New council home, affording decorating etc

das1s

I've just taken on a lease with a local housing association for a one bedroom flat, as I was privately renting a studio and couldn't have an overnight carer stay when I needed one. What's shocked me is how much of an empty shell is given to you. I've been given a paint voucher which I can cash in, but can't decorate the place myself. My real concern is the housing association want the property carpeted, which I have no idea how I am going to afford. Then there's the white goods, and furnishing the place. This has all been very sudden and I'm concerned I can't afford all this without maxing out my credit cards. I've not been offered any support so far by my local mental health team or social services, despite several phone calls.
*Sorry if this is in the wrong thread*

Silver-Surfer_2

Does your lease say it has to be carpeted?

I was told some years ago the reason why HA and council properties have a vinyl floor coverings is so the occupant wouldn't be without a finished floor.

tlj7

You may be able to get help from charities to help fund some of the household items if you have a work history. Try turn2us website and good luck

missbiggles1

You don't actually have to decorate, certainly not straightaway. Furniture and white goods can be bought cheaply second hand.

rustyboy21

As Ms Biggles has said, you can get away with not decorating initially, as it should have been painted with normal 'Council ' bog std paint anyway. Have a look at large sectional rugs instead of carpet, may be cheaper. Rooms won't be massive anyway, so you may get one that nearly fits your room. You can get cheap contract carpet as a starter. I got vinyl put down in my mums house in Kitchen and 2 bathrooms, 4mx3m, 2mx2m and 1.5mx3m and it cost me £200 fitted. Go to independent carpet warehouses, not the major players, it will be cheaper.

Have you looked into grants for white goods etc. MSE site suggests having a look at the following.

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Find-Benefits-Grants

I have a friend who owns a Local Euronics centre in the town I live. There is a system set up, can't remember what it is called and she is on holiday at mo, so not asking her, which is a sort of fighting fund to help people on low income/disabled etc to get help with white/brown goods. She told me it is used a hell of a lot, you get a certain amount of money to use on your choice of items allowed.

Worth going into a local Euronics and asking about it.

Also have a word with your local CAB. Just googling Help with buying white goods, low income, brought up there site and there are a number of social funds whch may help.

At the end of the day, it doesn't have to be brand new and blingy. You need something that works. Prices for second hand white goods are at silly prices and people get rid of them like, they are a read newspaper. You can get decent stuff on gumtree, fee cycle sites etc.

Get moved in, use what you can get and save for your own bit of 'Bling'

HappyMJ

das1s wrote: »

I've just taken on a lease with a local housing association for a one bedroom flat, as I was privately renting a studio and couldn't have an overnight carer stay when I needed one. What's shocked me is how much of an empty shell is given to you. I've been given a paint voucher which I can cash in, but can't decorate the place myself. My real concern is the housing association want the property carpeted, which I have no idea how I am going to afford. Then there's the white goods, and furnishing the place. This has all been very sudden and I'm concerned I can't afford all this without maxing out my credit cards. I've not been offered any support so far by my local mental health team or social services, despite several phone calls.
*Sorry if this is in the wrong thread*

At the very least it's a secure tenancy.

As long as you pay the rent every month and don't commit any criminal offences in the property you can stay there as long as you like.

You can put rugs down instead of carpet.

You can get grants and help from charities to put something very basic down and once you've saved some cash you can furnish it better over time.

das1s

Thanks for your ideas guys. The council haven't painted it at all, they've just given me a refresh paint pack, which is basically a voucher I can cash in for some tins of paint, rollers etc. Every room is a different colour, and none of the place was being well maintained by the last tenant. I will definitely look into Euronics and talk to CAB. There is a local BHF and Emmaus where I'm hoping to get most of the furniture I need.

sew_what

Don't forget Freecycle/Freegle for whitegoods & furniture!
It sounds like you need to invite family/friends around for a painting party to get the place decorated! We did it for one of our NCT group - we stacked the babies in their carseats on the middle of the room and got cracking - it really didn't take too long to freshen up a very tired looking property!

wolfehouse

If you are on benefits you might be eligible for a grant. In Scotland it is the Scottish welfare fund you apply to. Don't know about England but the grant is local authority funded now and used to be the old national community care grant.

My council will only give actual carpets and white goods etc and it can take up to 6 weeks to get the items.
Citizens advice or similar should know what's in your area

Also for carpets we have a charity (spruce carpets) that has cheap recycled and professionally commercially cleaned ones for cheap.
And lots of charity shops with used furniture.

As for actual painting sometimes you can get in the list for help from people on community payback. Sacro or nacro might know. Although unless you have a disability or are elderly maybe not...

I sympathise because you are right. Some flats are left to you in a right mess and you are left to sort it. But in the long run it is a secure tenancy you're getting.

Kynthia

Look for local free/giving or selling Facebook pages as people often give away paint, rugs, household items, etc or at least sell secondhand very cheap. A community Facebook page might be able to tell you about local services to assist you also.

esmy

I recommend this organisation all the time
http://www.communityrepaint.org.uk/

Worth seeing if there is one local to you - my local one provides a decorating service