AIBU to refuse a council house over stairs and no outside space?

[Stressedmum6761]

Hi, I really need some advice on what to do here please I've been crying all morning and scouring the Internet. I'm on the council housing list, have been for 3 years now because of the state of my current ground floor flat. The council came out to do a review and put my banding up.

I got a call yesterday out of the blue to view a house I bid on before Christmas and was 47th in the queue so didn't think I would have any chance. The woman said it has a small yard and a downstairs bathroom. My daughter is 6 and I'm so so scared she's going to fall down the stairs in the night time to use the toilet, she sleepwalks and is currently on the pathway for ASD, when she goes to the loo in the flat I have to battle to steer her back to bed or she's wandering about on her own for god knows how long.

I've also been to look at the house through the windows and it 100% does not have a yard as the lady said as the bathroom has been built on as an extension downstairs. I know this sounds so ungrateful but I don't want us moving from bad to worse, our current flat has a tiny little yard that I've managed to squeeze a bench and a mini greenhouse into so my daughter at least has somewhere she can sit outside when she's had a meltdown or needs to regulate herself.

I'm so worried if I turn this down by saying I'm worrying about the stairs at night I'll be taken down a band. Has anyone successfully turned down a property for safety concerns and not been penalised? Thank you 😊

Stair gates?

Will a stairgate not suffice?
I do understand your concerns but I would be very wary of turning something down.

You'll have to make it work

Or stay where you are

Or go private and be more able to pick and choose what you want

Can you view it, I don't know what the rules are re that. Then you could decide. Hard to visualise through a window I think. Stair gates might work too. I would also be careful about turning it down. Maybe contact local councillor and run it by them, or Citizen's Advice.

What are the problems with your current flat? EDIT, I'm not sure if this is private or council.

I thought you were going to say you had a wheelchair user in the family

Loads of families live in houses where the bathroom is on only one floor - or the children sleep on a different floor to the parents.

If she’s sleepwalking you should use a stair gate or lock her door for her safety.

Why not rent something privately, then you can be very specific about what you want?

How bad is your current flat? Many houses have downstairs bathrooms I don’t think it’s enough of a reason to say no.

I don’t know how the system operates (esp regarding you turning down a property) and would probably take it. You can use stair gates for concerns about the stairs but it sounds like you’re up anyway if she uses the loo in the night (obviously not idea for you).
it wouldn’t hurt to go and see it though, surely?

Why would you bid on a house? Surely if you are worried about sleeping walking and stairs you would only bid on properties without ie bungalows or ground floor flats.

Speak to your housing officer, you would usually be allowed to refuse one property without affecting your banding, but not a second. It may have changed since I worked in housing, and it may vary between local authorities, but they should be your first port of call.

Was the banding increased on medical grounds due to the sleepwalking? If so, you might have a case. They may say that you bid on the property presumably knowing its condition so may cancel the higher banding.

If it’s good enough then you could look at things like a stair gate or technology that lets you know when she is up (sensor in the bed).

Google Maps it to see what the outside space it has but highly likely to have some space if its a house.

Stair gates is the way to go.

Nobody can answer here. If you are allowed to decline a property and remain at the same place in the priority list then turn it down. If you will lose your banding and priority then don't.

You could get a camping toilet for nighttime use until she's a little older.

If you don’t like what the council are offering then private rent. There just isn’t enough housing stock, and however wrong that is, nothing is going to change in the short term. Unfortunately you have to take what you’re given or find yourself alternative accommodation.

Install a stair gate, and wait to see it as they’re saying it has outside space so go and check.

If the bathroom was upstairs this wouldn't be an issue but it would mean me having to listen out for her wanting to go the toilet in the night to take her and bring her back to bed

You should be able to read the terms and conditions of your council and what it means if you turn down a property as they can vary slightly.

Do you have any medical evidence about her sleepwalking or could you get some medical evidence? If so, you may be able to turn it down but if not then it would be a risk depending on what your councils policy is.

Could she sleep downstairs? I mean that as a solution if you will lose your banding or whatever if you refuse it.

Why would you put your daughter outside if she is having a meltdown? Great way to piss off your neighbours!

OP, if she is sleepwalking you would have to listen out for her and take her safely back to bed no matter where she sleeps surely, or what am I missing here?

Is this unusual when they’re six though? Having to guide them to the loo at night? And surely most six year olds sleep through the majority of nights without waking for the loo?

I think you need to do a proper viewing. There might be a yard when you look properly.

can the living room be her room on same level as bathroom? living room in 1 of the bedrooms?

Which is what you’re doing now as you ‘steer’ her back to bed

So thats your solution. A 6 year old waking in the night and sleepwalking without their parent noticing is a real risk,

If she sleepwalks you need to be vigilant anyway what difference does a downstairs toilet make ? Put a stairgate up and. Then at least you will hear her. Your flat isn't suitable the council have offered you a house you need to decide if you can make the house work or not.