrong. I've not been here long but so far any issues and repairs have been dealt with far faster and with less hassle than all my private lets! For the first time ever I also feel secure in the tenancy.
On the face of it YABU but I can understand your worry about this.
Ask your HA advisor for some help.

OP. Congratulations and Best wishes for a long and happy life in your new home.

Please look at https://england.shelter.org.uk/housingadvice/moneyyproblemsanddenergycosts/cashhinaacrisis

Here for furniture etc www.frn.org.uk/donate.html

‘But what's your point? All that means is that you failed to save up or better yourselves’

What a rude and ignorant thing to say!! So if you’re in a privately rented house you’ve ‘bettered yourself’ compared to someone in a council house??
Or do you think that everyone should own a house and people who have been left behind by the ridiculous house market are just not saving hard enough.

The council estate I live on is lovely, they were built at a time when the government cared about quality of life so they have big gardens and are well built. They are close to schools and shops, are very well built, and are built to last.
I’m failing to see how if someone rents one of the same houses on my street that’s rented out privately that makes them any further up the social ladder than their next door neighbour who rents from the ha.

LMFAO you are being so funny love , sorry but its NOT private rental. Being a very long standing council tenant. YOU GET SQUAT that's right sweet FA. You are extremely lucky IMO if a council house you move into is not a bit of a shit hole, may get lucky and have a new kitchen or bathroom it wont be top of the range. but hey its your home and you can decorate it how you like to your own taste, you wont get LL using a key and letting themselves in. consider yourself lucky I do, I have a tenancy where I can live for as long as I want. And the right to buy.
For everyones info I put in my own kitchen and bathroom and totally redorated the house (and yes it was a total shit hole, garden OMG I think I saw david Attenborough during a jungle programme) rents aren't a quarter of the price LOL. well not where I am its about half ish but its a popular area so private LL charge a lot and get it! I do all the maintenance (part of my tenancy agreement) all I get is a visit once a year to check the boiler.

Also you might get lucky and decorating allowance - welcome to the real world where you have to furnish and pay for all the appliances and furnishings. I am actually laughing about white goods and floor coverings. get second hand / reconditioned like most do when starting out. good luck

If you are used to private tenancies then it is understandable that you expect flooring and white goods, as it is hugely rare to find a private let without them.

YAB a bit U.

I was in the same situation to you. Literally nothing in the house that you'd expect to be left by previous tenant etc...like maybe a loo roll holder, some hooks for pictures, maybe the odd curtain rail. NOTHING. They had, however, managed to leave all the scap metal in the garden, and the horrific paint/wallpaper.

I had to pay rent on 2 places, and I although I was eligible for HB I wasn't able to claim it for the time I had to rent the 2 places. I was completely broke after moving in for a very, very long time. I slept on a bit of foam on the floor for months, with no curtains as I'd spent everything on the flooring/cooker/kids rooms. I'd do it again 10 times over though to have this place- the security and the ability to make it your own home, at a decent rent, is worth it.

But no, your situation isn't unusual. If there had been a bath in your bathroom instead of just a shower, you could always ask if you can put one back in.

oh and round our way there is a furniture bank for completely broke people, where you only have to pay for delivery...there might be something similar around your way?

Yabu do you want them to stock your subsidised cupboards with food from Waitrose too?

I don't know why you would expect white goods? I private rent and they have never been provided. I don't know anyone who would expect this.

I do think flooring should be there though. But again, I thought it was common knowledge that council houses don't have flooring.

Moving always had high costs which is why it is important to save in preparation. I had to move in July for personal reasons and I went without a lot of things so I could put money aside. I know this isn't an option for people less fortunate than myself but doesn't sound like the case for you.

Also agree getting a house is lucky. I'd love a secure tenancy for myself (lone parent) and my toddler but the chances of that for the majority of people is next to zero. I do think some council houses have people in who don't actually need one which adds to the problem.

@girraffe Before Ds I supported people in Temporary accommodation in a Scottish city.

In the case of our LA, there were several reasons why we didn't just house people in whatever temp accommodation they got.

1. Temp accommodation is fully furnished and decorated. Beds, sofas, white goods, chairs & tables, flooring etc. If we housed someone in there permanently, we would then have to kit out the next empty property, decorate it and put flooring down slowing down the turn over and costing the Council a fortune. For reference, I had sixty properties, some people stayed a matter of days, others years depending on how complicated their case was. Over the course of the average year, I might work with 250 individuals/families going through those flats and we housed a large percentage of them.

1. Allocations. Because we had a range of properties from bedsits to 4 beds and a huge demand on our services, we had to put people where we had space especially if they were vulnerable and the hostels weren't a great option. So we had single guys in 3 bed flats and Mums with young children in bedsits. As a temporary option it was okay, as a permanent one no way. The number of people housed temporary accommodation which matched their allocations would probably be less than 50 percent.

Based on some of the things I've seen (and smelt), fleas, mushrooms, urine, I wouldn't want to gamble with the flooring being left.

Unfortunately the system isn't geared up for those who are low income but work. Whereas for the Homeless families I housed we could magicked up new white goods, some flooring, beds, sofas etc from various sources if they needed it, when I worked for mainstream LA housing our options were limited in the extreme.

I'd suggest big bedspreads/blankets on the floor until you can get flooring sorted. Charity shops usually have them cheap. Red Cross furniture stores sometimes have second hand washing machines/cookers cheap. Not ideal but an option for the short term.

Another option would be to get a slow cooker, they are considerably cheaper than an actual cooker and you can cook a lot in them.

It's also worth speaking to your new Housing Officer, they might have some suggestions for you as to what's available in the local area.

white goods? does the OP not understand the difference between furnished and unfurnished? must have led a very odd entitled life expecting councils to pay for this.

but I do agree basic flooring should be done. most councils don't bother with this anymore though.

Iwanttobe8stoneagain making sure the stereotypical way MN is seen by the wider country stays alive and well.

Washing machines, ovens and fridge/freezers have always been in rented properties I've had, likewise the properties I have rented out have had them. Similarly renting a place without carpets/flooring and curtains would be unheard of!

Of course council properties are different, but I get why the OP might assume they would be there if her only experience of renting is in the private sector. They're pretty basic things, hardly solid gold taps.

Where I am there is a local ‘furniture exchange’ place where you can get refurbished white good and other furniture and stupidly cheap prices. The council actually give you their details if you are new tenant and link to them on their website as situations like yours are exactly what they are for.

I would ask if there is something like that in your area?

I’ve lived in 3 different council places, first two had no carpet, just bare floor, as expected. But we were given b&q vouchers which we used for paint and carpet tiles. Where I am now again there was no carpet but they did leave in the really nice laminate flooring in the upstairs rooms which I am really pleased about.

Urgh, again?