been offered a council flat

cashmeregirls

hi everyone
i lost my business went bankrupt jan 08. in rented lovely cottage now but struggling to get off benefit as single mum, rent 450 and get 380 h benefit as on inc support. desperate to improve my circs but if i get a job prior to discharge will have to declare any surplus / will lose any h benefit.
been offered a council flat as i asked for one prior to losing my home. am i silly if i dont consider it? i am not a snob. i am ex policewoman and never thought i would end up in this position. any thoughts please. i have to consider it i think as the rent would only be 250 month but obviously the area wouldnt be as "nice". then if i get a job my outgoings would be less. in a quandry, think i need to wait for my discharge in jan? before i take a job.
oooooooh i just want to try and move forward.

mcjordi

id say take the flat as your rent would be covered by housing benefit if your on is hun, the waiting lists are stupidly long everywhere in the uk, so if you dont take this one god only knows how long you will wait for another chance
you sound like you cant afford the cottage hun so take the flat at least you'll have affordable housing. i currently live in a council house atm and its ok for the money

skylight

The council place has its advantages too though - secure tenancy etc (you will never be asked to leave as long as you pay the rent). Council tax should be less.

And whos to say about the area?? Have you seen the flat yet or know about the area? And thats £70 a month you will be saving on the rent straight away (which is what you are paying now; the difference between rent and LHA - full housing benefit on council places will always be for the full amount).

The other issue is, if you turn it down how will that affect your position on the "list". Around here, you refuse then you get removed as there are far too many waiting.

What sort of flat is it? Do you know yet?

Ames

I felt the same when I was offered my flat. I felt like I was a failure and giving up on anything 'better' by going into a council place. But I've really enjoyed the last couple of years. My estate has a lot of problems, but in my square the people are lovely, always looking out for each other. It really is the best place I've ever lived, including a 'nice' semi rural village.

allydowd

I'd say give it a try.

I went from riches to rags in a week and then moved from an exclusive housing development at a marina into a council flat in one of the most unappealing areas of the country.

At first it was a bit of a shock but then I found out that there are advantages:

(1) Cheap rent
(2) The council do repairs quickly and it costs me nothing
(3) The council got bought out by a housing association and they are building shed loads of new small houses. Soon our dodgy flat will be demolished and I'll be living in a new home!
(4) Cheap Council Tax.
(5) Life is never dull in our street.

AMBERSHADOW

The best year's of our life was spent iN a council flat ok people sometimes were noisy But other than that I enjoyed it, we moved 12 years ago to a house on the same estate and brought the house 6 months later But what a difference it is, everyone has now brought and no-one speaks anymore its right stuck up

go for it it will save you loads in the long run

halight

Hi,

I would just like to say Good luck in what ever you do...

Dont ever give up you will get back on top of evrything and get back up there where you once was.

GOOD LUCK AND ALL THE BEST