TL:DR
I live in Scotland and am a single parent to two toddlers, lived in council property for 2 years now. Had to move out for repairs for dry rot and damp, was told 2 months. Contact with them has been crap but I eventually found out its much worse than they thought, it's now been 3 months and they've been waiting on structural engineers. We've moved to a high rise and I'm stressed to eff 🙃 with no end date in sight.
//////TIMELINE
September 22:
1st reported mould and sink. Arranged to fix sink but didn't look at damp
November 22:
I called council to chase up
Said I had a new officer who eventually visited
December 22
They arranged visit by mould guy, told I'd need to be decanted urgently due to it being unsafe (floorboards and health hazard) - I didn't realise it was really bad under the carpet
January 23
Eventually got through to housing officer who said I could move 11th January to a flat. We could do temporary accommodation until then but they're pretty dingy and small- he advised against said best if I could stay somewhere else but council wouldn't know if I did stay in the property...
Didn't end up going until 26th Jan as the new flat didn't get carpets till then! (Was staying with ex and in the house when it started to get heated- ex was abusive previously)
Since then I've been asking and asking for an end date, they originally said 2 months.. its now been 3 and they're still waiting for structural engineers, as the joists need replacing. It's going to be a really big job.
/////////
They moved us to a high rise, that constantly smells like weed, smoking in the hallway, signs saying no spitting lol and people often shouting and arguing. Like I'm grateful to have a roof but it's just not a nice environment with the kids. I am aware people live here so am I just being out of order?
My mental health has taken a nose dive, my 3 year old is really displaced and unsettled, she's had some behavioural regressions. We're really far from nursery so been paying for buses and I'm working in cafes as I can't get home to work in a reasonable time. I've spoken to GP and HV got tablets for me and good advice for 3yo.
I'm just really not having a good time!
Any advice on next steps..?
Contact Citizens advice or Shelter?
Should I have an issue here or just be grateful we have a home?