Council Housing Help Needed - Overcrowding/Upgrading

catshark88

If you pop over to the Old Style boards, there is lots of advice on how to prevent/ deal with condensation, which will reduce your damp problem.

killjoybandit

RedRum2014, it does definitely depend on the area you're in but age 10 is the general time when male/female sharing is deemed to become unacceptable so if I were you, get registered for housing if you're not already as the longer you're on the list the better. However, as mentioned, the new baby won't count as needing space at first, usually until a year old but some places will be longer. Unfortunately (or rightly so, depending on the outlook) working is the quickest way to get rehoused in some areas now despite saying otherwise, as workers are given priority. But I feel for you, boys and girls in tiny rooms is difficult at that age not to mention a new baby as well. I hope you find a solution. Mutual exchange is honestly worth a look though, you have an advantage with the ground floor and people not being able to afford the bedroom tax.

MisterB1959

if you owned your own home would you be looking to move into a bigger one, and all that entails? don't think that just because someone owns their own home thy don't have the same issues and sometimes even more !
as for the new arrival being an accident, accidents tend to be someones fault. though I do have some sympathy for you with you choosing to keep the baby.




I think the advice about getting jobs is the correct way to go, from my limited experience some long term unemployed use that as a way to keep being unemployed and accessing loans which they will never pay back. the cost of the course fees also falls on everyone else of they don't get paid back either !


the damp issue sounds like condensation to me, you need to make sure youre not drying clothes over radiators, that a tumble dryer, if used, is properly vented. do windows have trickle vents on them, if so use them.


when the new baby arrives you may then be entitled to a three bedroom housing benefit rate, nut that doesn't automatically get you a three bedroomed house.
perhaps you should consider moving to a totally different area, you have no jobs to tie you down and there may be a greater housing choice. do it now before the children move to secondary school and start making life long friends and taking exams - you need to think of them and their future, not just your own

Alexa71

To the OP, perhaps your dehumidifiers are too small for the job? I am relatively knowledgeable about dehumidifiers and if your flat is the size of two box room then something like the EcoAir Eco DD122FW or EcoAir DD122MK5 should do the job fairly easily even if there is a high degree of dampness. Initially you must run the dehumidifier at full whack so that the moisture levels come down asap then when relative humidity is at around 55% you can set the dehumidifier to their normal operating position.

eamon

You need to really badger your landlord to do the repairs. It may well be that your lifestyle is the main cause of the damp and condensation. Your landlord will advise on this. There are many blocks of flats that are dated and should be demolished but that won't help you. Temporary repairs are just that temporary. Be prepared to make a nusiance of yourself. Equally be prepared to be disappointed many areas have little Council housing left and your wait could be a long time. You may be better off approaching a Housing Association if your area is well served. Though you may be hampered by CBL (there isn't any choice just yes or no if you make it to the top of the list for any properties). I would have thought though that your disability/needs would score some higher points.