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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

DiaNaranja · 31/07/2023 09:49

I love our townhouse, it was a huge selling point for us, as I love having the living room on a seperate floor. We've been here 7 years, on a street of townhouses, and on the rate occasion one goes up for sale, it gets snapped up immediately. Not that I think this is something you need to factor in, as you aren't buying it, now anyway. Have you gone and viewed the house op? You'll probably find it feels quite spacious, as although lots of stairs, the rooms tend to be more generous as less rooms to fit on each floor.

Grimbelina · 31/07/2023 09:49

There was a really similar thread to this a few months ago if you could find it. I am sure the consensus was that it was a great opportunity and you would be mad to refuse it.

DiaNaranja · 31/07/2023 09:50

Sorry just re read you have viewed it. I'm not sure how picky you can really be, if you're currently living in a one bed flat, surely your own house is not to be sniffed it.

potterycorner · 31/07/2023 09:50

TAKE IT. You said you didn't want to buy it anyway. But let's assume you do. You will be able to buy it FOR A DISCOUNT. At that point, you can move the bathroom.

Your friend is not a reliable source of information. Any property will sell if the price is right. You talk about bedrooms plural in this property! The location is.... perfect, right? And this is a SECURE TENANCY at a time when private renters are in massive, massive trouble as small landlords are selling up in spades. What security have you got where you are?

Look at where you currently are, and be realistic.

Batalax · 31/07/2023 09:51

Why on earth would you turn this down because of the resale value and other peoples opinions as to whether they are popular or not?

if it half way works for you grab it with both hands.

HamstersAreMyLife · 31/07/2023 09:52

This sounds like my old ex council maisonette. Excellent property, best storage I've ever had. Good for fitness too, not suitable if you have mobility problems but can't understand why anyone would otherwise not find it a suitable layout

Wife2b · 31/07/2023 09:52

This makes no sense, you’ve been on the list 12 years. Why on earth wouldn’t you want it? Seeing as you’re so fussy, maybe you should pass up on it to allow someone genuinely in need to snap it up and be grateful for it.

Grimbelina · 31/07/2023 09:54

This reply has been deleted

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

BarbaraofSeville · 31/07/2023 09:54

potterycorner · 31/07/2023 09:50

TAKE IT. You said you didn't want to buy it anyway. But let's assume you do. You will be able to buy it FOR A DISCOUNT. At that point, you can move the bathroom.

Look at where you currently are, and be realistic.

That's a great point. I know the OP doesn't intend to buy the property, but with a tenancy, there will be the opportunity to buy it at below market value, and also move the bathroom or at least add an additional toilet on the floor where the bedrooms are, which will make it much more desirable.

But not wanting to vacuum an extra set of stairs has to be the most ridiculous reason to consider turning it down. There's only two of you. If you don't wear outdoor shoes inside, how often does it actually need doing?

25sheets · 31/07/2023 09:54

HaveHadKenough · 31/07/2023 09:41

Eh, how?

All local authorities round here use that system, what's the system where you live @25sheets?

Show quote history

I've no idea what the situation is round here. I'm shocked that councils are having people bid for them though. Really surprised that's allowed.

butterpuffed · 31/07/2023 09:55

Check with your local council OP . With ours, if you refuse three places, you go to the bottom of the list . It could mean you'd be waiting for another 12 years..

itsallnewnow · 31/07/2023 09:55

A town house is where you have the whole house, and it's just taller and thinner. I don't think they're undesirable at all loads of fancy new build estates have them round here.

This sounds like a maisonette which is far more desirable than a flat as you have more space over two floors. Far less likely to be broken into when there are basically two front doors to get to. But if you'd rather stay in a studio then go for it, council
Housing is like hens teeth round here someone will snap it up if you're not arsed about it

Waffle78 · 31/07/2023 09:56

I would go for it I don't think you can be too picky. I had been waiting 8 years I had turned one house down. I was offered the one we are in now was told if I turned it down I would go to bottom of the list. The house is perfect but the location isn't. I don't drive we're on the outskirts of town but are on a bus route. But it's the best thing I ever did even though it was in an awful state. You will never get the perfect house with council housing.

itsallnewnow · 31/07/2023 09:57

@25sheets

It's not a 'bid' in a financial sense it's just putting your name forward for that one and they will choose based on criteria like need/how long you've been waiting etc

HaveHadKenough · 31/07/2023 09:57

But why @25sheets ?

It's bidding according to need as explained by many previous posters, what do you find shocking about that?

Original poster

notintowoo · 31/07/2023 09:57

I'm confused about the layout. How can there be only the bathroom on one floor? Is it a massive room?

No. It's difficult to explain. Sort of like a town house, you have stair cases but it leads into a different room. The bathroom is on the first floor, towards the side of the flat and then opposite the bathroom you have a staircase leading to the living room and kitchen.

OP posts:

potterycorner · 31/07/2023 09:57

@notintowoo

Great name, by the way!

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).

This is all solvable. Pull up the stairs carpet and replace with laminate if it's hard to hoover. Cleaning - drop your standards, get into a routine, or once your daughter's a bit older, pay her pocket money to do her bit. The stairs - it's built-in exercise which is GOOD for you both, and will pay dividends in the long-run. Break-ins - you can get all sorts of clever alarms now, and really it's the ground floor flat which is more vulnerable. Physical burglaries happen much less than they used to - look up what the local crime mix is.

Doris86 · 31/07/2023 09:57

You’ve waited 12 years and are currently squeezed into a studio flat. You’ve been offered a lovely home with plenty more space. Why are you looking for excuses to turn it down?

EatThoseFrogs · 31/07/2023 09:57

It sounds much bigger than your current set up, in the right area and there doesn't seem to be any mobility issues?

I have a townhouse - bedrooms top and bottom floors with living room and kitchen in the middle. I love it. It's gives us space and privacy, has enough room.

Cleaning is going to be harder in any new property because its likely t9 be bigger than your flat?

I think you'd be silly to turn it down if it all works for you and you're purely worried about whether the layout is considered desirable or not ...

RosesAndHellebores · 31/07/2023 09:58

If neither you or your daughter are disabled then there is no problem. Just give an extra 20 mins a week to cleaning.

You are being offered a relatively spacious, secure tenancy, council property. It isn't exactly as you would chose. TOUGH!

If you want a property to your ideal spec, may I respectfully suggest that you rent or buy it yourself with all of your own money. Oh wait, you aren't in a position to do that.

I think this is one of the most entitled posts I have seen on MNet.

BarbaraofSeville · 31/07/2023 09:58

25sheets · 31/07/2023 09:54

I've no idea what the situation is round here. I'm shocked that councils are having people bid for them though. Really surprised that's allowed.

Show quote history

Eh?

It's the standard way.

Property comes available and the council puts up the details and asks for expressions of interest.

People who qualify apply to be considered and the council/HA looks at who's applied and picks whoever is most suitable based on their criteria - current housing situation, family size, any reasons why they're more deserving, eg local key workers, current home unsuitable due to disability etc.

How do you think that available properties should be allocated?

KittensandPerverts · 31/07/2023 09:59

You said your parents live nearby. Take them to see it and ask their opinion.

viques · 31/07/2023 09:59

notintowoo · 31/07/2023 09:08

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.

Show quote history

In that case just hang on for another 12 years by which time your daughter will have left home and you can have the bedroom back. Problem solved.

I think if the council knew you are only concerned about the resale value of your so far mythical perfect property you would be the laughing stock of the housing department.

Jobalob · 31/07/2023 10:00

you are in a studio flat and you've been offered a nice property with more space in a good area yet you're considering turning it down. You are mad

PearlHandle · 31/07/2023 10:00

I brought my dc up in a townhouse.

I didn't think about going up and down the stairs as a chore. They are just stairs.

I don't know what you mean about the cleaning and I don't think someone breaking in and you not hearing them is something to consider.

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