Living with baby in 5th floor Council flat

Owain_Moneysaver

You won't be eligible for 'priority' but there's no reason why you shouldn't go on the waiting list for a more suitable property. You might also try advertising for an exchange, but with no lift access it would probably only appeal to people living in ground floor but very unlovely accom.

thegirlintheattic

Rent privately if you don't like it. There is nothing wrong with babies in high-rises, you've even solved the problem of the stairs yourself (car seat). If that is too heavy try a sling.

Matt1977

My sister and her then husband were living on the top floor (3rd) of a council block with no lift in the late 80s with a young baby. But they didn't get a house when (iirc) she was expecting her second child.

Either reapply for a more suitable or seek to do an exchange with another tenant in said suitable property or go down the private rental route.

greenmoneysaver_2

Accidents happen, try and prevent them. It doesn't matter if the stairs are in a £1million pund property or council flat.

I wouldn't normally post on a thread like this, but really, so many people, would kill for your position that it seems pathetic to try and demand more which you can't afford.

mad_bad_spender

to be fair I know how hard it is with a baby and a pram never mind shopping etc and it would be restrictive if your were going in and out on your own.

however many people would love to get social housing so really I would count yourself lucky you have what you do.

my first flat was on the tenth floor of a high rise, there were two lifts and often one would be out of service sometimes for weeks on end due to the difficulty in finding replacement parts, this left one lift for 16 floors so people would often cram in and the lift would get stuck between floors etc, this would leave us having to climb ten floors with a baby and a toddler and shopping etc.. I was still very very grateful for the housing we had, we used the time we were there to scrimp and save to get a deposit for a house so maybe thats what to focus on if possible?

I'm afraid many people have shown that we are capable of living in flats with babies, and there just isnt enough houses to put everyone with kids into.

tanith

hueygeorge wrote: »

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!

The safety of your baby is in your and your OH hands , you are the ones responsible for carrying it up and down stairs be they concrete or otherwise. Where on earth did you ge the idea that babies aren't allowed in high rise? If that were true millions of families in this country would be doing something thats 'not allowed'. As others have said your only alternative is rent somewhere else.

jackyann

Anywhere I have ever lived or worked, babies in high rise flats, and flats where you have to walk up several flights of stairs are commonplace.
You are probably feeling rather low and upset by the small accident (anything like that seems dreadful with a tiny baby)
I'm afraid that you won't get a great deal of sympathy as there are families like yours living in one room or sharing below-par accommodation; whilst you do have a place of your own.
I personally suggest using a carrier- front one whilst baby is little, and a back pack when baby can sit with support - they are great for the baby's development, and leave your hands free for carrying stuff. Much better for your back, and safer than carrying baby awkwardly.
You can make a front carrier from a piece of stretchy fabric: google "make baby stuff". For a back-pack keep an eye on freecycle & local papers; also check out your NCT nearly new sales.

shirlgirl2004

I'd suggest using a sling. That way the baby will be securely attached to your body and you will have your hands free to break your fall. Alternatively see if your amily can house you. Lets all try to return to looking to our families for support rather than the State.

Felicity

Are you serious? You know what your living conditions are. You decide to go ahead and have a baby. You then want to know if it is legal and complies with health & safety.

I wonder what is the world coming to these days. Perhaps you could sue somebody for the conditions that you find yourself in!