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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Refused temporary accommodation

222 replies

BabyMama2025 · 22/12/2024 19:10

so I am currently pregnant I did my homeless application in October and got offered a temporary accommodation on the 7th of November. However I refused it as the room was absolutely tiny literally just fits a bed. Of course I am grateful to be offered the help and roof over my head. But, how would I know how long I was in there not only that it was unsafe front door didn’t lock. Crazy man screaming and shouting in the shared kitchen. Writing on the walls saying theives work here. Google reviews of the place showing mould in the rooms. So yes not safe as I refused I explained to my council why and wasn’t offered anything else I have since been sofa surfing but I am due end of jan. my relief duty is now coming to a end and I’ve had no contact from the council. I have been trying to get private rent with the council but before I say I want it the lady says it’s now under offer 🙄 so she’s not very helpful in helping me find a place. I have been trying myself but I live in London so it’s incredibly hard. Anyway any advice on what may happen when my relief duty has finished ? I’m planning to email my housing officer and ask.but maybe they could dismiss my duty as I refused the temp accommodation. I am still with my partner too who works full time I have already started my mat leave

OP posts:
username299 · 22/12/2024 19:12

You could contact Shelter.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 22/12/2024 19:13

I agree you should contact Shelter.

MyPithyPoster · 22/12/2024 19:14

Are you applying as a couple or a single person?

Original poster
BabyMama2025 · 22/12/2024 19:15

MyPithyPoster · 22/12/2024 19:14

Are you applying as a couple or a single person?

We are applying as a couple

OP posts:
Original poster
BabyMama2025 · 22/12/2024 19:15

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 22/12/2024 19:13

I agree you should contact Shelter.

How do I contact them ?

OP posts:
TinyMouseTheatre · 22/12/2024 19:17

You can contact them here.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 22/12/2024 19:21

You should probably have accepted the offer and then asked for a review of its suitability. My concern is that the council may consider that, because you refused the offer, it has discharged its duty. There is a massive shortage of temporary accommodation and they will be eager to get people off the list.

Did they give you any information at the time about what would happen if you refused the offer? I'm not sure that they can say that they have discharged their duty if they didn't make the consequences of refusing the offer clear to you.

I agree that you need to seek housing advice. Shelter is a good bet, or you might be able to get advice from a local advice charity.

captainPugwashh · 22/12/2024 19:25

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 22/12/2024 19:21

You should probably have accepted the offer and then asked for a review of its suitability. My concern is that the council may consider that, because you refused the offer, it has discharged its duty. There is a massive shortage of temporary accommodation and they will be eager to get people off the list.

Did they give you any information at the time about what would happen if you refused the offer? I'm not sure that they can say that they have discharged their duty if they didn't make the consequences of refusing the offer clear to you.

I agree that you need to seek housing advice. Shelter is a good bet, or you might be able to get advice from a local advice charity.

Yeah this. You'd be deemed as refusing accommodation in my county

TinyMouseTheatre · 22/12/2024 19:26

Did they give you any information at the time about what would happen if you refused the offer?

I agree, the OP should have been given this before any offer was made.

TwinkleLights24 · 22/12/2024 19:27

You have to accept anything they offer you.

Original poster
BabyMama2025 · 22/12/2024 19:27

If the council is satisfied the accommodation offered is suitable and the property is not accepted, the council may decide that no further offers of accommodation will be made and duty may be discharged.

That’s what was said to me in the email when I refused my accommodation but it says if they are satisfied if it was suitable but It was not.

OP posts:
TinyMouseTheatre · 22/12/2024 19:31

BabyMama2025 · 22/12/2024 19:27

If the council is satisfied the accommodation offered is suitable and the property is not accepted, the council may decide that no further offers of accommodation will be made and duty may be discharged.

That’s what was said to me in the email when I refused my accommodation but it says if they are satisfied if it was suitable but It was not.

Edited

Sounds like they've discharged their duty to house you then. Sorry OP. I would t want to have a baby in a place like that either but it doesn't sound as though you have many options Flowers

Chonk · 22/12/2024 19:31

What were your living arrangements prior to becoming homeless?

PenisWine · 22/12/2024 19:32

If you can't afford to rent in London then you'll have to move out of London.

Thousands of families are waiting 10+ years for housing in London, some of whom are vulnerable/escaping domestic violence/are disabled.

You will not be prioritised over these families. Some people are living in temporary accommodation like hostels or bnbs for several years before being housed. That's the reality of the situation in London.

If you can't afford to live there you'll have to move to a cheaper area.

PoissonOfTheChrist · 22/12/2024 19:34

Can't you and your partner find a studio to rent at least? People come from other countries everyday and manage to find homes to live in within weeks (low income workers too, many not even speaking English).

steff13 · 22/12/2024 19:35

BabyMama2025 · 22/12/2024 19:27

If the council is satisfied the accommodation offered is suitable and the property is not accepted, the council may decide that no further offers of accommodation will be made and duty may be discharged.

That’s what was said to me in the email when I refused my accommodation but it says if they are satisfied if it was suitable but It was not.

Edited

Did they say that it wasn't suitable or are you saying that it wasn't suitable? Because that email is clear that if they thought it was suitable then they don't have to help you anymore.

TinyMouseTheatre · 22/12/2024 19:35

PenisWine · 22/12/2024 19:32

If you can't afford to rent in London then you'll have to move out of London.

Thousands of families are waiting 10+ years for housing in London, some of whom are vulnerable/escaping domestic violence/are disabled.

You will not be prioritised over these families. Some people are living in temporary accommodation like hostels or bnbs for several years before being housed. That's the reality of the situation in London.

If you can't afford to live there you'll have to move to a cheaper area.

I line in a different city and actually work with a few Londoners who have made the move. They all seem to love it. Mist can't get over having a house with a garden and parking.

Overthebow · 22/12/2024 19:37

BabyMama2025 · 22/12/2024 19:27

If the council is satisfied the accommodation offered is suitable and the property is not accepted, the council may decide that no further offers of accommodation will be made and duty may be discharged.

That’s what was said to me in the email when I refused my accommodation but it says if they are satisfied if it was suitable but It was not.

Edited

Did they agree it wasn’t suitable or is that just coming from you? It sounds like they thought it was suitable, you refused and they have now discharged you and won’t offer you anything else. I’m not sure what your options are here, contact shelter and see if they can offer any help. It may be though that you have to accept a temporary housing/shelter type place if you can’t house yourself.

Original poster
BabyMama2025 · 22/12/2024 19:38

They have not sent me a discharge letter therefore have not discharged me. I am getting help from the the people who work in the prs with the council to get a private flat.

OP posts:
Original poster
BabyMama2025 · 22/12/2024 19:39

The council also did not reply to my email saying if they think it is suitable or not

OP posts:
Microgal · 22/12/2024 19:41

I would just keep looking for private rentals. Do you have deposit, references etc ready to pounce on private rentals when they come up?

caringcarer · 22/12/2024 19:41

TwinkleLights24 · 22/12/2024 19:27

You have to accept anything they offer you.

This. If you refuse they will say they offered but you declined. It doesn't sound ideal but many have to live like this until they get better accommodation.

caringcarer · 22/12/2024 19:43

If they didn't think it was suitable they wouldn't have offered it to you.

Iwanttoliveonamountain · 22/12/2024 19:44

Movin 10 miles outside of the London boroughs dramatically reduces your rent look there

steff13 · 22/12/2024 19:44

I don't really know how this process works but I don't understand why you would be offered anything that the council thought was not suitable. It seems like the assumption, based on the fact that they offered it, is that it is suitable.