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Been offered a council flat, what do I do now?
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missbiggles1 wrote: »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.
Because I paid 2 months rent in advance and housing benefit is paid in arrears, and its almost impossible to get it changed back to myself meaning the LL will have 2-3 months of my money when I move to refund me.
Though part of the social housing terms mentions things like you must have no rent arrears.0 -
Again, discuss this with housing, there may be a solution. No harm in asking.0
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Because I paid 2 months rent in advance and housing benefit is paid in arrears, and its almost impossible to get it changed back to myself meaning the LL will have 2-3 months of my money when I move to refund me.
Though part of the social housing terms mentions things like you must have no rent arrears.
But that's advance rent, not a damages deposit - if he wants to be awkward/illegal he can hang on to that whether you leave the place pristine or not. You'd have been better to have paid a deposit because that would've been protected and there are rules governing its return.0 -
When I was offered a council flat (from a hostel with 3 children) I bought expanding shower rails and shower curtains to cover the windows when I first moved in. For cooking I used a microwave until I could afford a cooker.The best portion of your life will be the small, nameless moments you spend smiling with someone who matters to you.0
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If you refuse the flat your priority is placed at FA1 or their equivalent.
"Offered suitable accommodation refused adequately housed / intentionally homeless .
The myth that you get 3 choices is just that, it is one bite of the cherry these days.I do Contracts, all day every day.0 -
OP, you really need to go and see your GP.0
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I am in scotland and living in social housing.
1. when you arrange with the Local authority to view the property tell them about your housing benefit.
2. when you sign the missive they will transfer your housing benefit to your new property.
3. i am not sure what area of scotland you are in but i know that there are no carpets or cooker supplied by my housing authority.
If you wish to pm me I will try to help you as much as I can with getting things either for free or very cheap.
Also do you have a facebook account?0 -
I'm really glad to hear you've got an offer, dekaspace.
I agree with Marktheshark. Don't refuse this offer (unless it's ridiculously unsuitable like what deannatrois was offered). After all it must be better than where you're living now with all the issues you're having. And if it isn't, you can apply for a transfer.
You should be able to apply for dual housing benefit. I did when I was moving last year. Each council is different but in my area, they cover 4 weeks. It might not cover all of it especially if you need to give more notice than that, but it's a huge help and well worth applying for.
My previous landlord never returned my deposit or the month's rent in advance that I paid him at the start, but all I cared about was getting out. I guess if yours does the same, you could use the deposit protection scheme, and the small claims court for the advance rent if you have proof.
Things like curtains/cooker etc can be bought gradually. I tend to overthink things like that too. Some sheets will do for privacy until you get sorted out. Microwaves can be bought quite cheaply, or at a pinch, just a kettle to get something warm each day. The worst thing for me was the lack of a sofa! If you don't have one, I'd advise buying a beanbag. Honestly. It was so uncomfortable sitting on the floor for ages, until I got one a relative was throwing out. The man&van cost £30 but it's worth considering if you see free stuff advertised anywhere. They also do removals at a very reasonable price.
When I moved, the council did a couple of follow up visits. These were unannounced and obviously designed to detect illegal tenancies/subletting/fraud or whatever, but they were actually very useful too, as they checked if I needed furniture or any other help, and had a big list of local charities and groups. Some of which I'd never even heard of. Maybe your council does something similar?0 -
I managed to put lino down in the kitchen and carpet the bedrooms/stairs by buying 1.5m x 4m remnants off ebay for the stairs/hallways, and large rugs (2x3M I think) for £50 each for the bedrooms, £60 for the lino.
To be honest, its the best quality carpet I have ever had. I laid it myself with a carpet kicker tool and glued carpet grippers down that I bought from Wilkinsons - concrete floors (cheapest price). I did it slowly and carefully and its still down perfectly (no fraying, no stretching) 11 months later.
Two flights of stairs, 3 rooms 3x5m, two long 1x4m hallways and it cost me £260 to get all the floor coverings. Plus £15 for the kicker, £7 for a pack of 10 carpet grippers for the hallways and a couple of packs of carpet tacks.
But you can do without carpet for quite a while. I had to get it because my older son has a small disability and falls.0 -
Been offered a council flat, what do I do now?
lol haha“Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”
― George Bernard Shaw0
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