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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think i will never get a council house?

382 replies

bellver888 · 20/01/2021 16:15

been on the waiting list 2 years - showing 30 in bidding systems
DV occurred up to September 2020 when i forced my exp out the house.
rent is 600 and i cannot afford it now there’s just me and DS.
Landlord is shit, I have no heating, riddled with damp and window hanging out of pane. It’s a 3rd floor flat. HSA (housing standards authority) keep saying they’re contacting my landlord and he’s sending someone round, they never come.
PTSD is kicking in and i can’t go in my bedroom without vomiting and panicking as that’s where the abuse occurred
poor credit and no guarantor and no way i can afford private rent as average is 600-700 in my area and i need support
severe depression, OCD and anxiety
im getting 1140 in UC and im in arrears with everything, DHP was rejected and can’t appeal

Every single time when I phone up I get “keep bidding you’re moving up the list” yet I’m really not. I can’t take anymore of this, I hate my life and I don’t think I have a future at all.

OP posts:
BlueSuffragette · 02/02/2021 13:55

Did you contact the Early Help team in Tameside? If your home is unsafe and unsuitable in that it is mouldy, has no heating, no cooker and no kitchen sink then they should put an action plan in place to support the welfare of you and DS. Please call them. They will help you if they know you need support to keep your child safe and well.

Roominmyhouse · 02/02/2021 14:01

This thread is so sad, this is just so unfair OP. I really wish I had something to offer in the way of help but I just want to say I really hope something changes and your MP can help. Fingers crossed something changes and you can get out of that hell hole and get on with your life.

RandomMess · 02/02/2021 15:28

Please get how low your mood is etc documented by the GP.

If you aren't safe to be on your own please go to your Mums Thanks

I had to hunt for this thread. It is so unfair that your LL is shit and council aren't dealing with it.

Original poster
bellver888 · 02/02/2021 15:32

I’d rather not have social services involved if I’m honest, bit hypocritical given my course but I really cannot think of anything worse at the moment

OP posts:
Original poster
bellver888 · 02/02/2021 15:33

Housing standards phoned today and told me an electrician came yesterday and I didn’t let him in, which is impossible as I’ve been in, I popped to the shop and my mum sat in for me.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 02/02/2021 15:54

So what do housing standards say when you say the LL is lying as there was someone home all day? Could you get ring doorbell?

Could you say that you have it fitted and can proved they didn't come just to see what HS say then?

Original poster
bellver888 · 02/02/2021 15:57

I lost my temper with her today and just told her to fucking leave it, he’s not gonna do the repairs end of so I said just completely leave it now I’m not bothered anymore. And I’m not. This is what my life has come to, I’m 22 years old and THIS is what I’ve been reduced to - 7 stone in weight, losing my hair, spots and shaking all through stress. I look like an heroin addict, and I get made out to be a fucking liar because its possible for me to moan about my repairs then not let someone in to do my repairs?

I said is there any way possible for my house to be marked as uninhabitable, she ignored my question and just said she’ll “phone the landlord now ask him to send them round” and I just said leave it completely.

OP posts:
Original poster
bellver888 · 02/02/2021 15:58

I’ll just add I didn’t and never have swore at anyone over the phone. Cried, yes! But not swore

OP posts:
Frouby · 02/02/2021 16:04

Op, you poor thing. Take a breath and have a brew.

Your landlord is an absolute cunt. The best way to get out of that shithole is keep complaining about it, to the council, to environmental health, your mp, your doctor. Anyone im authority who will listen. Eventually you will become that much of a pita to the landlord they will either do the work it needs or serve a section 21 notice, as soon as covid is over they can then seek a possession order which will mean you are homeless through no fault of your own.

Document today, electrician didn't show up to do x,y,z and keep a record of everything and every time he fucks you around. Take photographs of everything and contact environmental health again.

Gazelda · 02/02/2021 16:07

Oh OP, I'm not surprised you're at the end of your tether.

But to be honest, as frustrating as it is, you have to keep being nice and flexible and accommodating. The only hope you have of your home becoming inhabitable is by repeated requests for help. Not harassment, not angry. Simply stating the facts, explaining the impact of the poor housing in you and your DS, insisting on action.

If you don't let them help, they can't help. I know they're not helping anyway, but you've just given them the opportunity to close the file because you won't co operate.

Ask again nicely. Escalate if you need to. Get CAB to help you if possible, perhaps to advocate for you because of your poor health.

And I hope your doc can give you support for your health issues. You sound completely run down and out of hope.

Original poster
bellver888 · 02/02/2021 16:10

Tried it all, let them close it, let me and DS live in complete hell because we’re not valuable enough to be entitled to the basics in life. I genuinely hate my life so fucking much and to think i came forward about DV for this, wish I’d have kept my fucking mouth shut cos this has been pointless

OP posts:
RickiTarr · 02/02/2021 16:35

Can yohh uh start doing everything by email? So you have a paper trail of the incompetence?

Do you have a live ombudsman case now? Or was that what you told them to close?

Roominmyhouse · 02/02/2021 20:05

Thameside council have a resolver page. Can you try going through that and see if that does anything? List a really clear timeline of what’s gone on it just send them a link to this thread for them to read themselves!

Lass67 · 03/02/2021 03:37

I really feel for you.

Even if the repairs are done you don’t want to stay in the house- it’s re traumatising you.

I don’t understand why you would want to put uni in the back burner- you have 7 months to get things a bit more stable between now and then.

What did Doc say?

What about this flat with your housing? I know it’s one bedroom but it’s a stepping stone www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/97076522#/

LizFlowers · 03/02/2021 03:50

I don't understand the desperation to have a council house.

Lepetitpiggy · 03/02/2021 08:47

LizFlowers Well aren't you lucky?

Original poster
bellver888 · 03/02/2021 09:04

@LizFlowers wish i didn’t either, why bother commenting?

OP posts:
Roominmyhouse · 03/02/2021 09:12

@LizFlowers have you actually read the thread? What a complete prick of a comment to make.

AllMyPrettyOnes · 03/02/2021 09:12

@LizFlowers

I don't understand the desperation to have a council house.
Why comment then?
Original poster
bellver888 · 03/02/2021 09:21

GP found a bald spot on my head and areas where some hair is thinning, he said stress and possibly something to do with being underweight as well. He’s sent a letter into the housing advice people but he himself said it probably won’t make a difference.

The reason I want to put uni on the back burner is basically because I will still be in this house and I can’t do it, I just physically can’t bring myself to do anything whilst I’m here.

And I’m not entitled to one bedroom properties so they won’t offer one x

OP posts:
unmarkedbythat · 03/02/2021 09:48

@LizFlowers

I don't understand the desperation to have a council house.
I don't understand why you would respond to a thread of nearly 300 posts, in which the op has made very clear why her need for secure, affordable, safe housing is so great and why her current position is so difficult, with this.
witheringrowan · 03/02/2021 09:50

How did the call with your MP's office go? He will have caseworkers in his office whose role is to help with exactly these type of problems - from my time working for an MP they are really skilled at pushing past council's attempts to give people the brush off.

If you haven't got anywhere with him so far, I've just had a look at his facebook page and he's been making several posts about housing safety in response to the cladding scandal - I'd suggest leaving a comment on one of them saying you are living in his constituency with a child in an uninhabitable property and have been effectively abandoned by the organisations that are supposed to help you; that should get his team moving.

Original poster
bellver888 · 03/02/2021 10:16

He’s been really really good, and genuinely has expressed disgust at the council which is reassuring. He’s helping me with my claim to the local gov ombudsman and the shithouses that are Tameside council are “out of office” every time he rings

OP posts:
Original poster
bellver888 · 03/02/2021 10:23

In happier news I got a £25 Aldi voucher today so I’m gonna spend it on shit and special buys!

OP posts:
RandomMess · 03/02/2021 10:26

If you go back to uni they will help you with housing though.

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