Forced out of our home with nowhere to go
- Thread starter Mujja
- Start date
As above it's not an issue with poor maintenance. It's a lovely building and the council do a great job keeping the communal areas clean and carrying our repairs when needed.
The property management company have been supportive but the housing office are treating us the same way they would any other homeless family.
Not to be a debbie downer but the council will also be looking to recoup the costs of any work from the leaseholders so expect your service charge to increase next year. A lot of ex-council properties don't operate sinking funds so the service charge is really low, but whenever anything actually has to be done it costs a **** load.
e.g http://www.theguardian.com/money/2005/may/14/housingpolicy.society
e.g http://www.theguardian.com/money/2005/may/14/housingpolicy.society
That's probably because it is the property management company's responsibility. If you are evicted because of structural repairs, the council housing office should be telling you to get on to the management company to provide alternative accommodation. If they won't, the council will have to put you up wherever they can. You don't have a choice on where they give you. In their eyes, you are homeless so you get treated as such.
This - let's put it this way, if social services came to your house and it looked like the property you've been given, do you think they'd be particularly impressed?
Grab a couple of sleeping bags and go camping out in the council offices
Make sure you keep receipts for everything "extra" you've had to spend and claim it back from the Management Co.
Soldato
- Joined
- 11 May 2007
- Posts
- 9,218
- Location
- Surrey
As mentioned, I'd be raising merry hell with the council. They should provide you with like for like accommodation.
Speak to Citizens Advice Bureau, local MP if you can and failing all that the papers.
The way you are being treated is not acceptable.
Speak to Citizens Advice Bureau, local MP if you can and failing all that the papers.
The way you are being treated is not acceptable.
Soldato
- Joined
- 27 Apr 2013
- Posts
- 4,095
I don't know why you're blaming the housing office. They found you accommodation. What did you expect them to provide?
And yes, granted you may be on a tight budget. But THIS is the sort of "rainy day" scenario where you break budgets. Stick things on your credit card or take a small loan to tide you over.
Nothing, a lease is not really ownership.
And yes, granted you may be on a tight budget. But THIS is the sort of "rainy day" scenario where you break budgets. Stick things on your credit card or take a small loan to tide you over.
SciNeT said:
Nothing, a lease is not really ownership.
Your in a corner right now on this one, definitely CAB and hit the council office over and over.
But this weekend I would be buying camp beds and hitting that place with the bleach with friends and family. Your right, you shouldn't have to do it but you could sort it in a day so it is liveable imho.
But this weekend I would be buying camp beds and hitting that place with the bleach with friends and family. Your right, you shouldn't have to do it but you could sort it in a day so it is liveable imho.
Deleted member 66701
Deleted member 66701
So you should be treated better?
I'm sorry op - the council HAVE found you temporary accommodation. If you're concerned about the mattresses (which seems to be your main bug bear), just go down the pound shop and get some materess covers.
If this isn't good enough, then break out your emergency credit card and book a week or two holiday in a local caravan park (I'm sure there are loads near Portsmouth) - this time of year it'd probably be dirt cheap and it will be an adventure for the kids - turn challenges into exciting opportunities
Last edited by a moderator:
no, if your roof caves in you'd expect the buildings insurance policy to cover the cost of suitable alternative accommodation - that is part of why you pay an annual service charge when living in a flat
As others have said. Take photos of the crappy condition of mattresses etc.
Either get some new ones which you can take back once your place fixed up or get some temp air mattresses and bedding. Maybe get some cleaning products, hoover etc and sort the place out a bit.
Keep all receipts and claim back later. Having photographic evidence of blood and brown stains should go a long way to getting the money back as it's not on.
Either get some new ones which you can take back once your place fixed up or get some temp air mattresses and bedding. Maybe get some cleaning products, hoover etc and sort the place out a bit.
Keep all receipts and claim back later. Having photographic evidence of blood and brown stains should go a long way to getting the money back as it's not on.
They probably should.
If I were a private leaseholder and the management company's solution, to a problem of theirs meaning I can't live in my home, was to refer me to the council's housing office system, then I would be seriously unhappy about it.
I would expect something approaching like for like. I don't think that's at all unreasonable.
Gutter level post. You should be ashamed of that post!
Soldato
- Joined
- 27 Apr 2013
- Posts
- 4,095
That is entirely reasonable, provided the OP got that in writing. If not, then that is an error on his part.
I am sure if he presses the matter they'll do something for him, because the last thing they will want is him looking at legal options. Better the keep him quiet now with some hotel expenses.
Wow we have some right tools in here. OP, really feeling for your situation. I echo the guys who say get to citizens advice. The council is responsible for the structure, which is unsafe, they should therefore be bending over backwards to help you!
It's a hundred year lease, we've been in for 15.