AIBU to not take this housing association property ?

[Somma]

Hello !

I’ve been mmmm and ahhhing. I just don’t know what to do.

After 5 years, myself and DS have been offered a housing association property. Transport links are perfect, it’s a redeveloped building. However, it is expensive but can be manageable.

However, the crime rate in the area is very high, just last week they were three stabbings in the area, there’s a lot of drug and violence crime. I’m extremely concerned about this- especially for DS who has needs and is very vulnerable.

Even though the place is very nice, not everything that glistens is gold and I do not want to be swayed by how the place looks vs not taking into the safety elements into account.

I’m going to have a look to see the area of the property to get a feel from it.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m so grateful to be offered a place but I just want to be sure I’m doing the right thing.

What do you all think ?

I would try going to the property over the weekend at the evening even just outside to see what it's like at those times what are your housing associations rules about turning down a property will you be moved the the back of the queue? Also are you currently private renting?

I’ve seen the property- well the area. It looks fine.

The only issue is the balcony ! DS has no sense of danger and this will be a big issue !

Don’t know what to do.

I lived in inner city Birmingham in a non salubrious neighbourhood when young and single. But I wouldn’t if I had a choice move children to an area like that. I know sometimes people have zero choice where they live but it sounds like you do have a choice. The balcony issue would totally put me off, I suppose you would have to keep the area locked all the time.

What happens if you turn it down? Do you go bottom of the list are you likely to be offered another property soon?

Being honest, I'd be reluctant to move to an area with high crime,especially as my children get older and want to go out with friends.

Depends. If it's in London you might not get anything else.

Yes I live in London.

I live with my sister but have been waiting to be rehoused for 5 years.

I’ve had a look around the area- there are some dark alleyways but they are filled with a row of shops. The area is becoming very busy- which is good- but it is very busy ! It’s going through gentrification.

There’s a bus stop right outside our house. The transport links are great.

However, the crime rate is very high and there were three stabbings last week. Luckily we would live near a station. But, if I ever trust my son to go out, he would need to walk a very long road which has high reports of crime. It’s so difficult

*What happens if you turn it down? Do you go bottom of the list are you likely to be offered another property soon?

Yes, since I’m coming up the list.

The balcony is the main thing that’s putting me off. I would have to keep it unlocked the whole time. But my DS is very smart. Once we went on holiday and it had a balcony (I begged the manager to move us but he didn’t) when I went to sleep and I woke up. My DD figured out how to open the balcony and had his foot on the wedge of the rail.

The balcony can be made safer, e.g with bamboo or something to cover up any gaps. If it's big enough for what you need I would say to go for it and if in time you find the area is bad you can look to move?

Never mind the high crime rate, sounds like the balcony is the most immediate and likely danger. Wait for another, that’s not worth your DSs life!

Surely it’s locked and the key on top of the kitchen cupboard and never touched it won’t be a problem?

I would choose to live in a shed in a nice location rather than a mansion in a bad area.
I currently live in a pretty little village which has a ‘bad’ road, which here means the kids are a bit gobby and teenagers smoke. I still wouldn’t live there so maybe I’m over cautious!

Could the balcony be made safe? Maybe some netting or something like that?

How old is your DS?

There are no net on the balcony. I think I will need planning permission to put it up.

hercule 9

ply carbonate sheet (clear ones like they put on roof) attach with wooden frame (check you can do this & ask them if not how can you make them safe as son has disability) ask advice from housing officer stressing equal ops & disability & health & safety

And what’s the disadvantage to continuing to live with your sister?

Could you take it and then swap with another London tenant later down the line?

How is the situation with your sister? Is your quality of life being affected by having to live with her? Are you likely to be offered somewhere in a “safer” area soon?

You don’t have to reply but this is what I’d be asking myself. I will say that my sister has happily lived in dodgy areas of London, I do suspect most (not all) murders and stabbings happen to people involved in gangs or other nefarious activities, which isn’t nice to live near but doesn’t mean you’ll be in grave danger being there. I’d go at different times of day and maybe knock on the neighbours door for an opinion of what the area is life.

And what’s the disadvantage to continuing to live with your sister?

It’s a two bedroom flat and I share a room with my son. Due to my sons age and needs, it would be appropriate for him to have his own room.

My sister and I are very close and she loves her nephew. But she is in a relationship which is becoming very serious. They are planning to get married and have a family very soon. I don’t want to impose her. If you know what I mean.

But she’ll be more than happy for us to stay and wait till another property crops up.

Am not sure if you've answered what the consequence is if turning it down - some allocation policies will allow a fixed number but in London with high demand that number may be 0. If you're turning it down on reasonableness of balcony I'd speak to the HO first as they may say it's reasonable for child of his age to manage a balcony sensibly unless there are additional needs which are documented etc

If the area is going through gentrification, I'd take it, because you can always try to exchange when things pick up.
The balcony is fixable, until then keep the door locked.

Does your ds have additional needs? At 9 I would have thought it to be less of an issue than younger.

What area of London is it? People can then advise you if they live there or are familiar with it.

Mummy Yes he has additional needs.

If I say the area it is very identifying. I can say that it is in inner South London.

I can turn down a property but you’ll have to have a good reason.

Anyway, I’m going to speak to a benefit advisor and see if I’m able to afford the flat anyway. It’ll be £1,215 a month. To get the property you need to show you can just about afford it. The allocation agent (don’t know what they are called) went through a breakdown of my income and said I’m eligible for the house. But I’m not going to put too much faith in her judgement as they always have an agenda.

I will speak to the benefits advisor, go to the area again in the night, go to the viewing and make up my mind. It’s a hard one.

I know I may get some help with paying with the rent. But in all honestly, I would rather earn and pay for the rent myself, considering I should be in employment in the next few months.