Temp accommodation unsafe - baby overheating - what can I do

[yoghurttops]

I’ve been renting for years, but after my landlord decided to sell a year ago, I was evicted and just can’t afford anything on the private market.

We have a baby, and so received help from the council. Me and my partner do work, but we have been looking for better paying jobs for almost 2 years now.

The council have put us in temp housing, it’s on the 20th floor and the heat is absolutely awful! The aircon/heating system is controlled centrally and so I have zero control over it. The flat feels like an oven and the windows all have a plastic barrier with about 3mm gaps which let air in, but it’s just not enough. We get zero fresh air.

My baby has overheated about 3 times in this hot weather - once he was sick and threw everything up - the other times he is drowsy. In the past we have had to take him to A&E for not waking up without a prick from the nurse.

I don’t know what to do - who to complain to. My housing officer won’t help and doesn’t answer my emails and I am on stage 2 of a formal complaint via the housing ombudsman but the responses take weeks!

The building has negative reviews on Google and Housing websites - the lifts never work, it’s too hot and I am so so scared for my babies health. I can’t believe people are housed here.

Why can I do - I so wish I could afford to privately rent.

I saw that it is illegal to not live in the council flat - I want to stay with a friend for a while, at least until the weather cools down.

AIBU to leave the flat for a while - what do I need to do? Get council permission first? Can I ask them to move me on health grounds?

Its fairly unusual for people in hot countries to deal with heat by opening the windows as that lets hot air in.

Isn't it illegal to house a baby above the fifth floor in a high rise? I know it used to be. Completely understand what it's like. I was put into temp accommodation with a newborn that was infested with cockroaches. Councils don't give a shit

Your housing situation won’t change overnight, you’re lucky you have been housed .
Im sorry your little one is suffering in the heat as are many people.
The heat wave won’t last forever and you have the option of staying at your friends for a few nights, I would do this and look into air conditioning units or fans .

As a temporary measure can you set a little paddling pool up in the shower for baby to play in and keep cool?

Thanks for clarifying. As I said, I really don’t have experience in this area.

Fan with a tray of ice cubes in front of it

Are you mad? This is incredibly dangerous! The limiters are there for a reason!

This, this, a million times this.

MN is usually obsessed with safety to a ridiculous degree, but this thread is full of people suggesting that removing the window restrictors in a high rise flat with a toddler would be a good idea.

Insane.

God this sounds horrendous. I would do whatever it took to keep my baby safe and if that meant staying with friends then I'd do that. I've got a portable AC fan thing from B&Q, it was only cheap, can you get one of them? I'd also move out of London, though I appreciate that's easier said than done due to jobs and family!

Some amazing advice from the previous posters to pick and choose from. Although, some of them require access to readily available excess income or savings.

It sucks you're going through this.

We have a toddler as well and also worry about over heating/ heating exhaustion which can be so much more serious for them than an adult or older child.

Some low cost (temporary) ideas that we do, have used...

Spray bottle (fine mist) with cold water- spray on limbs and back

Indoor water play - fill pots and pans or the sink and let them play with toys or plastic cups. We did this when in a flat in the bathroom. It's messy but worth it.

Outdoors whenever you can. Trip to the supermarket just for the air con and do a food item treasure hunt. Obviously, best if you're buying something. Doesn't have to be much but can easily spend an hour just pointing out and naming things.

Or your local library may have free rhyme time sessions and may even be air conned or at least cooler than home. Or just go to read books and play with the toys they have available.

If your local park has a splash pad or buy some cheap balloons and fill with water or fill a water bottle at hone and take some toys theyan use for impromptu outdoor water play. Ideally in the shade and not during peak sun.

Aloe Vera gel in the fridge and spread all over body before bed and naps. Will cool and continue to as it evaporates from the skin.

Fan in front of windows at night to bring in any cooler air and to keep air moving. Not recommended if temp is over 35 degrees in doors.

Stay with your mates for a few days. You are allowed to leave and go on hols or a visit.

Damp cloth in the fridge and draped over shoulders back of neck. Or used to wipe over body.

Lots of ice lollies. We make our own using either an ice cube tray with popsicle sticks and tin foil over to hold the sticks in while it freezes or an ice lolly tray you can get these on amazon. We do yogurt and soft fruit blitzed in a blender or use frozen fruit smoothie mix with water, coconut water or even milk. In a pinch you can even use squash or fruit juice for a super low cost and temporary measure. (Not an advocating squash or juice for the sake of it for a toddler)

Try not to use your oven and do minimal cooking if possible.

Have all extractor fans turned on. (Bathroom and kitchen) it will cost more in energy but may help to pull out some of the air and keep it moving. Not ideal of lights need to be on to do this.

Keep lights off for as long as possible windows shaded if the sun hits them and windows closed during the honest parts of the day.

Take toddler out for day time naps and let them nap in the stroller or on blanket in the park.

I visited a very old stone church yesterday, it was luxuriously cool, so I stayed for a while longer than usual.

Are there churches, libraries, supermarkets that you can visit that will be cooler for you.

You can also put a cool flannel or cloth on you & the baby.
Or a material hat soaked in cool water

Drink water with ice cubes.

Isn't it illegal to house a baby above the fifth floor in a high rise

Is that actually true? I’m not in UK so no idea. Where I am it’s really weird. If you are in a block of flats (anything from one two story to twenty story), then you need to have window restrictions fitted and balcony’s have to have wall of a certain height and not be climbable (by kids). There is a building inspection once a year to make sure you comply.

So, if you are in a first floor story of a two or twenty story building g you need to comply. But if you own a two story house you are not enforced by law to have the window restrictions on (unless you rent it out - then you are). I’ve never seen understood the disparity.

Similarly, if you are in a block of flats before these laws came into force you are exempt as they don’t expect retrofitting. But, I think flats were limited to 4 /5 stories before these laws came in. Still, anyone in a block post the laws on the third floor must adhere and is inspected once a year, anyone from pre-law in a third floor is exempt. Mind blowing.

But we don’t have any laws restricting floors of flats kids can live on!

Sorry OP. Your situation sounds bad and it’s awful that your baby is overheating. There have been lots of suggestions of how to try to keep your baby cooler.
You are on the 20th floor of a block of flats. I assume there are other flats on the same floor, and of course many other floors. Realistically the council is unlikely to agree that your accommodation is unsuitable for habitation, as if they do so they would have to say it’s unfit for many others. Some of them are likely to be permanent residents.
Unfortunately we are as unprepared for hot weather as we are for snow in parts of the UK.
It is a matter of getting through this short period of very hot weather by whatever means you can. Visiting friends is a good idea. Even if the council find out you’re not staying at your flat for a temporary period you have a good reason for this.

@yoghurttops some ideas about reducing the heat sound quite good. Like curtains closed. Freeze big bottles of water and put them infront of a fan.

I don't know if the council will see it as a reason to move you . As everyone in the block is feeling the heat to. But you have nothing to do by trying which your already doing so fingers crossed for you. The chat bt advhce is good to. Definitely do that.

Is there only one lift in your block ?

I hope things get better for you. Temporaryaccommodation is a long though road but i hope it gets better for you .
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There will be hundreds of thousands of people in the same situation right now, cooking in very hot flats in London so I doubt this alone will get you a quick move. You need to do something practical. It’s only the start of summer and I’m sure there will be more hot spells in the coming months so research and find a good cooling fan or unit. Of course you can go and stay with a friend from time to time - how would they know?

Fiddling with the windows on the 20th floor? I really wouldn't recommend it.

Long term definitely think about moving out of London as you will never get on your feet there with two low paid jobs. Is moving back with family abroad an option?

I just want to say we are probably average - our salaries are just over 30k - I took a cut as my workplace sliced my hours before I went on Mat leave and despite my role being needed and my constant asking they won’t bring up hours. I freelance too but income is inconsistent.

We also have average jobs - partner a teacher, I’m senior management. We have great CVs - but the competition isn’t on our side.

5 years ago, we were alright as average rent was less than half our salary. Now we would have to choose between shelter and basics.

We are considering moving North as have family elsewhere too - does anyone know how that would work with the council? Do we just tell them our preferred location. Then again we’ve looked at rents and we would be able to afford it - only thing is partner doesn’t have the luxury of working from home.

Anyway - I went off on one. I will try some of these tips. I appreciate it.

The plastic panelling isn’t temporary, it’s the make up of the building, it’s built into the exterior so every house has it. The place is so so poorly designed. There was a news article a few years ago that said some of the plastic panels fell off and smashed onto the pavement from a very high floor - very lucky nobody was hurt. This could have been lethal. This was before I moved in.

On Google currently and past residents are warning people not to move into this place. It scares me that such a poorly built building with so many problems and a track record is continuing to house people - hundreds at a time.

Sorry for not tagging everyone. A few people asked similar questions.

The reality is that your housing situation will not improve unless you are willing to leave London, win the lottery or land your a dream job. Even in your dream job, you'll soon be out priced again unless you buy. It is true that housing is expensive everywhere, I live in the north and it is difficult to find a rental property and renting is expensive, but doable with two working parents. Most of my friends that are part of a couple have managed to buy by their 30s and my single friends live in shared ownership properties.

Is that 30k each or in total ? If in total then you need to be looking at private renting. You’ll probably spend years in temporary accommodation. There is limited social housing in London. I personally waited 6 years for a suitable property.

with regards to your current property you can ask the council for a suitability review. But you are unlikely to be successful if your only issue is the heat and the lack of a lift. As temperatures will fall

Humidifier is the wrong move. The air circulation will decrease with high humidity.
Have you tried frequent fresh baths for the baby?

2 lifts - 1 never works. The other is always broken - they are polite enough to add a notice with a smily face to let us know. There are always buggy’s parked on the bottom of the stairwells.

The property managers have said that they are investing in the lifts but they are also so wobbly - feels like you won’t make it out (but that’s another problem).

The lift issue is also public knowledge - all over Google reviews - yet nothing happens.

I assume from your jobs you are on £30k each and have the chance to increase your earnings as you get more experience. You should be able to rent a 2 bed flat privately on that income. Where are you looking in London?

Get a dog cooling mat for the baby to lie on (cheap from B&M, home bargains etc)

Frozen/cold water bottles wrapped in cloth to cuddle

Sleeping on a wet towel or wearing a wet t-shirt helps

Fan with a few frozen water bottles in front of it to cool air as it circulates

Drink much more than you think

sit with your feet in a cool bucket of water

Go out to a cool space https://apps.london.gov.uk/cool-spaces/

There is a nationwide housing shortage it won’t be as simple as pick a place you fancy and that council will house you! They’ve locals waiting years…

you’d have to rent privately elsewhere but it would be cheaper than London for sure