Been offered a council flat, what do I do now?

dekaspace

Sorry if this is creating a new thread but got a phone call earlier today mentioning they are offering me a property. did I want it then they say its not just ready yet so will arrange a viewing which should be in next few weeks.

Meanwhile I am not sure what to do, for one my TA says 2 months notice but on phone landlord said 30 days (and last year when I was looking around for a new property I asked for a reference and they said to me thats fine but its 30 days notice if I find somewhere)

I am worried if it is 30 days if I do it now I may not get property in time or have a few days to get things sorted, or if I leave it thinking its 30 days they might turn around and say 2 months.

and some non moving questions, assuming it has no carpet or blinds/curtains where can I get them cheap? I have curtain rails and 1 set of blinds at this property (and 2 dirty old ones that were here when I moved in) but linds I assume to be difficult to move.

Also I am unclear on the wording, as there was a letter waiting when I got home saying the tenancy is a "provisional offer of housing"

Does that mean they haven't offered it to anyone else?

[Deleted User]

Are u in a fixed term tenancy or periodic? If periodic the notice is one month.., but one month from the start of the tenancy period. If you moved in on the 15th of the month you have to give notice in writing a couple of days before the 15th (allowing for postage) and move out on 14th of the next month. If you give notice on 16th of month 1, you will actually need to give almost two month's notice i.e. move out on 14th of month 3. I'm afraid there is not much you can do about that. Hopefully eventually you will gain ground as social housing rent is cheaper and unlike private rent charges, not needing to be topped up.

Phone Shelter or speak to your local housing department or CAB for clarification if this doesn't make sense. Take your tenancy agreement with you. Also ask for clarification of the letter.

Also ask the council what the time scale is for whatever they need to do (but don't expect this to be accurate).

If you are on benefits, your local council may have a scheme to give money towards furniture etc (replaced the social fund, but its not well funded). But it will be minimal, and less than you expect. Again, ask housing.

Otherwise ask on Freecycle or freegle (particularly for curtains etc), see if there are charities in your area who will help. But you can manage without if needs be, buy fabric and pin or sew it. If on benefits you may be able to get a budgeting loan but I found repayment terms to be pretty hefty(wanted £26 a week for a £500 loan which meant I couldn't afford it).

Look at second hand shops and ebay (if you can collect). The Heart Foundation has a chain of shops who deliver for £10 but I find their prices a bit high for second hand goods. They usually have some 'not so nice' goods in the back that they will let you have cheaply.

I hope this gives you somewhere to start.

dekaspace

Im Scotland so generally its 2 months.

I have all the furniture I need as the current property was unfurnished, its just going to potentially be blinds/cutrain rails I need.

All the council told me is its not quite ready yet and they will make an appointment with me to view it.

And of course removal costs even if its half a mile up road will be a few hundred!

Also not sure yet if thet properties come with cooker or I need own, if so I would need to get one of those mini oven/hobs

[Deleted User]

Man and a van, won't be a few hundred but if on benefits might be possible to get a discretionary housing payment to help with removal costs (but not sure if this exists in Scotland).

Council properties don't generally come with cookers. Perhaps you could get one on ebay (they can be cheap) and get the man with a van to collect it (if you can get one on ebay locally). Can find a 'not so good one' as cheaply as a mini oven with luck. I bought a nice fridge freezer for £46 lol. Doesn't defrost but it does keep food chilled and frozen.

Curtains you can do without, like I said or buy fabric, use sheets etc temporarily.

scottishblondie

Your tenancy agreement with your current LL should state what the notice period is for terminating the tenancy. If it does not state anything about the notice period, the default in Scotland is 40 days. Remember that you should give notice in writing, and not just over the phone.

You may also be able to come to a mutual agreement with your LL about when you can leave, but I would recommend that you get in in writing so that there is no confusion.

bigbulldog

Would It not be wise to view the flat before giving notice to your existing landlord just in case it was not suitable.?

[Deleted User]

Unfortunately, because its Scotland based, I don't know what is the same as the UK and what is different. It might be worth asking housing specifically if HB can be paid for some or all of any cross over period (if you receive this).

SailorSam

I agree about the curtains/blinds. When you first move in, cover the windows with some 'whitening' the way you might if you were decorating. If you've got a few weeks to sort things, once you know the flat is yours, start asking on Freecycle for as much as you can get.

Pixie5740

Don't give notice to end your current tenancy until all the t's have been crossed and i's dotted for this new council place. Yes this might mean some overlap in rent but you can get HB for both properties for up to 4 weeks.

http://scotland.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/advice_topics/paying_for_a_home/housing_benefit/housing_benefit_for_two_homes

dekaspace

Yes that was why I was thinking best to wait especially if its 30 days notice, but if its 2 months notice means I have to pay up to a month myself.

The only things I would need assuming they don't come with it is a cooker, carpet, and at least 1 set of blinds for living room, kitchen, and bathroom.

I have everything here now like a fridge freezer, chest freezer, washing machine that I can take with me.

This time last year I was thinking about moving so got a few quotes on anyvan and they were all hovering over the £300 mark.

TheGardener

Don't give up the chance of a council flat. You may have a bit of overlap but as other have said, you can claim HB for up to 4 weeks. Councils do usually give themselves plenty of time but don't always make you wait that long. Don't stress - you are very fortunate and should be looking forward to a new place on an affordable rent

Curtains - cheap as chips on ebay, I've picked up fantastic lined curtains on ebay for <£5 you just need to measure up right and know what size you need. Use some sheets or blankets from a charity shop for the time being.

Ask round mates and family or look on shop notice boards for a man with a van - you could hire your own for less than <£100