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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Valid Reasons to Refuse Council Property!

42 replies

PurpleRayne89 · 15/12/2023 19:35

Why would you refused a property? What would have to be the deal breakers?

OP posts:
SOxon · 15/12/2023 21:30

OP name the estate, or HA, someone here (me) may know of it, if only by repute.

Is your child able to manage the stairs?
Honestly, as people here have said, take it, as long as its clean, elec checked,
boiler checked etc., you will be fine.
Some councils have a paint allowance, some provide cooker, bed
if you do not have any furniture and Emmaus if you are struggling.

be brave, good luck

DragonMama3 · 15/12/2023 21:31

A light folding buggy is your friend! Think cuggl

AnneLovesGilbert · 15/12/2023 21:34

Depends on your circumstances now I guess.

Minnie2012 · 15/12/2023 21:45

Please keep in mind that reasons that are really significant to you, may not be at all to the Council. Unfortunately, as social housing is in such short supply, the threshold for them agreeing a property is unsustainable is really quite high - e.g. you or a member of your household is wheelchair-bound and they’ve offered you a flat on the 3rd floor with no lift. There is legislation and statutory guidance on what constitutes a suitable offer - this is what they’ll be following.

Also keep in mind that they have all your details on record - unless your personal circumstances have changed VERY recently, it’s very likely that they’ve already been reviewed and taken into account, and the council already believes there is no reason why you can’t take the property they’re offering you.

Before you formerly refuse a property, please check what your rights are. Some councils do only make one offer and are within their rights to do so unfortunately. You do risk being found intentionally homeless and not being given any further assistance if you decline what they consider to be a suitable offer, although some councils will make more than one offer - definitely worth checking.

I’m sorry - it’s a tough situation to be in and I’m not trying to scare you, but it’s always best to be realistic.

Best of luck, OP x

notapizzaeater · 15/12/2023 21:51

Hipp0campus · 15/12/2023 20:07

No bath.

We are currently in a HA property with no bath, we accepted it straight away and accepted we'd have to deal with no bath. We are grateful and lucky, but naively accepted this property.

7 years later with a disabled child and also a 2 year old with a fear of falling water, we need a bath desperately.

Can you pop a paddling pool in the bottom of the shower to make a bath for the 2 year old ?

MumChp · 15/12/2023 21:55

If you have a better offer say no thank you. If don't have say thank you.

TomatoSandwiches · 15/12/2023 21:58

Unless you have a health/medical condition that means it's unsafe for you to walk 4 flights then none of those are good enough reasons.
Sounds like a standard estate tbh. Did you like the interior, was there enough space for you and your DD, try and focus on the positives.

green85 · 11/02/2024 19:41

this is what I am worried about and im not on the list yet! I know I cant afford to be picky i Just want a nice place in a safe area for my daughter.

Houseplantmad · 11/02/2024 20:29

@Hipp0campus get one of those big plastic garden trugs with handles as a mini bath. They’re light and you can hang them in a peg when not in use.

wutheringkites · 11/02/2024 20:35

green85 · 11/02/2024 19:41

this is what I am worried about and im not on the list yet! I know I cant afford to be picky i Just want a nice place in a safe area for my daughter.

Well this is what everyone wants isn't it? Unfortunately, not all council properties would meet most peoples' 'nice' criteria, and some estates can feel unsafe.

EC22 · 11/02/2024 20:47

In an unsafe area. I was offered (many years ago) as a single mum with 2 babies a flat in an area I would have been scared to walk about during the day never mind night. I lived with my parents until I was offered somewhere safe.

Beezknees · 11/02/2024 21:09

green85 · 11/02/2024 19:41

this is what I am worried about and im not on the list yet! I know I cant afford to be picky i Just want a nice place in a safe area for my daughter.

It's a chance you have to take if you really want a property. They're like hen's teeth, we don't have the luxury of choice. If you want that, you need to private rent.

BobbyBiscuits · 11/02/2024 21:12

It doesn't sound absolutely ideal but council housing is in such short supply. As long as it's structurally sound, not damp or mouldy with flooring and functioning kitchen/bathroom/boiler I would take it personally. The neighbours you cannot control, so try to forget that aspect.

Maverickess · 11/02/2024 21:33

My place is right next to a fast food shop, noisy comings and goings and people hanging around outside and a constant smell of pizza etc, can't have windows open in the summer evenings as the whole place stinks. It's a maisonette I suppose technically but the address is Flat, is first floor. But does have a garden.

It's oddly shaped with doors, windows and lights in odd places, as it is a converted shop with neighbours below who are nice but I don't think they know how to shut a door rather than slam it or talk in a normal voice. Some of the other neighbours are...... Interesting to put it mildly.

It's in the arse end of beyond with a crappy bus service and no amenities unless you count the local boozer and the pizza shop. And always gets cut off in snow or very wet weather as both ends of the village flood.

I snapped their hand off and have been here ever since because I needed somewhere to live desperately and had nothing so couldn't do private rent. Apparently I'm the longest standing tenant because of the pizza shop and the other issues with it. I don't care, I'm grateful for the cheaper rent meaning at the moment I'm breaking even rather than sunk like I would be paying more in private rent. It's also secure, I have never lived so long in one place because I've private rented and either they've sold up, wanted more than I can afford or just didn't do repairs until it was unsafe for me and DD (now an adult).
Those two things far outweigh the negatives for me. Look at what you're getting rather than the negatives of it, it might be busy with people around but you'll get used to that, try not to feel intimidated, I have visited estates before like that and actually some of them had a great sense of community despite outward appearance. And tbh I experienced far more antisocial behaviour in private rent with LLs not willing to do anything about it, my ha at least are pretty good with antisocial behaviour.

It's an opportunity to get back on your feet, use it.

parietal · 11/02/2024 21:44

surely kids kicking balls on an estate is good - I'd rather that than a place that is empty which would freak me out.

if you are in / near London, a council property is gold-dust. Take it.

kris2214 · 16/08/2024 11:10

This reply has been deleted

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

Nicscot79 · 12/10/2024 13:32

We are going to look at a council house next week. My elderly parents reside with us permanently and dad has cancer.....can we refuse the council house if it does not have 2 bathrooms. For the record we are 4 adults 4 children aged from 6 to 15. Was wondering if there are any guidelines regarding bathrooms in out situation?

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