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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:
LondonHereICome · 27/02/2018 23:21

And yes, SE London? Tower blocks all the way... I think you might have to lower your expectations

Original poster
Toomanybrokentarts · 27/02/2018 23:28

LaurieFairyCake even if I had £7million to move down the road to Battersea, I still wouldn't want to live on the 19th floor.

OP posts:
Serin · 27/02/2018 23:30
Flowers

Would you consider moving out of London?

Original poster
Toomanybrokentarts · 27/02/2018 23:37

LondonHereICome no I have not only just started having them, I've been having panic attacks since I was a teen and the anxiety attacks for the past 5 years after breaking up with exdp.
Yes there are quite alot of tower block in London, however the borough I live in there are not that many as the major ones are or have already been knocked down and replaced with lower rise buildings.

OP posts:
SpareASquare · 27/02/2018 23:40

YANBU to not want to live on the 19th floor at all but YABU to refuse to.

You have been offered help and if you refuse it I don't see why they should be responsible for you anymore. Who actually WANTS to live on the 19th floor?
Your anxiety might be a convenient excuse though if it is well documented. You can keep using it until you get something you like.

LemonysSnicket · 27/02/2018 23:41

Tbf I don’t think I’d be able to cope with that .... I’d be pinned to the walls with fear.

ILoveUsernames · 27/02/2018 23:42

OP I have to say I would really hate to live so high up, I can totally understand how you feel.

I would be very reluctant to live on the 19th or even 10th floor in a block of flats with small children.

I think a lot of posters on this thread probably wouldn't like it either, regardless of what they say

Leontine · 27/02/2018 23:50

Are you entitled to housing benefit?

Original poster
Toomanybrokentarts · 27/02/2018 23:51

Yes I'm entitled to housing benefit.

OP posts:
Leontine · 27/02/2018 23:53

Are you able to find a private rent that accepts DSS, or is there something else that's making this not possible?

LondonHereICome · 27/02/2018 23:55

I'm guessing no deposit... no guarantor.... who takes hb these days?

mojito55 · 27/02/2018 23:56

If you don't like the FREE accommodation that's being offered to you, maybe pay for somewhere yourself?

stargazer2030 · 27/02/2018 23:57

I couldn't live that far up. I have a terrible fear of heights but not documented. I honestly don't think I could even get in the lift to go that far up. It would cause anxiety, palpitations, nausea and a possible panic attack.
I have never seen my GP about it. Why would I? I just avoid heights and have managed so far.

Original poster
Toomanybrokentarts · 27/02/2018 23:59

I wouldn't be able to afford the rent if I were to go private, so the issue of finding a ll who accepts hb is pointless.
I already pay part of my rent aswell as council tax where i live now due to the rent being over the lha.

OP posts:
Original poster
Toomanybrokentarts · 28/02/2018 00:00

Which part of it is free? mojito55

OP posts:
Leontine · 28/02/2018 00:01

Oh if you are able to save up a deposit that would help so much (I know it's difficult, I'm in a similar situation myself at the moment). If you ask to speak to the landlord they sometimes will accept things they've said they won't if you ask nicely and argue your case well.

Why is it that landlord don't accept housing benefit very often these days? I'm looking to rent, and although I won't be getting housing benefit, I've noticed 'no DSS' on most of the descriptions. (Also 'no pets' which is the part I'm struggling with).

Leontine · 28/02/2018 00:03

Ahh I see. Well I think that's something the council needs to change in cities. There's not enough housing association properties to go round and raising the housing benefit allowance seems sensible in there circumstances.

teaiseverything · 28/02/2018 00:03

Feckin Nora some people are cruel.

QueenNefertitty · 28/02/2018 00:04

Wow.

I lived near Grenfell during the disaster, and am amazed at you lot asking "what's the difference between the 2nd floor and the 19th"?

Bob down and meet some of the Grenfell survivors. They'll tell you what the difference is.

Original poster
Toomanybrokentarts · 28/02/2018 00:06

They're not even cruel, just ignorant.
Hopefully one day they don't find themselves in the same situation.

OP posts:
safariboot · 28/02/2018 00:06

I fear the old saying "beggars can't be choosers" will be in force.

If the council have been breaking their own policies then in an ideal world you'd have some comeback for that, but in reality it would be a legal battle you're in no position to fight.

If your anxiety is something that's been diagnosed by a doctor I reckon that's going to be your only grounds for refusal. Even then, I'd be seriously concerned that the council would just ignore it and the private owner of your current place will throw you onto the streets.

PointlessUsername · 28/02/2018 00:10

mojito55
Op said she is entitled to Housing Benefit not that she has her Rent paid for her.

safariboot · 28/02/2018 00:11

PS: A recent court case has found that a private landlord who refused to rent to a tenant on housing benefit was unlawfully discriminating against them, on the grounds that housing benefit claimants are more likely to be women. However the ruling doesn't set a legal precedent so I expect the practice will continue.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-42979242

GUMBYMUMBY · 28/02/2018 00:15

grr Housing officers are a mystery to me. I am sorry that is all. Sounds horrid for you and very annoying.

LondonHereICome · 28/02/2018 00:18

safari it was the letting agent..... not private landlord

Lots of private landlords can't rent to benefits claimants due to their mortgage terms anyway

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