Social Housing - Flat Offered: What's the Catch?

continentalgal

Hi, this post is probably silly but just wondering what people make of it.

Since I got too ill to work a few years ago, my housing situation has been a complete nightmare. Local authorities have been rather discouraging with regard to joining their council/social housing lists, so I kept ending up in shabby and horrendous private accommodation, that's all I can get as a so-called 'DSS' tenant ...

Anyways ... less than a week ago, I sent in my application form to Derwent Living for retirement housing (they accept ppl over 40 with disabilities, i.e. me). Again, the person on the phone sounded rather negative about the whole thing and the property list they had attached to the form gave the impression that for every 50 properties there are 100 applications but only 10 become available and so on.

Imagine my surprise when I got a call from Derwent only 2 or 3 days after posting the application form. As I said before, I have no experience with social/council housing but it is my understanding that I have more 'liberties' with regard to internal decorations? The flat is in pretty bad shape (well lived in), the rooms would need new flooring (the previous tenant ripped the carpets out revealing cheapo commercial vinyl tiling underneath), but kitchen and bathroom are in particular bad shape. Living on benefits means I don't have loads of money for home improvements available - so the whole joy of getting 'in' is a bit bitter sweet.

Does anybody have any idea why they would offer me a flat when their housing list is long and available properties are few? Is it because of the poor condition of the flat, the neighbourhood, the neighbours, or what could it be? Sadly, years of bad experiences have made me quite distrustful and weary ... so I'm thinking there must be a catch?!

BitterAndTwisted

The catch is that the property is obviously less desirable and the LA probably have no funds available to get it into a decent condition. This might be the other side of the coin for a secure tenancy for life. I'd take it.

poppysarah

Get signed up.

The LA can be persuaded to do works after.

Freecycle is an amazing resource for free stuff from new kitchen cupboards to flooring.


And round here it'd be the council ripping out the carpet revealing the hardwearing lino tiles underneath.

skater_kat

it may be what they call a 'hard to let' property - which as you suggest, may mean some problems with condition of property, noise, neighbours or some other problem as to why it could be difficult to get a tenant into. my advice would be to find out the address of the property (they should offer you a formal viewing anyway) - and go round there at different times of the day/night to try and suss out such issues. you will probably get a 'gut feeling' about it anyway. you shoudl enquire from the HA if they have a refusals policy; some HA's will only allow one refusal then you HAVE to take the next property they offer you, if you don't then you are off the list.

split_second

could be any number of reasons:

maybe your disability puts you as a higher priority?
maybe residents of retirement places stay until they have to leave?
if its a 1 bedroom place it maybe below what a lot of applicants are entitled to?

most people dont realise that some housing associations let over 40s in retirement accomodation at certain places

skater_kat

yes - benefits of a secure tenancy may outweigh the need for some internal works. some HA's may offer incentives to new tenants such as decorating vouchers etc. you can also access other sources if you are on a low income; local charities are an invaluable resource, for example a local church in my town goes out and decorates flats for new tenants with disabilities.

oh and also if it is a retirement place - they do tend to have a much higher turnover as residents do inevitablity pass away more frequently than general needs housing, this could be why it has come up so quickly!

londonirish_3

I think housing association and council homes must be deemed as acceptable under the "decent homes" bill. Worth googling OP, as you may get some updating of the place done. Also some housing associations give decorating vouchers but again you would need to check with your landlord

continentalgal

Well, thanks a lot for the quick replies! I viewed the flat last Friday (which is why I know about its condition) - it is supported retirement housing and the premises seem secure (CCTV outside). The area may not seem too desireable but it's residential and my hope is that it will be more quiet than where I'm living at the moment (main road + noisy neighbours, the horror!).

About the kitchen, I was told they were going to replace the units next year (I need to ask if they can be more specific ... next year = January or July 2012 ). I suppose the support worker at the site should know where I could go for more help/support.

Thanks for all the comments about the ins and outs, it's very appreciated

poppysarah

Sign up! They might not have a date for the work if it's being done en masse.
Get a table in the kitchen and chopping boards and you don't have to worry as much about the state of the worktops.

Bleach really is useful! If it's a real state ask if your friends and family will help you clean it too.

continentalgal

Haha, thx for the tip, poppysarah - during more than a decade of renting, bleach has become my personal Chanel No. 5 ...

I've already accepted the offer, actually. It's just given me a couple of sleepless nights over the weekend because I'm worried about the amount of work/money that needs going into. I don't really have that many friends in this area, moreover, I hate to ask people for favours. So I often end up paying for a lot of services. I always used to be very independent but with my mobility problem, everything takes ages now and is painful, I suppose, I'm just worried I might end up living like on a construction site for several months until it looks ok (for my standards).

Hearing other opinions really helps though, thanks! x

Careful_with_that_Axe

I'm pleased to read you have accepted the flat. The security of a safe and permanent roof over your head outweighs any decorating issues in my opinion. I am not making light of the condition of the flat - it may take you a while to get it how you want it, but imagine the satisfaction you will feel when you do!

I am in a similar position in that I am in temporary Council accommodation waiting for a place that is suitable for me to come up (I am disabled too). The issue you are faced with is one I have thought about often and I've decided that I'll try to overlook the condition of places I see and concentrate solely on their suitability.

Are you eligible for a grant from the Family Fund at all, or a social fund loan (2 year interest free loan deducted at source from any benefits like DLA)? Personally, I would concentrate on getting carpet sorted as, if like me your mobility issues cause you to fall, a softer floor covering to bounce on would be nicer!

Good luck and keep us posted on your journey!

ETA: Is there a Care and Repair service offered in your area? Workmen at a discounted rate of £15 plus VAT per hour. You need to be in receipt of DLA to be able to use them, I understand. I used them first a couple of weeks ago (like you, I am fiercly independent and hate to ask for help) and for 2 hours, I got so many little jobs done that I had really been struggling with that I am now one of their fiercest supporters! If they are unable to help themselves, they do have a list of registered contractors who are regularly checked for insurance, quality of work etc.
p.s. I may be waiting for my "forever home" still, but I've got all excited for you!