Should I stay in this house?

[stayormove11]

I currently live in a 2 bed flat, it’s a council flat, so really cheap rent. I have 3 children, 8 , 7 and 4.

They all share a room, and they sleep in a bunk bed. I started a business a few years ago, and earn good money.

My DD who’s 7 has been telling me for the past year she wants to have a own bedroom, she wants space from the boys. My boy eldest who’s 8 has said the same thing.

I would like to buy a house in the next 2 years.

My question, should I move from this place into another rented house?

The thing is I’m going to move again when I buy the house.

Would it be wise to stay here until I bought the house or move? I can afford to move now, it’s not about the money, it’s just that should I really move house twice in 2-3 years? What would you do?

It might be a big deal in a 'first world problem' way of thinking, but that's the reality for lots of families, especially in high cost areas. The OP has secure and affordable accommodation of adequate size for her family, so she's streets ahead of a lot of people.

It’s not an adequate size for her family with three kids in a room, boys and a girl. It’s not a tragedy, but they’re definitely overcrowded.

OP, I share a one bedroom with my DD (year 7). It's not ideal but it's short-term. We do, occasionally, struggle for personal space but it's mainly fine. And my DD and her friends don't seem to care.

I, personally, would stay put, and either share a room or put a sofa bed in the living room.

I can't imagine this is really that unusual in London and other expensive cities??

No, it’s not that unusual.

The difference between your council rent and a 3 bed rental in London is probably £1k a month. On top of that, 2 x moving costs and that's if you're lucky and the private landlord doesn't give notice after a year. So approx £26-£30K. That's a good addition to your buying budget so I'd stay put. Now that the stamp duty holiday is coming to an end, house prices are likely to stagnate too so the extra saved will give you more buying power.

I would stay put for the moment TBH. Private renting is uncertain and you could end up in a difficult position if the rent was increased.Can you maybe get a really good Sofa bed about £750 (had a quick google!) upwards .Is the Childrens room big enough to make a partition wall or maybe a curtain down the middle? DD is only 7 so you have a few years yet before she hits puberty .

Get a good sofa bed. She needs space and privacy from her brothers.

Your daughter didn't choose to overcrowd a flat.

This child is 7!!!

At 8,7 and 4 they can easily share for a couple more years. Yes to partition stand or rigging up curtains or similar if possible but giving up a secure tenancy??

I'm sure lockdown has increased her desire for "space" but so so so many people feel the same at the moment.

I wouldn't give up social council housing for anything- private rent is so insecure and much more expensive

I'd definitely stay put and save up for when you are ready to buy.

I'd give her my room and sleep in the lounge.

It depends whether you are planning on staying in London moving to a cheaper area. I think you will need to move your dd withing a year. Girls often start menstruating at 9 now. She would not want to be sharing with a brother a year older than herself then. Could you move your dd into your room? Another option would be for you to.move into sofabed in lounge and.pit dd in your room for sleeping but to understand you still need to work there. Prices will almost certainly go up over two years in London. If you moved into 3 bedrooms in area you want kids to.go to.school in then moving again in 3 years would not be an issue provided they could still stay in same school. If you can't buy a house now you could save into a LISA so get government top up towards buying.