Is the Council lying or just being unhelpful?

coconutcurls

I know this isn't be about benefits but it wouldn't fir anywhere else in the forum.

I am a council tenant trying to exchange my council property.

I asked the council for the floor plan of my flat so I can post it on the FB groups rather than posting photos - and there is a reason for that - with the floor plan people can get a better idea of the space and also I am not house proud, my furniture is all old, second hand and mismatched, etc - (if you are part of the exchange groups you will know about the unconscious bias of looking at beautiful showroom like homes and being taken even though your own furniture looks nothing like it and if you exchanged your home would look completely different), so my home doesn't look as good as it could. On top of that I don't feel comfortable posting pictures of the inside unless I meet a serious prospective exchanging partner.

Anyway, I asked the council for the floor plan and they replied asking why I want it. I explained the above and they replied saying:

Unfortunately, the Council do not provide floor plans. This is the case for both Council tenants and Leaseholders.

To which I replied back saying:
When I was housed by the Council at xxxxxxx, a floor plan was include in the tenancy pack and I used that floor plan to exchange to the flat I am in now. So I know for a fact that the Council can provide floor plans because I was in the past provided with one. Also I have noted that agents who facilitated the selling of some at flats at xxx (my current block) included the floor pan in the advertisements. I would appreciate if you could direct me to where those agents  / leaseholders got hold of the floor plan they used. I would really appreciate the Council's help in this matter.

I am now waiting for their next reply.

So since I know for a fact there are floor plans out there somewhere, my questions are:

• Can the Council provide floor plans and are they obliged to if asked?
• Can I request a floor plan under FOIA?
• If not from the Council, would I be able to get the floor plan from somewhere else?

Murphybear

Have you thought about having a go yourself?  There is a lot of information online about making your own floor plan and lots of software.  A lot of the software is aimed at commercial customers but  I think you should be able to find something basic that is free.  

coconutcurls

@Murphybear Thanks, I will have a look depending on their next reply, but it seems like a lot of trouble if the council could just email me on that is already there? 

Also I'm interested to know why they are denying it - it is a reasonable request, IMO - I live here, pay rent, council tax, why can't I not have a floor plan regardless of my intentions... and if they are possibly lying too - or the person who replied to me is mis-informed.

I've done a quick google search and other people were given the floor plan after asking under FOIA, so I might have to go that route.

diystarter7

Hi OP

Draw it yourself, its easy

However, I doubt the coucil is "lying" but you may have encountered a member of staff that is not aware of the policy re your request. However they could be correct and dont offer FP's in your circumstances.

Call again and tell them you will pay them the charges if any. (At times staff have been given the wrong info or just too lazy to check)

Failing that, draw it yourself but ensure its accurate

Thanks

coconutcurls

diystarter7 said:

Hi OP

Draw it yourself, its easy

However, I doubt the coucil is "lying" but you may have encountered a member of staff that is not aware of the policy re your request. However they could be correct and dont offer FP's in your circumstances.

Call again and tell them you will pay them the charges if any. (At times staff have been given the wrong info or just too lazy to check)

Failing that, draw it yourself but ensure its accurate

Thanks

How can I draw a floor plan with exact measurements, etc?

coconutcurls

Also it is curious to me as to why they would enquire why I am requesting a floor plan and they reply back saying they can't provide it? 

peteuk

Two thoughts - firstly they may not have the FP for your property, equally as its a different council they may not have FP at all. 

IF they say they haven’t got them or wont give them to you, why waste energy and effort.  Some smart phones will have a measuring app you can use to measure the rooms and draw a floor plan yourself.  Doesnt need to be to scale as long as its accurate and gives dimensions. 

coconutcurls

Thanks @peteuk - it is the same council, different estate

I was just under the impression every premise everywhere had a floor plan. At the end of the day, somebody designed and constructed from a floor plan? They said they do not provide rather than they do not have it. 

I would rather a professional one rather than one done by my hands - just to increase my exchange chances. 

Alderbank

I agree with you about the great value of a floorplan but I can't agree with you that having no photographs will increase your exchange chances.
Plans only show so much. They don't show the size and shape of the windows (some don't even show windows). Windows can make a room light and airy or like a prison cell. Plans don't show the decor. Do you have huge union jacks or political statements sprayed on your bedroom walls? Do you perhaps have fashionable period features like high ceilings, fireplace or plaster coving?

You say you are not houseproud. Is that a euphemism for cluttered? If so this is the ideal time for a good clear out. People always say that moving house is when you find out how much stuff you have that you never use and don't need. Do it now.

If the Council has a floorplan at all it is probably from when the house was built and is massively out of date. It might show two rooms which have now been turned into one. It could have obsolete features like coal bunker and wash house. Later improvements like porches or even bathrooms might be missing.
Drawing your own plan is fine. Be as accurate as you reasonably can (show the way that doors open, etc.). Include measurements but include a clear disclaimer that they are only for guidance and not to be relied upon. Incredibly some people have floor covering cut and decide furniture will exactly fit in alcoves just based on the floorplan.

comeandgo

How old is the property? Would the planning application still be on line in the council web pages?

coconutcurls

@comeandgo - I don’t know how old the property is and where to find any details of it on Council webpages - will try.