Housing Advice Needed

[PeaceNBliss]

Council - Greenwich Council (London,UK)

I fled my ex partners flat with my baby (8 Months old) after he assaulted me. I approached the council and I have been put in a hotel as my emergency accommodation. I am burning through my savings as we have no access to any kitchen/microwave/fridge etc.

A former work colleague has offered for us to stay at hers for the next 5 weeks while her flat mate is away but we will have to leave when the flat mate is back.

Do you think the council will accept this and continue to help us when we leave her place OR is this a bad idea and we (baby & I) should just continue to stay in the Hotel till a decision is made with regards to a “main duty”

Note: No Electronic cooking devices allowed in the room.

Are you claiming all the benefits you are entitled to?

Have you put in a cms claim yet?

I'd focus on these things first and foremost.

Speak with the council about things. Maybe they can provided food stamps.

Find your local food bank too.

Ask the hotel if you can use their staff room microwave.

But no, do not give up the room

I mean even just saying to a woman receptionist
'hey, I'm staying here to avoid my abusive ex but the funds are running down and down just having to eat out all the time, I wondered, is there any way I could maybe use your staff room, for its fridge/microwave (if it has them) from time to time? Just thought there was no harm in asking'.

Worst they can say is no.

Do you have to tell the council? Can't you still officially stay in the hotel but go to your friends place for a few nights a week? Five weeks is nothing in terms of housing solutions, not much more than a holiday or staying at a partner's. I get that it'd be nice for the council not to waste those fees on the hotel, but the amount of aggro and red tape you'd incur for a few weeks of microwaving doesn't feel worth being upfront for. Maybe that makes me a terrible person, I dunno.

Pp makes a good point.
Maybe you could go to your friends during the day but sleep at the hotel? Though, I suppose the travel costs would add up.

Regarding food-

• you can keep food chilled for a day or so by putting it in a sink/bath filled with cold water.
• get a small travel kettle. They're not going to be mad at you for that (and its easily hidden anyway).. And it can be used for noodle/rice pots etc... which is a cheap lunch.
• find a place near you that has a hot water machine in store.
• Get a cutting knife so you can make your own salads in the room.
• See the food bank for foods that don't need to be cooked.
• Look out for places or events that may give out free food samples.

Thank you for responding.

I have applied for UC & I am currently receiving Child Benefit (which has been soooo helpful)

@Pinkdelight3 i will speak to the staff and also ask for food vouchers (thank you so much for this)

@Pinkdelight3 I am anxious about spending the night away because what if the hotel reports me to the council.

I can’t shuffle both places due to train ticket expenses.

I feel like a terrible mother putting my son through all this. My Breastmilk production has dropped drastically and I’m still introducing him to solids.

Buy a mini fridge to keep in your room, around £100, definitely buy a cheap kettle, people in prison make curries & other things in theirs so there is potential to make some food with them.

@Nat6999 Against hotel policy to have a fridge in the room.

I will google what recipes I can make with a kettle. There is a tiny one provided by hotel.

As far as meals with just a kettle are concerned- couscous can be made with a kettle, buy a leg of hot chicken from the supermarket plus some salad (fine out the fridge for a couple of days) or ready cooked chicken pieces. If you like fish, canned mackerel salad is a cheap nutritious meal, no cooking at all, serve with a roll. I would speak to the hotel directly about a microwave, they are often in hotel rooms as this would simplify things

I've never been in a hotel that doesn't have a fridge/kettle/complimentary tea and coffee etc.

How strange that the council have used accommodation that's complimentary unsuitable, have you raised/advised them about the complete lack of basic amenities?

Hopefully they can assist with food vouchers.

FWIW, I don't think I'd leave the hotel for your friends, you'd possibly risk your homeless status and have you starting from scratch again.

So many just don't. Especially budget hotels and London hotels.

They probably worry that the ping on the microwave will annoy other guests or something.
And a fridge sucks up a lot of power.

You're not a bad mum op, you're keeping yourself safe from a bully so your son doesn't grow up seeing his mother abused. And doesn't turn into his dad because he thinks it's normal for women to stay and take it. You're doing right by you and your child so you should be proud of yourself.

It's only natural there will be an adjustment period.

Hopefully once the universal credit kicks in it'll get easier too.