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Original poster

Lets get Nutty a house.......We've had an offer

27 replies

Nutcracker · 29/04/2004 16:30

Council have just called me to offer me a masionette above the shops on Falcon Lodge. I can't look at it until tuesday afternoon and the woman who rung, couldn't tell me much about it because it's not the area she normally covers.
Anyway we went and had a look to see exactly which one it was, and i was quite surprised.
It is either above a hairdressers or clothes shop (can't figure out which) and does have a large balcony at the front. Sort of a similar size to a very small garage. The kids could play on it, and it's in front of the kitchen window so i'd be able to see them.

The big problem is that it hasn't got any heating, other than a gas fire in the living room. If the council refuse to put ch in, or i couldn't get a grant then i'd have to refuse it. Because of DD2's asthma we have to have heating on all night in the winter.
My friend reckons we could get a grant as she knows someone who's son was asthmatic and they got a grant.

It would enable us to stay in the area and keep the kids at the school they are at. Plus they'd have the choice of two really good secondary schools.

The estate doesn't have a particularly good reputation but we were down for a house there anyway which i wouldn't think twice about accepting. The rent is cheaper than we pay now, which would enable us to do what we want to it and afford holidays e.t.c

So what do you think ??????

OP posts:
mieow · 29/04/2004 16:34

yea!!!! I think they would have to put CH in, when I moved here, there was no rads in the living room, so I asked for two and was told no, because DS has CP I got SS involved and they requested that the council put in rads, and they done it in 10 weeks. You have the summer to get the heating put in and you can get SS involved if nessary...

bundle · 29/04/2004 16:34

doesn't sound that promising, re: health issues.

MadameButterfly · 29/04/2004 16:38

I don't know whether to says congrats or not. When you view it on tuesday ask about the CH.
Hope it goes ok for you and they agree to it.

Original poster
Nutcracker · 29/04/2004 16:42

Anyone know how i can find out about grants ??? I put it in on google and it just keeps mentioning scotland.

OP posts:
secur · 29/04/2004 16:44

Message withdrawn

secur · 29/04/2004 16:44

Message withdrawn

charliecat · 29/04/2004 16:46

I had a form about grants, you have to earn less than 14,000 pounds a year, cant remember if thats b4 or after tax credits, think its before, it has to be the disabled part of a benefit if that makes any sense, so if your dd gets any benefits for her asthma? Know that doesnt make sense, but thought it might give you a breif guide, that was from Warmfront, for Kent may or may not be the same place who does yours?

Original poster
Nutcracker · 29/04/2004 16:50

We don't get any benefit because od dd's asthma but she has been hospitalised with pnemonia because of it. She has to use a inhaler every day and the cold air is one of her triggers, hence the need for heating of a night.

Never though of asking the asthma clinic. Dd has her blood test on tuesday morning so i can ask the nurse then.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nutcracker · 29/04/2004 17:00

I've just emailed an asthma nurse at the National asthma campaign, and asked for her opinion on wether we would get a grant and where we go to ask for one.

Seem to remember i did put on my original application for housing, that i would need central heating because of dd's asthma.

OP posts:
secur · 29/04/2004 17:04

Message withdrawn

misdee · 29/04/2004 18:19

well thats sort of promising isnt it? how many bedrooms? bet there is loads of storage space. just have a look on tuesday and make a choice after that. dont give them an immediate answer, tell them u need CH put in, and also ask for decorating vouchers. u never know your luck.

Original poster
Nutcracker · 29/04/2004 18:31

It's 3 bed Misdee, new kitchen too i think.
My friend has one in the same block. She's got hers really nice too. She's got bags of room (only 2 kids though). There are two double rooms and 1 single, good size though.
I've just emailed a company about heating grants.

If i could get heating, i would accept it as it's definatly big enough and does have an area for the kids to play. My dad isn't to impressed, but what are my alternatives. If we don't have it then we will have to move out of the area.
Having the kids go to a good school is really important to me, as is staying in the area.

OP posts:
misdee · 29/04/2004 18:35

i took my masionette just for the space. its massive. the kitchen is huge, the master bedroom, u could fit in two double beds and still get wardrobes in as well. even the smallest bedroom can fit a double bed. if its in the area u want, and u dont mind not having a patch of green outside (balcony is good for playing on if its big), then i'd accept it. is it communal stairwell to get to it? make sure its well lit if it is.

what shops are below u? u need a decent takeaway near by

Original poster
Nutcracker · 29/04/2004 18:42

The stairs are outside and are shared with the next maisonette. The rooms are bigger than i'd get in a house, i'm sure, especially the single room.
The only way i can think to describe the size of the balcony is that you could probably park a Fiesta on it (if it wasn't a balcony of course ).
It's got metal fencing around it, which i would probably like to secure further by putting a taller fence up, but other than that it's fine.
We used to live in a little terraced house where the back yard was not much bigger, and that was fine to play in.
I would have to supervise Ds if he was playing out there, but then i would in a garden at this age too.

None of my family or friends seem to thrilled about it, but this could save my sanity. I have felt so ill recently because of all this.

OP posts:
sexgoddess · 29/04/2004 18:51

Nutty I've just spoken to my sis. She has a shop on the main Birmingham Road (opposite Pizza by Goli) with a 3 bed flat above. 3 good beds apparently, breakfast kitchen (not massive but big enough for brekkie), good sized lounge, bathroom, ch, dg, GSOH , it's going to be decorated within the next couple of weeks. If you're interested email me.

SoupDragon · 29/04/2004 19:00

Make sure that there is absolutely no chance a child can get through the railings on the balcony.

mieow · 29/04/2004 19:50

Misdee's bedrooms are bigger than mine, in a three bed house!!!

Lisa78 · 29/04/2004 19:56

I had a balcony like the one you describe Nutty, it was very safe for DS1 and he used to love being on it, watching the world go by!

WSM · 29/04/2004 19:57

I would go for it, so long as they put the CH in.

Codswallop · 29/04/2004 19:57

Hey Nutteroo!

baldrick · 29/04/2004 20:05

hi Nutcracker, if it's going to help you out for the time being and they fit ch, does it feel right?

kiwisbird · 29/04/2004 20:18

we live above a hair dressers and they are lovely... what other shops are in the parade? wefind most trouble from late night Londis and Video shop.

CountessDracula · 29/04/2004 20:21

Nutty it sounds good to me. Do you know if the overall size is a lot bigger than your existing flat? I think you need it to be quite a bit bigger don't you?

tamum · 29/04/2004 20:24

Oh, it sounds nice Nutty. If you can just get the CH sorted it would be great. The point about keeping the same primary school and having access to good secondary schools can't be overestimated really. I hope it works out, I really do.

gothicmama · 29/04/2004 20:34

EAGA partnership via energy efficency board should be able to help re: grant for heating