How much debt would you be willing to get into for a home that is short term?

[DarkDaysHopefullyOver]

Just that really?

I bought out of desperation as we were homeless, it's just my children and I, I'm on a low income and bought using a shared equity scheme, needless to say, there is no money in the pot.

I can keep my children at their school and clubs, but I the house makes me feel awful and anxious. I viewed it 5 months ago, the seller left around that time and the whole time the shower was dripping. We got in and the bathroom has black mould and water damage meaning the whole thing including flooring and joists need to go. I have gone to my solicitor but seller doesn't agree.

Every room and floor needs done and the house needs insulated, it is freezing.

How much debt would you be comfortable getting into for a house that could see you through for a couple of years. I'd like to move ASAP, but I need equity before I can (if I can even get that).

Why do you plan to move again? Prioritise the basic maintenance and a few rooms. Only get into debt as much as you can afford to pay back.

Well for me, none. But essential maintenance is not getting into debt, it's essential for you health and the integrity of the property so I would do it if I could borrow them money. I would spend anything on non essentials tho, like decorating or new carpets just because.

It sounds like the bathroom would have been nice that condition at the point of exchange, so I suspect it may be a case of buyer beware.
Unless you can turn off the water to that room, and use a different bathroom (I know you may well not have one) I think that needs sorting sooner rather that later to prevent further damage.

If the house has been empty for for so long, it might be damp rather than insulation being required.

What do you mean by walls and floors needing doing? Can you live with them?

I think I'd borrow to sort the bathroom, then slowly work out what else needs doing. Redecorating walls doesn't need to be expensive if you can do it yourself - OK, we had all the kit, but I've just done all the walls in our bedroom with 2 coats of emulsion for about £30. the gloss will have to wait

I would be very cautious about adding any debt if you plan to sell in a couple of years.
It's quite possible the property will have reduced in value if interest rates stay high - as is predicted.
Priorities should be the basic maintenance that you can afford only.
If you bought a property with a low epc then investigate if your Local Council have been given funding grants for eligible households to help boost the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce their energy bills, including insulation.

My advice would be to approach this like you're getting ready to sell. Make the house look attractive and saleable.

Don't take on debt.

Buy a dehumidifier to tackle the damp and cold. I find decissiant are better than compressor. Spend about £150 to get a decent one. Have it running constantly for months and months. Leave it in one room for 24/48 hours and then move to the next. You'll be shocked at how much water it extracts.

If shower is leaking get a plumber in the stop the leak. You might need to get a new shower but this doesn't mean you need a refitted bathroom.

Don't start replacing joists. When the leak is fixed let the dehumidifier dry out the floor and underneath - you might need a wet/dry vac to vacuum out any water that accumulated under the floor. When dry and you've done what you want to the bathroom to make it lfunctional and to look saleable, put some flooring down - an off cut of vinyl from a carpet shop.

If walls are damp/mouldy clean with a weak solution of bleach. Get the dehumidifier to address the 'damp'. Open the windows but not when the dehumidifier's on.

Let whoever buys your house spend the big money on addressing the serious issues, For now just get it livaeble for you and your DC. Don't get into debt.

It must seem overwhelming, but you can do this.

Great advice @Soonassoon

Thank you, there's some great advice here. I am currently debt free other than the mortgage.

I was thinking of 6k for the bathroom, I just want that to feel safe and its not actually functional as is. Then looking at carpet remnants and doing one room at a Time. Doing each room at a time and making neutral.

I have phoned the Scottish warmer homes grants and they will call me back within 5 days and maybe I could get a grant for inside insulation.

I bought a dehumidifier this morning. I slept for 3 hours last night coughing.

I will go to citizens advice next week.

I know no debt is absolutely best, but this is affecting our health.

You may be able to hire dehumidifiers etc