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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Temporary accommodation refusal.

284 replies

Toomanybrokentarts · 27/02/2018 21:18

I've been living in temporary accommodation for two years now with my two dcs, as the house I lived in before was privately let and the landlord wanted the property back.
Today I have been offered another temporary flat on the 19th floor of a tower block, as again the property I am in is private but let to the council to rent out for temporary accommodation as the flats are being demolished.
Now the council have a duty to house me so have no choice but to find me suitable accommodation, however is this place suitable & am I able to refuse it?

I know there are people who are worse off than me and I shouldn't really complain as I have a roof over my head
But I just can't live that high up, what's pissing me off the most is that my housing officer found a more suitable property two weeks ago, she secured it for me went on holiday and left instructions for a colleague to call me in to sign the tenancy, which she didn't do so I ended up losing out on that flat.
So does anyone know if I refuse it would they still have a duty of care towards me?

OP posts:
Riverside2 · 27/02/2018 21:47

OP too high up because....what is the worry?

is it fire, or they don't have enough lifts..?

Riverside2 · 27/02/2018 21:48

oh cross post

the windows are quite likely set so that they can't be opened fully.

MyDcAreMarvel · 27/02/2018 21:49

Unless you have a disability that means you couldn't use stairs if the lift broke, then there are no reasonable reason to refuse.

MabantoMoonface · 27/02/2018 21:50

I'm in a similar situation. I'm very disappointed that I was not offered a villa in the South of France. Apparently I'm the ungrateful one

LondonHereICome · 27/02/2018 21:51

it would be same outcome if your child fell out of a window upstairs in a 3 bed semi though....

starzig · 27/02/2018 21:51

Why don't you find somewhere more suitable yourself? The world is not short of rental properties.

SpiceRack · 27/02/2018 21:51

No It doesn't sound irrational to me atall! You didn't state that in your OP which is why I asked if there was a genuine reason ( which there is ) or if you were being picky but as the PP said the windows will be set so they can't be opened wide. Find out with your council if you refuse it can you be offered another property and hopefully you can.

LondonHereICome · 27/02/2018 21:52

yes, the windows will be safer than in a normal house!! so that argument isn't really valid

Original poster
Toomanybrokentarts · 27/02/2018 21:52

riverside the reasonable side of me knows that, however other side of me is worried sick.

There is also a huge difference to living on the 2nd floor than there is to the 19th.

OP posts:
SundaySalon · 27/02/2018 21:53

When’s the flat you’re in set to be demolished? Do you know how long you have? I think your best bet is to talk to housing and see what happens if you refuse because of the reasons you have mentioned here. It might be unreasonable but to be fair I have major anxiety over my DCs safety...this would have me flapping.

Frogthefrog · 27/02/2018 21:54

If you don't like what the council is offering you then why don't you look at private lets? You said that you rented privately before.

woolythoughts · 27/02/2018 21:54

If it were me, not being able to open the windows fully would be a negative not a positive

Original poster
Toomanybrokentarts · 27/02/2018 21:55

london I doubt the survival rate of anyone falling from the 19th floor of a tower block will be the same as someone who fell from the 3rd floor.

OP posts:
ThePinkOcelot · 27/02/2018 21:55

Seriously moonface?!!

teaiseverything · 27/02/2018 21:56

Honestly, so long as it's safe, warm and dry, I think you have to take what you can get. If you were extremely phobic of heights in the sense of having panic attacks, hyperventilating etc then that would be a different matter of course.

I remember my long term temporary accommodation was really something but it was better than nothing. The bathroom was so tiny I could go for a wee, shave my legs and brush my teeth at the same time Grin

Original poster
Toomanybrokentarts · 27/02/2018 21:57

MabantoMoonface I'm sorry where did I say that I wanted a villa? I am in no way being ungrateful for anything that I have so for you to come and say that is just plain rude.

OP posts:
londonrach · 27/02/2018 21:59

Windows wont open more than a crack op due to health and safety. Best firework display ever was seeing it from that flat! Views were amazing

Viviennemary · 27/02/2018 21:59

I wouldn't like to live in a tower block either. They don't seem safe after the recent tragedy. And lifts are often out of order I've heard. You should refuse it IMHO.

MadMags · 27/02/2018 21:59

Um...obvious question but why not rent privately if you did before?

MyKingdomForBrie · 27/02/2018 22:00

To be honest I think it would discharge their duty if you were to refuse, because while you might not like the idea of the 19th floor there isn’t a reason that they would consider sufficient for your refusal.

It’s worth talking to your housing officer about your concerns though they might be able to help, especially as their mistake meant you missed out on the previous place.

Fairenuff · 27/02/2018 22:01

I am in no way being ungrateful for anything that I have

Well, you are being ungrateful about this housing offer.

Original poster
Toomanybrokentarts · 27/02/2018 22:04

If i could afford to rent privately again I would, unfortunately i am no longer in the same financial position I was in 5 years ago.

OP posts:
Enuffsenuffsenuff · 27/02/2018 22:05

I don't really understand the issue with living that high - there will be a lift so it's hard to see why there would be an issue? If it's just your preference that you would rather not live so high up the council probably won't consider that a reasonable ground for refusal.

MadMags · 27/02/2018 22:05

And there’s no way of you taking steps yourself to improve your financial and living circumstances?

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 27/02/2018 22:08

Do talk to Shelter - even in London many councils would not consider a 19th floor flat suitable for young children. If it was very short term I would say just grin and bear it, but "temporary" can go on a bit so unless it's in an amazing location I would try to push for something else.