DI-WOW
Woman who gives her council house a glow up with B&M & Ikea hits back at trolls who brand her a ‘scrounger on benefits’
Scroll down to find out how you could get a council house
A WOMAN has revealed that she has given her council house an epic makeover, without breaking the bank.
Rose-Ann Lay lives with her wife Jessie and their three dogs in a three bedroom council house in the UK.
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The DIY fan explained that the couple have totally transformed their home, and have made it look super glam thanks to cheap buys from the high-street.
Rose-Ann shared that she has nabbed bargains from Ikea, Tk Maxx, The Range and B&M, and people are gobsmacked when they see her home interior.
Posting on social media, the content creator gave her followers a close-up look inside her home.
Rose-Ann shared the clip with the caption ‘POV - a home is what you make it regardless of ownership’, and showed off inside her home, as she penned: “Our council house.”
She explained: “We live in a three bedroom mid terrace house and we have done quite a lot of work inside.”
She claimed that her wife is incredibly handy when it comes to DIY and “will literally build [her] anything.”
Not only this, but Rose-Ann beamed: “Jessie loves DIY. She will give anything a go herself.”
The couple’s home is kitted out with trendy flooring and panelled wardrobes that are incredibly stylish.
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The couple have a bedroom of dreams - and if you’re a fan of beige, you’re bound to be impressed.
I gave my council house a glam makeover and trolls say it’s 'paid for by benefits' but it's actually B&Q and Wickes bargains
Rose-Ann confirmed that to save cash, she used a “copy of London Stone Farrow & Ball” paint in her bedroom.
If that wasn’t enough, they’ve even got a walk-in wardrobe that’s kitted out with designer accessories and loads of stunning sunglasses.
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.
We’re sure that Mrs Hinch would approve of their grey bathroom, and their kitchen really is breathtaking.
The couple have paired a chic navy paint with funky pink splashback tiles, and to make their house even more jaw-dropping, they’ve even got their very own log cabin with a bar area too.
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
Rose-Ann told Fabulous: “The wardrobes are Ikea, the kitchen was Wickes.
“Soft furnishings are Tk Mkaxx and The Range mainly.
Rules on transforming your council house
According to Gov, the kind of improvements you can make to your council property depends on the type of tenancy you have.
Introductory tenants are usually limited to minor improvements like redecorating inside.
If you’re a secure tenant, you have the right to carry out improvements to your property. These include:
- installing a new bathroom or kitchen
- building an extension
- putting up a garden shed or greenhouse
- installing a new gas fire or fireplace
- cavity wall insulation
- redecorating the outside of a house
- fitting an aerial or satellite dish
You might need your council’s written permission for work you do. Contact your council if you’re not sure.
“The bar in the log cabin my wife built herself and we got the stools from B&M.
“The bed is Luxury Bed Company, the bedside table in the bedroom is Tk Mkaxx.”
When it came to the bathroom, Rose-Ann confirmed: “My wife did the sink and the tiling herself.”
SOCIAL MEDIA USERS REACT
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @roseannlay94, has clearly impressed many, as it has quickly amassed 18,200 views.
Social media users were open-mouthed at Rose-Ann’s home and many were keen to express this in the comments.
Stunning, looks like something from a magazine
TikTok user
One person said: “Love your style! Gorgeous home.”
Another added: “What you’ve achieved is amazing! You should be so proud of yourselves!”
Scroungers on benefits!
TikTok user
A third commented: “Stunning, looks like something from a magazine..”
Whilst someone else penned: “Absolutely Beautiful, love it all.”
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.
However, at the same time, not everyone was as kind.
One mean troll penned: “Scroungers on benefits!”
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To this, Rose-Ann clapped back and wrote: “I wish I was a scrounger on benefits.”
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