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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To leave social housing to private rent.

156 replies

CoconutSky · 29/03/2025 10:39

I’ve made threads about my social housing flat
Ground floor, adapted, ridiculously small kitchen and full of what they describe as “condensation”

I keep complaining, asking them for a move and I’m getting nowhere just being stuck on their allocations bidding list when their larger properties only go to homeless nominations

I am depressed, anxious, miserable and full of anger. I can’t exchange, decorating has been a waste of time as the mould has just ruined it all

Has anyone got any experience of leaving a social housing property for a private rental?

OP posts:
Ilovethewild · 29/03/2025 10:51

Have you gone down the disrepair legal route? That at least should get repairs resolved.
why can’t you exchange? You have to consider what you are willing to compromise on? Would you move areas to get the right flat?
you can give up yr flat but not guarantee you would get another or that your next place would be better.

what changes can you make or are willing to make?

is ur issue repairs/ neighbours/size of flat/ something else? You say it’s falling to bits, are these things you are responsible for and struggling with or are repairs not being completed?

CoconutSky · 29/03/2025 10:47

bestcatlife · 29/03/2025 10:45

I remember reading your previous thread, I'm sorry you're still in the flat.... have you gone down the ombudsman route? It might force their hand in moving you to a more suitable property

I have. It’s abit of a shit show. I’ve had to raise a secondary complaint with the ombudsman but I’ve absolutely 0 idea how long that will take and I honestly don’t think I’ve got any more fight in me. I spoke to them again last week re the damp and they told me I’ve got damp in my living room cos I’ve got wallpaper.

OP posts:
CoconutSky · 29/03/2025 10:46

I’ve made endless complaints, ombudsman, put myself on other housing register lists
I’m a single parent, I work part time and attend uni part time. The flat whilst classed as a 2 bed is ridiculously small, I’ve got weird as fuck neighbours as well

It’s also falling to bits and quite dingy tbh. It’s such hard decision x

OP posts:
bestcatlife · 29/03/2025 10:45

I remember reading your previous thread, I'm sorry you're still in the flat.... have you gone down the ombudsman route? It might force their hand in moving you to a more suitable property

RatedDoingMagic · 29/03/2025 10:45

I don't have any experience of leaving a social housing property for a private rental, but I do have a lot of experience with dealing with condensation and mould - if you'd like to get advice on that, make a separate thread and post the link here so that this thread can stay about your rental situation.

There's a lot of risks to moving to private rental and whether it's a wise move depends on a lot of factors. What was your situation when you succeeded in getting social housing and has your situation improved significantly and permanently since then?

nadine90 · 29/03/2025 10:44

This is a really difficult one and would depend on a lot of factors for me. I did leave a ha flat a few years ago for a private rental and it was the right decision for our family, but we are in a precarious situation now (landlord selling up, can’t afford new private rentals). Do you have children? Are you overcrowded? Are you the only adult? Do you feel you can afford private renting and could you if rents were to increase further? Have you exhausted all options to get the issues with your property sorted out?
I would be very reluctant to give up a HA property now, with the way the private renting market is going x