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Original poster

Should I Accept Council House

27 replies

Megan000 · 23/01/2023 10:28

I’m feeling rather disappointed…had a council house viewing today was so excited about getting the keys and starting to do the place up however on arrival I could hear the sound of heavy water (sounded like someone was in the shower) and the front door had water leaking out of it which had frozen over due to it being so cold I peeped through the living room window and could see a tiny bit of water on the floor so I realised there was a leak somewhere in the house, must be a very big one, it then dawned on me I wouldn’t be able to get the keys and accept it as the leak will need to be sorted…a housing officer soon came and tried to open the door but was unable to due to it being frozen over she said I was unable to accept the property today due to the leak and that it’ll take a few weeks to sort out she also said I can go back on the property list and bid for other properties without being penalised for turning this property down (as the leaks not my fault). I’m not sure what to do should I go back on the list and start bidding again? I’m top priority so I can get pretty much anything I bid on it’s just waiting for the right property in the right area to come out…took me months to find this property so can’t imagine how long it’ll take me to find something else I never know I may find something even better but I don’t want to wait. I can accept the property and wait a few weeks for the leak to be sorted but having a leak isn’t a good sign I know any house can get leaks but do I really want to accept a property which was leaking bad enough for it to come out the front door and be all over the floors all the houses I previously lived in never had leaks and I’d hate to accept this house and then another leak happens it’s not really a good sign. I don’t know what to do need some advice.

OP posts:

Wednesdayschildhasstubbedhertoe · 23/01/2023 10:31

I would go back on the list if you'll retain your place, because a leak that bad could have done a lot of damage to the property and even if they do do the repairs will delay things and could leave you with other problems, like damp and rotten floorboards etc. and knowing most councils they will do a patch up job and next time it rains heavily it will come through again. It is a shame and I hope you get somewhere new sorted soon

OatFox · 23/01/2023 10:31

Accept the property and await for the work to be done.

CellophaneFlower · 23/01/2023 10:44

Could it be a frozen burst pipe due to the property being empty?

If you like the property I'd wait.

Original poster

Megan000 · 23/01/2023 10:52

I’m not sure but it’s only been empty about a month…it’s inside and sounds heavy like a shower I’m just worried about accepting it as they said it’ll take a few weeks for them to sort so they’re not in a rush and the longer they leave the water the more damage it’ll do to the property such as rotting the floorboards

OP posts:

CellophaneFlower · 23/01/2023 11:03

Sounds like a pipe to me. They won't leave it leaking. They'll turn the water off immediately and the waiting will be whilst it dries out and they repair the damage. Once you're in and keep the house heated to above 10 degrees it shouldn't happen again.

If you really like it, I'd be patient.

Threadkillacilla · 23/01/2023 11:07

What's the location like for you? If that works for you take it.

Fluffyhoglets · 23/01/2023 11:08

Ask your housing officer if you go back on the list and can bid again, but if nothing has turned up in the right area before this house is repaired, can you then be told when this house is ready and still accept that one.
They are unlikely to re-advertise it until its repaired.

OpportunityKnockss · 23/01/2023 11:11

I’d take it and move once the leak has been repaired.

Muddydogpawprints · 23/01/2023 11:11

If the house is right stick with it, it sounds like a burst pipe and if it's a mains pipe it will be a lot of water unfortunately, but nothing that can't be fixed and made good again. That might take a few weeks but as you say you could wait months for another suitable property.

SnackyOnassis · 23/01/2023 11:20

Can you go back on the list and keep first refusal on this property? that way if something better comes up you can go for that instead, or if not, when this house is repaired and liveable in, you can choose that?

Dinoboymama · 23/01/2023 11:25

How old is the house i would be worried if it was very old that the water would be retained and cause dampness long term. We had a leak before and council didn't fix it fully and thankfully moved us in the end to a new build house on medical need as we had a disabled child which the leaky house was causing to be unwell.

MissWings · 23/01/2023 11:26

Accept it. They’ll sort it. Months isn’t too long either I waited ten years. They won’t leave that and what’s a couple of more weeks?

Original poster

Megan000 · 23/01/2023 11:27

This is my exact concern as it’s an old style house and the leaks going to cause a lot of damage on the floorboards etc and knowing the council they won’t fix it properly so the leak will likely come back, as you said you’d experienced, don’t really feel comfortable moving into a house that’s had a major leak knowing it could come back

OP posts:

serenghetti2011 · 23/01/2023 11:28

My boyfriends house had this before Christmas and it’s going to take months to fix so I would go back on the list. It’s a shame though as you want your home but hopefully something else will come up very soon. I feel you I’ve been waiting 5 years this feb so would be gutted in your shoes 🥰

Trinity65 · 23/01/2023 11:28

If you like the house and area I would wait OP

I assume you have waited a while so 3 weeks or so won't matter much.
Up to you totally though what you decide.

chillinwithmygnomies · 23/01/2023 11:36

The leak is more than likely due to a burst pipe from the cold weather we've had, if you like it I'd accept and wait for the problem to be fixed. I had a burst pipe in a downstairs toilet in a previous property and it sounded horrendous but was simply a burst pipe due to the freezing weather.

LumpyandBumps · 23/01/2023 11:40

Can you wait a few days until you know the cause of the leak?
It is standard practice to turn off the water and drain the system for properties which are not occupied in winter.
It could just be that the leak was caused by frozen pipes due to this not happening, so no reason why it should re occur.

Original poster

Megan000 · 23/01/2023 11:44

I really am gutted I’d started buying little bits and pieces for the house and getting all excited about it so it’s very disheartening I didn’t even get to see the inside just had a quick look at the outside I really like the house just not sure if it’s safe with the leak as it could come back and id hate to be inside the house when there’s a leak. I’m dreading going back on the list as it’s taken ages to find something I like that’s in the right area I’d hate to wait all over again but you’ve been waiting 5 years I can’t imagine how long that’s been for you hoping you find something soon 🥲

OP posts:

glasshole · 23/01/2023 11:56

The property has been empty during a very very cold spell. Is just going to be a burst pipe. The council will fix it and make it good.

How long are you waiting? Are you happy to wait the same amount of time/longer or would you prefer to accept this house and wait 3-4 weeks for it to be repaired? ( that's how long it took a burst pipe and collapsed ceiling to be repaired in my house ).

glasshole · 23/01/2023 11:59

You need to stop worrying about the leak " coming back ". Honestly, it's not with the stress so remove it from the equation. Things happen with houses, that's just the way it is. If a leak started, you turn the water mains off and then ring the emergency number. That's it. I had a shower leak from my wet room and it was sorted within 3 weeks. It was a pain but it was more inconvenient than traumatic!

Original poster

Megan000 · 23/01/2023 12:11

I know leaks are common during cold weather and can happen in any house just not ideal to go to a viewing and see the house is literally leaking from the front door especially as this is my first property I know it’s fixable but not sure how well the council will amend it that’s why I said it may come back the council don’t seem to care very much at least the landlords this property’s under as I even noticed the front door was breaking a bit and had noticeably large dents in which they thought was acceptable . I’m over thinking a lot at the moment due to my anxiety I probably will end up waiting and accepting the property as I’d rather wait a few weeks then a few months just a stressful situation.

OP posts:

OpportunityKnockss · 23/01/2023 12:24

Think of it as a bit of a pain to wait for it to be repaired but then you get the house you want and will live in it for many many years so it’s worth a bit of aggro now.

Singleandproud · 23/01/2023 12:28

When I first viewed my council house they hadn't really done any of their repairs yet, I took the keys and when I moved in I had a new kitchen, bathroom and internal doors (cheap and not to my taste but beggars can't be choosers and at the time I was just thrilled to have somewhere to live) . My floors are concrete so you aren't guaranteed to have floorboards anyway. When you move into a council house it really isn't going to be the house of your dreams, but it will be somewhere safe to live. We had to scrub decades worth of nicotine off the walls and ceiling. Mould has always been a problem but I just treat it. Unlike moving house normally all of the floor coverings will be ripped out and any improvements the previous tenants put in will be taken out and you'll have the standard council ones.

If would take the house, you know its history now and know what to look for if you do find any other issues.

SnowdaySewday · 23/01/2023 12:40

Mum's neighbour (council house) returned from a day out to find water had been gushing into the house for several hours. Luckily, the ceilings didn't come down but everything else was wrecked. It took a month to fix, whilst she has had to move out, and the council have upgraded everything in the process - done a really good job.

Such things can happen in any property. At least you know whatever caused this won't happen again, as long as you keep the house heated so the pipes don’t freeze. Just make sure you have contents insurance (you don’t need building’s insurance in a council house) to cover your belongings.

If the house is in the right location and is the right size then wait for it.

Blondeshavemorefun · 23/01/2023 17:45

Things happen in any houses

Sounds due to cold weather and frozen pipes

If it is Thr perfect area size etc then wait

Equally you said you are top and can bid on anything and get it

So if another one comes up in same area then bid on that

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