Forced out of our home with nowhere to go

[gandhi]

Whilst I have every sympathy for the OP as this must be very difficult, you should probably try and get some perspective here. Council's do not have vast swathes of empty housing stock held ready for such purposes as homing people "on a like for like basis"

Yes, the council should/could be doing more to help you but I would imagine that a) my point above is correct and b) they simply don't have the budgets to put you up in a nice hotel with all expenses paid whilst it's all sorted out. That amount of money would probably mean they couldn't then house a person with genuine housing needs for a year. Is that fair? Someone else suffers because you've been asked to live in a place that's a bit grubby, in a not so nice area, for a short while?

They have offered you somewhere to stay and that is considerably more than a lot of people would get. My partner works with homeless kids and adults with dependencies, most of whom would dearly love to be offered somewhere to live, in any state.

You could be a little but grateful that you have options. There are tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people in this country who don't.

 

[Slam62]

Look, replace 'council' with building custodian and see what you think, its basically equivalent to a private company, it is their fault through bad management that the OP is homeless, he should be given some decent accommodation, in reality the landlord should foot the bill.

The accommodation offered is clearly not satisfactory.

 

[tom_e]

Whilst I have every sympathy for the OP as this must be very difficult, you should probably try and get some perspective here. Council's do not have vast swathes of empty housing stock held ready for such purposes as homing people "on a like for like basis"

Yes, the council should/could be doing more to help you but I would imagine that a) my point above is correct and b) they simply don't have the budgets to put you up in a nice hotel with all expenses paid whilst it's all sorted out. That amount of money would probably mean they couldn't then house a person with genuine housing needs for a year. Is that fair? Someone else suffers because you've been asked to live in a place that's a bit grubby, in a not so nice area, for a short while?

They have offered you somewhere to stay and that is considerably more than a lot of people would get. My partner works with homeless kids and adults with dependencies, most of whom would dearly love to be offered somewhere to live, in any state.

You could be a little but grateful that you have options. There are tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people in this country who don't.

It shouldn't be the council footing the bill though that's what their insurance is for the same as any other persons building insurance should cover them for costs if they can't live in their home due to damage.

 

[Washout]

Whilst I have every sympathy for the OP as this must be very difficult, you should probably try and get some perspective here. Council's do not have vast swathes of empty housing stock held ready for such purposes as homing people "on a like for like basis"

Yes, the council should/could be doing more to help you but I would imagine that a) my point above is correct and b) they simply don't have the budgets to put you up in a nice hotel with all expenses paid whilst it's all sorted out. That amount of money would probably mean they couldn't then house a person with genuine housing needs for a year. Is that fair? Someone else suffers because you've been asked to live in a place that's a bit grubby, in a not so nice area, for a short while?

They have offered you somewhere to stay and that is considerably more than a lot of people would get. My partner works with homeless kids and adults with dependencies, most of whom would dearly love to be offered somewhere to live, in any state.

You could be a little but grateful that you have options. There are tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people in this country who don't.

It's a little besides the point though.
The council manage his block which he'll pay a service charge on which includes building insurance. Just like any other block with a management company. If something happened in one of those you'd expect to be put up in a suitable home/hotel or whatever and insurance/management company to cover the cost.
The council shouldn't be using their stock at all for this sort of thing. It's a cheap way for them to house them a normal management company wouldn't have the option for.

 

[Orionaut]

It shouldn't be the council footing the bill though that's what their insurance is for the same as any other persons building insurance should cover them for costs if they can't live in their home due to damage.

It is not uncommon for large government organisations to "Self Insure". It makes sense actually.

The downside however is that they are paying directly so will do their best to keep costs to a minimum (Indeed as public sector organisations they might well be legally obliged to)

So yes, If they have an ex crack house available they will try to put OP in it rather than spend extra on more pleasant accommodation.

 

[Surfer]

terrible situation the OP is in through no fault of his own

The council should be held responsible for not keeping the roof in fit and proper condition (unfortunately this is doubtful because they are the ones who investigate this..can hardly investigate themselves ehh)

Unfortunately council leaseholds are a bit of a minefield it looks like.

a quick google..

http://www.leaseholdknowledge.com/why-local-authority-leasehold-owners-have-second-class-rights

which LA is it? (sorry if it has already been mentioned)

 

[jonneymendoza]

Well the empirical evidence of the difference in a childs development from those attending structured Early Years Education (ie: A Nursery) compared to those who don't, would disagree with you.

lol m kids already go to nursery mate. what are you on about?

 

[Andybtsn]

lol kids already go to nursery mate. what are you on about?

If they're not developing you may want to look at other nurseries.

I don't understand...

i heard it costs almost the same amount as someones typical salary?

Surely you know if you send your kids?

 

[jonneymendoza]

If they're not developing you may want to look at other nurseries.

I don't understand...



Surely you know if you send your kids?

point being kids go to nursery as compulsory regardless if parents both work or not.

 

[wordy]

I see this thread has turned into the daily Charge of the OcUK High Horse Brigade.

 

[Chris344]

Sorry to hear about your situation. Can you not get an emergency overdraft/loan and move to more suitable accommodation in the interim? Then try to claim that money back from the insurance company?

 

[Freakbro]

lol kids already go to nursery mate. what are you on about?

I'm on about your post of

the benefits of one of the parents looking after the child far outweighs leaving them in child care IMO

And disagreeing with it, as in sending them to Nursery will nearly always be better for developmental reasons than being at home with 1 parent.

point being kids go to nursery as compulsory regardless if parents both work or not.

There is no compulsory nursery attendance?

 

[Uther]

council budgets are being slashed, maybe they have no other empty properties?

 

[Lokai]

council budgets are being slashed, maybe they have no other empty properties?

Then they should either pay for them to stay in a private property for the duration of work or a hotel.

 

[Uther]

Then they should either pay for them to stay in a private property for the duration of work or a hotel.

Maybe in an ideal world, but this is the UK 2015. Money spent putting someone up means less money to spend elsewhere I bet.

 

[SPG]

Irrespective of all of this.

The council should be paying for all COSTS, it there roof and should be covered under insurance. Quite frankly they are fobbing you off,

Get in contact with a solicitor, take this letter to the council and confirm legal action. Then book yourself into a sensible hotel or reasonable accommodation and send all invoices to the solicitor and council.

This in not your fault in any shape or form.

 

[Ayahuasca]

Can guarantee the guys having a go at OP in this thread would be the first ones to moan if a similar situation arose for them.

The council should not be putting you in a position that is causing financial strain, paying for parking and being expected to buy things just to make the temporary accommodation live-able/safe is a joke.

All the best, hope you get sorted in time for Christmas

 

[wordy]

Can guarantee the guys having a go at OP in this thread would be the first ones to moan if a similar situation arose for them.

The council should not be putting you in a position that is causing financial strain, paying for parking and being expected to buy things just to make the temporary accommodation live-able/safe is a joke.

All the best, hope you get sorted in time for Christmas

This.

Good post

 

[Sankari]

You can't get a freehold with a flat?

You can. They're getting scarcer these days, but they are still around. And yes, it's possible for leaseholders to purchase the freehold as a collective, so you should look for a seller who's already bought his freehold.

Leaseholding is a world of pain. You're better off avoiding it completely, renting for a while, and saving for a proper house. Which is what I did.

 

[Mujja]

which LA is it? (sorry if it has already been mentioned)

Portsmouth City Council.

CAB weren't able to do anything for us or give us any real advice.

Been calling all the local solicitors and seems no one works on Friday.

My employer, the university, is looking into student accommodation.