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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To refuse a council property

153 replies

Violetroseyjane · 09/05/2024 17:49

My children & I have been in temporary accommodation moved around alot for 3 years. I have to bid weekly on properties that become available through the council.
I bid on a property in a town 3 miles from me , the town itself its absolutely lovely.
So I realise I was number 1 out of 128 people, got excited drove to the address , however the council doesnt not provide a house number etc so I walked around trying to find an empty property.
There it was in all its glory an absolute s**t hole 😭 there is no garden as it is completely and utterly overgrown and I mean like a forest, both front and back.
I looked through the windows and from what I can see it has been treated like some kind of drug den, dirty mattresses and rubbish on the floor, two of the windows are boarded up with planks of wood. It's a very old council property too. The pathways leading up to the front and back doors covered in junk and rubbish , food containers, boxes, old toys , one of the small windows has been left open and u can smell the stench off wee as you get close coming from the house!
So the thing is I dont expect a property to be perfect in the slightest, howeve rthe amount if work needed to get this property up to standard would cost an absolute fortune.
I am a single parent & I an constantly skint now ! I work as much as I possibly can with little help with childcare etc.
How would I ever get this property decent enough to live in?
If I refuse this house I may get thrown off the list , atleast I will be told I cannot bid on a property for over a year and we are sick of being in temporary.
I'm in a pickle really.
I have not one person to help me with the garden.
What exactly will the council do to this property before we move in? Does anyone know? Obviously they must have to replace the windows, but a friend of mine has just said to me that is all they will have to do & clear some rubbish, they wont do the garden or anything and that will all be left to me.
Any advice over what to do in this situation please?

OP posts:
justasmalltownmum · 09/05/2024 21:40

Well you're assuming it is this one?

Snugglemonkey · 09/05/2024 22:13

Violetroseyjane · 09/05/2024 18:03

Wow what an amazing job! Well done.
So the garden is alot worse than that. I should of explained better. It has over grown so much on both sides of the property that it is up to the windows, not just grass, bushes etc but trees also.
My housing association is Cornwall and I've been told by others they wont touch the garden, just put windows in and clear it.

Show quote history

But sure, that is grand. You have a garden, big enough for grass and trees. Many private buyers do not. Yes, you will need to sort the garden long term. That is part of having a garden. But again, you have rent protected housing, with a garden. In Cornwall. Others will bite your hand off to exchange if you don't like it.

misssunshine4040 · 09/05/2024 22:20

I know how overwhelming the garden etc must feel to you.
Please see this a long term fixer upper.
Your children and you need a permanent home.
You need to snap this up with both hands and then think of the rest later.

It WILL come together and you will be able to make it a home

misszebra · 09/05/2024 23:12

beggars can't be choosers.
surely the most important thing is a roof over your childrens heads! priorities are in the wrong place...

BreakingAndBroke · 09/05/2024 23:18

Yabu. Take the property. You will have security. The council will do a fair bit to get it habitable and you can do the rest bit by bit. You'd be a fool to turn it down given the insecurity and rising rental prices of privately let places.

Original poster
Violetroseyjane · 09/05/2024 23:22

justasmalltownmum · 09/05/2024 21:40

Well you're assuming it is this one?

I know it's this one... I spoke to a neighbour outside and they told me it is the only empty council property on the road & they saw a council van outside yesterday. Also its advertised as an end of terrace property

OP posts:
Original poster
Violetroseyjane · 09/05/2024 23:25

Serencwtch · 09/05/2024 20:13

Ours was a shit hole. The council removed everything including carpets. The garden was cleared of rubbish but left overgrown. We were given decorating vouchers which covered everything as we did it all ourselves so had it done nicely how we wanted it at no cost.

The only way to find out is to ask the council. They have to make it safe so they have to remove the rubbish etc.

It's got to be better than temporary housing even if it's alot of work at first.

Thank you , I've never heard of decorating vouchers

OP posts:
Original poster
Violetroseyjane · 09/05/2024 23:26

ALovelyCupOfNameChange · 09/05/2024 20:24

i am pleased your not going to let it put you off completely. It sounds daunting but it also sounds like there’s so many positives and it can be incredibly beautiful.
I bet there’s all sorts of lovely plants in that garden just hiding. And you’ll actually be able to garden your own garden, you’ll be able to plant a tree and see it grow!
If you’ve strong links in the community you never know who might be able to help or lend you tools - or a goat!
accept plenty of help and I wish you the best of luck in your new home that you can put pictures up, and decorate however you want.

  • from a long term renter who knows the struggle

Thabk you :)

OP posts:
SwayingInTime · 09/05/2024 23:29

We had a council house for 6 years and on moving in we found receipts for disposal of human waste and eradication of pests including pigeon fleas! It actually worked out well as was so bad that a new kitchen and bathroom had had to be fitted. Go for it!

Pin0cchio · 09/05/2024 23:33

Is an overgrown garden & a house that needs clearing and cleaning really more overwhelming than 3 years in temporary accommodation?

What did you really expect? This is housing at social rent which is often below local market rates. It's a secure tenancy.

You'd be mad not to take it.

Original poster
Violetroseyjane · 09/05/2024 23:34

Blushingm · 09/05/2024 20:27

Thank yourself lucky! There are people who would be grateful. Even if it takes sone work on your part you'll have a home with a secure tenancy

I am thinking myself lucky and I am grateful , it's just alot to take on , on my own as a single parent etc. It was daunting that's all. Tbh I dont feel very lucky most of the time like many others that live in cornwall, work bloody hard, will never be able to afford to be on the housing market , which has become worse since lockdown. This is our home, our children's home and we are living in caravans lots of locals are.The housing crisis in Cornwall is the worst compared to our living wage. Most of my fellow friends are also in the same position being turfed out as landlords turn properties into air b n b. It's a big thing. Believe me I know how amazing it is to come top of the list after all of this time , however seeing a property with borders up windows, covered in rubbish, looking the worst house around was very disheartening at first. I wont be refusing it. It was just alot to take in at first

OP posts:
Original poster
Violetroseyjane · 09/05/2024 23:38

SwayingInTime · 09/05/2024 23:29

We had a council house for 6 years and on moving in we found receipts for disposal of human waste and eradication of pests including pigeon fleas! It actually worked out well as was so bad that a new kitchen and bathroom had had to be fitted. Go for it!

Thank you :) and wow shocking how some people let properties get ! Pigeon fleas 😮

OP posts:
Original poster
Violetroseyjane · 09/05/2024 23:46

Silverlinning · 09/05/2024 18:45

@Violetroseyjane it sounds from the posts you have written that you will take it. Please do. I'm not sure of your council policy but mine for people in temporary accommodation is one offer only. If its turned down. Council end their duty kick the person out of temporary accommodation. And social services become involved as thru have a duty to the child . I'm in London though so it may be totally different for your area.

When places are let via council/social housing . Its just a shell and it feels very overwhelming. They will fit a new kitchen if it's needed. Same with bathroom etc . But it will be bare walls and floors .

You could paint all the walls white . It will brighten it up and give you a blank canvas for when your ready to decorate . My dd bought carpet and underlay she paid 10.00 a week. Or put an add on local groups see if anyone is giving away paint and other things you need.

Try and get into a positive mindset . I get its hard . But think about how you would like it to be . Picture it In your mind then do a little at a time .

Honestly you will be ok 💐

Thank you :) x

OP posts:
Original poster
Violetroseyjane · 09/05/2024 23:49

Elephantswillnever · 09/05/2024 18:00

I work for the LA and where I am that property will be stripped, interestingly the worse it is the better it is for you as a prospective tenant as the more damage the more they have to replace. Last place in a similar condition that I saw was entirely gutted, new toilet and sink ( previous tenant smashed them. New kitchen and boiler. Various new doors /floorboards/ plastering / painting as they were full of holes. Garden strimmed back to really short and cleared.

They aren’t going to give you keys to a house full of everyone else’s shit. Just keep going it will be fine.

Thank you for this :)

OP posts:
StillSeekingResponsibleAdult · 09/05/2024 23:51

It sounds like different councils offer very different standards. My friend got vouchers to use for carpet, but this is a few years ago and a different area.

It's very likely the neighbours haven't enjoyed living next door to people who've got the house into that state, so you will probably be welcomed with open arms. If the overgrown garden is effecting them they might offer loans of tools and practical help.

It will be amazing, even if it takes a while to make it your own.

Original poster
Violetroseyjane · 09/05/2024 23:59

qwertyqwertyqwertyqwerty · 09/05/2024 18:20

You might be scared/overwhelmed because you have lived through the absolute hell of three years of insecure housing which is immensely stressful and now you fear the prospect of taking a house that turns out not to be right.

Logically this house is a secure home. The garden is a complete non-issue, it can be put right.

Real concerns would be: antisocial neighbours, serious mould issue, crime.

I wish you the strength you need for the next step you take, I hope there are no serious issues and you can make it wonderful Brew Flowers

Insecure housing is dreadful. You have had to be strong for a long time.

Show quote history

Thank you :)

OP posts:
Original poster
Violetroseyjane · 10/05/2024 00:01

KatieB55 · 09/05/2024 20:50

If you contact a local volunteer centre you might get someone who would be happy to help you sort the garden & decorating.

Great idea , thank you :)

OP posts:
OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 10/05/2024 00:05

I think it was shock at seeing what the garden looked like that hit the OP like a ton of bricks, bearing in mind her excitement in realising she is No 1 for this property so went over to find and see the house.

Magentaplasticglasses · 10/05/2024 00:42

I wouldn't refuse, but it would be worth asking around and trying to find out what your LHA does in terms of clearing council properties. It will help you to prepare yourself if a lot of it falls on you. There isn't really any consistency in how much is done to sort council properties. It varies a lot from council to council. I went to see my council property 5 years ago it was in a shit state. It had been trashed by the previous tenant.

It was over a month before I got the keys.
In that time the council:
-Cleared all the rubbish as the house was -stuffed to the rafters
-Stripped all flooring
-Stripped wall paper
-Replastered
-Fitted a new boiler
-Replaced a radiator
-Rewired parts of the house
-Repainted parts of the house
-Changed the locks

I also reported a couple of minor issues within a day of moving, because council tenancies were probationary for a year and they did routine tenancy visits. I wanted the issues on record so that nothing would flag up at my tenancy visit. Both issues were fixed within 2 weeks.

I got very lucky though. I've seen people on fb groups get houses and have to do tonnes of work, and I've seen people get perfectly decorated and floored new builds. And everything in between.

It is possible to do things on a budget though. For decorating try things like community repaint (or equivalents). People donate leftover paint so it can be reused. Market place is great as well for things like cheap garden equipment. Good luck !

Passthepickle · 10/05/2024 06:42

I came back to say that ask for volunteers locally - where I live you would get a few helpers no problem. My friend who is a gardener does jobs like that for free quite often.

The beggars can’t be choosers posts are unkind and have no compassion for how your situation chips away at your resilience. It’s the importance of it that makes it overwhelming and you have had little control for a long time but even if it’s a slow start you have got this.

25mini7 · 10/05/2024 06:46

They should strim the garden. It needs to be let to you in a decent state. Dont expect decorating done etc. But it should be clean

Silverlinning · 10/05/2024 06:46

Violetroseyjane · 09/05/2024 23:34

I am thinking myself lucky and I am grateful , it's just alot to take on , on my own as a single parent etc. It was daunting that's all. Tbh I dont feel very lucky most of the time like many others that live in cornwall, work bloody hard, will never be able to afford to be on the housing market , which has become worse since lockdown. This is our home, our children's home and we are living in caravans lots of locals are.The housing crisis in Cornwall is the worst compared to our living wage. Most of my fellow friends are also in the same position being turfed out as landlords turn properties into air b n b. It's a big thing. Believe me I know how amazing it is to come top of the list after all of this time , however seeing a property with borders up windows, covered in rubbish, looking the worst house around was very disheartening at first. I wont be refusing it. It was just alot to take in at first

Edited
Show quote history

Sadly its happening all over. People are getting section 21s left right and centre. It happend to me twice. Some families are
Waiting 6+ years to get housed. Rents are way to heigh when people work they often need help with the rent via uc. Then landlords won't/can't take that family on.

Anyway thus house will be your forever home and you will never have to worry about being homeless again.

MikeRafone · 10/05/2024 06:51

In my district this is why numbers aren’t given out and actually told not to go to the address

ALovelyCupOfNameChange · 10/05/2024 07:21

Silverlinning · 10/05/2024 06:46

Sadly its happening all over. People are getting section 21s left right and centre. It happend to me twice. Some families are
Waiting 6+ years to get housed. Rents are way to heigh when people work they often need help with the rent via uc. Then landlords won't/can't take that family on.

Anyway thus house will be your forever home and you will never have to worry about being homeless again.

Show quote history

air B and b is the crux of it really
say you can rent the house for £1000 a month or £1000 a week for 6-9 months.
the maths just doesn’t add up.

it’s completely shit for families as they stand even less chance to buy when you’ve landlords bidding against air b n b landlords for properties.
it’s a business for them but a home for others. The two aren’t compatible

morechaimama · 10/05/2024 08:05

Air BnB is a real problem, no doubt about it. Same where we live (similarly beautiful part of the country) and although I booked them in the past I don't now, I don't want to be contributing to the hollowing out of our communities and the way they keep prices too high for local people to afford a home.

I am really excited for your new start @Violetroseyjane come back and tell us when you have moved in and we can enjoy hearing how you are making it your forever home.