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Original poster

Help with council housing

32 replies

Mumoftwo367743 · 18/05/2022 01:52

Hi - I would like some advice. I have been in temporary accomodation for 5 years provided by my council. However I have had to deal with mould, damp, mice, bed bugs and now silverfish! I have two children (age 4 and 3). One of my child has autism and one of my child has asthma which was caused by the mould and damp in my temporary accomodation. I Have bidded on a total of 300 properties and I have not once been shortlisted or offered a viewing. My next door neighbour has Been in the same accomodation as I have but she stayed 2 years and now is being moved and she has only one child - whereas I have stayed for 5 years. I feel like that is so unfair considering how I have bidded on more properties then her. I am at my wits end, I just can’t take it anymore. I have sent numerous of emails to the council about moving me but they just ignore me. Please could you give me advice or if anyone else has been in a similar situation. This is now effecting my mental health.

OP posts:
SpaceCadetCat · 18/05/2022 02:59

Hi op,

I'm sorry about the situation you're in. Sadly, I think there is very little council accommodation in London. Is there any chance you could move to an area with more housing stock, like the north?

Have you looked into a private rental?

Fizzyfish · 18/05/2022 03:11

I was in temp accommodation for 7 years before being offered anything and that was in NI. I'd imagine London is probably the most difficult place to be in terms of demand. You say your neighbour had one child but do you know what her circumstances were in depth? They may have been more urgent than you know. IME the only way to get things moving is to keep on at the council, don't let them ignore you, stay on their radar. Seek advice from your local MP, gather evidence for why you have an urgent need. It's a hard fight sometimes to get anywhere, I know but don't give up x

Original poster
Mumoftwo367743 · 18/05/2022 03:37

Thank you.. I’m just scared to keep on emailing them. What if they report me for sending too many emails? I wouldn’t mind staying but I have a disabled child who can’t stand it when he sees silverfish all over the flat - it really bugs him. Do you think if I keep on emailing then there could be a problem?

OP posts:
Original poster
Mumoftwo367743 · 18/05/2022 03:38

I really wish but this is something I cannot afford and I don’t want to overburden myself.

OP posts:
Movingonup22 · 18/05/2022 03:44

Oh you poor thing. Have you made an official complaint and taken them to the housing ombudsman?

there are limits to what the ombudsman can do but it might get your situation looked at.

also try your mp although again that might not do much.

Movingonup22 · 18/05/2022 03:58

Sending polite but forceful emails not a peove
bh they way - who will they report you too!

good to be empowered Maybe also drop into citizens advixd

Original poster
Mumoftwo367743 · 18/05/2022 04:02

What does peove mean?

OP posts:
Fizzyfish · 18/05/2022 04:08

Exactly, I agree with the 'polite but forceful' emails, they can't report you to anyone. If that was the case, I would've been in serious bother myself, I once sent a 2000 word statement in, detailing how my living conditions were affecting my mental health and why I needed to be moved! Think of it this way, if you don't contact them regularly, they forget about you and think your need mustn't be very urgent.

Emphasise the poor conditions, send in pictures of damp, bug infestations etc and detail the toll it is having on you and your childrens' mental and physical health. The way I see it, you have to pester them so much that they'll want to do something just to get rid of you. I wanted the housing officer to dread seeing my name in his email inbox every day and to be honest, I think that approach does work sometimes, I think it helped me get somewhere in the end.

Movingonup22 · 18/05/2022 04:36

It means that I can’t properly type not a problem!

honestly though starting being entitled. You and your children have a right to live in a decent home

DitzyBluebells · 18/05/2022 04:48

You can get a spray to kill the silverfish and it keeps them away for months. Mine never came back.

Your neighbour could have had different needs to you and a suitable property came up for her sooner. Or she could have bidded on somewhere most people didn't want. Some of it comes down to luck.

Sadly in London I don't think a 5yr wait is very long for council housing. Do keep the council updated with any new developments in your family's situation, including deterioration in your health. Make sure you're informing the right people. Not just the housing officer but the official records on the bidding system, if there's an option on your account there to report changes then do it, because it might boost your priority for housing. Good luck.

Original poster
Mumoftwo367743 · 18/05/2022 06:19

Aww how often did you email the council? And how long did it take you for them to finally move you?

OP posts:
Original poster
Mumoftwo367743 · 18/05/2022 06:24

what is the name of the spray?

OP posts:
PetersRabbitt · 18/05/2022 06:28

Careful spraying things if your child has asthma, do it when they won’t be around for a good few hours.

Seymour5 · 18/05/2022 06:29

Perhaps talk to someone from Shelter or Citizens Advice, they may be able to support you, or at least clarify why you are still there. Contact your local councillor, or the councillor with responsibility for housing in your borough.

Your post suggests you were originally housed into temporary accommodation as a single person, which is unusual unless you were given priority because you were vulnerable . Then you went on to have your children. Is the housing department aware of the changes in your household?

Ilovethewild · 18/05/2022 06:35

Op, you need to contact your local MP or councillor, as well as any professionals working with you/ your children. Mould is expected you clear it, even in temp housing so buy some anti mould cleaner as well.

keep emailing but know you may get offered private rented as there is so little housing and great need. It will be at a capped rate. If you refuse they will discharge your case and you won’t get another offer potentially.

appreciate it’s tough, look elsewhere (hard to rent areas) and get professionals involved.

gamerchick · 18/05/2022 06:35

The beastie and mice thing you can sort out yourself. There are services out there. Ask the council to fit a PIV unit for the mould problem.

You don't say where you are, I don't know why people automatically assume London. Am I missing something?

If you are in London then offer to be moved out of it if you're desperate.

polkadotpixie · 18/05/2022 06:37

@gamerchick OP has posted in the London topic

Original poster
Mumoftwo367743 · 18/05/2022 06:40

Yes I have tried housing ombudsman but I didn’t get any reply and they have not helped me.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 18/05/2022 06:44

polkadotpixie · 18/05/2022 06:37

@gamerchick OP has posted in the London topic

Ah cheers man, that'll be why then. Blush

SmileyClare · 18/05/2022 06:44

Absolutely ask to be homed outside of London. You'll be homed far far quicker.
Good luck x

MichelleScarn · 18/05/2022 06:48

So you moved in as a single person, now have 2 children when you've been in this accommodation? Do they know you've gone from a single person household to family of 3 (4?)? Are you getting CM to help pay private rent, are you getting correct benefits?

SmileyClare · 18/05/2022 07:20

I second contacting Shelter for advice. Unfortunately, you do have to battle to be heard and in London there is a massive shortage of properties.

If you have any family who can help with childcare then go in person to the council offices. You may be waiting all day. Take a person to advocate for you if you struggle to assert yourself.

I strongly advice widening your "areas to be considered" on your forms.

SmileyClare · 18/05/2022 08:20

There are some steps to prevent a total infestation of silverfish.

-keep all food sources especially dry foods in air tight sealed containers or glass jars
-Hoover regularly, you don't want any food crumbs, debris or dust
-clear out any waste cardboard, paper and clutter, store books high these are also a food source
-Damp will encourage them to thrive. Invest in a dehumidifier, I know it's an expense but you may be able to get one second hand. This will help with your son's asthma as well.
-keeping the flat well ventilated (open windows) and drying washing outside (appreciate that may not be possible) will also help.

Silverfish are repelled by cinnamon, citrus and cedar oil spray for a natural alternative if you're worried about chemicals, worth a Google.

DownToTheSeaAgain · 18/05/2022 08:31

Where you are in London will affect your waiting time: www.mylondon.news/news/local-news/average-wait-council-house-each-20821054

CousCousSalad · 18/05/2022 08:38

I'd second contacting shelter who will give you free legal advice around whether your Council are following their own criteria and policies correctly (my instinct would be they are and your neighbour had different needs to you - but it will give you peace of mind at least) as well as advice around the adequacy of the temporary accommodation you are in.