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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Offered council property in terrible area

307 replies

ShouldITakeIt · 03/04/2023 20:27

Single parent of DS who is 2. Currently living with my mum but have been on the council waiting list since he was born. Was offered a flat before but turned it down due to it being in a rough road and have been offered another one this week which is in an even worse area! The flat itself is actually really nice but the estate it is on used to have a really bad reputation and is a deprived area. It was fairly quiet when I visited but pretty run down looking and I saw a few undesirable looking people walking about :( the problem I have is that if I decline this flat, then I'm booted off the list. Private renting isn't an option for me and I'm currently living in my mum's lounge. Would you take the flat? Does anyone have any experience of living in an undesirable area? Help!!! :(

OP posts:
berksandbeyond · 03/04/2023 23:12

Do they have council properties in nice areas? I’ve never seen one

Pubesofsoberness · 03/04/2023 23:13

berksandbeyond · 03/04/2023 23:12

Do they have council properties in nice areas? I’ve never seen one

Yes they do

x2boys · 03/04/2023 23:13

ShouldITakeIt · 03/04/2023 20:27

Single parent of DS who is 2. Currently living with my mum but have been on the council waiting list since he was born. Was offered a flat before but turned it down due to it being in a rough road and have been offered another one this week which is in an even worse area! The flat itself is actually really nice but the estate it is on used to have a really bad reputation and is a deprived area. It was fairly quiet when I visited but pretty run down looking and I saw a few undesirable looking people walking about :( the problem I have is that if I decline this flat, then I'm booted off the list. Private renting isn't an option for me and I'm currently living in my mum's lounge. Would you take the flat? Does anyone have any experience of living in an undesirable area? Help!!! :(

Some estates have bad reputations I live in one I have lived here for 8 years it's not that bad ,I'm not denying there are some people who.are undesirable but we keep our selves to our self ,most of my immediate neighbours are ok.and we haven't encountered much trouble tbh.

SpinningFloppa · 03/04/2023 23:15

berksandbeyond · 03/04/2023 23:12

Do they have council properties in nice areas? I’ve never seen one

Yes I know someone with a council flat in Notting Hill…

malmi · 03/04/2023 23:16

Take it and persuade your mum to live there so you can have the whole house?

Zone2NorthLondon · 03/04/2023 23:18

strawberryjeans · 03/04/2023 20:33

If you’re safe, stay with your mum there. Rather less space and feeling safe any day over actually feeling unsafe

That’s pretty bad advice. If she refuses an offer a legitimate offer the LA can discharge their duty to house her. It’s not as simple as stay with mum. Refusal will have consequences

Antsinmypantsneedtodance · 03/04/2023 23:19

I hate to say it but you're coming across as quite picky and a little snobby. Beggers can't be choosers as they say.

It USED to have a bad reputation. Does it now? What are the alternatives?

Not many areas are perfect. Espeically if in a city. I lived in an estate with an ok reputation if you asked people who didn't know it well. Houses sold there for over 500k. Yet stabbings werent unheard of. Drug deals on every corner and several brothels as well. You can't always know what a place is like just by rumours and it's apparent reputation.

Take it. If you're not happy there then use it as a springboard to inpeove your situation to have more choice.

Skinnydogz · 03/04/2023 23:20

I took one in a known rough area and it's actually fine. The neighbors are nice and while there is some drama etc it's actually a good community. Never had this when I was private renting. Take the flat you'd be mad not to, unless it's truly awful but I doubt its that bad and honestly most council properties are in a bit run down areas but it really only matters what your immediate neighbors are like. once you're in for a year you can try to exchange it for another if you aren't happy.

GreenClock · 03/04/2023 23:23

I’d take it, OP. You don’t want to be kipping in your mother’s living room five years from now.

ukgot2pot · 03/04/2023 23:24

I would take it. I used to live in a very run down area for 2.5 years but the house was pretty decent and rent was reasonable. I used that as a stepping stone to build myself up and get good references and find better work so I could rent in a much nicer area.

Do the same. I'm sure you and your DS are desperate for your own space.

LondonQueen · 03/04/2023 23:24

Most council properties are in the less desirable areas of town. However you sound like you don't have much of an alternative. Take the flat and try a swap? No idea how they work but worth a shot.

Redebs · 03/04/2023 23:29

SpinningFloppa · 03/04/2023 22:36

Definitely the only swap she will get is with someone in an equally shit area on the top floor. So swapping one bad area for another.

Show quote history

No, sometimes people are looking to swap because they need to downsize due to bedroom tax or because they want to be nearer to family.
Often 'bad' areas have some really decent people and you could end up being very happy there.

pinkdelight · 03/04/2023 23:32

This reply has been deleted

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HamBone · 03/04/2023 23:36

Can you stay with your Mum until you’re in a position to rent privately? If not, what are your housing options if you turn this flat down and are booted off the council list?

You need to consider whether taking/not taking this flat will help or hinder you longterm, IYSWIM. If your Mum needs you to move out soon and you turn down this flat, where will you live?

cadburyegg · 03/04/2023 23:38

The last house I lived in, there were drug dealers a few doors down, and we owned that house!

Take the flat. Look at it as an opportunity. At 2 your child won't care if his bedroom is in the living room. In a few years he'll be at school and wanting play dates at home and then it'll be more of an issue. You might be even more desperate for some space. Childcare is prohibitively expensive right now but when he's at school it's not so bad if you can utilise wraparound care and holiday clubs which UC will contribute towards if you're working by then. You can work towards having a career if that's what you want then you'll be in a better position to move.

CJsGoldfish · 03/04/2023 23:39

You take the flat or you live forever in your mums lounge. Doesn't matter what anyone else would do, they are your choices.
If you can't house yourself, what else is there?

Gemstar2 · 03/04/2023 23:40

Your 2yo is only going to get bigger and start taking up more space -you need a sustainable plan for the future. You need to take the flat. What would happen if your mum decided she wanted her living room back and yet you’d turned down the flat? You’d be homeless. I really can’t believe you’re willing to take that risk because a council estate is a bit undesirable. Once you’ve got yourself and your child a stable home, crack on with a plan about how you’ll earn enough to afford to live somewhere more “desirable”.

Lifeomars · 03/04/2023 23:40

The area I live in isn't the best, in fact it is rough but the positives are that most people on my street are nice, we live here because we don't have the money to go anywhere better. The schools are ok, the health centre is good, there are shops, good transport links, these are all things to consider. I have got involved with community groups, people who want better for the area. Yes I have days where it gets me down, but I always see friendly faces when I am out and the majority of people are decent. I'd take it and see how things work out

BlueBunting · 03/04/2023 23:41

Take it, if you’re going to be removed from the list then at least give it a try. You’ve nothing to lose.

Flidina · 03/04/2023 23:42

We were offered a council house a few years ago, like you we turned the first one down, due to rough area, and the second one, also rough area, we had to accept, had no choice or we would be taken off the list. We made it nice,there were a few dodgy characters, but honestly our neighbours were great, best we've ever had! Anyway, put it up for a swap, we were only there 18 months and we were really lucky to get a swap with someone, who wanted to be near family, to a mostly private, sort after, estate, with only about a dozen council properties. You never know, you could get lucky!

Highlandflingbling · 03/04/2023 23:42

pinkdelight · Today 23:32
that must be one of the most disgusting comments I have read on mn I hope you never end up in that situation yourself. Your kids must be proud.

Ineedtoloseweightnow · 03/04/2023 23:44

My last house was in a ‘dodgy’ area, we aren’t from around here and didn’t know. We loved it, it was so quiet and our neighbours were really friendly. Sometimes, more so during lockdown probably because we were home we would see the police going up the top end but never heard a thing or knew why they were there. We were sad to leave but it had only been a stepping stone on the property ladder for us. Only found out about how bad the area was perceived through neighbours and work colleagues!

Babyroobs · 03/04/2023 23:45

As others have said you don't have much choice. Living in your mum's lounge isn't ideal for anyone, you can't afford private rent and you'll be chucked off the council list if you don't take it.

Nap1983 · 03/04/2023 23:46

Highlandflingbling · 03/04/2023 23:42

pinkdelight · Today 23:32
that must be one of the most disgusting comments I have read on mn I hope you never end up in that situation yourself. Your kids must be proud.

Absolutely… what a horrible nasty comment

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 03/04/2023 23:46

Take the flat!!!