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Original poster

Surprised with the quality of some council houses

427 replies

LydieL · 01/05/2025 18:58

Hi all, so I recently moved to a town in the north west, very low income area, the town is as you’d expect a sea of terrace houses that open to the street with concrete yards, some of the nicer parts have gardens but for the most part that’s not the case. There are also some newer estates.

Anyway I work for a charity, we support families where a parent or sibling has passed away. As part of my job I’ve seen a lot of council houses, in this area it’s mostly the terraces which are small or post war builds which are bigger but these tend to be “rougher” areas to live.

Lately I’ve been working with a family, mums been offered a council house and today I went with her to just go over a list of what she needs to do to get out of temporary accommodation asap and into it. I’ll be honest I’m a little stunned at the quality, it’s a 3 bed terrace, small front garden, mid size back garden (more than most around here), large kitchen, bay window. Council have fitted a new kitchen and bathroom and re-plastered the whole house.

It’s also in a “nicer” area. For the amount this place would sell for, you could probably buy 2 cheaper 3 bed terraces and considering the shortage of council housing stock I’m surprised that hasn’t happened! She will be paying about a little Over half what it would go for on the rental market.

Now I know this is the exception rather than the norm but AIBU to be surprised councils are holding onto higher value properties like this rather than selling them and either getting 2 houses (so 2 families can be housed) or putting the profit into the local area?

I am aware this is far from the norm but after talking to colleagues the council seems to have several properties in this little area, this mum has also got very lucky with her housing situation as she’s only been in temporary accommodation for a couple of months.

OP posts:
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FagsMagsandBags · 05/05/2025 22:07

I'm amazed that you've managed to live this long, not realised that a lot of council housing is of incredibly good quality, poorer these days but I'd say that's true of house building in general, and when you see something nice you think that it should be sold for two worse quality homes as some sort of solution to the housing crisis, which, surprise, it wouldn't be?!

From the age of about 9, my family moved into council rental after private rental. This was back in the seventies and both qualities were reasonable with council being better and completely secure. It was understood that we shouldn't accept subpar quality just because our housing was social. There was nothing to be ashamed of about living in social housing. The notion that people should suffer a little bit because they dared to live in social housing would have been ridiculous but we were definitely approaching your sort of opinion which became more of a thing when council housing was being sold off. It wasn't in the seventies. It was seen as what it was supposed to be. A home. The majority of us living in social housing back then were working families. Either one or both parents working.

Things have changed a lot in the last fifty years but the increasing idea that because you're not doing as well as others means you should be grateful for every last penny you get and that you don't really deserve any benefits, anything nice, and should live in houses that are not quite as nice, don't actually fit your family needs or whatever foolish notions you have about solving a problem that is far bigger than "you could sell that one and build two." is pretty depressing, definitely unreasonable, but unfortunately pretty normal because so many people are arseholes.

Nattydred · 05/05/2025 21:25

Omg, what if she sees this and figures out its about her based on the things youve said and area etc 😱
You shouldn't be in the job you have, you're meant to be for those you're supporting and it sounds like she isnt particularly lucky as you say either given that shes accessing your services because shes lost her partner or her child.
Get a job helping to pull the purse strings in the council because you don't have the right attitude to work in a charitable/supportive role.

E404 · 05/05/2025 21:22

Chiseltip · 01/05/2025 19:20

Because it breaks the economic model of paying more to get more.

So you work your arse off to pay your mortgage, meanwhile, the unemployed or broke family with more kids then you can afford, gets the same as you for way less than you.

And the kicker is that your taxes are paying for it.

Edited
Show quote history

Your taxes are paying for all sorts of things including wars, including other seedy things.

Lifting people from poverty should be something to celebrate as it spirals positively rather than creating more poverty.

Your mortgage is for your home that you can sell and invest elsewhere, move to Spain, retire in Thailand etc.. The council tenants don't have this privilege I'm afraid. They have to ask if someone can replace the moldy carpet and get a new washing machine as then old one jas rust in it.

I'd say you're still more fortunate than the council tenants even though your taxes leave your account.

Deanthebean · 05/05/2025 21:11

Seagoats · 05/05/2025 20:45

Didn't op just mean it would be more beneficial to house 2 families not one.

Bitch brigade out in full force putting words in her mouth 🙄

Have you not read OPs updates and the tone of which she writes?
So, no the bitch brigade is not out, she's is in fact in the wrong job and should seek out alternative employment

AquaPeer · 05/05/2025 21:01

KilkennyCats · 05/05/2025 20:46

Yes. Everyone who tried to say this was immediately shouted down 🤷🏻‍♀️

Show quote history

Everyone understands this. It wasn’t hard to understand.

but it’s not a great idea, doesn’t work in the real world and people have explained for pages and pages why, yet others keep popping up saying the same as you as though you’re the first to suggest it.

AlrightTrouble · 05/05/2025 20:57

Seagoats · 05/05/2025 20:45

Didn't op just mean it would be more beneficial to house 2 families not one.

Bitch brigade out in full force putting words in her mouth 🙄

No, OP commented on the quality of the housing, not the capacity. Read it again.

BIossomtoes · 05/05/2025 20:54

Seagoats · 05/05/2025 20:45

Didn't op just mean it would be more beneficial to house 2 families not one.

Bitch brigade out in full force putting words in her mouth 🙄

It’s literally in the thread title - surprised at the quality of council houses.

KilkennyCats · 05/05/2025 20:46

Seagoats · 05/05/2025 20:45

Didn't op just mean it would be more beneficial to house 2 families not one.

Bitch brigade out in full force putting words in her mouth 🙄

Yes. Everyone who tried to say this was immediately shouted down 🤷🏻‍♀️

Seagoats · 05/05/2025 20:45

Didn't op just mean it would be more beneficial to house 2 families not one.

Bitch brigade out in full force putting words in her mouth 🙄

DraigCymraeg · 05/05/2025 20:26

Deanthebean · 05/05/2025 20:02

Haha,
I hope your post somehow gets outed to your employer because, you are seriously in the wrong job.
You are really too judgemental to work in this sort of role.
Imagine if my mental health workers said anything about me or any other of their clients online. I'd be mortified.
Sorry but you are AWFUL and should be sacked.

Edited

My point exactly - sounds like a nasty piece of work.

DraigCymraeg · 05/05/2025 20:21

LydieL · 01/05/2025 18:58

Hi all, so I recently moved to a town in the north west, very low income area, the town is as you’d expect a sea of terrace houses that open to the street with concrete yards, some of the nicer parts have gardens but for the most part that’s not the case. There are also some newer estates.

Anyway I work for a charity, we support families where a parent or sibling has passed away. As part of my job I’ve seen a lot of council houses, in this area it’s mostly the terraces which are small or post war builds which are bigger but these tend to be “rougher” areas to live.

Lately I’ve been working with a family, mums been offered a council house and today I went with her to just go over a list of what she needs to do to get out of temporary accommodation asap and into it. I’ll be honest I’m a little stunned at the quality, it’s a 3 bed terrace, small front garden, mid size back garden (more than most around here), large kitchen, bay window. Council have fitted a new kitchen and bathroom and re-plastered the whole house.

It’s also in a “nicer” area. For the amount this place would sell for, you could probably buy 2 cheaper 3 bed terraces and considering the shortage of council housing stock I’m surprised that hasn’t happened! She will be paying about a little Over half what it would go for on the rental market.

Now I know this is the exception rather than the norm but AIBU to be surprised councils are holding onto higher value properties like this rather than selling them and either getting 2 houses (so 2 families can be housed) or putting the profit into the local area?

I am aware this is far from the norm but after talking to colleagues the council seems to have several properties in this little area, this mum has also got very lucky with her housing situation as she’s only been in temporary accommodation for a couple of months.

Considering this poor woman has suffered a bereavement I wouldn't begrudge her nice accommodation.
For somebody who claims to work for a charity I can't say I'm impressed with your ' them have poorer quality / smaller homes' attitude.

Deanthebean · 05/05/2025 20:02

Haha,
I hope your post somehow gets outed to your employer because, you are seriously in the wrong job.
You are really too judgemental to work in this sort of role.
Imagine if my mental health workers said anything about me or any other of their clients online. I'd be mortified.
Sorry but you are AWFUL and should be sacked.

Widower2014 · 05/05/2025 19:52

Councils have a duty to help the homeless and those on low incomes (and the boat people apparently). Why should they sell property to private landlords and housing associations so they can make obscene profits when they can rent it out and get some money into the council pot

As for the new kitchen, that is usual every 5-10 years depending on the council

Craftilyhopeful · 05/05/2025 19:42

AquaPeer · 05/05/2025 19:16

You are at least the 5th person to post this almost identical post

Show quote history

Apologies, mustn't have seen it all. Still quite new to mumsnet

Craftilyhopeful · 05/05/2025 19:40

Apologies mustn't have seen it all

Taytayslayslay · 05/05/2025 19:27

ARichtGoodDram · 01/05/2025 19:13

this mum has also got very lucky with her housing situation as she’s only been in temporary accommodation for a couple of months

Also what a gross thing to say about someone you're meant to be supporting because they've had a bereavement.

I agree, I was in temp accommodation for 8 months due to my mum having a mental breakdown making me and my kids homeless! We got very lucky and ended up in a very desirable area in social housing (not as cheap as council but still extremely affordable compared to private renting). This post is very judgemental.

IndigoViolent · 05/05/2025 19:22

I think it’s also a hard pill to swallow when someone who hasn’t been in the UK for years (she is a British citizen but left shortly after graduating, so hasn’t contributed to the economy at all) returns, gets given a beautiful property, hand outs of every flavour etc.

Goady McGoadface in the building!

Efrogwraig · 05/05/2025 19:22

Councils have not been allowed to build homes to replace those sold. That is why there has been a shortage of good housing. Current govt has said it will change this. That will help but obvs councils will be building to last, getting value for money.

MDTdottyT · 05/05/2025 19:20

Since the 80s a lot of the council housing stock has been sold especially in the " nicer" areas.
I really sad that these beautiful homes are no longer available for families to rent and more and more families are being put in flats.
What's even worse is that often people are encouraged to buy thier home by unscrupulous mortgage companies specialising in lending in this market. The buyer often fails to make payment, the home is repossessed , sold on the open market to a landlord who will charge double the council rent which often is paid by benefits, so as a tax payers we end up paying more.
There nothing to prevent the tenant in doing this several times and each time a house is lost from the housing stock.
Every family deserves to live in a decent affordable home and the only shocking thing is this beautiful properties are lost from public ownership.
I feel disappointed that you as a support worker can't be pleased that someone has got " lucky " and moved into a nice home in a nice area

AquaPeer · 05/05/2025 19:16

Craftilyhopeful · 05/05/2025 19:15

I think a lot of assumptions have been made here about the point the OP is making. No one is saying that people in council housing should be offered lesser accommodation or locations, simply that in the current climate it doesn't make sense for councils to hold onto high value property when there is such a huge wait of people that deserve to also be in a permanent home.

My mums neighbour lived in her council house for 50+ years and in that time the area became quite exclusive and the value of that property shot up. If sold, it would've bought at least 4 houses in another area. It's not that the people in it don't deserve it, and in a perfect economy there wouldn't be anyone in rubbish temporary accommodation and everyone would be offered a safe, clean, home. But that isn't the case. The point here is more people need to be housed and it's surprising that the council haven't made the decision to do this.

You are at least the 5th person to post this almost identical post

Craftilyhopeful · 05/05/2025 19:15

I think a lot of assumptions have been made here about the point the OP is making. No one is saying that people in council housing should be offered lesser accommodation or locations, simply that in the current climate it doesn't make sense for councils to hold onto high value property when there is such a huge wait of people that deserve to also be in a permanent home.

My mums neighbour lived in her council house for 50+ years and in that time the area became quite exclusive and the value of that property shot up. If sold, it would've bought at least 4 houses in another area. It's not that the people in it don't deserve it, and in a perfect economy there wouldn't be anyone in rubbish temporary accommodation and everyone would be offered a safe, clean, home. But that isn't the case. The point here is more people need to be housed and it's surprising that the council haven't made the decision to do this.

BIossomtoes · 05/05/2025 19:13

Ownedbykitties · 05/05/2025 19:04

Only if you have paid the necessary number of NI contributions. Otherwise you are on pension credit.

Show quote history

Sorry, you’re wrong. This is why women who don’t work outside the home are advised to claim child benefit even if their partner has to repay it. See second bullet point.

You’ll need 10 qualifying years on your National Insurance record to get any new State Pension.
A qualifying year is one in which you were:

You might also qualify if you’ve lived or worked abroad or paid reduced rate National Insurance for married women.
Darla62 · 05/05/2025 19:11

Disgraceful attitude that just about sums up everyone working in this branch of the parasite industries, as I call them - create a huge class of unfortunates from birth, then attach yourself to them for life in the form of doctors, teachers, politicians, psychiatrists, housing associations, and so on.

Ownedbykitties · 05/05/2025 19:04

BIossomtoes · 05/05/2025 08:20

Not true. Claiming working age benefits confers NI credits. Theoretically you could never do a day’s paid work and still qualify for a state pension.

Show quote history

Only if you have paid the necessary number of NI contributions. Otherwise you are on pension credit.

Ownedbykitties · 05/05/2025 19:01

AquaPeer · 05/05/2025 08:37

It doesn’t really matter what they think, and to be honest, until recently there was such a lack of transparency about how these things worked that people just believed whatever.
It has always been a benefit, the way it works means it can’t be anything else

the reality is, as I’m sure you know, older people overwhelmingly hate “benefit scroungers” and dont want to be lumped in with them.

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The difference is that it is a contributory benefit that only people who have made contributions can claim. It is therefore different from UC etc. I don't know if what you say about older people not liking being "lumped together " with benefit claimants is correct. But it is very different from other benefits and should be thought about as such. Beware allowing the government to "lump it in" with other benefits that are not contributory because once we allow it to be means tested or diminished, it will never return.