Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Lone parents

Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

Original poster

Council flats...

27 replies

zmandaz · 13/12/2007 18:32

I got a phone call today saying that there's a 2 bed flat available in a nearby village. I've had my initial interview and am now waiting for the paperwork to come through to say I'm interested. The council lady said she couldn't see any reason why I wouldn't get it so I'm really excited. She also said that I'd be entitled to go and look at cheap furniture and I was wondering if anyone could tell me what is included in the council flats? Do they have carpets/curtains/white goods in them or do you have to provide them all yourself. Also, are you allowed to decorate them? Thanks

OP posts:
charliecat · 13/12/2007 18:34

nothing in them at all and you can decorate how you like

hazygirl · 13/12/2007 18:35

you can decorate but nothing in them usually good luck

Original poster
zmandaz · 13/12/2007 18:38

Not even carpets?

OP posts:
tutu100 · 13/12/2007 18:41

Not even carpets, but they may give you some money towards decorating costs. My council gave me £60 to decorate an entire flat with. The bathroom was revolting could have spent the money just on that.

When we left I would have left the carpets in the flat as they were only 18 months old but the council said we would get charged for removal so we took them with us to our new house.

Original poster
zmandaz · 13/12/2007 18:46

Wow, I didn't realise there wouldn't be anything in there. I'll ask about the fund for decorating though, thanks. I suppose at least I can make it homely and have my own choice of colours etc. Pink pink pink for DD Thanks for the replies.

OP posts:
hazygirl · 13/12/2007 18:49

where are youx

hazygirl · 13/12/2007 18:49

where are youx

Original poster
zmandaz · 13/12/2007 18:53

North Yorkshire

OP posts:
hazygirl · 13/12/2007 18:57

im in west yorks and prob have some curtains in loft if u want

Original poster
zmandaz · 13/12/2007 19:05

Thanks, that's really kind but I've got some curtains, I just hope they fit ok. I hadn't realised they didn't put carpets in. I'm really glad I asked now! Thanks again.

OP posts:
PirateInaPeartree · 13/12/2007 19:18

the previous tenants might want to sell them tho? Not sure, I guess each property if different.

I had nonoe in my place, i could only afford too carpet the hall, stairs, and bedrooms!!!

Have a big rug down in the living room. At least there's prob lino in the kitchen and bathroom tho?

Is the place empty, will you have a chance to view it?

how exciting!!!!

clur79 · 13/12/2007 19:28

It might be worth checking freecycle, as you might get some nice furniture there!

Sometimes there are carpets down already, but as pirate said it does depend on the property.

Good luck!!

Original poster
zmandaz · 13/12/2007 20:02

Thanks everyone. Pirate - there's someone in there at the moment and I have to wait until shes handed the keys in before I can go look at it but shes swapping to a new build house which hasn't been finished yet so I don't know how long I'll have to wait. I don't mind though as it gives me a bit of time to get things sorted. They said that once I've viewed it and said yes, I'll have to move in the following Monday, whatever day it is I view!

I will check free cycle thanks clur. I'm hoping that I can find some bargain cheap carpet in the January sales!

OP posts:
Debra1981 · 13/12/2007 23:57

zmandaz just wanted to say congratulations!! must be a big relief! Good luck! i'm excited for you!

ADDICTEDtosayingHAAAAAAAPYxmas · 14/12/2007 01:40

how long have you been waiting? i've been waiting nearly 2 years and nothings come up yet it's all flats which we can't have cos my dad is disabled.

Original poster
zmandaz · 14/12/2007 09:54

I've been on nearly two years Addicted. They told me that I'll never get offered anything in the town where my parents live because I don't have enough points. DD and I are sharing a bedroom at my parents and have been since she was born so they see that as a non emergency. The council lady told me that I've got the same amount of points as pretty much everyone else on the list! But the reason I've been offered this place is that it's in a small village in the country and most people only want to be in the larger towns. She said that this is pretty much my only option but as I don't mind the quiet life and have a car then I'm really pleased. I'd rather live there than in the town to be honest. I'm really excited now and am looking forward to having a look inside.

Thanks Debra

OP posts:
Original poster
zmandaz · 14/12/2007 09:55

I've been on nearly two years Addicted. They told me that I'll never get offered anything in the town where my parents live because I don't have enough points. DD and I are sharing a bedroom at my parents and have been since she was born so they see that as a non emergency. The council lady told me that I've got the same amount of points as pretty much everyone else on the list! But the reason I've been offered this place is that it's in a small village in the country and most people only want to be in the larger towns. She said that this is pretty much my only option but as I don't mind the quiet life and have a car then I'm really pleased. I'd rather live there than in the town to be honest. I'm really excited now and am looking forward to having a look inside.

Thanks Debra

OP posts:
Original poster
zmandaz · 14/12/2007 09:55

I've been on nearly two years Addicted. They told me that I'll never get offered anything in the town where my parents live because I don't have enough points. DD and I are sharing a bedroom at my parents and have been since she was born so they see that as a non emergency. The council lady told me that I've got the same amount of points as pretty much everyone else on the list! But the reason I've been offered this place is that it's in a small village in the country and most people only want to be in the larger towns. She said that this is pretty much my only option but as I don't mind the quiet life and have a car then I'm really pleased. I'd rather live there than in the town to be honest. I'm really excited now and am looking forward to having a look inside.

Thanks Debra

OP posts:
ChopsterRoastingOnAnOpenFire · 14/12/2007 09:59

Council rules usually meant they have to strip out everything. You won't get even a lampshade! There was no cooker or fridge neither. It is a pita, but it's worth looking around for what you can get cheap. When I first moved into a council flat I got a grant to furnish it, about £500 I think. Then, decorating allowance is separate, I think I was allocated £20 for paint for the kitchen!

I bought a lot of my furniture from a charity place that did up furniture then sold it on cheap. I begged, borrowed what I could too. It's amazing how much stuff people have laying around if you start asking around.

Original poster
zmandaz · 14/12/2007 10:16

Furnishing grants sound good! I was panicking a bit about how I'm going to afford it all. It's just come so suddenly and the turn around will be really fast I think. I will definitely look around for what I can get charity shop wise and in the sales.

OP posts:
BrownSuga · 14/12/2007 17:42

zmandaz, we have a 3 seater eggplant coloured couch (small tear on back which if you're handy could easily be stitched, but otherwise in good condition, and is VERY comfy) and a decent Sony Wega TV (24" old style, ie not plasma/lcd, about 6/7 yo), which we would be happy to give you, if you or someone can pick up. We are in Teesside. (We're moving to oz next year and these are spare bits. Funnily I shipped the couch FROM oz when I moved here!)

You'd be doing us a favour really, we can never be bothered with the faff of trying to sell things and normally donate to local charity. So if you are interested/would like them and can pick up, let me know.

ADDICTEDtosayingHAAAAAAAPYxmas · 14/12/2007 18:19

i've just reapplied and changed my application to say there's a family breakdown at home so hopefully that will get things moving a bit quicker.

Original poster
zmandaz · 15/12/2007 13:39

Brownsuga - thanks very much but as things are at the moment I can't get to Teeside. Would it be worth advertising them on Freecycle?

Got paperwork through today so once that's back then they'll organise a viewing. Can't wait now!

Thanks again

OP posts:
BrownSuga · 15/12/2007 16:52

Ah that's a shame. No problem. We're here for another 3mths, so if things change next year and you / or a friend are able to get them we'll still have them for a bit. Just keep it in mind and CAT me later on.

Hope it all goes well.

laila111 · 18/12/2007 21:58

i've been given a council house for my daughter and i in huddersfield and its not furnished at all. no crpets nothing n old wallpaper half on n half off. need absolutely everything. am kipping with friends n stuff until i able 2 furnish the place with the basics so its suitable 4 my baby. was wondering if any1 knows where i inquire about a furnishing grant?????