Council Housing Info

[DisabledMumOf2]

Hi all,

My partner and I are splitting up and I've registered for a council house. I wondered if anyone could talk to me about what I can\cant do in my home, when it comes.
I've never lived on my own and I'm really looking forward to being allowed to be me. Didn't realise how much I'd changed to make him happy till I started thinking about my own place.

I can't make any permanent changes to the property within the first year, but after that I'm free to ask permission to do whatever and they will more than likely say yes.
We're free to decorate as we like.
Anything in particular you want to know?

You can decorate your house how you like the only thing that I know of is you put hardwood/laminate floor down you need to remove it when you leave, good luck in getting a house

When we were in a CH we put new kitchen and bathroom in but we had to ask permission.

I'd like to paint the kitchen cupboards if I'm allowed - really really want a farmhouse type kitchen. :)

You have to get permission from your housing officer to do something like that. My kitchen doors are laminate though, painting them wouldn’t look good.

Okay I can do that :)

Yea you would probably need permission but you won't be refused I wouldn't have thought

That's good to know.
I just can't wait to get out of here. It's so awkward cos we're having to share a bed and hide everything from the kids.
Dreaming about being free again is the only thing keeping me from cracking up.

That must be stressful have the council said how long it might be ?

Lived in local authority for 20 years, I asked permission to change the cupboard fronts in the kitchen and it was granted, I wanted to fit a shower and that took more time as it had to be a agreed contractor that fitted it.
A neighbour wanted to put in led spotlights into the ceilings and that was denied as it actually altered the 'fabric' of the property.
Paint, paper etc was fine and we did what we liked really.
Just remember they can ask you to put it back to how it was when you took possession so make sure you take photos and get them printed and keep them for proof of condition when you move.
If it's an older property it's worth asking the housing officer if any refurb works are on the pipeline as nothing more annoying than decorating a bathroom the 6 months later they tell you it's getting a refit....believe me it happens. Feel free to ask anymore questions I will see what I can do to answer x

MrsJay - no they haven't, I truly hope it isn't long. So hard to keep up the look for everyone.

MissCherry - I'm sure they did all the council houses a couple of years ago but I will ask. Thank you for the tip.

You might need to seperate properly but fingers crossed the council are sympathetic

We can't really separate cos I have nowhere to go.
Hopefully be nice and quick.

It can take years to get w council house if your not in desperate need? That's what I've heard anyway. You might want to think about renting privately op until it happens.

It depends on the LA as to wait times.
Some L.A. have plenty of stock.

Hopefully this will be your home for some time so the decoration will be gradual.
Keep in mind you may have to floor the property, that can be a big cost.

Furandchandeliers - unfortunately private renting isn't an option as I'm disabled and need an adapted property which isn't possible in a privately rented property.

TheQuef - Yeah it will be VERY gradual lol

If you qualify for adapted hopefully the kitchen and bathrooms will be wet tiled.
Will you need hard flooring (wheelchair suitable) or going for carpet?

Some local authorities have a fund for people moving in extreme circumstances it's worth checking out.

I'm probably gonna have carpet cos I find it easier to keep clean but it won't be a thick one so I can use my chair.
I was told by housing that I can get help with carpeting and white goods and my husband has said he'll pay for whatever else is needed as part of our separation so It'll just be the decoration that I've got to fund which I'll do as slowly as I can afford.
My kids are the most important thing so everything else can wait if needed :)

But do you have any idea of timeline? As I know if people in desperate situations who have been waiting for a long time.

My cousin is technically homeless (sofa surfing) with a 1 year old and she's been waiting for a council place for over a year.

Not yet no

Gosh yes I wouldn’t get your hopes up. The list in most area is years long and certainly if you are currently housed, regardless of if you are happy there, you won’t be anywhere near a priority.

I am also a wheelchair user and was advised the wait for a disabled property would be much longer than usual (I.e. years), as there are so very few, and people who need the adaptations tend to stay put.
Presumably because they have waited years to get there in the first place!

Don't want to put a downer on it, but you may well have to look at private rental in the meantime. I live solely off benefits (apologies), but can still privately rent. The Occupational therapy department have put in ramps and other accessories to make this property as accessible as it can be (within the restrictions of what they can do in a private rental).