Declining townhouse layout?

[notintowoo]

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?

Just to offer another perspective OP, I notice that you've spent 12 years in your current accommodation, which is also the entirety of your daughter's life, and your role as a mother. That may naturally foster strong emotional attachments and fears, and perhaps you're putting obstacles in the way as a result. Maybe this thread serves you as a platform for you to externalise and process these complex feelings.

1. You currently live in a flat yes? But you have encountered stairs in your daily life? Many people have stairs in their home. Are you or your daughter of limited mobility or have any disabilities that mean you struggle with stairs?

1. At the moment are you in a position to buy a home? No. So don't worry about trying to buy your council house. It's not a recommended investment.

Stop listening to people who are talking bollocks.

By your own admission you aren't in a position to buy atm.

Even if you do get into that position, its a supply-demand thing - there will be a demand and the price will reflect that.

Who are these few people warning you against stairs?

So your desperate for a house, you have been offered a house. But the council hasn't offered you the right house as if you decided to buy you will find it hard to sell . And golly gosh a house with stairs .
I suggest you remove yourself from the list and find the ideal house to buy . Good luck with that .

Then your friends are idiots, honestly. They really are.

If you're not disabled, it's really weird to be scared of stairs! They're also wrong about security as you've heard. You're also a long long way off being able to buy - at least 3 years and even then there will not be a big discount. You'd have to have dramatically increased your income in that time, assuming that there is no other reason why you haven't been able to improve your current living situation. And if that was the case you could buy anywhere.

Op, you're getting hung up on tiny hypotheticals because you're afraid of change for reasons discussed - but you need to see the bigger picture. You absolutely owe it to your child, who will already (sorry to be harsh) be embarrassed about your living situation. That will only increase as they hit the teens and can never bring anyone home. You morally cannot turn this down even if only on that basis.

Think how happy you could both be there, with all that space!

Op forget ideas about buying it.

Yes in an ideal world you'd get the perfect house at the perfect rent that nobody else is chasing and you'd buy at a discount in a years time.

Are you even in a position to consider buying in a year or two? Anything could happen, Labour could get in and stop any more council house sales.

Take the house and start enjoying life. Or you could spend another 12 years waiting for the ideal house.

Not sure what you're expecting the "right house" to have OP. If it's a 2 bed flat or bungalow then your going to struggle as they are in high demand.

You are getting a Council property. Beggars cannot be chosers. Others would snap at the chance for this but if you can afford to be so picky maybe you really do not have the same need as someone else so should come off the list. If you are that in need you will make it work.

I am trying to be understanding but wtf have I just read? You would stay in a studio flat with a twelve-year-old rather than climb a few stairs?

Keep a basket of cleaning products on the floors with living areas. Buy a lightweight cordless vacuum. Enjoy the improvement in your fitness from doing the extra steps every day.

I understand your fear of the unknown. But if it ticks all the other boxes, I would take it. I’m in council, I know how short of houses they are, you may never get one as good again

Beggars can't be choosers. How many people are on the council list? How many people can't afford to pay their bills and are one step away from being on that same list? How many lost their jobs during the pandemic and still haven't got back on their feet nor will they anytime soon? How many threads have there been of people who lost their business? Have a think about that and then decide.
This house has the best thing which is location and the fact family and friends live nearby.
If this house is in a great location there will always be somebody interested in buying it off your hands.

I genuinely don’t understand the problem. Does one of you have mobility issues? Are you very unfit or overweight?

You are clearly not that desperate so I'd just leave it for someone else who needs it more.... why bother at this rate?

Also to add I'm surprised you haven't been kicked off the list or moved to the very bottom after rejecting two properties.

Your friends don’t sound very supportive! I’d be encouraging you and helping you look for all the positives, rather than dragging you down.
You’ve been offered a house - this is great news for you and your daughter. You’ll be appreciative of the space as she gets older.

I live in a new build townhouse that we own. It's great. I don't know what the problem is unless someone has mobility issues. The stairs will keep you fit.

Your replies don’t make sense, OP. You’re making up nonsense excuses because you’d rather stay in the bedsit.

Why are the stairs an accident waiting to happen…? I’m in a terrace with extremely steep stairs (everyone who visits says they can feel it in their glutes the next day lol) and I run up and down them at all times of the day and night and it’s fine. Surely any stairs pose the same risk.

Are you sure you didn’t post the previous thread I linked to?

It is remarkably similar… and of course this thread has everyone telling you that you should accept it, for your daughters sake, that you can’t be desperate etc. etc…..

Your friends don’t sound very supportive!
Totally agree: more like jealous. You're getting a house in a nice area, they too would like a council house. How are they going to look at your life and think "my life's better than yours" if you get this house?
It's like when fat people lose a lot of weight, then they're no so interesting anymore for some friends.

Also having read all of it... if you don't' want to sell why do you care about people's opinions regarding saleability? You have mentioned it twice. Your friend can say things but words are just words.
A council house isn't a prison sentence. If you don't like it, you can move out and rent another one.

Maybe you are hoping for your dream forever home but that is very unlikely to happen. And what use is it if you get it after your daughter is grown and gone? I highly doubt you'll get a big house as a single person.

I’d take it! It sounds absolutely fine to me. My first rental was very similar in layout (GF hall, stairs to FF bathroom, half stairs to kitchen and lounge, then stairs to bedroom). I really loved it. It was airy and spacious.

I think you’ll always ‘find fault’ because you’re worried about making the wrong decision. I’d take it. Your friends aren’t you. You’ll be getting out of a studio flat and into a proper house/maisonette. Lovely!

You know millions of people navigate stairs every day without issues? That’s quite a weird thing to be worried about unless you have mobility issues.

I am desperate but a few people have told me that I should not take it due to the stairs (accidents waiting to happen), lack of security, will not be able to sell it ( I have a friend who advised me to buy a council property if I have the opportunity to do so, but said that townhouses are unpopular).

All houses have stairs. We have a three storey house and it's fine. No an endless round of people falling down them.

Are you sure ever likely to be in a position to buy? If not the re-saleability of it is irrelevant.