Where abouts in skem is it? There are bits I'd live in and others I'd avoid like the plague
Digmoor by the shopping parade.
I'm not bothered about the location but a lot of the pensioners in these flats are the ones that moved from Liverpool in the 60s and 70s when the new town was built and many of them are rough ex docker types or have been inside so if you get the wrong side of them you're well and truly ****ed.
The couple below the last one I was in used to dial 999 every time they ran out of paracetamol and if you annoyed the bloke he used to throw bits of furniture at the ceiling but of course they were nice as pie with anyone from the council and had pictures of snowmen and goblins all over their windows to keep up their respectable front. Tricky doesn't even begin to describe them.
I'm not bothered about the location but a lot of the pensioners in these flats are the ones that moved from Liverpool in the 60s and 70s when the new town was built and many of them are rough ex docker types or have been inside so if you get the wrong side of them you're well and truly ****ed.
The couple below the last one I was in used to dial 999 every time they ran out of paracetamol and if you annoyed the bloke he used to throw bits of furniture at the ceiling but of course they were nice as pie with anyone from the council and had pictures of snowmen and goblins all over their windows to keep up their respectable front. Tricky doesn't even begin to describe them.
I'd certainly have a good think about it and if you keep your head down then you're right, is it worth a gamble if they are all alright then great but even if one of them is a t**l then not so much, what is the alternative for you though I suppose
I'd certainly have a good think about it and if you keep your head down then you're right, is it worth a gamble if they are all alright then great but even if one of them is a t**l then not so much, what is the alternative for you though I suppose
I've been up all night flip flopping over this decision. I'm due to be viewing it at 10am.
Now is the best time to take a council home, before this cuts in. No, couples will be entitled to a 1 bed property, and if they receive any housing benefit, will be forced to pay 14% of that if they do have a 2 bed home, thats why all of the 1 bed places are gong to be snapped up, motsly through mutual exchange I imagine.
As best I can make out, once the Universal Credit system is fully in place, non-dependant adults are entitled to a room of their own regardless if they are one part of a couple. It's quite confusing that the government bring in a tax in April, for which the rules change come October once Universal Credit is fully implemented.
I completely agree. My mum is in a similar situation and she's constantly worried that couple above her will move as the woman is very ill and has trouble getting up and down the stairs of the building. It's a nice, quiet building which she loves, but I know it's a constant worry for her.
That's not exclusive to flats, or council ownership.
When we bought a house in a terrace street our original neighbours on one side were a lovely family, then they moved out and in came people who used to row loudly on the street outside at 2.00 in the morning most weeks and have regular visits from the police.
Then they moved out and a quiet single guy moved in who we hardly ever noticed.
Then he got a girlfriend, and she had a dog which never shuts up barking when she visits.
Unless you are on your own grounds or in a cottage by itself in the middle of the countryside you are always at risk of suddenly getting neighbours from hell.
That's not exclusive to flats, or council ownership.
When we bought a house in a terrace street our original neighbours on one side were a lovely family, then they moved out and in came people who used to row loudly on the street outside at 2.00 in the morning most weeks and have regular visits from the police.
Then they moved out and a quiet single guy moved in who we hardly ever noticed.
Then he got a girlfriend, and she had a dog which never shuts up barking when she visits.
Unless you are on your own grounds or in a cottage by itself in the middle of the countryside you are always at risk of suddenly getting neighbours from hell.
Yes - noisy neighbours can be a problem anywhere.
Its even more of an issue for new build flats and conversions - particuarly if you have laminate flooring meets toddlers running around (you will think you have elephants as neighbours!). I would never live below anyone with laminate flooring if I could help it.
What have you got to lose? If you don't like it you can give up the tenency and move out.
Next year council housing rules are going to get tougher, they are talking about giving people 5 year max tenencies and such forth, best to get in now before it gets impossible.
What have you got to lose? If you don't like it you can give up the tenency and move out.
Next year council housing rules are going to get tougher, they are talking about giving people 5 year max tenencies and such forth, best to get in now before it gets impossible.
Yes, I took it and signed the tenancy agreement this morning. The elderly lady next door seems friendly and the communal heating is great.
The rent is £66 a week plus £9.50 for unlimited heating and hot water..
Have been having some problems with depression and am currently being treated for alcohol addiction - I have more or less stopped drinking now. I am very edgy and don't look great (dark rings under eyes due to not sleeping well).
The flat is over 40s only, a block of 4 flats in Skelmersdale. I took a similar flat in March and it was a disaster. The elderly couple underneath had their TV on full blast the whole time so I couldn't hear my TV or hold a conversation in the living room. This led to me starting drinking after we had fallen out (I asked them if they would turn it down and the woman went psycho) then they started keeping me awake all night coughing.
Council houses are become as difficult to find as rocking horse **** though hence why I feel I should give it a go.
Bear in mind that the Council will take a dim view of you rejecting somewhere without an extremely good reason - the fact you've done this already doesn't help at all.
Bear in mind that the Council will take a dim view of you rejecting somewhere without an extremely good reason - the fact you've done this already doesn't help at all.
I had already been put in the lowest band for 12 months when I got offered the flat I have now accepted. i could have rejected 10 flats and I would still have been in the same band.
The area and type of flat I have taken is one which they have trouble letting due to lack of demand.
I had already been put in the lowest band for 12 months when I got offered the flat I have now accepted. i could have rejected 10 flats and I would still have been in the same band.
The area and type of flat I have taken is one which they have trouble letting due to lack of demand.
Made up for you. Was hoping you'd like it when you saw it. Enjoy your new home when you move in. We've been in our council house 10 years and love it. Our neighbours are happy too - no one has any intention of ever moving out, we all like it here so much, so there is more stability than you'd think, when you find the right place.
Have got an elderly lady underneath with Dementia who likes to wander round slamming doors at 3am in the morning. Earplugs are no help.
It looks from the mail for previous tenants like there's been around 4 people in here within the last 18 months. The alarm bells started ringing when the housing officer told me the last guy in here who moved in around May had put in an expensive kitchen and decorated before then moving out within a few months.
This is why I was so wary when I was offered it. Back to the drawing board I guess..
You get used to night noises. Where I live we have police cars going past blasting their two tones all night. To start with it woke me up every time, now I don't notice it.
Update. it appears I have a drugs gang operating out of the flat opposite me and I have been threatened with being shot. He seems to be running a protection racket with the two flats underneath absolutely petrified of him.
Another quality property from West Lancashire Borough Council. :rolleyes:
Comments
Digmoor by the shopping parade.
I'm not bothered about the location but a lot of the pensioners in these flats are the ones that moved from Liverpool in the 60s and 70s when the new town was built and many of them are rough ex docker types or have been inside so if you get the wrong side of them you're well and truly ****ed.
The couple below the last one I was in used to dial 999 every time they ran out of paracetamol and if you annoyed the bloke he used to throw bits of furniture at the ceiling but of course they were nice as pie with anyone from the council and had pictures of snowmen and goblins all over their windows to keep up their respectable front. Tricky doesn't even begin to describe them.
But if you're happy with the area i'd take it. It could be another year before you get an offer again.
I'd certainly have a good think about it and if you keep your head down then you're right, is it worth a gamble if they are all alright then great but even if one of them is a t**l then not so much, what is the alternative for you though I suppose
I've been up all night flip flopping over this decision. I'm due to be viewing it at 10am.
As best I can make out, once the Universal Credit system is fully in place, non-dependant adults are entitled to a room of their own regardless if they are one part of a couple. It's quite confusing that the government bring in a tax in April, for which the rules change come October once Universal Credit is fully implemented.
When we bought a house in a terrace street our original neighbours on one side were a lovely family, then they moved out and in came people who used to row loudly on the street outside at 2.00 in the morning most weeks and have regular visits from the police.
Then they moved out and a quiet single guy moved in who we hardly ever noticed.
Then he got a girlfriend, and she had a dog which never shuts up barking when she visits.
Unless you are on your own grounds or in a cottage by itself in the middle of the countryside you are always at risk of suddenly getting neighbours from hell.
Yes - noisy neighbours can be a problem anywhere.
Its even more of an issue for new build flats and conversions - particuarly if you have laminate flooring meets toddlers running around (you will think you have elephants as neighbours!). I would never live below anyone with laminate flooring if I could help it.
Next year council housing rules are going to get tougher, they are talking about giving people 5 year max tenencies and such forth, best to get in now before it gets impossible.
Most new builds are one beds - its family homes that are in short supply!
I said "they will be like gold dust" not that they are now.
The rent is £66 a week plus £9.50 for unlimited heating and hot water..
this is a very good site its helped us a lot if you are thinking of an Area type in the postcode and it shows if theres trouble there etc.
Nice one mate hope you will be happy in your new home
Get signed up if you want one whilst they're still easy to get. I was in the lowest band D, had no local connection and it took 3 months.
It's not a bad areas for jobs either, the local unemployment rate is 3.3%, well below the national average..
Bear in mind that the Council will take a dim view of you rejecting somewhere without an extremely good reason - the fact you've done this already doesn't help at all.
The area and type of flat I have taken is one which they have trouble letting due to lack of demand.
Beggars Can't Be Choosers, yes that's it.
Be happy you live in a civilised country where the State has an obligation to look after
the less fortunate.
Made up for you. Was hoping you'd like it when you saw it.
It looks from the mail for previous tenants like there's been around 4 people in here within the last 18 months. The alarm bells started ringing when the housing officer told me the last guy in here who moved in around May had put in an expensive kitchen and decorated before then moving out within a few months.
This is why I was so wary when I was offered it. Back to the drawing board I guess..
Another quality property from West Lancashire Borough Council. :rolleyes: