To ask to be temporarily rehoused whilst new kitchen installed?

[SENwoes]

I will preface this by saying I KNOW I’m very lucky to have a HA house, and I KNOW I’m very lucky to be getting a brand new kitchen for free.

So as above, I have work commencing on 22nd January to rip out the old kitchen and replace it. I don’t have a choice in this, according to the documents, I am unable to say no it’s fine, I’ll keep the old one. I’ve been told the works will take 2 weeks, as it also involves taking up the tiled floor and replacing it with lino.

It’s just dawning on me what a nightmare this will be. I have to completely empty the kitchen obviously, but there’s not really anywhere to put the stuff, it’s a very small house (just living room leading to kitchen/diner downstairs). The big appliances will go outside in the back yard apparently, but everything else will have to be boxed up and kept somewhere. I’ll have no cooking or washing up facilities, and no way of washing or drying clothes.

That’s all pretty standard I know, but my main concern is that I have a disability (CFS) and also both DC are diagnosed with ASD and currently in the house all the time as neither in education. We will essentially be trapped in our bedrooms for 2 weeks as we won’t be able to move in the front room as realistically that’s the only place everything from the kitchen can go. I need to rest…a lot, and the works will be noisy, which will also affect both DC as they struggle badly with loud noises and not being in a calm environment. They’ll also struggle with a team of workmen being in their space for 2 weeks, They both have completely different food aversions and neither of their limited range of foods is conducive to being able to batch cook and set the microwave up somewhere. Realistically it will mean a lot of eating out, but that’s not really affordable for 2 weeks.

Has anyone been in a similar situation and WIBU to ask the HA if there’s anything that could be done to move us while the works are going on? The only family member I could stay with is my DM but she’s a long way away and having works done on her own house which means she doesn’t have a functioning bathroom, so that’s not ideal really.

@ronoi wasn't aware that they would accept a dog, so thanks for the info, regardless of added snark.

She can't. She had no choice or agency over this work. She made that clear on the OP.

All she did was ask if there is any scope for them to be accommodated elsewhere given that her and her dc’s disabilities will make things extra difficult. Do you have some kind of issue with disabled people asking for help?

Could you arrange with a neighbour or friend to use their appliances? Borrow a slow cooker and use the microwave in the living room. Fridge in living room, or borrow a small one, many people have them in sheds. Takeaways, sandwiches. Basically it's like camping in your own house. I have a small house too, no hall, and it does sound very difficult, but moving your kids for a fortnight would be disruptive to their routine as well. Afraid it's just a case of gritting your teeth, and having a clear out - so many things in kitchen cupboards are just clutter anyway.

The builders may leave you running water overnight and a useable sink/sockets, so it mightn't be as bad as you think.

Anyone Can ask for help, but I assumed that her HA would have already considered her situation and made a decision on that basis as is their responsibility to do so. It just sounds like she doesn’t agree it’s good enough.

Hope housing association can offer some help for you and your family.

Buy paper plates for the two weeks and use as a liner on top of your regular plate. It’s not ideal but with your combined situation and disability this will help you a fair bit.

ODFOD

You know what assuming does….

She hasn’t said anywhere that it isn’t good enough, she isn’t demanding two weeks at the ritz. She is asking if this kind of help is available as the work is going to be distressing for her disabled children, made more difficult due to her own disabilities. Perhaps disabled people should just put up and shut up instead.

I have just seen in your post that as part of the work they are replacing the tiles on the floor with vinyl. I had this done in my house a few years ago and the whole floor has to be levelled out - I think it is called screeding- it is some sort of sealant that is put down - we were not allowed to walk on it - for three - four days. Do you know if they are doing this ?
it means the room is completely out of bounds - in our case it was difficult with the dog and the kids - constant reminders not to go in the room and couldn't get to the back door to let the dog into the garden. We lived in the living room and ate takeaways - dog went to kennels for a couple of days. If they are doing this as well as fitting a kitchen too. Then I would def suggest moving into temp accommodation and or kennels for the dog ( even if it is just for the time when the floor is out if action , not the whole two weeks ) .
This is HA property is it an ex - council house ? Mine was and the floor was uneven
When they took the tiles up

@SENwoes I would definitely contact the council regarding your disabilities etc, and get any support you can from any health or social agencies that are involved with you and your DCs. They may not be able to do anything, but it's worth a try.

If they tell you who's carrying out the work, it might be that you can contact the contractor directly to explain your issues.
We had a new kitchen when my husband was terminally ill (I know... but he wanted the house to be sorted for me and the girls before he died). The guys who did the work were amazing, cut the projected time for the work considerably, and ensured that we were only without water etc for the minimum possible time.

I do feel you are being unreasonable - I had a 3-4 kitchen makeover 7 years ago. Two kids with ASD/ADHD aged 8 and 11. We set up a camp table in the dining room off the lounge, plugged in the microwave, kettle and toaster and muddled through. They were sick of ready meals and microwaved eggs or beans on toast by the end, but we made it fun and treated them with pizza on the offer days. It speeds by and they survived. They also really appreciated the new kitchen and proper cooked meals. It was a bit stressful, I won’t lie (I have ADHD), but the kids weren’t that bothered. They were at school so it was really just evening meals and weekends they were impacted.

I would just reframe it as a bit of an adventure and stock up on food you can cook easily. You can keep the fridge plugged in and they can work around it until any replacement arrives. It will be much easier to manage living at home than camping out somewhere else.

Assumed.

Don't actually know

But she's on benefits so she should just suck it up, whatever the effect on her family.

Surprised you're not complaining about the money being 'wasted' on them having a new kitchen in the first place.

Umm no, you cannot asked to be rehoused. You are getting a new free upgraded kitchen. Most people have to make do and put up when they have kitchen renovations. Very entitled post.

Wow.

Pay for it yourself?

But she doesn't want a new kitchen! How is it entitled to want to refuse something that will cost the taxpayer money?

Have you thought about contacting and asking if they could delay till March/April when your mums caravan site is open and then you could stay there? They might be able to do someone else’s earlier and yours later maybe?? Can’t lose anything asking?

It’s likely that not the entire kitchen will be out of bounds for the entire two weeks. They can probably leave the sink and oven in situ at least for a few days then get them back at the earliest possible point. No you won’t be able to mooch around cooking but you won’t be totally without facilities for the entire period

@GreatGateauxsby

eell that's one way of saying you know nothing about having CFS AND 2 kids with SEN!!

homeowners can choose to live with an existing kitchen or can choose when to have the work done. Most of us would choose spring/summer for lots of reasons, not the middle of a cold winter.

Why would you assume ?
My housing Association are very aware we have a disabled child
But sometimes if there is work planned we get letters addressed to the occupier
Sometimes the communication isn't joined up
Sounds like you just wanted to have a dig tbh.

You asked where the dog would go. I answered. If you choose to perceive me saying 'probably to the travelodge' as snarky that is entirely your problem.

It's always worth asking. I would think one of the biggest issues is the noise for your ASD DC who are at home. My 2 would not cope with that. It will also affect your rest.

I think some posters are being disingenuous. The people I know in their own homes who renovate generally have a fair bit of money and a larger home than OP. Also not all families have CF and ASD to deal with.

Can't see an HA paying around £700 for you to stay in a Travelodge for a fortnight.