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Housing is like a prison

8 replies

Newbridge91 · 30/04/2022 16:17

Can anyone shed some light on my situation and maybe point me in the right direction. I am in social housing I have a flat with a one year old now but was pregnant when I got offered it. I was told I had no choice but to take it and then after I did I was told I shouldn’t have been offered it because it’s not suitable being on a second floor with a baby and only a stairs. I have a neighbour who had mental health issues and just shouts and bangs all day. Doesn’t let our visitors in. Let’s her dog wee all over the floor. She said she would clean it. She put newspaper down and then when she picked it up about 5 days later she put it in someone’s else’s babies pram. My daughter hasn’t been able to sleep or nap properly with all the shouting as it can be quite scary. I am terrified living here as she is not well. She also threw some plastic lanterns at little kids about a week ago. I’ve complained to housing and reported her to the police as she said she was going to smash my car up. She also lights fires quite close to windows and smokes the flat out if we have windows open. But I worry that if it caught to any of the wood the whole place would light up. I could go on and on as loads happens. I just don’t know what to do. Some days I am scared to leave the flat.

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TottersBlankly · 30/04/2022 19:41

Shelter always claim to offer help and advice:

england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/council_housing_association (Link covers housing association accommodation as well.)

although I know people’s experiences with them have been mixed.

You could also try Citizens’s Advice - although cutbacks mean they never seem to be able to provide the specific advice needed.

I’m sorry you’re in such an uncomfortable situation.

Newbridge91 · 30/04/2022 20:25

Thanks so much I’ll give them both a try.

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AceofPentacles · 30/04/2022 20:47

What has your housing officer got to say about it? Can they transfer you if they've said the property is not suitable? Also I would try and get advice from a solicitor regarding the neighbour and getting moved.

AceofPentacles · 30/04/2022 20:49

If you google community legal advice and your area there should be free advice available

whatwasIgoingtosay · 30/04/2022 20:52

I was prepared to come on this thread and read about some relatively trivial problem being compared to life in a prison (which is no picnic, believe me) but I think your situation is really terrible and I hope you can get it sorted out very soon Flowers

Xiaoxiong · 30/04/2022 20:53

The second floor with a baby is not ideal but it is doable - DS1 was born when we were in a 3rd floor flat, it's frustrating but doable with a sling.

The other tenant is a much more significant problem, I'd be keeping a diary and calling the housing officer asap as it sounds like she is a real danger to the whole block. Keep calling every time and put them on notice, surely there is a duty of care on the part of the housing association and if they're on notice that there is a risk they will have to help, I would have thought.

Xiaoxiong · 30/04/2022 20:57

I found this as well: https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/useful-tools/fact-sheets/tenants-behaviour/

And call the fire brigade if she lights fires! That should get the housing association's attention as well. And the police if she's threatening you.

I'm so sorry, it's awful and I hope you get it sorted soon Flowers

Newbridge91 · 30/04/2022 22:32

Thanks everyone for your comments. I update the crime record with the police anytime something happens and email the housing regularly but they just tell me to call police and eventually they’ll be able to do something. Just feels like false promises. I’m going to contact what has been mentioned. Thank you all.

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