We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

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

1356

Comments

  • Look up on google how to get rid of grease based stains, washing up liquid, flash type cleaning fluids, vinegar can all be useful. I have used biological washing liquid (diluted into a bucket of water) in a bucket of water, apply, leave it for a while, then remove (enzymes remove dirt in carpet just as much as with clothes). I remove as much of the water as I can (as removing the water helps remove dirt/stain) by using towels on carpet even after done shampooing.

    If any suggestions on here are useful, write them in a note pad, will help you to plan what you need to do.
  • dekaspace
    dekaspace Posts: 5,705 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    Well I have a proper carpet shampoo machine, was worth about £250 new but I got it for £30 refurb in a sale, has 2 compartments so I assume will be far better than me spreading the stain,

    If theres a good and not too expensive liquid to get rid of the stain I would be interested.

    Just off to bed so will check again after I get up.
  • dekaspace wrote: »

    If theres a good and not too expensive liquid to get rid of the stain I would be interested.
    http://www.dri-pak.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Soda-Crystals-Leaflet.pdf
  • dekaspace
    dekaspace Posts: 5,705 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    I forgot about those, but wouldn't that mean I was blotting the stain rather than getting rid of it.
  • teddysmum
    teddysmum Posts: 9,522 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Rugdoctor cleaning fluid is excellent. We hired a machine but used the shop's provided generic fluid. However, we then bought a machine and use the Rugdoctor brand, finding it much better.


    It removed grease marks from a carpet that an old dog used to dribble on.
  • elsien
    elsien Posts: 36,393 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    If you're using the carpet cleaner, make sure you get a shampoo that's designed for them with the defoamer. You'll have the place looking like an Ibiza foam party otherwise.
    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
  • esmy
    esmy Posts: 1,341 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Astonish make a cleaning fluid for carpet cleaners - usually cheap from Home Bargains, B&M or similar. Try the biological washing powder tip on the stained areas first.

    http://www.astonishcleaners.co.uk/product/vac-maxx-carpet-shampoo/
  • missbiggles1
    missbiggles1 Posts: 17,481 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I'm sure you've written that you didn't give a deposit for your current flat and you obviously won't need a reference if you're moving into social housing so I really don't understand why you're bothering so much.
  • Lily-Rose_3
    Lily-Rose_3 Posts: 2,732 Forumite
    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
    You do like making problems for yourself
    I'm sure you've written that you didn't give a deposit for your current flat and you obviously won't need a reference if you're moving into social housing so I really don't understand why you're bothering so much.

    Agree with all these, (and some of the others.) I do think you are in danger of over-thinking all this dekaspace. And FGS don't give up the chance for social housing because you *may* need to pay a month or 6 weeks rent yourself, and because you have to get curtains and furniture and so on. You will make the money back in no time at all, and having a long term, secure tenancy is utterly invaluable.

    When we got our wee housing association bungalow around 4 years ago, we had to pay for carpets throughout, decorating, new cooker, curtains, blinds etc, and had to paint it throughout. Cost us 2 and a half grand in all with the removal van too.

    But as the rent was £350 a month LESS than the private let property we had been living in, we made the money back in about 8 months, and had a tenancy for life, with £300 a month rent! And all repairs and maintenance included.

    Good luck. Have to say a ground floor flat near a community centre, chip shop, takeaway, and bus stop isn't somewhere I would choose to live - are you sure this is OK for you? Did you pick it yourself? Or were you offered it?
    Proud to have lost over 3 stone (45 pounds,) in the past year! :j Now a size 14!


    You're not singing anymore........ You're not singing any-more! :D
  • teddysmum
    teddysmum Posts: 9,522 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    elsien wrote: »
    If you're using the carpet cleaner, make sure you get a shampoo that's designed for them with the defoamer. You'll have the place looking like an Ibiza foam party otherwise.
    ...and damage the cleaner as the foam gets into the motor.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 351.8K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454K Spending & Discounts
  • 244.8K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 600.2K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.3K Life & Family
  • 258.5K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.