To just walk out my council house.

[CoconutSky]

I hate despise this flat.
I’ve ended up in an adapted property with a wet room.
It’s riddled with damp because of the wet room, I’ve spent thousands on painting and decorating, carpeting when I moved in to make it nice. I fled DV, after less than 2 years it’s all had to come up and be replaced.
Wet room is being “repaired” but I don’t hold much hope.
I’ve no worktops, 4 kitchen cupboards and no space whatsoever and I’ve just had enough. I only realised the further adaptations when comparing my flat to my neighbours and I just feel like walking out. Communal hallway also stinks of cigarettes which comes into my home, HA are aware and have done nothing but send letters out. Despite it being a communal hallway an inspectors also said that the other tenants are okay to smoke cigarettes as it’s not illegal. It might not be illegal but I can’t open my windows cos it comes in all the bedrooms. DD’s stinks so bad of fags she’s in with me and that’s with the window closed.

Im so miserable, the wet room stinks, my shoes and bags have always got mould in. Im on the mutual exchange but no one wants flats and I can’t get a managed move, property is 2 beds and I’m “adequately housed”
I even asked if the housing association had a special register for adapted properties but they don’t.
I can’t afford private rented and wouldn’t pass a credit check due to my ex getting me in debt.

I don’t know what to do, I’m sick of phoning the housing association, sick of being upset and seeing plaster and paint just fall off the wall. I’m at my wits end and I feel like I’m trapped in this place.

Crazy this is still going on.

It may well be worth a sad face news paper story. They seem to pull fingers out of arses then.

Oh this is awful I’m so sorry you’re suffering this and still there a year on.
Are there any private rentals near you that could work?
Any relatives you could live with temporarily?
’homes’ like this need burning down, it’s appalling they expect a child to live in these conditions.
I was given a property that was in awful condition and full of damp several years back. I can’t even describe the condition of the kitchen, there just aren’t suitable words. I cried my eyes out. I fixed it up over the space of 2 years and exchanged. It was still awful and visually nice. Morally it was wrong and selfish to burden someone else with all the hidden issues, but it was damaging me and I needed to get out.
It may be a breach of tenancy but can you do up the worst parts, repaint and re-advertise for an exchange?
Don’t give up, you will get out of there one day.

I've only read your posts not everyone's, but have you tried to escalate with your housing association?
I would contact the CEO directly and also the Board Members, there will be a list on the website.
It's not their job to get involved with this level of detail (I am on the board of another association) but you may get help that way. I would want to be aware. They definitely won't want you going to the press.
You could also consider directing them to this thread? They won't be happy they are mentioned!

Can you post a pic of the kitchen and bathroom? Perhaps it will give us a better idea of your issues and we can make better suggestions. 🤗

Hello guys
Still here, still a shithole 🤣

I am on one today. I’m typing up a huge complaint to demand my managed move.

If not then ombudsman again.
Can’t believe it’s been over a year since this thread and my house is still fucking damp and manky

Do you know you can self nominate to some housing associations? I would call every one up in an area that covers where you could live, and find out if there is such a system in place. Call each one at least 3 times, as some employees have no idea all the options available within their company. One bad bit of advice can change your life (I should know).

Thankfully I’ve done that!
Ive been added to our local nominations based register which is a replacement for housing associations at the moment so again just a loooong wait

I would bug them to be honest. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Every time you bug them, express your sheer desperation. Lets hope it doesn't get to the point your child's lungs get damaged by the mould. If she does, go to the doctor every time and state on EVERY occasion, the living conditions so it goes on record. This will be valuable evidence for you, should you need it in future.

This is probably one thread I'd be happy to see the daily mail pick up!!

So sorry you're still dealing with this @CoconutSky.

No because anonymously nothing would happen. The op should definitely consider going to the press though with this

Hi all

Been refused a managed move - aka they allocate me to another property
Been told to “keep bidding” on properties on their choice based lettings list however all their family properties are going to the council nominations list for homeless people.

It’s an utter fucking joke

I have a complaint with the ombudsman regarding this. They keep saying my property has no damp but there’s mould everywhere.

At this point is it worth private renting or slumming it and complaining as high as I can. Please can anyone offer any insight because I’m quite literally desperate I dunno what to do

This might be terrible advice but if there is the option to private rent somewhere decent I would just do that. You’d be giving up the security of tenure but you’d hopefully be gaining your mental health back x

I understand why you dont want to but it might be time to go to the media. You have exhausted every other option.

The ombudsman are currently investigating. I’m not sure if I can go to the media. Or is it worth waiting.

I would let the ombudsman carry out their investigation first, then decide. Usually they kick ass once they've investigated!

Wait it out if you can OP. I can't remember if you've already been in touch with your MP but you could def get the ball rolling with that, then update them with what the Ombudsman finds? I'd also try and do the media before moving out. So easy for us to say though, when we're not living it.

Can I ask how I contact my MP
My MP is Angela Rayner and I’m not sure whether it’s her I need to speak to as I’ve already been told she doesn’t deal with housing

https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/app/uploads/2025/03/Severe-maladministration-publication-March-2025.pdf

https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/contact-your-mp/?mc_cid=21e7baf3cf&mc_eid=74838af1f2

You could write a letter to her - printing and sending registered delivery might help it stand out if you can do that. You might get help from the CAB in how to summarise your situation and the history and what to include. Or you could find out if she has surgeries where you can ask to see her in person. I'm not a fan of her personally, but given her own rise from council housing as a single mother, I'd hope you may be listened to.

You are entitled to ask her to listen as you are one of her constituents.

According to OP previous thread - the ombudsman didn’t uphold her complaint

OP - this is a disgrace. I have been following since you began your thread.

Angela Rayner email: [email protected]
Send her a covering note and this WHOLE thread

Your local constituency office details:
Ashton Market Hall
Market Street
Ashton-under-Lyne
OL6 7JU
Phone Number: tel:0161 342 5800 0161 342 5800

Call them, and tell them you want to share there as well.

I would - in my note to AR - say that you are contacting her as a last bid before resorting to sharing with the media as you are so desperate. One would hope that she wouldn't want to be failing her own contingency quite this badly and she will step in. Good luck.

DB had a damp ground floor wet room studio. TBH he also had issues with drug dealers preying on him. In the end what got him moved was a support worker and letter from GP about the added mental stress (he has schizophrenia) of damp and his vulnerability which moved him up the list as a priority. It took maybe 18 months but he was then put in a third floor new build which is safe and secure. I won't detail the whole thing but his entire housing journey from being sectioned to this secure flat took around 15 years.

Keep fighting OP.

They are as bent as a right angle

Hi!
Still ongoing. Angela Rayner couldn’t act as Jigsaw Homes had acted within their policy

They replaced my kitchen and added one extra cupboard. However because they moved the fucking plug sockets all to one side I have even less room because of my microwave and kettle. So the extra cupboard is now home to my kettle.

Still mentally struggling. I have yet another damp survey due next week. 9th one since February 2022.

I am actively looking for private rentals and have faced quite a few rejections. I cannot believe this is my life. Complaint with ombudsman awaiting response. I can’t do it anymore. This flats ruined my life and I have absolutely no hope.