I'm looking for a 2 bed, wheelchair-friendly bungalow, and don't know where turn?

Chez24

Thank you for letting me join.  I have various medical conditions including MCS multiple chemical sensitivity. Major struggle finding another place to rent as landlord needs his disabled bungalow back. Been looking for over 16 months and don't know where else to turn. If anyone knows of a 2 bedroom bungalow, with a wet room and wheelchair friendly, and detached property with gas central heating in Devon, Dorset, Wiltshire, or Cornwall then please let me know. Thank you.

janer1967

Hi and welcome on board 
Sorry you are having trouble finding a new place 

I'm not from the area have you looked on gumtree as they advertise rental properties 

steve51

Hi @Chez24

Good Evening and Welcome it's great to meet you today. 

Yes we have got some info on housing below for you. 

https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/getting-more-suitable-accommodation-moving-house/

@steve51

Chez24

Hi janer1967, yes gumtree i have.  I have advertised on it over 5 times but got timewasters and rude phonecalls. I keep coming up against baths with overhead showers, woodburners, no space in the bathroom for a wheelchair, kitchen no room to move around, steps outside are not a problem which can be adapted. I have written to Housing Minister, PM and contacted various Councils who can not help as i have no family and can not help due to my MCS. I can't even move into a field as i need electricity for wheelchair and my friend has sleep apnoea. Have excellent references and not in rent arrears but on HB and PIP and despite it being illegal, we have been refused 3 places, although they will never say why. I am nearly at the end of my tether.

janer1967

I know what you mean I am too in a wheelchair and took me over year to get somewhere

I got bungalow from housing association a new build I gave bath and use bath lift 

Lots landlords wint take tenants in benefits 

I don't really have any suggestions apart from maybe contact shelter 

poppy123456

Hi and welcome,

I'm sorry to hear of the issues you're having finding somewhere suitable. Although i will say that bungalows in general are extremely difficult to find and there's not many of them available. It's also even more difficult because you're a benefit claimant and many landlords will refuse us, sadly.

I know they're not supposed to refuse us but they just remove the "no DSS" from the advert and then give a stupid reason why they won't accept us, often avoiding "we don't accept DSS" Been in this situation myself many times over the years and each time it just gets even more difficult.

Have you thought about something other than a bungalow, maybe a ground floor flat? You may have a better chance of finding a landlord that accepts DSS and there's very likely more flats available than bungalows.

The only other thing i can think of is referring yourself for a needs assessment from your local council and then tell them your reasons. Maybe they can give you a recommendation for social housing? Although it's not guaranteed and you're not homeless, despite your landlord needing their house back. Although moving to a different local council for social housing could be a problem unless you have a local connection to the area.

Other than that i don't have anything else to advise you with but i wish you good luck with your search and hopefully you'll find a landlord with something suitable soon.

roberttaylor570

Welcome to the Community/Family @Chez24

I see others are helping already.

Take a look around and join in the discussions and games.  The Coffee Lounge is a great place to start.

Ross_Scope

Hi @Chez24 and welcome to the community How are you today? 

Chloe_Scope

Great to have you with us @Chez24.

Chez24

Just an update, Judge gave us an extra 9 days.. council MAY help with temporary place, depends on whether we can cope with the paint smells new smells etc due to our MCS multiple chemical sensitivity.  Or a motorhome but that depends on if it has a chemical toilet or not. It seems if i was a druggy or an alcoholic i would get a place to live? Those who have suffered domestic abuse is totally different but seriously. We may have to live in a tent if the place has a garden. Not even told that. If not, anyone who also has MCS know of a place that has a garden in Dorset?

poppy123456

I don't have any other advice for you but please don't judge others because no one knows what goes on behind closed doors. It's extremely difficult to be housed by any social landlord regardless of anyone's circumstances, even those with children are not always housed. If a social landlord can help then it's highly likely temporary housing and in some cases it could even be a hotel or B&B.

I hope you do find something suitable. Good luck.

woodbine

Chez24 said:

Just an update, Judge gave us an extra 9 days.. council MAY help with temporary place, depends on whether we can cope with the paint smells new smells etc due to our MCS multiple chemical sensitivity.  Or a motorhome but that depends on if it has a chemical toilet or not. It seems if i was a druggy or an alcoholic i would get a place to live? Those who have suffered domestic abuse is totally different but seriously. We may have to live in a tent if the place has a garden. Not even told that. If not, anyone who also has MCS know of a place that has a garden in Dorset?

Thats grossly unfair and in part untrue, its not a competition. People with addiction problems are treated NO differently.