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?

No, she's not buying it. A friend has made a very unhelpful suggestion abut how ,IF, she bought it, selling it later would be difficult.

the real issue is your fear of the unknown.
i think that this new home sounds really good, much Better than you have now and spacious. No noisy neighbours. Good for your daughter.
I understand fear of change but if the worst happens you can swap it or move on. it's not oermananet.
I think you need to act! You'll be ok. What does your daughter think? Does she like it?

If you’re not desperate why are you on the list at all, never mind near the top - I’m confused.

YABU

Oh and your friend sounds unhelpful at best and an idiot at worst. I wouldn't be consulting them on anything.

Lack of other people on the list who have a greater need. Not all lists are populated with homeless / desperate people.

I read that at the time so have deja vu reading this thread. I remembered that everyone kept saying grab it, but the OP answered with endless negativity that seemed like they'd never be suited.

To me it sounds like a very happy solution. Bedroom each, plenty of living space. Located near school and affordable. Big ticks and unlikely to be offered better.

Try looking at the positives the property has rather than the negatives. The bedrooms will be quiet if the neighbours flat is 2/3 floors below. It might not be perfect but doesn’t sound terrible either.

So you are not really desperate for a place to live like most people in the waiting list. You just want a bargain to live cheaply for a while, then sell it and make a fortune.

I lived in an ex council maisonette for 5 years when my youngest was born. I loved it. The area was terrible and that was the only reason why we left.

All we could afford was a flat but as soon as you shut the door it was like you were in a little house. The layout was excellent, lovely big square rooms. The flats were so well built they were about 60 years old and didn't get a single mark down on our home report, not a single problem with dampness. The walls were lovely and thick so we didn't hear a thing with neighbours. The windows were proper old wooden frame tilt and turn. I absolutely loved that flat and if it wasn't for my neighbours I would still be happy there.

I used to live in a house like this in quite a rough area and it was totally fine. Once I was inside I felt really safe and insulated from the outside world. Mine had a front door with a stair case behind it that led to the first floor of rooms. We had a really secure door and I liked that it was out of the way down a stair and we weren't walking past it all the time like you are in a normal flat. The stairs must have been a bit of a pain to hoover, but get a lightweight cordless vaccuum and I'm sure it will be fine. Living in a small one bedroom flat with a teenager isn't going to be ideal - this sounds like a great option to give you both more space and privacy in a good location. I also wouldn't worry about desirability - this isn't an investment, it is a home, and what matters is will it work for you and your daughter.

What does your daughter think?

In your shoes I would absolutely grab it unless you or DD have mobile issues.

Sounds a lot nicer than being a council tower block! You sound very fussy. You live in a one bed place it is not a studio.

I think if you require a council house you either suck up the fact that you don’t think it would be desirable (despite the fact you won’t buy it and won’t be responsible for selling it) or you give it a pass, go back to the bottom of the list and wait another 12+ years for a more desirable property to become available.

Maybe put your child first? It can't be great for her living in a 1-bed flat where her mum occupies the living room as a bedroom.

You don't sound unhappy where you are so maybe decline and let some other more needy family have it.

I lived in a two floor flat above a shop, so front door downstairs at the back, bathroom, kitchen and living room on the first floor, and the two bedrooms on the second floor. Was a fab place to live and never once heard any noise from the shop.

If the location and price are fine then take it.

Some people don't like townhouse layouts but plenty must do as developers keep building them, so people will buy them.

It doesn’t sound like you want a council place that much if you prefer the 1 bedroom flat (it’s not a studio) to this perfectly acceptable alternative.

There are many who will snap it up so that’s okay.

Some people don't like townhouse layouts but plenty must do as developers keep building them, so people will buy them.

This is not a town house-posters have said it's a maisonette. And it's a conversion not a purpose built town house.

Also, new build townhouses usually have at least 2 or 3 toilets. A cloakroom, main bathroom on the 1st floor, and an ensuite for the main bedroom.

It's absolutely crazy that you won't compromise at all ! So many thousands of people in temporary housing and it sounds like you're making issues out of nothing ? Why does it matter if its desirable?

@greenteaandmarshmallows

She can't do that

I meant if she bought it, obviously

Am correct in thinking thos property is only actually over 2 floors with a stairs to access the 1st floor of living space? So in all sense of the word it's like a 2 story house? I live in a 3 bed semi detached and I have to walk up a stairs to use bathroom. It's quite normal to do so.

This is like a novel where the character thinks they have a choice and then ends up with nothing because of poison dripped in their ear by a jealous friend. Don't be a fool OP

‘I'm not sure. It's the fear of the unknown. I'm scared to move on.’

wtf? Stay in your bedsit then, remove yourself from the list.

(I wrote bedsit since op is sleeping in her living room/kitchen)
hundreds of thousands of people desperate for a home and OP turning her nose up time and time again.

It can’t be a flat AND a townhouse. It’s one or the other. If it’s a maisonette, I’d take it. I loved in a maisonette for years and I loved it. I had no problem selling it either.