Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Declining townhouse layout?

574 replies

notintowoo · 31/07/2023 08:43

Hello,

I have been on the council register list for about 12 years. It is just DD and I (12). Over the course of those years, we have viewed four properties. I declined two properties due to price and unsuitability and the other two properties I was outbid.

I recently received a call from the council to view a property, which was declined by the first person. I went to view the property and although the location is great (for work and DD travelling to school and not far from my parent's house) and the rent is quite decent. The townhouse layout is what is putting me off. It's a terrace conversion flat. I am on the first floor (a neighbour below but no one above me) but it has a townhouse sort of layout. I have my own entrance door, the hallway/entrance is on the ground floor, the bathroom is on the first floor. The kitchen and living room is on the second floor and the bedrooms are on the third floor.

Also, a friend recently told me that if I was to consider buying the property (which I wouldn't), it would be very difficult to sell as townhouses are unpopular.

I feel a bit disheartened to consider turning this down but I wanted to gather all of your thoughts before I speak to the council. What should I do?

OP posts:
greenteaandmarshmallows · 31/07/2023 08:45

If you're not going to buy it there's no issue is there.

I think with just the two of you it's fine. There won't me much problem with privacy walking from bathroom to bedroom.

Isthisexpected · 31/07/2023 08:46

Are you saying you would have to climb two flights of stairs to use a toilet? If so then that would definitely put me off too. The upside down nature of the layout itself wouldn't bother me at all. I have rented and owned two properties like that.

hoophoophooray · 31/07/2023 08:46

are you even able to turn it down and stay on the list? If I were you I would accept it, and if it's not OK look for a mutual swap?

greenteaandmarshmallows · 31/07/2023 08:46

You've waited 12 years. If you like the location and the rent is decent I'd snap it up tbh

BCSurvivor · 31/07/2023 08:49

I'm just trying to picture it - so it's a three storey townhouse over a ground floor flat?

AndrexPuppy · 31/07/2023 08:51

greenteaandmarshmallows · 31/07/2023 08:46

You've waited 12 years. If you like the location and the rent is decent I'd snap it up tbh

This.

If nobody in the house has mobility problems and is able to access the bathroom, then I’d take it. The resale doesn’t matter if you aren’t buying it, they are someone else’s problem.

Spendonsend · 31/07/2023 08:52

Its a bit of a pain going down two flights of stairs for a wee in the night.
But every home has a compromise. Even when you buy and have a million pounds you make compromises.
So affordable rent and good loaction seem like very strong pros

loislovesstewie · 31/07/2023 09:00

If you've waited 12 years ,grab it with both hands. Do you want to be waiting forever for the perfect property? Which probably doesn't exist?

Original poster
notintowoo · 31/07/2023 09:01

BCSurvivor · 31/07/2023 08:49

I'm just trying to picture it - so it's a three storey townhouse over a ground floor flat?

It's not a ground floor flat. It's on the first floor but with one neighbour underneath. It's a terrace flat (as there are flats in rows) but I only have one neighbour underneath me. It has three floors and has a town house layout. Entrance/hallway is on the ground floor, bathroom first floor, kitchen and dining room, second floor, bedrooms third floor.

OP posts:
Original poster
notintowoo · 31/07/2023 09:02

Isthisexpected · 31/07/2023 08:46

Are you saying you would have to climb two flights of stairs to use a toilet? If so then that would definitely put me off too. The upside down nature of the layout itself wouldn't bother me at all. I have rented and owned two properties like that.

But I have read that townhouse layouts are undesirable.

OP posts:
pornyshroudofturin · 31/07/2023 09:03

Is there something specifically that concerns you re the layout?

tattychicken · 31/07/2023 09:04

I'd go for it. The important bit, the location, sounds great. You're fit and well with no mobility problems I take it, your daughter is older so no wrestling with a buggy.
You could wait another 5 years and still not get offered your "ideal" property. Take this one, enjoy the security and make it your home.

Fairyliz · 31/07/2023 09:05

I thought council houses were for people who were desperate for somewhere to live and would never be able to afford their own place?
I didn’t know you could be choosy and turn down places that aren’t perfect!
Where have you been living for the last 12 years, can’t you just stay there?

AndrexPuppy · 31/07/2023 09:05

notintowoo · 31/07/2023 09:02

But I have read that townhouse layouts are undesirable.

Show quote history

Why does that matter though? If you don’t mind the layout, what does it matter what others think?

Surely the opinion of the wider flat/house dwelling community matters if you are needing to sell this place on at some point? Which you are not.

Ponoka7 · 31/07/2023 09:05

It's a great layout for minimising noise. It is only an issue if someone isn't physically fit. My DD has been on the list for seven years with no chance of an offer , so I know she'd take it. If you aren't in desperate housing need and you think that there will be better offers, then I see your point.

Original poster
notintowoo · 31/07/2023 09:06

pornyshroudofturin · 31/07/2023 09:03

Is there something specifically that concerns you re the layout?

The cleaning. Going up and down the stairs. Feeling worried (someone breaking in and I wouldn't be able to hear I'm all the way upstairs).

OP posts:
Hazeltrees · 31/07/2023 09:06

Seriously? You've been on the wait list for 12 years and the layout is not perfect? I would snap it up

Gemforfreee · 31/07/2023 09:06

Where have you read that townhouse layouts are undesirable?

Loads of new build estates have townhouses on them, so they must be selling.

Equally, if you’re not buying, the resale doesn’t matter.

MRex · 31/07/2023 09:07

You're getting ahead of yourself wondering about the onward sale cost if you buy it... If you had such a large deposit, then you wouldn't still be on the list for housing. Get in there, see if it works for you and your life, if not then swap for something more suitable. Nobody will force you to buy it, you can buy something else instead when you've saved up.

Superher · 31/07/2023 09:07

You’re putting a lot of emphasis on the undesirability of the layout and it not being good for buyers, but you’re not buying it so it’s not relevant.

If they layout works ok for you then say yes. You sound ridiculously picky.

AndrexPuppy · 31/07/2023 09:07

Gemforfreee · 31/07/2023 09:06

Where have you read that townhouse layouts are undesirable?

Loads of new build estates have townhouses on them, so they must be selling.

Equally, if you’re not buying, the resale doesn’t matter.

New build estates have townhouses on them because they are an efficient use of space. They can build bigger houses on smaller plots and therefore make more £££. You are right that they must be selling though.

Original poster
notintowoo · 31/07/2023 09:08

Fairyliz · 31/07/2023 09:05

I thought council houses were for people who were desperate for somewhere to live and would never be able to afford their own place?
I didn’t know you could be choosy and turn down places that aren’t perfect!
Where have you been living for the last 12 years, can’t you just stay there?

I live in a studio flat. Well it has one bedroom. But the feel is of a studio flat. DD has the one room and I sleep in the living room.I definitely cannot afford my own place, in my borough you can decline but it may take you longer to get a property.

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 31/07/2023 09:09

"But I have read that townhouse layouts are undesirable."

This isn't an investment property, you need a home. So decorate how you want, because you aren't selling it on. This is your's for however long you want to live in it, with no pressure of it keeping its value.

Spendonsend · 31/07/2023 09:09

If you are thinking about buying it, then yes it does make it harder to sell as people like bathrooms near bedrooms and it would be factored into the price you sell at, but on the flip side the price you pay would have taken into account the layout too.

AndrexPuppy · 31/07/2023 09:09

How many offers have you had before this one, @notintowoo ?