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Original poster

Need new bedroom but can't move

79 replies

lostitall · 29/04/2021 23:21

Hi there. Have a real dilemma in that we have a three bed with three small rooms. The two same sex kids can't share a room as big age gap but the room is also too small to divide. We can't get a remortgage or loan at present but my son desperately needs a bedroom of his own. What can we do? We have equity in the house- would the council offer us something?

OP posts:

Wrongnamegame4 · 01/05/2021 18:02

@lostitall

We have a conservatory but unsure if that could be used as a bedroom?

I know someone who did this, it can be done, not ideal but if needs must. You would need blinds and a heater or two for the winter. Or look into getting a proper roof on it.

Wrongnamegame4 · 01/05/2021 18:04

Thing is yes the sane sex dcs could share a room but it could be a nightmare.

SuperMonkeys · 01/05/2021 18:14

Who currently has the biggest bedroom?

aSofaNearYou · 01/05/2021 18:22

The comments have been harsh which I'm sure has been upsetting for you, but I do think you need to come to terms with the fact that your situation isn't dire enough to require council housing. I think you should turn your conservatory into a bedroom either for yourself or for the oldest child.

Magstermay · 01/05/2021 19:15

If 18K for a loft conversion is now a possibility then I’d do that. You could also consider insulating and plastering the conservatory roof to make that a hangout for the eldest with a daybed in case they wanted to sleep there occasionally?

Original poster

lostitall · 02/05/2021 00:17

@takemetothelakes who hurt you boo?

OP posts:

BrieAndChilli · 02/05/2021 09:01

You do realise if you could somehow get the council to house you, they would only offer you a 3 bed house anyway? They would class the 2 boys as able to share a room. So you wouldn’t be any better off, would no longer be earning equity in your own house!
The other option you have is to sell your house and then privately rent a 4 bed.

BrieAndChilli · 02/05/2021 09:02

You don’t get to dictate to the council what house you want! Lots of councils have no housing stock free so you could end up in a one bedroom in an emergency hostel.

PandaLady · 02/05/2021 09:17

You have a house big enough to house your family. What you are crying over is a 'problem' thousands of inadequately housed families would kill for.

You are the epitome of entitled.

takemetothelakes · 02/05/2021 09:45

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

NanooCov · 02/05/2021 10:25

Garden room? It would have to be fully insulated and heated but might be an option. I know of someone who has a late teen/early twenties son who has his bedroom in one. Won't be cheap though.

PandaLady · 02/05/2021 11:07

Good post @takemetothelakes

OP you might also wish to consider that paying taxes, not having 'kids young' and never needing social housing doesn't put you in a category of special people. I think you'll find that you are in fact, part of a majority in this country.

Our taxes go to helping people who need help.

Original poster

lostitall · 02/05/2021 11:40

@takemetothelakes everyone one else bar one person has a managed to keep a civil tongue in their head.
Your attitude says a lot more about you than it does me

OP posts:

iamtherealwalrus · 03/05/2021 07:47

It would be really helpful to know the sex and ages of your children plus the room size and layout of the house. Then we can offer creative solutions

Tumbleweed101 · 03/05/2021 07:59

How old are your children? We got a caravan for my eldest when space became an issue and he wanted to be away from siblings. Worked out well and there was a sofa bed for when it was a bit too cold for sleeping in. Obviously that option depends on area and suitable outdoor space.

sorryiasked · 03/05/2021 08:15

Can you give us a floor plan OP?

Doomsdayiscoming · 03/05/2021 08:17

I’d say it’s worth asking. You’ll probably get refused outright but who knows.

I’ve just moved into a flat with social housing opposite (I think). Mainly families with several children. But there is a couple with no children, and as far as I know it’s a 2-bed. I cannot get my mind around now they have that. I’ve always assumed you need to be a single mum with 3 kids to get a council supported accommodation.

WildLadyLucy · 03/05/2021 08:19

Some problems don't have a good solution and you just have to muddle along the best you can. The only option I can see for you is for someone to move downstairs. The conservatory doesn't sound ideal - they get very cold in the winter and it's hard to keep light out too without a comprehensive system of expensive blinds. Who is last to bed every day? Would a sofabed in the lounge be an option? It would be helpful to know the ages of your children.

My nephews still share at 17 and 19 though the older one is now away at university (don't suppose he will come back, if he can help it).

In our case I made very certain I didn't have any more children once our bedrooms were full because I knew we would never be able to afford to move to a bigger house. I still feel sad about it because we both would have loved a third child and after 2 beautiful girls, a shot at having a little boy - but we knew we'd run into this kind of issue as they grew.

EnjoyingTheSilence · 03/05/2021 08:29

Of course the council aren’t going to offer you anything. How completely ridiculous

Nat6999 · 03/05/2021 08:34

My old neighbours had 4 children, 2 boys & 2 girls, they were girls 18 & 17, boys 16 & 9, the boys had to share a bedroom 8' x 8' in bunk beds, they were in a council house, the council refused to give them a 4 bed house as the 3 bedrooms were for up to 7 people. Have you looked at the room dividers in B & Q? They are MDF with adjustable height that stand on rubber feet top & bottom & are fairly thin, you can paint any colour you want to partially divide the room to give each child their own space, then give each one a loft bed with space underneath for a desk or space to play & storage or keep their clothes in your room.

TimetohittheroadJack · 03/05/2021 08:35

Why not make the living room a bedroom and make the conservatory the living room. If it gets too cold at night you just go to bed and watch tv in your room?

Original poster

lostitall · 03/05/2021 11:10

Thanks for all the ideas. Will book and appointment with a financial advisor and see what we can do in terms of borrowing for loft extension/ remortgage

OP posts:

LakieLady · 03/05/2021 22:43

My MIL brought up 4 children (2 boys, 2 girls) in a 2-bed council house.

MIL & FIL moved into the smaller bedroom. FIL built a partition across the middle of the bigger bedroom, and each pair of DC's had bunk beds. It meant the boys had to go through the girls' room to get to/from their own, but they managed.

Could you do something similar with the largest bedroom?

Moomin12345 · 08/05/2021 14:26

If you sleep on a sofa bed in the living room, the kids can have the bedrooms.

woodhill · 08/05/2021 14:28

Have you got a garage on the side to make a downstairs room?

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