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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Pregnant and have a 9 year old... need some council housing advise..

49 replies

Jessie2017 · 12/01/2017 13:59

I moved into a council property after the separation of my partner and have since met someone else and been happy for the last 3 years, he moved in and obviously not I'm pregnant, we have a 2 bed but my 9 year old daughter room is more of a box room and can only fit her bed in, there is no way we could put a cot in there and also surely with her age they wouldn't expect us to put a baby in her room?

Just wanted some advise as not sure what to do as we couldn't afford to privately rent.

OP posts:
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Original poster
Jessie2017 · 12/01/2017 13:59

Meant to say got pregnant!!!! Oops sorry.

OP posts:
Doobydoo · 12/01/2017 14:01

Could you put the cot in your room and explore options?

EggnogChai · 12/01/2017 14:04

If it's a girl they will expect them to share and if it's a boy they won't. If it's a boy you'll be classed as over crowded and can apply to be rehomed - how long this take ls depends on how many 3 beds are available in your area, how many other people are also applying for 3 beds and their banding.

NerrSnerr · 12/01/2017 14:04

Is there room for a cot in your room? For the first 6 months they should be with you anyway if you're following SIDS guidelines. Could that give you enough time to think about other options/ save for a deposit for somewhere bigger?

Original poster
Jessie2017 · 12/01/2017 14:09

We couldn't get a cot either side of our bed bed even :/ maybe a small crib? But there's no way a cot would go in daughters room, it's tiny! I'll try out a pic up of bedrooms!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Jessie2017 · 12/01/2017 14:10

That's my daughters

Pregnant and have a 9 year old... need some council housing advise..
OP posts:
Original poster
Jessie2017 · 12/01/2017 14:10

And my room

Pregnant and have a 9 year old... need some council housing advise..
OP posts:
NerrSnerr · 12/01/2017 14:14

The baby will be fine in Moses basket or crib for a while. When they need a cot could you push the bed up against the wall? It could work as a temporary measure?

Artandco · 12/01/2017 14:16

baby will have to share your room. You could co sleep or add a cot right against your bed. When toddler can add cot bed size mattress on your floor

Later bunk beds in small room or you sleep in living room.

Artandco · 12/01/2017 14:17

You could also squeeze a small double into that small bedroom, then give the children the big room

empirerecordsrocked · 12/01/2017 14:18

I think you'd have to push your bed up against the wall and get a crib in there. I think if another girl they would be expected to share.

EggnogChai · 12/01/2017 14:22

Sorry I was incorrect if it was a boy they'd be expected to share until your daughter is 10.

In my council anyway check yours as I'm not sure if it differs

Doobydoo · 12/01/2017 14:58

Sofabed in sitting room?

thecatsarecrazy · 12/01/2017 16:32

You can fit a Moses basket then a cot in your room. We have a 2bed house and in the next few weeks will have 3 children. Baby will be in with us. We are on council list but band c for lack of a bedroom so never get very high on list.

bloodyteenagers · 12/01/2017 16:42

Mutual exchange to a bigger property?
There are people in 3 beds that downsize.
Wouldn't wait for the council to move you. Depending on the area the youngest might have left home by then.

user1484247439 · 12/01/2017 19:00

I have an 11 year old boy, a six year old daughter and another little girl on the way and we are still in a 2 bed :(

You aren't considered overcrowded unless you have two of differents sexes and that's only when one is over ten years.

Even then you have to wait and there just isn't enough to go around. You can mutual exchange but so many people in two beds need bigger properties in takes a very long time.

X

Artandco · 12/01/2017 19:52

Not being funny, but didn't you know your circumstances before having another child? You honestly cannot expect others to house you for your choices beyond basic safe accomadation that you already have

I say that as someone with two children in a one bed flat. They were our choice, we provide for them best we can

Ilovecaindingle · 12/01/2017 19:57

Council exchange?

maccheese · 12/01/2017 20:05

I'm kind of with artandco on this one.

Life is funny isn't it? DP and I live in a 5 bedroom home and have TTC for 3 years with multiple failed rounds of IVF and here we are rolling around in our 3,500 sq ft home in London desperately wanting to fill our empty bedrooms, but can't.

Original poster
Jessie2017 · 12/01/2017 20:16

Artandco Was that comment to me?
If so no I didn't know my circumstances, I left my partner who was having an affair had no money no help and ended living with my grandmother for 1.5 years, then was housed by the council, whilst my ex moved his new woman into our old home (which we owned) my name wasn't down on it as I was at home looking after our baby.
So when I met my new partner 3 years ago, was a shock as wasn't planning on meeting anyone or having any more children but sometimes things happen, at the time a 2 bed house ( more like a one) was suitable but now I want to expand my family, we pay our full rent, we are not on any benefits and my partner has a good job.
If we were in a better position I would try and get a mortgage but won't be in that position for 3 years at least!!

OP posts:
YouHadMeAtCake · 12/01/2017 20:19

No way we could put a cot in there and also surely with her age they wouldn't expect us to put a baby in her room?

They would expect you to live within your means and have thought about that.

I agree with Art they housed you, you knew how many bedrooms your house had before you became pregnant. You were housed on the basis of your needs at the time, it's not up to them to provide a room per child. How do you think people that own houses manage? They either don't expand their family, do but deal with it or they buy a bigger house.

ConvincingLiar · 12/01/2017 20:19

I think artandco's point was that you got pregnant knowing you didn't have a spare bedroom.

At least you're not caught up with the housing benefit restrictions.

NoraDora · 12/01/2017 20:22

You can fit a cot in your room.

Later on bunk beds in the small room.

Tbf you knew your circumstances and chose to get pregnant. Now you have to deal with the consequences.

user1484247439 · 12/01/2017 20:33

We've been saving for 7/8 years to get out of our flat and just at the time when we have a deposit ready I fell pregnant by accident! We will have to wait another year until I'm off maternity leave to be able to move now, I'll have a one year old and a 7 year old without a spare room for them at that point.

But you know, they don't mind, we don't mind, you will be just as happy with the baby in with you as you would if you have an extra room for them.

It might be a bit squashed up but as long as there's lots of love and care to go around they'll never suffer for it. Three years isn't forever x

JaxingJump · 12/01/2017 20:39

User it's completely up to you but I'm just wondering why you will take 1 yr mat leave when you could make that somewhat shorter or much shorter and move forward with new home plan sooner. I think I'd be gunning it for the new flat! Just curious.