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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

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

413 replies

FreshStarts00 · 13/11/2017 12:13

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 Shock
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?!

OP posts:
MinervaSaidThar · 13/11/2017 12:46

It doesn't sound like you need to pay a deposit? Is that why councils don't provide white goods and flooring, because they can't claim the cost of replacing damaged/stolen goods from a deposit?

When we rented a flat, the inventory process for the one bed flat was very thorough. And I had to pay for professional cleaners when we left.

RB68 · 13/11/2017 12:47

Speak to them about the move in date explaining the issue - try and negotiate. The timing is rubbish to be fair - but you might be able to negotiate staged pyts etc not sure.

Re white goods - do second hand usually 50 to 100 will get you washer, fridge which are two essentials with small children. FOr cooking it is possible to survive with a couple of rings and a microwave if you have one currently, otherwise again a small one is gen avail second hand.

Ask ask ask - and keep asking everyone you know if they can loan, have one to get rid of etc re ovens, fridges etc. Short term anything will do.

If you do claim any sort of benefits then ask about short term loans for situations like this esp for children's beds, fridges etc. Check with some of the housing charities what help is available and so on

stitchglitched · 13/11/2017 12:47

Agree with Oswin. I moved from one HA house to a bigger one last year and we had to rip up floor vinyl that was throughout the kitchen and living room and had only been down a couple of years. We were told we would be charged disposal costs if we left it. It would be better if the new tenant could decide if they want it left, it's such a waste.

WildBluebelles · 13/11/2017 12:47

I'm paying a mortgage and no one gave us anything - how unfair!

That's pretty goady to be honest. You are very lucky to be able to own your own home and have a place to call your own. Millions will never be able to do this. No, I don't know if the OP is on benefits but given the difficulty in securing a council home, I would think she is either on a low income with tax credits or in receipt of other benefits. Maybe she is secretly a millionaire.

I also bought my own home a few years ago. I know I am lucky to be able to do so. The owners (as is pretty normal) left the carpets and fitted oven. I had to buy furniture and other white goods of course but I can afford it and as I have a permanent job, I get cheap credit offered to me so I can buy everything at once. I would not in any way begrudge those in financial hardship help with housing, including making sure that the house was ready for them to use when they moved in.

TonicandLime · 13/11/2017 12:47

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ShotsFired · 13/11/2017 12:47

There are secondhand furniture and appliances places all over the country. Many of them will deliver too. It doesn't have to cost gazillions; and you'll get your current deposit back soon enough, surely?

You are being very U to (a) have not been preparing for this before now; and (b) to expect freebies when you are already getting a cheap home.

So head up, shoulders back and get on with it cheerfully, safe in the knowledge you have a pretty solid and affordable home for life now. If the decor is shit, buy a trade size tub of white emulsion and take it all back to that and slowly decorate to taste - it's what most people do.

RB68 · 13/11/2017 12:48

re flooring - most carpet shops have off cuts if OH or yourself might be able to fit. Bit of Lino for bathroom and make do. Long term you will be alot better off.

Belleoftheball8 · 13/11/2017 12:48

You keep posting about this every now again surprised you haven’t attached the same pictures yet. Its normal to pay rent upfront even in private rents with a deposit, mn expecting white goods.

Dancingfairy · 13/11/2017 12:48

Yes they do remove flooring. My sister viewed a lovely 2 bed ha house with laminate downstairs and carpet upstairs. She asked if she could keep it and was even asked to sign somethig to say she wants to keep it and guess what... When she moved in it was all gone. Even my house I move into almost 3 years ago didn't have any flooring (didn't expect it to anyway)

MrsJayy · 13/11/2017 12:48

If councils don't remove white goods then they'd need to have them checked to ensure that they were safe before reletting. They would then also be responsible for repairs and replacement and annual safety checks as they'd form 'part of the let'. I guess the arguement is the same for flooring

Yes all of this LA can't afford to be like Private landlords the rent reflects that

RaininSummer · 13/11/2017 12:48

It is obviously not easy but it isn't when you buy a place yourself either. When I bought my first home I had bare boards with newspaper down for two years and cardboard boxes as side tables. You build a home as you can afford it,and beg and borrow as much as you can. You are very lucky to have been offered a council place and the transition period will be a bit pricey .

achangeisgonnacome · 13/11/2017 12:48

Haven’t read the full thread but are you currently claiming housing benefit?

I’ve been out of HB assessments for a while now but you used to be able to claim payment on so homes due to dual liability of rent.

So that would solve that issue. Unfortunately I don’t think that is the same if you’re claiming universal credit, but your could ask for an advance.

As for the LA providing you with white goods etc - ha ha ha ha.

Seriously do you think the council actually has a responsibility (as well
as the funds given how many cuts they have had to bear) to provide these items?

WildBluebelles · 13/11/2017 12:49

Tonic, that is a really really horrible comment.

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 13/11/2017 12:49

2nd hand white goods doesn't mean they're "dodgy". All the second hand furniture places have to have everything safety checked and approved before selling.

Carpets are always ripped up the council round here. Most are after a long tenancy though or elderly tenants and are literally disintegrating or trip hazards.

My parents and in laws contributed as an early Christmas present towards carpet. That might be an option? Or carpet tiles are much cheaper and you can stick them down yourself!

Oswin · 13/11/2017 12:49

Wild bluebells they empty it completely. Rip off any wallpaper leaving little holes that they don't fill. Rip the floors up. Chuck any furniture out. Left me a load of rubbish to get rid of myself though that was nice.

achangeisgonnacome · 13/11/2017 12:49

That should say: Payment on two homes ...

Nicknacky · 13/11/2017 12:49

wild And what do you think some tenants might do with the appliances when they leave? Leave them for the next person? Nope they will be sold. A council cannot be expected to provide these appliances, it would cost a fortune then there is the liability aspect for repairs, renewals etc.

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 13/11/2017 12:50

Yes any amount of money is a lot when you don't have it... But 250£? Should be manageable? What can you sell? Can you work extra hours to fund your move...

We had to move... 1800£ removal costs... And 1500 first months rent and deposit...

So £3300 we had to find sharpish... Not easy... And we didn't even want to move!

Frillyhorseyknickers · 13/11/2017 12:51

They don't provide white goods as legally they would need to PAT test them each year.

RB68 · 13/11/2017 12:51

Tonic and Lime entitled to benefits doesn't mean not working so wind it in

Bluntness100 · 13/11/2017 12:52

It's a one off cost to carpet a property and fit a working oven

No it’s not, do you think there are magical ovens and carpets that never go done or need repair and replacing?

Op, just buy a cheap second hand fridge and cooker. The rest you can do by hand until you can afford them. Hopefully the decrease in rent offsets the cost.

The council is providing you a home because you are in need. It is your job to furnish it.

Changednamejustincase · 13/11/2017 12:52

This OP sounds ungrateful because she is getting a cheap house and complaining. But where is someone who needs a council house going to get the money to floor a house and buy white goods? What is the point in helping people if they end up living without floors or even a fridge?

EatTheChocolateTeapot · 13/11/2017 12:53

How old is your DC? A large tubtrug bucket works well as a bath until about 3.

MinervaSaidThar · 13/11/2017 12:54

You keep posting about this every now again surprised you haven’t attached the same pictures yet. Its normal to pay rent upfront even in private rents with a deposit, mn expecting white goods

Oh, is it the same poster? I wondered for a second. She got the keys ages ago.

TheVanguardSix · 13/11/2017 12:54

Welcome to real life. You've got to actually buy your own shit sometimes. Life costs £££. Did nobody warn you?
In all seriousness, It's not ideal. And I agree, it sucks when you don't have the money to throw at a place, especially with young children- you do want a place to be safe to live in but whether you're on the property ladder or renting through the council, you pays your money, you takes your choice.
We bought our home and had to wait it out until we could get our white goods. We had 2 kids, I was pregnant with number three, floors were a right state, no heating for ages, no hob to cook on for about two months. We got through it. You've just got to buck up, save/be frugal, and execute a good plan towards making your house a home. You just have to put one foot in front of the other and work.

May you enjoy many happy years in your new home. Congratulations. It's a wonderful safety net. Value it.

On a side note, Grenfell tower was an absurdly avoidable tragedy. So much to answer for there. But the council paying for everyone's white goods is not the reason that building became an inferno. The wiring was faulty. A late model Bosch fridge wasn't going to help anyone in this case. Sad but true.