What can i do? Overcrowded??

SkintBrideToBe

I dont know if this is the right place to post this but i need some advice.I stay in a 2 bedroom council flat, i have ben here for 5 years. I live with my husband, and 3 children, who are 10, 3 and 1.I was told by council that once my son turned 10 we would be entitled to a bigger house. However he has been 10 since May and hes still sharing a room with his 3 year old sister. They have bunk beds cos the room is tiny. The baby sleeps in our bedroom in her cot. I spoke to council and they basically told me they dont have a house for me so they would advise me to "just decorate". Im absolutely gutted, as my son has been diagnosed as autistic this year, and i have also handed a doctors letter into my council as they recommened my son has his own private space as he can become quite aggresive at times. They just filed it and left it at that.Im at my wits end, theres are drugs being sold in the close i stay in and loadsa neds everyhere. I just feel like im stuck and dont know what my rights are. Sorry for the long post guys, im probably ranting!!

SkintBrideToBe

Sorry, my computer has crammed all my paragraphs together too

foxy-roxy

I would go back to the council and demand a meeting, that's not right.
I know a couple in my street who were in a 2 bed semi-detached house and got moved to a 3 bed house as her daughter was 10 and she also has a soon.
To be in a flat with 3 kids is ridicuolous.
I have a friend who managed to get 3 bed house with 1 child!!!!!!!!
When i asked her how she did that she said she just went to the council everyday, pestering, until they get fed up and give you a house just to get rid of you.
Not sure if you have the time to do that,or if it is the right way to do it, but it worked for her. I would certainly keep on at them though.

Good Luck.

SkintBrideToBe

Thanks Foxy, i think ill start doing that, ive been far too quiet about it as i wasnt sure whether i would get anywhere. Im just so fed up were all crammed in here n it gets me down

foxy-roxy

and she also has a soon.

Sorry that is meant to say son

PasturesNew

The bottom line is, even though once your son is 10 he should have his own room by their list of "lovely ways to live", the reality is that property doesn't just magically appear overnight because it's his birthday. It just means you'll get more points. The question next would have been "and if he were 10 now, how much longer would we be likely to be waiting"

Once the baby's a bit older, could you swap rooms? Have the 3 of them, with some play space, in the bigger bedroom and you two in the smaller one. There's no law that says parents have to have the biggest room... after all, you just sleep there.

foxy-roxy

SkintBrideToBe wrote: »

Thanks Foxy, i think ill start doing that, ive been far too quiet about it as i wasnt sure whether i would get anywhere. Im just so fed up were all crammed in here n it gets me down

That will be what it is then, because you are waiting for them to come to you, it won't work like that, you need to keep on at them.
Go down to the offices first thing tomorrow, (if possible) and tell them your situation, be firm but calm.
Am not sure on the law, but i do think that they should have to give you suffiecient room for your son, who is at puberty age, to have space.

jackieb

Can you go see your local councillor? That's what I did (it was 14 years ago mind you). It got things moving. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, as they say.

Good luck.

silvercar

The reality is that once your son turns 10 you will be eligible for a 3 bed place. That is unless the rules in your area have changed.

Once you are eligible you join the waiting list of other people also eligible for a 3 bed place. Where you are on that waiting list depends the situation of others on that list. Those in temporary accommodation or homeless will have priority over you as their needs are greater. Although overcrowded you have a permeanant home, others may not.

When you get to the top of the list and a property becomes available you are likely to be rehoused. Until then you have to put up with what you have. (Something that those renting in the private sector or owner occupiers with a large mortgage may be very envious of.)

gettingbetter

hi skint

i can really sympathise with you
i was in a two bed flat with oh
and 4 kids

we tried everything with the council
in the end got so fed up
i went to local mp

i got rehoused in 6 months
but i have a feeling it was
just to shut me up

kas xx

Meepster

Why not go and rent somewhere privately if you NEED more space...