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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:
Trinity65 · 03/04/2023 23:47

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Wow

Changingmynameyetagain · 03/04/2023 23:48

I used to live on a really rough estate years ago with my ex, my neighbours were lovely, we lived in a block of flats and we never had any issues with them. I only left when my exs crazy ex gf torched my car!

I live in the most middle class estate imaginable these days and my next door neighbour was raided by the drug squad for having a cannabis farm in his garage.
No matter where you live you can’t pick who your neighbours are!

inky1991 · 03/04/2023 23:52

I really don't know what you are expecting. You can't have it all I'm afraid

Zone2NorthLondon · 03/04/2023 23:55

dont decline Flat until you’ve taken advice & understand the consequences
Do google CAB and free law centres (most will give housing advice)
and good luck

EddyF · 03/04/2023 23:55

When you guys say estates, what do you mean? I don’t think all council properties are in an estate; well, in London anyway. It’s almost a given on this chat that all council properties will will be awful and that you should make do.

OP, I wouldn’t take it but I know I’m not being realistic probably. I would try to figure something out. If you’re prepared to fight it out with the council, you may stand a chance. Maybe see a DR for your dizziness (heights) and anxiety (lifts). I would rather explore everything than just accept this so called fate.

Spectre8 · 03/04/2023 23:55

Lol you should see the state of my neighbours property he owns. Broken glass panes in the front door, covered up by duct tape. Garden a jungle and broken fencing. Wooden window frames paint peeling off. Front garden overgrown mess. His house looks completely run down and people think its abandoned.

Its been like that for over 5years.

So even nice areas have shabby properties too

QueenCamilla · 03/04/2023 23:56

I'd take a top floor flat over any other floor - so much quieter! Barely any Street noise and no neighbour noise.

Ground floor is hell - cold floors, often damp, noise, smells, lack of security and privacy... Ugh!

ImSweetEnoughDarlin · 03/04/2023 23:57

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.

Bit true though, innit.

Pubesofsoberness · 04/04/2023 00:07

ImSweetEnoughDarlin · 03/04/2023 23:57

Bit true though, innit.

Show quote history

No

PinkSyCo · 04/04/2023 00:41

EddyF · 03/04/2023 23:55

When you guys say estates, what do you mean? I don’t think all council properties are in an estate; well, in London anyway. It’s almost a given on this chat that all council properties will will be awful and that you should make do.

OP, I wouldn’t take it but I know I’m not being realistic probably. I would try to figure something out. If you’re prepared to fight it out with the council, you may stand a chance. Maybe see a DR for your dizziness (heights) and anxiety (lifts). I would rather explore everything than just accept this so called fate.

Fucking hell! 🤦🏽‍♀️

OldFan · 04/04/2023 00:56

Hi @ShouldITakeIt , I think maybe you phrased it 'undesirables' 'undesirable area' in a way that made some people take what you were saying the wrong way.

I understand what you mean.

It's not snobbery and being judgemental, it's serious.

I live in an area where I went down to the corner shop and outside was a young man bleeding to death on the ground from a drive by shooting. A few things have happened like that and it is genuinely quite a dangerous inner city area.

From what you say, things in the area you're looking at aren't quite that bad?

For me @ShouldITakeIt , it'd depend how ok you are with living in your mum's lounge, as if you get bumped off the list and you feel you can't private rent, that's it for the forseeable future, isn't it?

So unless you want to live in your mum's lounge permanently, or are hoping to meet someone you could move in with (going into any relationship with that at the back of your mind would make you quite vulnerable) then you'll have to take the place.

There are upsides to my area like I can walk into the city centre. And the flat itself is quite big.

OldFan · 04/04/2023 01:10

The ground floor is about the worst floor to be on in a council neighbourhood by the way @ShouldITakeIt My friend had death threats, attempted break ins while he was asleep, etc etc. Eventually he got an emergency move through the police.

He's on the first floor of somewhere now and it's far more peaceful and secure.

I'm on the second floor at my place and the distance from any aggro makes me feel very safe. It's like living in a turret. The 15th floor would take a bit of getting used to though. I was in temporary housing on one of the upper floors for a while, and though the view of town was lovely, I didn't want to go near the window. 😂

ArmitageShanked · 04/04/2023 01:12

Some of us are CHAGS

Council Housed And Greatful.

A 16 year old was murdered up the road by a 14 year old last week. Nothing to do with housing. Just heartbreaking.

I do feel so lucky. Most of my neighbours are lovely. The council also provide MH support faster than my gp. There is so much support that comes with council housing.

You'd be daft not to take it OP. Also, when I was too of the bidding list there were a lot of social housing new builds that I was hoping to get. However, I'm glad I didn't as they are separate housing authorities, more expensive and less stability or support.

ArmitageShanked · 04/04/2023 01:13

"Grateful 🙄 CHAGS...

ArmitageShanked · 04/04/2023 01:14

*top

Back to school!

Modaboutyou · 04/04/2023 01:27

When your relying on the council to house you, I don't think you can afford to be picky. Take it and do what you can to improve your situation

milafawny · 04/04/2023 01:29

I had the opposite issue, grotty run down council house but in a nice area, albeit not on had put as a preference. I took it as it is crazy not too, and i was on the list for over double as long as you have suggested. Council housing offers a security for as long as you need it. I cant see myself ever in a position to buy again ( i lost my owned home when my marriage ended) and now by the time i can save a deposit by myself once the kids have grown up as i have nothing left to save at the minute, ill be too old for a mortgage. I would do a swap for a smaller place eventually, but i know have a secure home for life.

MintJulia · 04/04/2023 01:50

StylishM · 03/04/2023 20:30

Take the flat, every area will have its rough inhabitants but the alternative is losing all council support & being effectively homeless. You can always apply for a swap in the future

Take the flat. All areas have their more colourful inhabitants. Just make sure you have decent security locks fitted, and enjoy your new home. You may come to love it.

Stay a year and then look for a swap that will get you into an area with a suitable school for your dc.

SpinningFloppa · 04/04/2023 01:50

The people saying they would prefer a top floor flat trust me you are very much in the minority. After houses gff are the most sought after properties and get the most bids each week. Most people will wait for a gf and the waiting times are longer for gf properties. Top floor flats are not in demand and don’t get anywhere near as many bids as gf properties which are in higher demand. Same for swapping the vast majority of people want houses or gf flats.

FranksOcean · 04/04/2023 02:30

ungrateful and entitled

Onceacheetah · 04/04/2023 02:48

These posters would want to have a look at themselves.

ShannonMcFarland · Yesterday 22:30
Well yeah, it's a council house. They aren't designed to be des res's - they're for people who can't or won't pay for anything nicer.

pinkdelight · Yesterday 23:32
You sound pretty deprived yourself to be fair. If you weren't, you'd be able to house yourself in a more desirable area. But as that's not the case, this is what your get, and it honestly doesn't sound so bad if the flat and the surrounding area is nice. You might find people make snap judgements about how undesirable you are as a single mum, but you'd hope to be given more of a chance and not assume old reputations never changed.

Nicecow · 04/04/2023 02:52

HotSince82 · 03/04/2023 20:46

With respect;

You are on a council housing list. What you have described is a very usual and reasonable description of a council estate.
Most people living there will be respectable probably friendly and community spirited. There will be undesirables but they shouldn't bother you if you don't fraternise with or make yourself known to them. Your flat isn't ground floor so unlikely to be a prime target for opportunistic theft.

What else were you expecting to be offered, given the circumstances?

Show quote history

Exactly. What do you really expect? Just live with your mum if you don't like it, or pay for your own place. Anti-social behaviour is not ok, but if it's generally being 'undesirable' then what do you really expect.

beachpearl · 04/04/2023 03:05

@Nicecow I agree !
Some people would kill to get a place to live. A lot don't have a parent to live with or turn up their nose to a home for their family. If your on the council list be grateful, or stay with parents and save up to move on your own. It isn't ideal for you, but for most on the council list it's chance of a family and a new life

Maple2023 · 04/04/2023 03:08

My area has a reputation from when there was a block of flats with drug dealing and a dodgy pub
That was 25 years ago Confused the pub has gone and the flats have been knocked down and it's a new build estate. Still had the same reputation! There's a few issues with kids but I've been here 17 years and feel safe

sashh · 04/04/2023 04:01

I'm in the middle of a council estate, my place is actually HA. When I first moved in I had problems with one neighbour who decided I didn't need a bungalow as I was 'too young' she also accused me of being, "educated" apparently that is a fault.

I have had problems with noise in the summer and the council has dealt with it, the only problem being that the council office is closed at the weekend when the parties were happening. I did suggest the department have someone 'on call' but apparently that can't be done.

But most of my neighbours are fine, lovely people.

Lots of people have lived their whole lives on the estate. My next door neighbour to my right was brought up on the road that backs on to us, the lady opposite is one of the 'Windrush' generation with numerous family members who visit her daily and might come over to mine to stroke the cat.

Round the corner is a community centre where I did some shopping yesterday in the 'community shop', they had opened a 'sweet shop' in the garden and the garden was full of children with painted faces. There will be events all of the Easter week day holidays.

They also run a café, a warm space, cooking classes and have children's dance class one evening.

I would say take the flat and seek out the good people around. Take your toddler to the local toddler group, use the local shops, local whatever there is, it would be a library, community centre, park or what ever.

I honestly believe there are more good people than bad in the world and you get a mix everywhere,

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