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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think being able to use housing benefits as a mortgage is unfair?

388 replies

blahloney · 09/06/2022 14:58

I’m actually feeling quite annoyed. I currently work full time, don’t receive benefits but cannot afford to buy a house despite my rent being more than a mortgage. How is this fair?

OP posts:
Discovereads · 09/06/2022 15:10

Just so we know the BBC report:
”The prime minister also said those receiving Universal Credit would be given the choice to spend their benefits on rent or put them towards a mortgage.”

YouCantBeSadHoldingACupcake · 09/06/2022 15:09

It's bullshit. Anyone on benefits, privately renting cannot save up a deposit without losing their benefits, banks won't give a mortgage without a deposit regardless of benefits being classed as income. Typical Boris, big headline grabbing policy's to take the attention away from his fuck ups,

CaptainMyCaptain · 09/06/2022 15:08

It's a terrible idea but the mortgage providers will still be the ones to say yes or no. If they don't think you are in a stable enough position financially you won't get one.

JustTheOneSwan · 09/06/2022 15:08

Discovereads · 09/06/2022 15:05

I think it is unfair. Assets are assets and all types should be considered when granting housing benefit. It’s unfair for a person who rents and has £16k in savings to be denied benefits whereas a homeowner sitting on £100k in home equity but no savings gets benefits. Yes, I think the homeowner should be forced to sell their home and live off the proceeds until they drop below the £16k threshold.

Disabled people fortunate enough to have equity should be forced to lose their secure home and be at the liberty of rental?

Original poster
blahloney · 09/06/2022 15:07

I also didn’t realise you could have £16,000 savings and still claim UC and Housing Benefits. The world’s gone mad.

OP posts:
Discovereads · 09/06/2022 15:05

I think it is unfair. Assets are assets and all types should be considered when granting housing benefit. It’s unfair for a person who rents and has £16k in savings to be denied benefits whereas a homeowner sitting on £100k in home equity but no savings gets benefits. Yes, I think the homeowner should be forced to sell their home and live off the proceeds until they drop below the £16k threshold.

Attractinglife · 09/06/2022 15:03

Its a terrible policy. Part of the reason we have such an awful housing crisis is the near destruction of the social rented market through the RTB of council homes. Council housing used to be respectable and aspirational. Even if the conservatives did build one new HA property for each sold off (and I don't believe it) there will still not be enough affordable social housing. We need to massively increase social rented housing, improve the private rented sector through developing a proper professionally run private rented sector, where tenants have security of tenure and decent rights. Part of the reason everyone wants to buy (which has pushed up house prices to unaffordable levels) is there is not a decent, affordable, accessible alternative to owning your own home in this country.

TwinklingFairyLights · 09/06/2022 15:03

AnotherEmma · 09/06/2022 15:03

Eh?
you can't use housing benefit to pay a mortgage. It's for people who are renting.
of course private landlords use the rental income to pay their buy to let mortgages, so if a private tenant is claiming HB, it's indirectly paying their landlord's mortgage.
but that's not what you mean is it?

Have you not seen Boris's most recent announcement today?

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 09/06/2022 15:03

AnotherEmma · 09/06/2022 15:03

Eh?
you can't use housing benefit to pay a mortgage. It's for people who are renting.
of course private landlords use the rental income to pay their buy to let mortgages, so if a private tenant is claiming HB, it's indirectly paying their landlord's mortgage.
but that's not what you mean is it?

Maybe watch/read the news before commenting

JustTheOneSwan · 09/06/2022 15:03

It's bollocks just to cause a row and set people against each other.
If you get HB or UC you aren't allowed savings over £16,000.
You've no way to get a deposit.
don't fall for propaganda.

AnotherEmma · 09/06/2022 15:03

Eh?
you can't use housing benefit to pay a mortgage. It's for people who are renting.
of course private landlords use the rental income to pay their buy to let mortgages, so if a private tenant is claiming HB, it's indirectly paying their landlord's mortgage.
but that's not what you mean is it?

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 09/06/2022 15:01

It also as your post demonstrates… just further serves to make people who struggle financially who work against those who struggle financially and don’t work, rather than look at the root cause of the problem, ie rich folk hoarding property and avoiding tax

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 09/06/2022 15:00

You’dneed still to meet affordability criteria so I can’t see how it helps anyone.
Its just popular politics soundbites for a man who knows his career is on the line