Kingsize Bed - Dilemma

jasonwatkins

Ok, really not sure how i'm going to do this so would appreciate any suggestions. Hope i've posted it in the right place as well.

I have a kingsized bed that i've had for about 10-12 years and I need to get rid of it. It's no good to anybody as the bottom half of one part of the base has pretty much all but caved in and the mattress is in a pretty ropey state.

I live in a council flat and i've just spoken to them and they've told me the disposal service is £30 quid for up to 3 items.

The problems I have overall are as follows:

• I have no money
• I don't drive
• The nearest person to me who I could potentially call on (my dad) only has a small-ish car and his back is probably in a worse state than mine is.
• I have no money
• I can't dump it in the garden area at the back of my flat as i'd get into trouble with the council and likely get fined
• i have no money
• The only other person who i could potentially call on lives about 80 miles away and only has his works car, so would, invariably, need to hire a lorry.
• i have no money

So I am at a loss as to what to do really. Is anyone aware of any local charitable schemes in the essex area that might possibly come and take it away ?

I know there's freecycle, but I don't really think i'd feel right giving the bed to another person with the state it's in.

Could I feasibly state on the freecycle ad something like "bed in poor condition, but could feasibly be repaired and cleaned" ??.

Any suggestions most welcome, thankyou

mrcol1000

If you asked a private company to take it away they would charge far more than £30 unless it was someone that was going to fly tip it and then if it was traced back to you then you'd be held responsible for not getting a proper company to take away your waste. Charities won't take it away unless its in mint condition. Why not try putting it on Ebay for 99p or some other free ad? Someone might take it to repair and sell on or use. The only other thing is to write to your local councillor. Explain your situation and see if they can sway the council into not charging on this occasion? Or try your housing officer. Is it a council house and not a housing association house? Housing Associations are normally separate to the council and often have their own guys to take away residents bulk collection. Just don't be tempted to fly tip it or let someone take away for a fiver as it is bound to end in you getting in trouble.

shop-to-drop

Actually £30 is quite a lot my council (also Essex) is £14 for two items and £7 for each extra item. Are you sure it is £30? Can you ask them if they do it cheaper for those on benefits/low income? I think your only option really is to are going to save up and pay for the council to take away.

sarah1972

pm'd a bg to move away from the freebies board.

jasonwatkins

Thanks for the replies

I'll certainly have a chat with my housing officer - didn't think of that. I've got a reasonably good relationship with her so something might happen.

Would Freecycle be realistic though ?

I guess if someone is desperate for a bed they might consider it but I know if i personally was looking for one, I would certainly think twice about my one, even if it was free.

DUKE

Could you chop it up & put it in the communal bins that flats usually have?

psyman17

If its got a metal frame the scrap metal merchants may take at least part of it.

Azmataz

DUKE wrote: »

Could you chop it up...

That's a good idea. I did that with an old double divan bed. I then used the wooden bits to make shelving for the shed. Equally good for firewood, if you'd rather Freegle the leftovers...

jasonwatkins

DUKE wrote: »

Could you chop it up & put it in the communal bins that flats usually have?

I would have probably given that a go in the old flats I used to live in. That was more of a large block so it wouldn't necessarily have been easy to identify who'd done it.

Where I am now is a 2 storey building with only 4 flats in it so anything untoward would probably easily be traceable back to the person who's only lived here since april.

I'm going to see the CAB tomorrow to see if they can help though, and i'll also have a word with my housing officer.

I just wish I had £30 quid to spare as i'd pay the council to get shot of it sooner rather than later.

lorweld

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sunshinetours

Any of your neighbours might be able to help for a "drink"?? Might end up making new friends from it