Coventry dad forced to divide teen son and daughter's bedroom with curtain in cramped flat

[dutchman]

Simon Mansbridge has taken matters into his own hands to give his teenage children some privacy in the family's two bedroom council flat



A desperate Coventry dad has been forced to put up a curtain to divide his teenage son and daughter's bedroom as a last resort to give them some privacy. 41-year-old Simon Mansbridge shares a two bedroom flat in Willenhall with his two children and wife.

He said the family were told they would qualify for a larger property four years ago, but has been offered nothing, despite bidding on the Homefinder app every week. In that time, his children have become teenagers and have been left to share a tiny room.

And he says the situation is having an impact on their mental health. He added: "It is very stressful because I don't see Lorena having her own space, my son having his own space, I would say it is stressful on them as well, because they have to put up with each other. "

When Mr Mansbridge was given full custody of his daughter Lorena three years ago, he was told they would qualify for a bigger property. But this hasn't happened, and things in the flat are piling up.

"I've cut up a curtain dividing the bedroom so they can shut themselves off from each other, so yeah I have put a curtain up in the centre of the bedroom dividing [it] so they can shut the curtains and have some privacy. But it isn't a very big room, there's two beds, two chest of drawers, a wardrobe, they really haven't got a lot of space" he said.

And it causes practical issues on top of the emotional distress : "My daughter at aged 14 has her monthlies and that, she needs her own space and her own privacy, when they're getting changed, one will go into the bathroom while the other will use the bedroom, they're having to knock the door and ask if they can come in."

The children's bedroom has been split exactly in half by Mr Mansbridge, with his daughter Lorena's side decorated with pictures of friends, cards and Disney bedding. His son Kerrison's side is painted blue, with his Xbox, aftershaves and birthday cards hung up.

"When I got custody of my daughter, I've taken court orders down to [the council] to show that I need a bigger property because I have custody of my daughter, it has not done anything in the way of pushing me forward for a three bedroom property. Over the past couple of months, at weekends, [my son] has been going out at staying at his friend's houses, so he has his own personal space, but other than that in the week he's stuck at home.

"We are very stressed, limited on space with furniture, everybody's belongings within the flat, it is a big struggle especially in the evenings when I get home. [I'm] trying to get things sorted, dinners done for everyone, getting everyone so they can sit down and relax and have their own space in the evenings."

Mr Mansbridge has lived in the flat for 15 years, but said that the family cannot afford a deposit for a private property: "The rent now on private properties is extortionate it is getting impossible.

"The stress of bidding on properties for three years it's taking it toll on myself and my partner."

A spokesperson for Coventry City Council said: “We understand Mr Mansbridge’s concerns, and if he believes he should be in a different banding, then he can submit a change of circumstances form with the reasons for the change and we will assess this against the Homefinder policy."

[dutchman]

Mr Mansbridge says he already informed the council of his change in circumstances three years ago and based on my personal dealings with the housing department I'm inclined to believe his version of events rather than theirs.