Refused temporary accommodation

[BabyMama2025]

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

Call them. Emails will delay things.

If they offer you somewhere take it and then remember it’s only temporary. They often move people around multiple times before they are housed.

Ask them if anything changes once you give birth as you may be entitled to more than a single room in a shared house. A 1 bed flat for example.

This isn't good news. Unfortunately, temporary accommodation is rarely "suitable" in the eyes of those who sadly have to live in it, but from the council's perspective, they might not agree - their version of "suitable" will probably involve an assessment of whether you would have any legal grounds to challenge them.

Our local authority would usually arrange a meeting with you if you refused temporary accommodation in order to spell out the implications, but I have no idea if this is a legal requirement or just part of their process.

There is a lot of info missing from this story.

Sounds like they may have discharged you as you refused accommodation. They obviously thought it was suitable, you were silly not to accept it, but I can understand why you did.

Our local authority would usually arrange a meeting with you if you refused temporary accommodation in order to spell out the implications, but I have no idea if this is a legal requirement or just part of their process

I don't think that ours do.

They offered it to you, so in their eyes it was suitable. Sorry, it must be an awful situation to be in, but I think you need to take whatever measures you can to find yourself somewhere.

Looks like you could have challenged the suitability of the accommodation even if you refused the offer, which I hadn't realised. However, the time limit for doing this was within 3 weeks, whether you accepted or refused the offer. So that boat has now sailed. The link from Shelter below might help. There might still be a legal challenge if some sort if the council failed to spell out your options clearly enough, but you really need professional advice.

Have you got somewhere to go at Christmas?

https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/homelessness_applications/suitability_of_accommodation_for_homeless_applicants/challenges_to_accommodation_suitability#:~:text=The%20person%20can%20ask%20for,the%20person%20refuses%20the%20offer.&text=Challenges%20on%20the%20issue%20of,and%20then%20request%20a%20review.

It’s such a tough situation. You say you’re on mat leave, do you work?

Whilst chasing housing yourself, I would recommend seeing your GP and asking for a referral to a social prescriber who may be able to help you navigate your options.

I assume they did think it suitable, given they offered it.

You seem very passive, even when you were told to contact Shelter you asked how! Most people in your position would have already done this, and if not they would at least have the nous to google.

I suppose they don't think you're desperate enough if you didn't accept the offer

As unfair as that is because no one wants to live in a mouldy old shit hole

Are there any other cities in the UK that either of you have any ties to whatsoever perhaps somewhere lovely like Warwick or Shropshire somewhere? That would be nice to raise a little baby in? Somewhere where you’d get a School place in a good School that kind of thing.

Are you very young ?

Why are you homeless ?

Whose sofas are you sleeping on ?

How have you you and your DP got yourselves into this mess ?

It was suitable, in that its a property they use to support someone who is homeless, its council provided accommodation

You cant turn back the clock however, all you can do is make a new application if you're allowed to do that.

Will your HB cover the price of the rent of a private flat?

As I am still on the homeless list the council will cover the deposit for me and first months rent as well as paying any shortfall the hb won’t cover.

It's temporary housing and it must have been deemed suitable. The likelihood is that the accommodation would have been reviewed and an alternative offered when baby is here if you've not found anything permanent by then. If you've refused it and are sorting yourself by sofa surfing then it's likely your housing officer is just letting you crack on. I hope you find something permanent soon.

All of this sounds like a real mess. Are you working? Where have you been living up until now?

And after the first month? What happens then

HB rarely covers private rental rents, so you'll need to understand how much will need topping up, in a less expensive area, the difference between HB and the rent will be slightly less but of course the HB will be less as well

They will pay the shortfall for me for 12 months plus .

What borough is this?

Upon checking my councils website it says I cannot even request a review on the temp accommodation until I have been offered main housing duty.

I think when the baby comes along your circumsances will be different and perhaps that means you can ask for a review?

Why are you homeless?

Does you DP/DH work?
Are you employed?
Where were you living and why are you no longer able to live there?

Why can't you leave London?

To be honest I think you're being a choosy beggar.

It was tiny, oh well.
The lock was broken, get it fixed.
And as for reading Google reviews, it's not a bloody holiday.