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A pregnant 38-year-old mother of seven is demanding to be rehoused from her leaking four-bedroom council flat – but is she asking too much?

Alana Burns is a mum of seven, soon to be mother of nine, living in the UK town of Livingston in what she describes as a ‘hellish’  and ‘uninhabitable’ four-bedroom council flat The Daily Mail reports. Alana has crammed her children, with ages ranging from 2 up to 20 years old into the council flat above a local pub.

Rather Live Anywhere Else

Alana claims that the maintenance on the council flat has been non-existent. “The council has been out to the leak and said they’d get in touch with me, I have heard nothing,” she said. “This has been going on for weeks and it needs sorting out. We’re now down to eight people sharing three bedrooms which is ridiculous.”

Prior to living in the council property, the family were renting a private flat in Livingston before the landlord decided to sell.

Now Alana wants out of the council flat she has been forced to live in since September, complaining that it did not come with a television and that there is limited space for her children to play. “I just want to get out of this hell. I’d rather live anywhere else as long as it is not here. It’s been really tough.”

Finding A Solution

A spokesperson for West Lothian council told The Mirror that it can be challenging to find suitable accommodation for large families on short notice. “We would encourage Ms Burns to engage with the offers of support already made, to allow us to help find a solution for her family’s housing needs. This includes widening her choice of areas to maximise her opportunities for permanent housing.”

Given the vulnerable position that Alana and her family are in, we can understand their frustration, but we have to acknowledge that a family of ten is difficult, if not impossible, to house while also ticking boxes such as location, outdoor space and appliances. It sounds like she is being way too picky! It’s a tricky situation and one that doesn’t look like being resolved any time soon!

So what do you think – is Alana asking too much or is it the council’s responsibility to find her a suitable home in the area she chooses? Tell us in the comments.

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  • it seems she has a sense of entitlement. She should be thankful that she lives in a country that even has council housing. I do think that the leak should be repaired asap though.

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  • She should think about her own financial situation and growing family.

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  • She’s being too picky. And if she already had that many kids, and needed help, a new pregnancy is irresponsible. Where’s the father or fathers?

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  • When the Mum’s not pregnant, the older children could care for the little ones and her work at night. We don’t know if the older ones are still studying. The eldest one may be job hunting. She could put more double bunks in the kids’ rooms or even triple. Sounds like the place baly needs some essential maintenance even if they only do that.
    I wonder if she expects the Govt. to feed or clothe them too,

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  • She has a big family, she must be relying on the government for everything as she can’t work herself.

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  • I’m not sure why she feels the Council is responsible for housing her and her family. I’m not afforded that same luxury. And I don’t know of any houses that can house that many people. Interesting conundrum.

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  • She wants the council to find her a new place for all of her children. I think she needs to not be so picky about where she stays and not expect a television. Television is a luxury that some people can’t afford. Why don’t the council fix the leaks and that should solve one of her problems. And seriously if she has a 20 year old living at home, they should be working and putting money towards the household. What about the people who are living on the streets. Does she think they don’t deserve somewhere to live as well.


    • Plus where is her husband or partner.

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  • Seriously? She has a children as old as 20 – they could go out and get jobs and their own flats, she could get a job. Judging by her photo I get she at least smokes if not drinks, it’s just poor management and she expects the government to just keep giving her handouts.

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  • Having a leak is not adequate as dampness can cause mould and respiratory problems. I found it hard not to judge this woman as she seems ungrateful for all that she has and I can only assume the leak isn’t that bad or the council would have fixed it.

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  • She needs to have her current house fixed. That would be a fairer suggestion for now.

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  • I think it is only reasonable she has her flat fixed, but why is she continuing having children and then relying on council to provide everything. People like this are a real drain on society, sorry but I just don’t get it, look at the ages of the children so close to one another, she has been doing this for 20 years!


    • I do agree with you in this one!, if she is having more kids where is her partner to help support for a new rental instead of using council to support her habit!!!



      • Yes I do agree as well


      • I totally agree with you both. Where is her partner, he should be supporting her. Her 20 yo child can go get a job and help her. And stop having babies you clearly can’t afford, use protection.

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  • Agree that the leaks should have been fixed, but the problem of a bigger house isn’t the Council’s, it’s hers. She should be looking for a larger house to rent herself, or let her older children find their own flat to live in. At 20 they should be working.

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  • I dont think its council problem to find her a new place, but I do think they shouldvd fixed the problems with her current place.

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  • Thinking maybe stop with the baby making. Yes the leak should be fixed and young children should not be living over a pub. Plenty of children do not have backyards just have to go to the nearest park. Her older children could get their own places .


    • Very valid points youngoldlady and I agree.

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  • I will never understand the reasoning behind a parent wanting a large family, other than the reasons being selfish. For goodness sakes please stop breeding so many people. This whole article makes me feel really angry.

    Reply

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