AFTER waiting 17 months for a council house, a mum has finally been offered a property – but it comes with a major concern.
Now, she’s turning to other parents for advice on whether to accept it.
A woman is desperately seeking advice after being offered a council house[/caption]
Posting on the parenting forum Mumsnet, the woman shared her dilemma, explaining that while the house has a newly fitted kitchen and bathroom, the rest of the property needs work.
However, her biggest worry is that her next-door neighbours have access through her back garden – something she fears could be a dealbreaker.
Desperate for input, she even included a diagram showing how the shared access works, writing: “Need some quick thoughts for this please as I’m on a timer.
“I went to look at a house through social housing yesterday, it’s mine if I want it.”
“There’s a new bathroom and kitchen although everywhere else needs TLC.
“My main issue is that the next door neighbours have access to the back garden from their property, would this put anyone off?”
Now, she’s asking Mumsnet users if it would be a dealbreaker.
Her post gained a lot of attention with many rushing to the comments section to share their suggestions.
One asked if she could “Put in a blind?”
To which she replied: “The blind is something I’ve thought of, it’s just people walking through the garden.
“Even the housing officer said she didn’t like the thought of being in the garden and people going through it.”
Another Mumsnet user asked: “Why do they have access into your garden?”
To which she replied with: “It’s in a row of four houses and the only way the two in the middle can get access to their gardens is from the back.
“They were built a long time ago when things were a bit different I guess.”
What It’s Really Like Growing Up On A Council Estate
Fabulous reporter, Leanne Hall, recalls what it’s like growing up in social housing.
As someone who grew up in a block of flats on a council estate, there are many wild stories I could tell.
From seeing a neighbour throw dog poo at the caretaker for asking them to mow their lawn (best believe they ended up on the Jeremy Kyle show later in life) to blazing rows over packages going missing, I’ve seen it all.
While there were many times things kicked off, I really do believe most of the time it’s because families living on council estates get to know each other so well, they forget they’re neighbours and not family.
Yes, things can go from zero to 100 quickly, but you know no matter what you can rely on your neighbour to borrow some milk or watch all of the kids playing outside.
And if you ask me, it’s much nicer being in a tight community where boundaries can get crossed than never even knowing your neighbour’s name while living on a fancy street.
She uploaded this hand-drawn diagram to her post to explain her dilemma[/caption]
However, someone else said: “My mum lived in a house where the neighbour had access like yours.
“He only went past maybe once a week max, for the best part of 40 years.
“And never in winter. The back garden DOES have access through the house, surely?
“Plenty of houses in the UK have access like this.
“Really not a biggie though I appreciate the naked house wandering might be cautious (but seriously, how often are you standing at the window with your norks out?)”
And another added: “Right of way is extremely common in terraces to allow people to put bins out and bring large things into their garden (sheds etc).
“It wouldn’t put me off.”
How to do your council house up on the cheap
- Take inspiration from pricier shops and head to B&M, Home Bargains for interior decorations.
- Head to YouTube for easy to follow tutorials on how to decorate rather than paying for professionals.
- For a quick glow-up for your floors or anywhere with tiles, opt for stick-on vinyl to save on costs.
- A lick of paint does wonders to make a room feel brand-new.
- Switch out kitchen cupboard knobs for modern ones instead of buying brand-new cupboards.
