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?!

Once again, for those who are hard of understanding, council rents are not subsidised.

Mumsnet is certainly living up to its reputation tonight...

It is a bit of a shock compared to private rentals. It's a case of prioritising over those first few months. If the floors are bare, they should at least be safe - get on to the council if they're not. I've lived without a cooker temporarily, it's doable. Congratulations on your new home x

The OP has come on asking for help. You just don't kick someone when they are down. It's beyond rude.

Fleas don't last on laminate. Also there are certain steam cleanings that can be done that get rid of fleas. Most HAs are too busy paying their execs top salaries and bonuses that they don't have the budget for these expenses. IMO it's criminal that a lot of these HA execs make over £200k a year with a nice final salary pension while the tenants are moving into substandard housing.

Fresh, congratulations on your new home. It must be a relief to have a secure tenancy. Try not to let concerns over flooring and white goods put a dampener on things.

I would check out the following...

Gumtree, FB etc for freebies/very cheap items - post requests don't just see what people are offering
Speak to the HA about grants etc to help
Get some idea from current landlord as to when deposit will be repaid (and scrub from bottom to top to minimise any deposit being retained)
Look for offcuts of carpets etc going cheap
Charity shops - some have electrical items

Once again, for those who are hard of understanding, council rents are not subsidised

That old chestnut. When they are less than half the cost of private rent in the same area, they ARE subsidised. You can argue semantics all you like, but they are not market value.

But something being under market rates doesn’t mean it’s subsidised it means it’s cheaper than the other things being sold.

I buy a tin of Heinz beans in the corner shop it’s £1.40 I buy it in Asda it’s £0.80 Asda isn’t subsiding my beans they can just afford to charge a different amount because their business model is different.

Buying your tin of beans from a council run shop for 50p when other people have to buy it on the open market for at least a pound means your beans are subsidised.
Like your rent.

The corner shop.chooses to sell at a higher price because people will pay for the convenience. Or cant get to a big supermarket so are forced to pay.

Lots of private landlords overcharge because they can, because the rental sector is oversaturated with renters.
If I rented out my home I could get double the cost of my mortgage.

If you want to pretend for some reason that council renters don't have a massive advantage over private, go ahead.
We all know that isn't the case though.

Exactly and private renters up the price because they can and people are forced to pay because there aren’t enough council houses.

Something being cheaper doesn’t make it subsidised it would be subsidised if part of the more expensive rent you were paying was going towards paying my rent but that’s not what’s happening.
Private renters are just paying more rent that’s going to landlords.

When did I say that???

I think they do, I think council housing is brilliant! I think there should be loads more so no one is forced to pay ridiculous private rents and it forces the private landlords to up their game.

An advantage is not a subsidy though

If it’s council then you would have known you would be moving. It takes ages to get a council house even if you’re priority. You should have saved money for your household goods and flooring ect as you knew you were going to need it. Same with rent, everyone knows where ever you move to you’ll need at LEAST one weeks rent up front. You’re either entitled as fuck or completely stupid. Why on earth should the council have to pay for your fridge and carpet? Be thankful you have a roof over your child’s head and work on making it a home for your family like every other person does.

People who buy also have similar issues. My friend has brough up two children with bare floorboards.
Often you move in and there is heaps that need doing. Just because you bought rather than rented doesn't mean you have loads of money for white goods or decoration.

For fucks sake, where precisely do you think the subsidy comes from? I am not sure how much more I can simplify an explanation without using stick men.

But most council houses were built a long time ago. The money that the council borrowed to pay for them has mostly been paid back. The cost of housing to the council is staff to collect rents, manage tenancies. and do repairs. There is also money (a sinking fund) to do repairs and improvements. There is surplus money.

If the council charged a ' market rent' bearing in mind that a shortage of rented housing keeps rents artificially high (see also house prices) they would make an even bigger surplus - a lot of which would come from increased housing benefits, but that is another argument.,

Maybe you could explain what this surplus should be spent on - may be subsiding council tax?

I am just reading a lot of envy for people who have secure, affordable tendencies. Like decent housing is too much to expect.

I agree grief, it must be really frustrating if you can’t get a council house but that frustration should be at the council and the government not at the people who can get one.

Prosecomun

The wait for council property is variable, you may get a property that three others turned down in the first week or two of bidding - it does happen and depends how picky you are and how savvy you are at bidding

£190 per week for a new build 2 bedrooms flat in a town in the Midlands- that’s not subsided

That’s £823 per month in rent

For white goods - try charity shops. They will deliver, whereas EBay/Facebook you often have to collect and some white goods would require a van. I've had really decent white goods for £20 from charity shops. I used to rent a washing machine from a local company. They also sold reconditioned washing machines.

Could you get a loan from your local Credit Union? Will be low interest.

have a look on your council website for 'discretionary crisis payment'
it wont cover flooring but exists for situations like yours where you are rehoused into a different type of property eg unfurnished rather than furnished ....there is usually a benefit/low income requirement as part of the criteria....
in our area the council support a local furniture recycyle that also does white goods so you get a voucher that allows you to access them if you are granted a grant - however you can also usually access the recycle shops anyway and they can be a great source at a good price...
your housing officer may mention it when you sign up for the property/housing benefit- if not it will be on the website somewhere!

the 6 days is quite standard for council process here as well - it does seem really rushed but better than nothing!

When I moved into my HA flat only the kitchen had no flooring
(Well Lino with a huge chunk ripped out of it) I was a bit surprised they’d not bunged some more Lino down just to make it safe. Other than that I didn’t expect white goods of any sort. I think for anyone struggling they will (well ours used to, don’t know if they still do) give £50 towards decorating any room that they deemed to be in a poor state. Also I think they help with carpeting if someone really cant afford any. I’m no means sure but I’d ask anyhow.

It has been done to death on here gamer But ppl see what they want to see

I know, properly brings out the daily mail bless em!*

Well obviously everyone who rents a council house gets it free gamer of course

Yes the free house argument. All these free houses everywhere. People won’t rest until SH is linked to benefits. It’s worked with tax credits after all