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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:
IEat · 10/02/2021 16:32

Homefinder UK has homes for DV .

Felifox · 10/02/2021 18:42

I think you need to put your rent money in a separate account as clearly you're unable to safely occupy your flat. I'm totally against the current situation where vulnerable people on limited incomes are renting homes from private LL yet they have no support when there is a rogue LL. Yet we as taxpayers are often paying the rent by way of housing benefit and the rent is higher than social housing costs.

Original poster
bellver888 · 10/02/2021 21:43

@Felifox yep this is my feeling as well!
it’s a full on problem at the moment dodgy money grabbing landlords and vulnerable tenants

OP posts:
Original poster
bellver888 · 12/02/2021 11:07

Hi everyone quick update

I walked out my house yesterday for the last time, all my shit has been put into my uncles garage to store and me and DS are with my mum for the foreseeable. Paid my last rent and told landlord to stick it.

Phoned housing advice and told them that due to the gaping hole in my ceiling and the water coming out of it I will not be going back.

Been told I’m now intentionally homeless as housing advice said I didn’t let landlord fix it hahahahaha

Local MP is phoning them today and so is my solicitor.

OP posts:
Thehawki · 12/02/2021 15:47

I really don’t blame you OP. What the landlord was doing should have been illegal, I have no idea if it was or not but surely being in a home without heating with holes in the ceiling and damp everywhere is completely inadequate! We need far more housing provision in this country, I’m glad your local MP is on side, I hope that they can help you.

LakieLady · 12/02/2021 16:15

Holy shit, OP, this is one of the worst cases of housing disrepair I've come across (and I spent 3 years working for a solicitor who did disrepair cases and 10+ years working with people in "housing need" which often included disrepair).

I have a lot of gripes with my own (generally useless) council, but the woman in environmental health is brilliant. She's run ragged (the only person doing this work in a district with 100k plus population and a lot of private rentals), but she doesn't fuck about. One letter to the landlord, 28 days later if it's not sorted she issues a repair order and if it's still not done, it's court.

Your council are indeed crap and I hope your MP gets somewhere. I also this goes all the way to housing and local government ombudsmen.

I'm so sorry you've had to go through this hell.

I hope you get some sort of resolution soon. If the council try and claim you've made yourself homeless, there is a chance of getting that overruled on the grounds that it was reasonable to leave because of the appalling state of the building. Your solicitor will know how to go about that.

Good luck.

Frolie · 12/02/2021 16:23

Just read your thread for the first time. This is absolutely horrendous! What sort of society do we live in that allows a young mum and baby to be living in absolute terrible conditions? No heating, broken windows, damp. You should send this thread to the Manchester Evening News. Your landlord deserves to be outed. Please keep us updated OP.

Frolie · 12/02/2021 16:36

In fact, I’ve just emailed the MEN to see if they can help x

rosiejaune · 12/02/2021 17:09

Try contacting Acorn, they help with housing issues and may be able to support your case that you shouldn't be classed as intentionally homeless.

Original poster
bellver888 · 13/02/2021 00:39

Thanks so much everyone for the support. I have already emailed the MEN hahaha but I’ve told them not to name me if anything goes to print. I’m on my mums sofabed tonight and DS is in his travel cot, it’s cramped and my sisters are already doing my tits in but were warm and no damp!

In the years of DV I neglected my vision and didn’t have an eye test for 3 years and was wearing old contact lenses for up to a month at a time, I went for an eye test and lense check last Thursday. Today Specsavers sent me a text saying my new contacts are ready and oh my god I feel like a newborn baby opening it’s eyes for the first time, I can fucking see!!!

OP posts:
LizFlowers · 13/02/2021 05:21

[quote bellver888]@LizFlowers wish i didn’t either, why bother commenting?[/quote]
I'm sorry. I've read all now and can see your dilemma.

(I fancy Andy Burnham too. Let's hope he fancies you back.)

Original poster
bellver888 · 13/02/2021 08:57

@LizFlowers hands off my Andy!

OP posts:
Original poster
bellver888 · 23/02/2021 10:47

Hi all

Landlord has decided I am liable for my rent on the property until 2023 as I have “24 month agreement from January” smells like bullshit and probs is bullshit

Still at my mums, still intentionally homeless, still down in the dumps. Waiting for the local gov ombudsman to contact me regarding it all. The light at the end of the tunnel is non existent at this point.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 23/02/2021 11:09

I thought that kind of contract is illegal?

Do you have a copy of it? You certainly need to serve legal notice to protect yourself.

Original poster
bellver888 · 23/02/2021 11:20

I’ve not got a copy but I’ve spoken to my solicitor about it and she said it’s just not worth the paper it’s printed on and not to worry. She’s basically said he’s a dodgy landlord who won’t go to court to evict me due to the counter claims and at this point he’s fucked it basically

OP posts:
RandomMess · 23/02/2021 11:38

Fab!

Felifox · 23/02/2021 12:08

I hope you have a list of the dates you contacted the LL about the repairs, contact with the council and photos of the damage to your flat. Despite the delays your MP will ultimately get an answer from the council. You just have to keep positive that you will get help in the end.

huuuuunnnndderrricks · 23/02/2021 12:10

I would address the depression and anxiety so you can get back to work and help yourself out of this situation .. I know it's easier said than done but go back to the doctors and ask for help / better medication!

NotDavidTennant · 23/02/2021 12:19

I may have missed this, but do you to still have your uni place?

Original poster
bellver888 · 25/02/2021 17:01

I have registered with a HA called Accent who seems to prioritise people in situations such as myself.

Jigsaw Homes basically said I get no extra points for DV or PTSD despite a letter from my doctor.

Aaaand barely any others are taking applications because of the rona.

I still hate my life, I hate being at my mums and I fucking despise Tameside council for their reluctance to help. Also, I was told I can’t even go in a refuge as he doesn’t live with me. Great.

OP posts:
Original poster
bellver888 · 25/02/2021 17:14

and yes I do still have my place at uni but I can’t see myself going back this year, not with all this going on I feel like my heads gonna explode. Hopefully when the pubs open again being in work will do me some good.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bellver888 · 05/03/2021 23:59

Hi all, today has been a mixed day. My complaint with the local government ombudsman has been received and they are getting in touch with housing advice.

I have won £50 on a scratch card and bought myself some Ben and Jerry’s which I have been looking forward to all day, DSIS1 has eaten the tub, contemplating suing her for damages lol.

I’ve moved up quite a significant amount on the list since the MP’s involvement and am currently number 4 on a maisonette, fingers and toes crossed please xxx

OP posts:
TomorrowIsAnotherDae · 06/03/2021 07:59

Good luck @Bellver888 🍀

NewtoHolland · 06/03/2021 08:34

Can you speak with local DV support? Some charities can help with housing advice. Women's aid? Some homeless hostels have outreach support workers that work with people in poor quality housing. I would also speak to social care about your loving conditions of you feel able to. Really sorry to hear all you are going through.

silentpool · 06/03/2021 09:32

This is awful. Did you write to the Ombudsman? I found that sometimes it was the only way to get people to do anything. I'd send the council a note, outlining your many efforts to get the situation resolved, give them a week to revert with an action plan to solve it, "or I will refer this to the Ombudsman". I think that the state of rental housing in the UK is an absolute disgrace and I really hope you get something sorted soon. Please go back to Uni. I know it seems like too much now but it will change your life for the better.