I’m trolled for ‘moaning’ about my council house as I should be grateful to have one but I’d still expect it to be CLEAN
A WOMAN has hit back at haters after being trolled for ”moaning” about the conditions of her council house.
Naomi Louise Wells, who has custody for her niece and nephew, insisted she was beyond ”grateful” for having a roof over their heads, despite what people may think.
The UK-based woman moved into a council house earlier this year and although she was glad to have somewhere to live, Naomi confessed the conditions were shocking.
The outdoor space, she said in a recent video, was such a mess that ”even Alan Titchmarsh would have said W*F”.
Not only was the garden overgrown and full of weeds, the fence supposed to give them privacy was also broken – which was a no-no for Naomi, the two kids, as well as their dog.
Unfortunately, inside the situation wasn’t much better, as ”you couldn’t even cough in the bedrooms without the plaster falling off the walls”.
Every window frame around the property was also wet and covered in dangerous mould, which the cleaning lover attempted to tackle with a special spray.
On top of the mould, as well as the window frames ”falling apart”, there were several cracks in the walls.
”At this point, I was worried that one strong storm and the house was going to unfold like a cardboard box,” she said, sharing a series of snaps of the brutal living conditions.
Slowly but surely, however, the interiors lover managed to turn it into a beautiful home – but it wasn’t long until keyboard warriors were having a go at Naomi for ”moaning” about her council house.
”Given a house and moans about it… it’s all fixable.and to think there is people living on the streets,” read one comment that’s been liked by dozens of others.
Hitting back at the meanies, Naomi explained that there was a special ”process” everyone looking to get a council house has to go through – and it’s not as simple as some might assume.
”You don’t know how long I was on the housing list for, or how long I was homeless for, how long I was living in a bedsit, or how long I was living in a temporary accommodation, before I was then given my council house,” she shared the journey in a video.
Once the young woman moved into the current property, she had to fork out for a deposit, pay six weeks upfront rent, as well as ”a key fee for all the keys in the house”.
”When you are paying to move into a property, whether that’s social housing, whether that’s private renting, you expect to move into that property and it to be in a clean and safe condition. Like, they’re the minimum requirements.”
According to Naomi, she fixed ”90% of the issues” herself, whether that meant doing a DIY job or paying someone else to do it.
”I haven’t asked the council to rectify many issues at all. But even if I had, I would’ve had every right to – because they are my landlord, it’s their house, they have the responsibility to make sure that this house is safe.”
How can I get a council house?
To apply for a council home, you need to fill out and hand in an application to your local authority.
To find your local authority, simply use the Government’s council locator tool on its website.
Once you have access to your local council’s website, it should offer you guidelines on how to complete your application.
After applying, you’ll most likely have to join a waiting list.
Bear in mind, even if you are put on a waiting list, this doesn’t guarantee you a council house offer.
Your council should also offer you advice on how to stay in your current home and solve any issues you might have, such as problems with a private landlord or mortgage.
You are eligible to apply for council housing if you are a British citizen living in the UK providing have not lived abroad recently.
Each council has its own local rules about who qualifies to go on the housing register in its area, but it is based on “points” or a “banding” system.
For example, you’re likely to be offered housing first if you:
- are homeless
- live in cramped conditions
- have a medical condition made worse by your current home
- are seeking to escape domestic violence
Once you are high enough on a council’s waiting list, it will contact you when a property is available.
Some councils let people apply at the age of 18, while others let you apply even sooner at 16-year-olds.
EU workers and their families and refugees may also be eligible.
A council house is reached through a points system, so depending on your housing needs, you may be considered low priority.
The council will contact you about any available property once you are high enough on the waiting list.
There is no limit on how long you can expect to be on the waiting list.
The general upkeep, including cleaning and any decorating if she wants to, is down to Naomi, who expected ”a certain standard of cleanliness and safety”.
Dozens of social media users raced to show support, with one writing: ”Council tenants pay rent and council tax just like private renters so it baffles me why people hate on them as much as they do.”
Another chimed in: ”These people do not understand it takes years and years on the list.”
A third said: ”People so quick to judge! Sad. It’s easy to get sick even if worked all your life and end up homeless.”
”You have done a cracking job on your home. Take no notice of them and enjoy your loving home,” someone else added.