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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wonder how people actually afford to move into council properties

880 replies

Niknick · 13/09/2020 07:56

So, me and my dh have been offered a house with our local council after years of being on the waiting list. We have two son’s youngest of whom is autistic and we have been offered 3 bed meaning we’d all have our own bedroom at last. I haven’t had an official viewing of the house yet ie with the hosing officer but workmen are currently doing some repairs and they allowed me and my dh in the other day to have a quick look round whilst they were sat in the garden on a break.

Anyway i went equipped with my tape measure to measure up for carpeta, blinds and just to get a general idea of how things will fit. I’ve since gone to a cheap carpet place and been quoted £1500. Blinds will cost around £450-£500. Then there are things like decoration, removal costs, buying a new oven as our current one our landlord owns etc. The property isn’t in great condition and having viewed another of the council’s houses years back me and my dh are under no illusion that the council will do anymore than the bare minimum.

So far it needs plaster work doing as the workmen have done a rubbish job. It needs scrubbing beyond recognition, the garden is like a jungle so that will be more cost as we’ll need to pay someone to do it as me and my dh are busy with work and the kids. Plus parts of the fences are smashed and need replacing as it’s not safe with my son. I know it’s the tenants responsibility to do a lot of these jobs but usually, people moving into these properties aren’t well off so AIBU to wonder how do people manage to do all this? We have virtually zero savings due to paying high private rent, so long term moving to this house would be financially a good idea, but short term I’m panicking about where the hell we find the kind of money we are going to need to make this house at least comfortable for us all to live in. Moving to my current house paying a months rent up front plus deposit and referencing check fees is cheaper than what we’ll have to spend to move to the new house so I’m quietly panicking.

OP posts:
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2bazookas · 13/09/2020 19:12

It's going to be a longterm home,take your time. Your kids won't care, they'll be thrilled to have their own rooms.

Nobody can afford to completely fit and furnish their first home, all at once. You save up and do it bit by bit. When we bought our first home it cost every penny we had so we couldn't afford furniture. We already had a donated secondhand bed; and DH won a black plastic pouffe in a draw. That was all the furniture we had for a long time; ;we ate our meals sitting on the stairs. Whatever else we needed we saved until we had enough to buy it; we couldn't afford to pay interest on HP or credit. We never paid someone else to do anything (decorating, gardening, repairs, plumbing) we could do by ourselves. When the house needed a skill we hadn't got, we borrowed a book from the library and learnt how to do it. You can make a good fence (free) by taking apart old pallets. and re-using the wood. Buy a second hand cooker, Do without carpets blinds and curtains; or buy curtains from a charity shop.

Rosebel · 13/09/2020 19:13

We are bidding for HA houses at the moment as we are going to be evicted once the court order comes through (council won't consider us a priority without the order). I would bite their hand off for a house or flat or anything with a roof and walls.
I certainly don't expect a pristine house with all mod cons. We will have to buy an oven too but can make do with the microwave and slow cooker for a while if we need to.
It's about priorities.

AWaspOnAWindowReturns · 13/09/2020 19:58

You don't necessarily have to go to a big chain shop for a carpet in order to get finance OP. There will be a few local "pay weekly" carpet shops in your area who'll still work out cheaper than Carpet Right or similar. Try Facebook marketplace - there are always a good few advertising on there.

Cheesypea · 13/09/2020 20:51

I think you've had lots of really patronising responses op. Wish you all the best.

Butterer · 13/09/2020 21:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

3rdNamechange · 13/09/2020 21:19

@Wakemeupwhenthisisover are you on glue ? Why do you think the council would pay for an oven ???

Ariela · 13/09/2020 21:32

Cheap carpet - probably not best time to contact them but have a word with marquee companies, normally they get rid of acres of used carpet. Yes it's thin and poor quality but it is normally free.
If they've none I'm sure it's cheaper than normal carpet to buy . You just stick it own with double sided tape for now, replace bit by bit as you can afford.

c24680 · 13/09/2020 21:43

My sister bought a ex council house, it's needs a lot of work, her daughter is autistic but as long as the garden is secure and they have a bed they'll be happy!

It's unrealistic for you to want it perfect before moving in, every house you'll be offered will be like this so you either save to have the ability to fix the next one up before you move in or you accept this one and do it bit by bit.

The council will replace the fence, it'll take a couple of phone calls but they will come out and do it!

I think you're very lucky being offered a house nowadays!!!

Trenisenne · 13/09/2020 21:44

OP, I'm sure you're not entitled, but your post does sound a little bit that way!

If it's any consolation, I lived in a house my parents were doing up for about 8 years. I saw them work on it, learnt that you have to save for things, and also learnt the value of practical skills. I have some great memories from the whole experience (my parents might not say the same)!

Deffo charity shops for curtains though - you can get awesome heavy lined ones for less than you buy new.

melj1213 · 13/09/2020 21:55

YABU to expect a HA/council property to be anything more than an empty shell that is structurally sound and secure. Pretty much everything you have said is cosmetic and something that can be fixed with a little bit of time. It is not going to be perfect and complete on the day you move in and not the council's responsibility.

I moved into a HA property with DD early this year. I have been on the waiting list for 4 years and my private landlord wanted to put the rent up to a level I just couldn't afford as a single parent on a minimum wage job, so it came at the perfect time but it wasn't the perfect condition.

When I viewed it, it smelled musty from being empty a while, there was a pool of water on the kitchen floor from a leaky pipe, there were dirty grey and faded net curtains covering the windows, there were holes in the walls from the previous tenants furniture being removed, there was a cheap and nasty carpet in every room, and the walls were either painted in dingy colours (the bedroom was a brownish purple) or like the hall which had originally been a bright red and then someone had started to cover it with white, but only in random patches and very badly. Despite the condition I took it because it was all cosmetic work that could be fixed/replaced and I needed the property more than I needed a show home.

I got a phone call to view the property one Friday, I viewed the place the following Tuesday and was given the keys on Thursday. It all happened so fast, but fortunately for me it happened within the same week I paid my private rent so I could give a months notice to them, use my savings (meagre though they were) to pay my first months rent on the HA property and have just enough left over in the meantime to buy a couple of large tubs of paint.

It was a pain to be paying for two properties for a month as it meant my budget was really tight but it also meant I had a month to get the basics done in the new place before I moved in so it felt fresher and less daunting to do everything else. Additionally it meant I could pack up my stuff and move it gradually as and when I had chance rather than having to do it all in one go (eg my Xmas decorations were one of the first things I moved into my flat, as they had not long been taken down and packed up before I got the offer, and I knew I wouldnt need them again before the move I could get the boxes put away in the new place and get them out of the way)

I went through and made a list of things that needed doing and put them into a priority list. Cleaning the place was top priority, followed by polyfilling the major holes, then painting everywhere with a pale grey paint just to freshen it up. I am lucky to have lots of family who were happy to pitch in and help with painting so between us it took about a week to paint the entire flat. It would have been doable without the help, but it would have taken weeks to do it between work shifts and I'd have been doing it around boxes as there was no way I'd have got it done before I had to be out of my old property.

I couldn't afford to replace the carpets, so as thin and cheap as they were, once I used the carpet cleaner they weren't in terrible condition so I planned to leave them until I could afford something better. Fortunately my parents have a friend who owns a carpet fitting company and they generously paid for new carpets (though I'm sure he gave them a very good deal) as a gift.

The net curtains were next to go, but I literally went to Wilkos and bought a couple of voile panels for about £5 each and they worked fine to cover the windows (I'm first floor but I didnt want beighbours to be able to look into my flat from their bedrooms). They were only ever meant to be a short term fix, but nearly a year later they are still up as they do their job and my money has been prioritised to other purchases that are more pressing.

There were no white goods in the flat so I bought a cheap under counter fridge second hand from Facebook Marketplace and got by with that, microwave and a kettle for the first couple of weeks until I got my deposit back from my private rental, which I used to buy an oven, fridge freezer and washing machine from a high street store with finance options so I could spread the cost.

bigbeuato · 13/09/2020 22:03

I moved into my Council house 4 years ago. Before that I private rented and had a really beautiful home, but it wasn't suitable for my dc who has various disabilities. We were on the emergency waiting list due to dc and I was also heavily pregnant at the time. I would have honestly taken anywhere whether it be a tower block, a flat or a house, I just needed somewhere safe. I was offered a house with a garden that was completely smashed up, kitchen hanging off, filth everywhere I couldn't believe it. But even so, it honestly felt like winning the lottery. The council patched the kitchen up and gave me £80 to decorate. I went into premature labour only 2 days after moving in- I think due to stress! I only had enough money to carpet my dc room and the living room and put paint on the walls and net curtains up but it was a home and I was so so grateful. Fast forward to now, everything has been ripped out and replaced. We have a beautiful home, it's taken me a long time to get here but only this year am I finally sort of done. One room I still haven't really touched but that's it. I am sitting here now and honestly want to pinch myself as I feel so lucky. I understand how you feel OP but honestly, it's just cosmetic. You do seem a bit entitled but I don't think you mean to be. Everyone comments on my home now and how lovely it is, they would be shocked if they saw the before! It really does take time, no matter if you buy a home or it's a Council house. At least the rent is lower than a mortgage and your not liable for repairs in the same way someone who owns their home is, so it should be quicker for you to do it up!

MrsKeats · 13/09/2020 22:08

We bought a house at auction and had no kitchen for a while. It had been empty and unmodernised since the 1950s. You manage.

MomToTwoBabas · 13/09/2020 22:34

How do you not have enough saved from years of waiting. Council rents really cheap so that will save you loads of money.

Gancanny · 13/09/2020 22:36

How do you not have enough saved from years of waiting

Probably because she's been private renting and it costs more.

VinylDetective · 13/09/2020 22:37

@MomToTwoBabas

How do you not have enough saved from years of waiting. Council rents really cheap so that will save you loads of money.
Perhaps because they’ve been paying for a private rental. Do you seriously think everyone is in a position to save? A huge swathe of people in this country live from one payday to the next.
KeepOnMovingForwards · 13/09/2020 22:44

@MomToTwoBabas

How do you not have enough saved from years of waiting. Council rents really cheap so that will save you loads of money.
Well, obviously OP has been privately renting while waiting.
MomToTwoBabas · 13/09/2020 22:45

Apologies. Well it will be much more easier to save now with the cheap rent.

melj1213 · 13/09/2020 22:54

Everyone comments on my home now and how lovely it is, they would be shocked if they saw the before!

Yep, it's amazing what even just a lick of paint can do. I brought a friend when I first viewed my flat to give an impartial eye, in case I overlooked anything in my haste to be out of my previous property, and so she saw it in it's original dingy state. I then painted and was gifted new carpets, moved in and had the whole of lockdown to get things unpacked, put up pictures etc before my friend saw it a second time.

When she came round to collect something a couple of weeks ago her jaw was practically on the floor in shock as she couldn't believe that it was the same flat as it looked so much brighter, cleaner and open when all I'd done was clean the windows, paint the walls a light colour and put my furniture in.

Bringonspring · 13/09/2020 22:55

Sorry but I probably disagree with the vast majority of you. I think it’s totally unacceptable for the council to pass over a property in such poor condition. I would expect basic items such as floor coverings etc. You are going to be paying rent and therefore they should maintain to a basic level

ThursdayAfterNext · 13/09/2020 22:57

You want to get everything perfect straight away,
but that just isn't feasible for the majority of people (renting or buying). £500 for blinds?! Have a look in charity shops and FB market place for second hand curtains for the time being and do one room at a time once you've saved for it.

Torvean32 · 13/09/2020 23:00

I think you can get cheaper carpets and blinds. I had off cuts to carpet most of rooms

Only new furniture i got was a bed. I bought everything else second hand

VinylDetective · 13/09/2020 23:07

@Bringonspring

Sorry but I probably disagree with the vast majority of you. I think it’s totally unacceptable for the council to pass over a property in such poor condition. I would expect basic items such as floor coverings etc. You are going to be paying rent and therefore they should maintain to a basic level
In which case you want to reverse the social housing policy of the last six decades. Social housing is maintained to a basic level. It’s watertight, insulated and provides all necessary amenities.
Grellbunt · 13/09/2020 23:17

@Bringonspring

Sorry but I probably disagree with the vast majority of you. I think it’s totally unacceptable for the council to pass over a property in such poor condition. I would expect basic items such as floor coverings etc. You are going to be paying rent and therefore they should maintain to a basic level
People have said that they should do the fence. Other things are not really landlord responsibility.
Terrace58 · 13/09/2020 23:22

I’ve used old sheets, towels, things from thrift stores to hang over windows for privacy. Carpet remnants just laid on floor in rooms that are especially chilly. I even spent a year using a cardboard box as a table.

Focus on safety and function. The rest will come with time.

Prettybluepigeons · 13/09/2020 23:24

We had plastic garden chairs and table for ages until my inlaws very kindly bought us a pine table and chairs. 20 years later we are still using them! We had my mums old sofa with throws over to hide the holes .

It must feel daunting but bit by bit over time you'll get it sorted

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