Social housing

[flowerbomb1982]

Hi I currently rent privately with my little boy I work full time and claim some tax credits (minimal) when I do overtime this changes etc. Ive been private renting for two years nice house nice school can manage all my bills rent everything paid on time I have no debts. We manage a holiday days out new clothes birthdays Xmas etc even sometimes making sacrifices to make it work without getting into debt. I'm on the social housing register as my area even though I'm adequately housed it gives priority to those on a low income and in private rent without security. I'm in band 2 coming places ranging between second for flats 10 for houses and closer for houses in the middle of nowhere with no transport links and out another half hour on my work/school journey.
This week I've come first on a flat in the same village I live now . It's council so rent would be very cheap £80 per week (I now pa privately £800) I can withdraw my bid before closing as to not waste their time and turn it down. I went to have a look (as housing web says please do not bid on properties u don't want to live in please do your research etc. I went to have a look and it's a block of 6 older style and flats look big I pressed on trade to have a look in communal area when I went in the whole stairway area smelled of weed (8.30 am) I'm aware of weed because my ex used to smoke it a main reason I left him. I can't stand the smell gives me headache. It wasn't just a wiff it was ott. AIBU in thinking if it's like this it can watt into the actual flats ?? Also area smelled of urine a bit. Mattress and other rubbish . It would feel depressing walking past this to my front door and I'd feel sorry for my son and asking friends round. AIBU to not bid for this flat ? Even though it would be a secure tenancy and cheap rent. I'm not in an emergency housing list or in temp accommodation I'm just on a general register which I'm eligible for. I have no problem with living in a flat anywhere however have never done so and am I right in thinking neighbours /drugs/people not respecting communal areas can impact on a happy home life ?

If you have any doubts don't live there and it seems you do have doubts. If it seemed a bit depressing on first viewing it will niggle at you. I would hold off and see what else comes up.

I’d pass on it.

I'm really torn. Financially there is a big difference but, like you, I hate the smell of weed. However, a lot of blocks are going to have these issues, or others. I think it also depends how soon you think you'd be offered something else. It's a tough one.

I’d not do it personally
As someone who lived in a sh flat for 12 years
I gave it up to rent privately I couldn’t take it another day
And the smell of weed coming in my windows all the time when I had a small baby made me crazy
The violence from the neighbours
Drugs raids
Jealousy etc non n stop grief
This was in a very expensive middle class area also
Also embarrassing to have people round
No garden for the children to play safely
Never again

Thanks for replies. I'm not being unresonable then. There are a lot of new build flats that come up some with own entrances rather than older style blocks. I would live in a flat no problem it's the horrible communal area weed stale urine or smoke facing that every day. I have no problem holding out luckily I I've in an area where you can see results of which band won and how long etc and it looks quite promising.

The flat in question only has three people bidding on it maybe that's why I would be number one (it tells u your position before you bid and you can also remove).

If your band 2 I'm guessing you won because very minimal bidding, meaning no I would remove the bid asap

I live in a flat with my DS and the smell of weed is constant. It gets in everything in my flat as downstairs constantly keep their windows open (I assume because they don't want to smell it).
I complained to the council several times and when they finally got back to me the reply was "they said it's not them" and that's literally the end of it.
Saying that, it's everywhere these days, I don't think there's much escape.
I'm surprised about the rubbish in the communal area though, we're not allowed door mats outside the front door as it's a fire hazard.