Living with baby in 5th floor Council flat

hueygeorge

Hi All
We are currently council tenants and are living in a one-bedroom flat with our three month old baby. We are on the fifth floor of a tower block - the block is only 5 floors high so we are on the top floor. For some bizarre reason the lift terminates at the third floor so we then have two flights of stairs to climb up. Does anyone know if this is legal with regard to us having a baby? Does it comply with Health and Safety? The reason I ask is that we have been told by the council that we are not entitled to a ground floor flat as a priority as we are currently 'housed'. I agree to an extent with the council and too be honest our flat is lovely but we do need to move. Anyone reading this who has kids will know stairs are dangerous and we are up and down two flights every day. The reason for this post is because tonight my OH fell up the stairs whilst carrying the baby - his jeans got caught in his trainers. Luckily baby only slightly bumped her head but the thought of what could have happened terrifies me! From now on we will be carrying her up in the car seat which is difficult as she weighs over a stone, safer though than carrying her up in our arms.
Any advice appreciated - thanks

elsien

My street has 3 storey terraced houses each with 2 flights of stairs and the majority lived in by families.
Not sure I can see the difference unless you're planning a move to a bungalow?

LilacPixie

Get your partner to hem his jeans and not be so clumsy???

In answer to your question yes its legal to expect you to be able to climb 2 fights of stairs with baby.

poppysarah

HAve you asked to be rehoused?

Varies by council I think too.

Afaik Manchester moves New families out as soon as they can. Might not be ultra quick though.

mumps

elsien wrote: »

My street has 3 storey terraced houses each with 2 flights of stairs and the majority lived in by families.
Not sure I can see the difference unless you're planning a move to a bungalow?

To be fair stairs in a house are probably carpeted and in a block of flats they might be concrete. It would make a big difference to a baby being dropped on them.

OP I assume at some stage you will be entitled to a two bedroomed place, not sure what the rules are but someone will probably be along to tell us. Good luck.

Caroline_a

Maybe rent privately?

pararct

Why would you think health and safety law would apply to what should be natural parenting skills?

As far as I can see you have no justification to being awarded ground floor social housing. Even if and when you have further children this will not change. If you want a ground floor property then rent or buy privately. Thousands do you know!!

elsien

mumps wrote: »

To be fair stairs in a house are probably carpeted and in a block of flats they might be concrete. It would make a big difference to a baby being dropped on them.
.

True, although mine are quite steep and easy to fall down, even when not carrying anything.
I agree it's probably an inconvenience to the OP, but health and safety? Really? A sign of times, methinks.

hueygeorge

Elsien - I'm just worried about the safety of my baby - the stairs and walls are concrete. I'm certainly not intending to 'make a claim' if that's what you mean.

Pararct - I thought that babies were not allowed in high rise flats but maybe I'm wrong. I'm not sure what the 'natural parenting skills' statement means?? What happened was a pure and simple accident - thanks for the empathy!

dotchas

Millions of people live in flats of 3, 4 or more storeys with no lift.
Maybe you will be entitled to apply for a 2 bed house but then again many people have lived with a baby in a 1 bed flat!
What if you were offered a house with steps up to the front door?
What about a shop where there is more than one floor but no lift?
Enjoy your wee family without losing sleep over climbing a few stairs.

hueygeorge

Caroline_a wrote: »

Maybe rent privately?

Its not an option as we can't afford it. I love our flat and I am grateful for the fact that our rent is half what it would be through renting privately. The accident has just panicked me which I suppose is normal, its my first baby and she's the most precious thing on the earth to me.