Offered council house in a not very good area?

[rhinnq]

I got a call today from the council to advise me that I have been offered a property.

The property isn't in a very good area to be honest and the rent is on level with a private rent.

I am not sure if I should take it.

AIBU?

As you have already said only work part time and would not be approved for a private rent , AND you will will get benefits to help pay the rent, I dont know why you would turn it down as you are being offered both a house and help to oay the rent ?’ Many would snap this up?

if you are worried then do a crime se search of area and spend tim e there at different times of the day .

our first house was an ex council house in a rough area -dirty nappies thrown in garden.
we moved - just as you could buy without the moving costs

its a grear position you are in

Honestly ignore your friends and do what's best for you and your family which seems pretty clearly to take this property.

Like others I'm genuinely unsure why you're allowing friends such a large opinion, you need a house, you can't rent privately, you're in an area which is away from your family and support network and if you turn this house down there is no second chance?

Is it safe for you to move back of you fled DV only a year ago? Are your children settled and attending school in your new location? It's a risk to move them again if there is a chance you may not stay there several years. I would be investigating the area, street and neighbours urgently tomorrow and really thinking through the implications of the move. A secure tenancy is worth a lot, but if you end up moving again because you hate the neighbours and area then it's a lot of disruption for your children.

Would this house and move make it likely that you could get full time work? If you got full time work, are your salary expectations such that you could expect to be able to afford a private rental in a decent area within a couple of years?

Its sad that your lived ones think an hour away is too far. It's not that far at all, where i live you could drive for an hour and still be in the same city 🤣 however this is just my opinion.

Based on pros and cons you have given the pros for accepting far outweigh the cons. You could be waiting for years for another opportunity to come up to move to your chosen area. And if you hate the new house that much, it doesn't have to be forever! There will always be options later down the line if not with your LA or HA but maybe even private if you start working FT hours and can afford it. I see no reason not to take this.

Absolutely right in being cautious. Obviously having a place where you are pretty much guaranteed somewhere where you’re not under threat of having to be moved on is a great pro. But the flip side is that you may be surrounded by anti social behaviour. If your friends are saying it’s not a great place to live then I would be reluctant to move there. It can be hell if you live somewhere where there’s constant noise and criminal behaviour. It seems some people on here are suggesting that social housing should be snapped up regardless. You’ve as much right to live in peace as anyone else.

I agree. Sounds like an offer of PRS.

https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/homelessness_applications/ending_duties/offers_of_accommodation_in_homeless_applications

get proper advice. If you refuse this they will probably end duty and also the your temp accommodation ( new build you are in) .

Do you work with any DA charities.

But it is easy for your friends to say that as they arent in your position.

I live in London in an okay area (sort mixed with v expensive houses and then different types of social housing). Drug dealing is quite prevalent this day and age. As is homelessness and crime unfortunately.

Can you go and check it out at different times of the day and evening?

If I moved the job opportunities would be endless and I would be to get full time work.

I would have more time to myself as I would have more help with the kids.

Even with OH working full time we would never pass any tenant reference checks due to me working part time.
We have tried and tried and they all seem to want 6 months upfront.

The kids are all under 4 so not at school yet.

😱😱😱
where about are you?

where I live you’re looking at £600+ also £1300+ for private rent for a 3 bed and we don’t get December rent free

The DV was from previous partner from
10 years ago and began stalking me, he lives in a different city anyway so chances of bumping into him are pretty slim and there is also a restraining order in place due to the level of harassment over a long period of time.

You fled DV last year - how do you have an “OH” already?

You keep talking about I and me as if you are just in this on your own, then suddenly several posts in and you have a partner. Presumably he lives with you as you have children together? What is his opinion about this move and the house?

Take the property, wait for a year and look to exchange.

There are many reasons why people leave or are made to leave.

If you need a home, do not turn it down.

If you're in temporary accommodation and you turn this option down you're likely to lose your current accommodation

You have an OH, and a partner from 10 years ago began stalking you to mean you 'fled DV' a year ago? This doesnt make sense

How can there be no job opportunities where you are, but an hour away the job opportunities would be 'endless' but you're an hour away?

My OH commutes 2 hours each way a day into London. No jobs directly where we live that he could access.

In that case, TAKE IT and dont delay for a second more!

Dont worry about the area, this is better than living in unstable rentals at the whim of a landlord xxx

Take it and then try to swap or move later on. At least you’ll be on the system.

I got offered a property with a lot of downsides to it (the main one being that it was pretty much on par with the rent I was paying privately) and for a long time I regretted it because frankly it’s depressing.

But then Covid hit, rent prices keep shooting up and for all its downsides, I’m safe here. I don’t know how I’d be affording anything right now with the cost of living crisis if I was still renting privately.

tl;dr - take it as a precautionary measure

OH isn't too keen on it as he used to live in the area 20 years ago, he has family who live in the area (council housing) and they all say it's bad.
But ultimately OH says he would be happy to be closer to family again and how nice it would be to have family pop round especially with Xmas coming up.

Having said that they have never mentioned having any problems or being victims of crime etc.

The DV was from an ex from over 10 years ago who began a stalking/hate campaign against me.

Girl you are overthinking yourself into a spiral

You have only one option, the decision is made for you

Take it. End of.

I agree with @mumofoneAloneandwell - it sounds like this new place would tick a lot of boxes and the consequences of refusing it would be bad. You’re not happy where you are - you and your DCs are lonely and a bit isolated and you have limited job prospects which would be better in the new place. If you refuse, you will be removed from the waiting list (which perhaps your friends don’t realise or don’t care about).

Nothing in life is perfect. If you move and it really doesn’t work out, you could perhaps look to move again but it sounds like it would be a big mistake to turn down this house.

Take the house. Use it as a stepping stone. Make a plan to use this opportunity to get yourself into a position ASAP where you can rent privately in a better area.

You’ll be nearer fiends and family
You can get a full time job
You can get more help with rent from UC

The last two alone will help you save up to get another place. And having friends and family around will help with childcare, support etc…. Maybe this is what other tenants have done hence why it comes available.

And there is always the swap option.

It doesn’t sound like there is any other way you are going to be able to move back. You can’t pass reference checks without a full time income . You can’t get a full time job where you live now. If you don’t take this what is your plan to change your situation if you don’t take this house? You’ll be taken off the HA waiting list. Lots of landlords aren’t doing the rent up front thing anymore with the new renters rights thing coming in. You’re going to be stuck where you are indefinitely. Unless you are OK with that, grab this chance with both hands.

If you have a partner, much better to rent privately and choose a safe area to live. I originally thought it was just you on a part time salary.

NW….my son pays 380 for his 1 bed flat

Beggars can't be choosers unfortunately.

I worked in council housing once upon a time. Blew my mind how selective homeless people can be.

If you moved there would it enable you to save more quickly to move into private rent? If so then perhaps you can reframe it as a stepping stone.

Are you able to check for complaints against the neighbours regarding anti-social behaviour?