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

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Comments

  • dekaspace
    dekaspace Posts: 5,705 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    Hope its ok to update, don't want to make people with urgent issues get ignored.

    Spoke to social worker today who says they know a man with van who also does house moves and charged £20 per 30 minutes, I still think I will do my original plan and send boxes off first (and maybe a few other things if have enough time, and I will help him load) That way when furniture needs moved it will be easier for everyone as I live upstairs right now I can't put boxes on the landing as people need access then when I do the proper move they can just move furniture without having boxes everywhere.

    Might cost £20 or even £40 more but its a lifesaver, if when he comes he says it will take like 35/40 minutes to move the boxes I will get him to move a few other things at same time.

    Of course almost all the time will be loading and unloading as its a 3 minute drive to the new property.

    I also spoke to social worker about cooker and all that and she just said there is community care grants but they are almost impossible to get, not that I want money I would be happy with a cheap but good quality cooker, and cheapest blinds they can get.
  • marksoton
    marksoton Posts: 17,516 Forumite
    dekaspace wrote: »

    I also spoke to social worker about cooker and all that and she just said there is community care grants but they are almost impossible to get, not that I want money I would be happy with a cheap but good quality cooker, and cheapest blinds they can get.

    Not going to happen. Risk adversity means they will not purchase. They'd be responsible.

    Come on, you need to make a bit of effort.
  • dekaspace
    dekaspace Posts: 5,705 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    marksoton wrote: »
    Not going to happen. Risk adversity means they will not purchase. They'd be responsible.

    Come on, you need to make a bit of effort.

    What do you mean? Im happy with any cooker as long as its safe and would be greatful for a cheap one,

    If I have to purchase out of my own pocket then so bet it, but means I won't have much money left over.

    Do you mean they wouldn't give money to purchase or they wouldnt provide one, if so what I was told was they buy things you need so the person actually gets the items rather than waste the money on other things.

    Are you just making certain assumptions?
  • elsien
    elsien Posts: 36,393 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Community care grants are discretionary, have strict criteria, and depend on whether or not there's any money left in this year's budget.

    https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/scottish-welfare-fund-s/scottish-welfare-fund-community-care-grants-s/

    You can apply, but there's possibly a lot more people in the queue ahead of you who meet the criteria more clearly
    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.
  • dekaspace
    dekaspace Posts: 5,705 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    elsien wrote: »
    Community care grants are discretionary, have strict criteria, and depend on whether or not there's any money left in this year's budget.

    https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/scottish-welfare-fund-s/scottish-welfare-fund-community-care-grants-s/

    You can apply, but there's possibly a lot more people in the queue ahead of you who meet the criteria more clearly

    Yep expected that, its ok I do have some money but would mean emptying bank account to buy things like a cooker and carpet and moving costs.

    I would be happy if the council had a local scheme where I could buy one cheap
  • elsien
    elsien Posts: 36,393 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 15 November 2016 at 12:23AM
    Are there any other organisations that do refurbed furniture round your way? Carpet, you might get cheap if you look at off cuts/end of rolls.
    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.
  • I've already posted about ebay? Got a fridge freezer for £46.., works perfectly. Took a lot of searching and waiting for something reasonable to finish at a cheap price but was only way I could buy one. Same for a cooker. Just ask to see it working before you hand over money (and buy electric). Posted about carpet too.

    But you can do without carpet, a cooker & fridge freezer are probably top priority with a limited budget.

    I know I have some cheap second hand shops in the area if I needed them as well.
  • dekaspace
    dekaspace Posts: 5,705 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    I've already posted about ebay? Got a fridge freezer for £46.., works perfectly. Took a lot of searching and waiting for something reasonable to finish at a cheap price but was only way I could buy one. Same for a cooker. Just ask to see it working before you hand over money (and buy electric). Posted about carpet too.

    But you can do without carpet, a cooker & fridge freezer are probably top priority with a limited budget.

    I know I have some cheap second hand shops in the area if I needed them as well.

    I already own a fridge freezer and a chest freezer, its literally just a cooker I need, I own microwave and a mini grill too.

    My plan if I don't see one cheap in local charity furniture shops is to buy either a small 2 ring camping hob, or one of those mini tabletop oven and hobs.

    But I don't want to put down the cash until I know for certain I can't get one from elsewhere.
  • dekaspace
    dekaspace Posts: 5,705 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    Apologies for bumping again, from speaking to council today they are just doing some repairs to it and keys will be available by the end of this month.

    But I worry what with Christmas and New Year coming up I won't have long to arrange move and everywhere will be busy.

    So of course I guess pack what I can now apart from the big things so I can get those out first, then spend a few days or a week or so just organising furniture and moving that?
  • ripplyuk
    ripplyuk Posts: 2,949 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    If the keys are available at the end of this month, you'll probably have moved before the Christmas rush. Anyway, I believe it's a quiet time for removal companies if that's what you're thinking.

    Are you definitely getting this place? Have you received a written offer from the council?

    If you're sure it's happening, then, like you say, it's best to start packing now. Get boxes, write out lists etc.
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