Temporary council accommodation

EastMidsGal

I was just wondering if there was anyone here who had ever been put in to council temporary accommodation and could tell me what it was like.

I have to move out in three weeks as the landlord is selling the house but so far I have been unable to secure another private rent as I am on LHA. If I can't find another private rent, and with time running out, I've been told we will be put into temp accommodation

I am having a baby in April (and already have a nine year old) and though I can play for more time to find another private rent by making the landlord evict me through the courts, realistically, how much legwork can I do if I am just about to have/just had a baby?

I have been told we will not be put into a B&B if I have a newborn baby as it would be classed as an unsuitable environment and will probably be placed into a self contained unit. What is that? A flat?

We were put in touch with a landlord with a property who approached the council looking for a tenant, but it is barely above a slum and no effort is being put into it by the landlord, into it's upkeep or by doing viewings. I have taken advice on it from everyone I know and on here, I posted in the selling and renting board, and have been universally told to avoid it like the plague, however, maybe it would be better than temp accommodation. Just don't know what to do

My hormones are all over the place, I have no idea what the future holds, so if anyone can give me an idea of what to expect I would really appreciate it as it's really hard to stay calm and know what the best course of action is



Thanks

melbi_uk

EastMidsGal wrote: »

I was just wondering if there was anyone here who had ever been put in to council temporary accommodation and could tell me what it was like.

I have to move out in three weeks as the landlord is selling the house but so far I have been unable to secure another private rent as I am on LHA. If I can't find another private rent, and with time running out, I've been told we will be put into temp accommodation

I am having a baby in April (and already have a nine year old) and though I can play for more time to find another private rent by making the landlord evict me through the courts, realistically, how much legwork can I do if I am just about to have/just had a baby?

I have been told we will not be put into a B&B if I have a newborn baby as it would be classed as an unsuitable environment and will probably be placed into a self contained unit. What is that? A flat?

We were put in touch with a landlord with a property who approached the council looking for a tenant, but it is barely above a slum and no effort is being put into it by the landlord, into it's upkeep or by doing viewings. I have taken advice on it from everyone I know and on here, I posted in the selling and renting board, and have been universally told to avoid it like the plague, however, maybe it would be better than temp accommodation. Just don't know what to do

My hormones are all over the place, I have no idea what the future holds, so if anyone can give me an idea of what to expect I would really appreciate it as it's really hard to stay calm and know what the best course of action is



Thanks

A self-contained unit means: ‘a building, or part of a building, which has been constructed or adapted for use as separate living accommodation.’

EastMidsGal

Thanks Melbi, so it could be in a block of flats, or a converted house and would have it's own kitchen and bathroom?

melbi_uk

It sounds like it would be a converted house.

O'll try and find out more for you.

EastMidsGal

Thank you! x

Aarons_mummy

I was put into a flat when I had to go into one.

It was ok, noisy neighbours, not a great area, lots of crime etc, the furniture was flimsy cheap rubbish but I admit I was very grateful for the fact I had a roof over both mine and my sons head.

I had a lot of trouble with neighbours and my housing officer was useless, seats weren't attached to the chairs, the slats on the bed weren't secured, rips in the carpets, burn marks, dirty walls etc it just wasn't a nice experience.

In saying that it made me save like mad to be able to afford a private rent, it was tough but not impossible. I was there 8/9months and despite having the highest priority for council housing I never got anywhere. The people in the flat before me were ther almost 2 years so it could be a long time riding it out until you get somewhere through the council but then you have the advantage to be able to 'choose' a private rent that suits you.

Aarons_mummy

Should have said it was a 2 bedroom flat in a block of 4.

melbi_uk

Try reading here:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/definitiongeneral/

EastMidsGal

Thanks AM. Maybe the private rent I saw would be better, it's not great but at least I know what I am getting and the lounge and kitchen are a decent size. I also don't want to keep moving though, we only moved into here a year ago, at least if we go through the council it will cut down the amount of times we have to move.

EastMidsGal

melbi_uk wrote: »

Try reading here:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/definitiongeneral/

Thanks Melbi, looks like a house converted into flats that are completely self contained.

Aaron's Mummy, what would you do if you had to go through it again? Go into temp council accommodation or go into a private rental with an unreliable, uncaring landlord?

twinkle1981_2

I have had experience of temporary accommodation. Firstly myself and my son were given a room in a b&b/hotel. This was only for a few nights until they had a free room in the local hostel. I was in the hostel for about 2 months until I was given a 'scatter flat', which is fully furnished. I was lucky as in my case it turned out to be a house and I was the first tenant to be put into it so everything was brand new. I loved it so much that I repeatedly asked them if there was any possibilty I could be allocated this as my permanent house, but these are strictly allocated for temprary accommodation purposes. When I first heard the words 'hostel' I was terrified but it was actually ok. I was allowed 2 overnight passes a week so I used to go and stay at my mums just to get me out of the hostel, the room I had was huge and it was very very clean.

I was in the scatter flat for about 5 months and then was very very lucky to be offered a new build flat in a nice quiet area. The problem with being on the homeless list though is that once they find a permanent tenancy for you, you cant turn it down so its pot luck what you end up with. They also don't allow you to specify areas that you do not want as you can if you put a regular council housing application in.