Council House

Pinkxxxx

Hya, 
Just looking for some advice. 
Currently we private rent a beautiful 4 bed house we have been here for 4 years and love the place.
However due to covid my husband has been made redundant and we are living off his redundancy.  I have recently been made disabled due to a accident and can no longer work.

We have been offered a council house but our entitlement is only a 3 bed it's in a lovely area not on a estate but its tiny compared to our house we are in.  The decor is awful bright purple artex and a bathroom downstairs.

My daughter is 21 and hates the thought of moving into it and is in tears all of the time.  It breaks my heart seeing her unhappy.  I also have 2 other boys.

What are everyone's thoughts will we be making a big mistake giving up our home to move into the council house.

KatrinaWaves

Your daughter is 21 so will potentially be looking for a place of her own. You, I imagine, are looking for somewhere to live your days out, or at least a good chunk. 

Does your disability mean you need a downstairs bathroom? Is your income such that you are going to struggle with the rent on your 4 bed home?

a council tenancy is usually secure after the initial period. Your current landlord could throw you out at ‘any time’ (tenancy dates taken into account)

AdrianC

First step... https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/benefits-tax-credits and make sure you're getting (or applying for) everything you're entitled to.

It's all a balancing act.
Pro: Security of tenure, potentially cheaper.
Con: Trade-off in space, need to redecorate.

You need three bedrooms - you + husband in one, adult daughter in one, adult/near-adult sons can share one because they're the same sex. You have got used to four, and the two lads may find it hard to share. But - at 21 - isn't your adult daughter about ready to leave home anyway...? Having said that, her leaving would reduce your entitlement to two bedrooms, because the lads can still share...
https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/check_if_your_home_is_overcrowded_by_law

macman

Not really clear what your question is? Presumably the council house is cheaper. Can you afford to continue paying the rent privately? If not, you don't really have much choice, with no income at present, unless your children are working. Bear in mind that an LA tenancy gives you security for life, which you don't have at present.
A couple of coats of paint will take care of the purple artex...you wouldn't seriously turn down an otherwise nice property just because of the decor?
At 21, your daughter is old enough to make her own decisions surely? If she doesn't like the new property, she can move out and rent.

eidand

macman said:

Not really clear what your question is? Presumably the council house is cheaper. Can you afford to continue paying the rent privately? If not, you don't really have much choice, with no income at present, unless your children are working. Bear in mind that an LA tenancy gives you security for life, which you don't have at present.
A couple of coats of paint will take care of the purple artex...you wouldn't seriously turn down an otherwise nice property just because of the decor?
At 21, your daughter is old enough to make her own decisions surely? If she doesn't like the new property, she can move out and rent.

or she can get a job and help pay the rent in the current property.

NameUnavailable

Surprised you have been offered a house so quickly - be very very grateful!