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Original poster

Council houses owning brand new cars?

736 replies

TheCluelessMum · 06/05/2025 20:52

I’m writing this post with the hopes of being educated, not slandered

however I completely appreciate I may be just completely shot down for asking this.

i live on a new build estate, 12 houses at the start of the estate are council houses. I don’t know this because I’m a snob, I know this because it’s clearly marked on plans when you buy those houses.

i see so much stuff online about how the UK benefits system is failing people, the higher rise of food banks. It’s absolutely abhorrent people are in this situation.

however, when entering my estate today I noticed that each and every single council house had a car newer that a 20 plate. Mercedes, Audi’s, BMW’s even range rovers.. there was not a single house out of the 12 which had an older than 20 plate car.

I am now confused as to why this is the case? Everyone I know (including those receiving benefits) continually speaks about how hard the cost of living is.

so could someone please answer how/why those in what we would presume lower income families, are able to afford such lavish cars.

OP posts:
Hufflemuff · 08/05/2025 06:38

TheCluelessMum · 06/05/2025 20:56

oh!!!!!! I didn’t know this, so just like renting except council is your landlord.

case closed!!!!!! Thanks for responding

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If you're that uneducated about social housing then why post this, surely you realised you were going to be made to look like an ignorant idiot within the first 3 posts. Ffs.

Jim Carrey Alrighty Then GIF by Ace Ventura
Coconutter24 · 08/05/2025 06:35

HamptonPlace · 07/05/2025 20:05

My apologies, mis-typed, entirely contrary to what I was trying to say. Why should most needy NOT get the most help? Apologies again.

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If the most needy want the help then it is out there for them. Whether they try access the help is on them.

Superhansrantowindsor · 08/05/2025 06:35

People prioritising other things. I would rather own my own home and drive a rubbish car rather than the opposite. It’s just different choices.

Someonelookedatmypostinghistorysoichanged · 08/05/2025 06:32

Council houses don’t own brand new cars 😂

SquashedSquid · 08/05/2025 01:59

User46576 · 07/05/2025 23:46

Possibly. And not everyone has to go through some sort of trauma to get social housing. Nor does everyone who does get social housing

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Well they can have my bastard house then, if they want my csa, PTSD, disabilities, wheelchair, trauma after domestic abuse, incredibly poor credit history, etc. Fuck's sake. I'd live in a cardboard box for the rest of my existence if it meant a trauma-free, healthy life in a body that can move.

As that can't happen though, you can froth away that I live in a brand new adapted bungalow built for my needs, in a quiet village, with my brand new car, a professional career and a husband with a good income. I deserve my house, and as I've said on the other thread, my rent is three times what my mortgage was. Lifetime tenancy for my entire family too, so I'll be passing it to my DC when I'm gone, and they'll be able to pass it on too. Froth, and bite me.

HamptonPlace · 08/05/2025 01:21

TheFastTraybake · 07/05/2025 22:41

Not subsidised.

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Not market rate is subsided no ? Ciincil could make more for public services nu charging what people can afford, or provide the cheap rents to needy families?

HamptonPlace · 08/05/2025 00:47

TheFastTraybake · 07/05/2025 22:41

Not subsidised.

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Well ,. Not market rate

Arraminta · 08/05/2025 00:18

JenniferBooth · 08/05/2025 00:00

Because companies want to make money

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Yes, it's called living in a capitalist society. The same capitalism theory that allows stuff like car finance etc.

JenniferBooth · 08/05/2025 00:17

Arraminta · 08/05/2025 00:15

What about the millions of home owners who took out very modest mortgages, which they could comfortably afford (at the time) and yet now can't make ends meet, thanks to the cost of living crisis?

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How is that the fault of SH tenants. Would they like to come and live in my one bedroom flat

JenniferBooth · 08/05/2025 00:16

Arraminta · 08/05/2025 00:01

Well presumably you don't get to choose because it's not your house?

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One bedroom flat Thats all you get when you dont have kids. Might start a similar thread about subsidised childcare.
And yes thats the point i was making SH tenants have no choice. Thats what got 72 people in Grenfell Tower killed. Having no choice and no rights The cladding wasnt their choice

Arraminta · 08/05/2025 00:15

JenniferBooth · 08/05/2025 00:07

Were home owners forced to take out that hefty mortgage What was used A gun to their head. Their arms twisted behind their backs. Im intrigued as to how this was achieived if it wasnt a CHOICE

NOW we are getting to the truth. People who are pissed that they have overstretched themselves with a massive mortgage so cant afford any extras so want someone else to blame for THEIR choice. So they look at SH tenants with a half decent car and resent them for being able to afford it when they cant because of their OWN decision!!

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What about the millions of home owners who took out very modest mortgages, which they could comfortably afford (at the time) and yet now can't make ends meet, thanks to the cost of living crisis?

Macaroni46 · 08/05/2025 00:13

JenniferBooth · 08/05/2025 00:07

Were home owners forced to take out that hefty mortgage What was used A gun to their head. Their arms twisted behind their backs. Im intrigued as to how this was achieived if it wasnt a CHOICE

NOW we are getting to the truth. People who are pissed that they have overstretched themselves with a massive mortgage so cant afford any extras so want someone else to blame for THEIR choice. So they look at SH tenants with a half decent car and resent them for being able to afford it when they cant because of their OWN decision!!

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If none of us took out mortgages or rented privately there’d be even less council housing available.

Arraminta · 08/05/2025 00:12

JenniferBooth · 08/05/2025 00:10

SH tenants are blamed when money is spent on these ridiculous schemes but are also blamed AGAIN when we say we dont want it and told not to be so ungrateful Cant win

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Why should there be a win scenario in this situation?

Arraminta · 08/05/2025 00:10

Freeasa · 08/05/2025 00:05

Everyone’s in need of secure housing! Why should someone pay open market rent on the private rental sector, knowing they could get kicked out of their property with a few months notice when someone in exactly the same financial circumstances could be paying 1/3rd less rent and have the security of not being asked to leave at the drop of a hat? Why is that fair? Doesn’t sound it to me, and most other taxpayers.

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Exactly. We've just become mortgage free, but even that doesn't provide total security. Certain devastating issues are not covered by your buildings insurance, as discovered by some friends of mine, who were also mortgage free and thought they were home and dry.

JenniferBooth · 08/05/2025 00:10

Arraminta · 08/05/2025 00:06

My apologies, it's now called The Social Housing De-Carbonisation Fund.

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SH tenants are blamed when money is spent on these ridiculous schemes but are also blamed AGAIN when we say we dont want it and told not to be so ungrateful Cant win

JenniferBooth · 08/05/2025 00:07

Macaroni46 · 07/05/2025 23:56

Maybe subsidy is the wrong word. But without doubt, council house rent is significantly cheaper than open market rent. Therefore, some of those living in council properties may well have more disposable income than private renters or home owners paying a hefty mortgage. The irritation comes because those of us with mortgages or paying private rents, receiving no benefits, paying for prescriptions, paying tax etc are struggling to make ends meet and cannot afford to purchase and run a new car.

Were home owners forced to take out that hefty mortgage What was used A gun to their head. Their arms twisted behind their backs. Im intrigued as to how this was achieived if it wasnt a CHOICE

NOW we are getting to the truth. People who are pissed that they have overstretched themselves with a massive mortgage so cant afford any extras so want someone else to blame for THEIR choice. So they look at SH tenants with a half decent car and resent them for being able to afford it when they cant because of their OWN decision!!

Arraminta · 08/05/2025 00:06

Arraminta · 08/05/2025 00:03

I think you'll find that many HA are still availing themselves of the Green Homes money.

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My apologies, it's now called The Social Housing De-Carbonisation Fund.

Freeasa · 08/05/2025 00:05

YouWillFindMeInTheGarden · 07/05/2025 23:45

Well they could buy the property?

they are in need….in need of secure housing. Money doesn’t come into it. It’s the security that’s of value. As they approach pension age they will need security more than ever..

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Everyone’s in need of secure housing! Why should someone pay open market rent on the private rental sector, knowing they could get kicked out of their property with a few months notice when someone in exactly the same financial circumstances could be paying 1/3rd less rent and have the security of not being asked to leave at the drop of a hat? Why is that fair? Doesn’t sound it to me, and most other taxpayers.

Arraminta · 08/05/2025 00:03

BIossomtoes · 07/05/2025 23:59

You mean the scheme that was scrapped in 2021 and covered private landlords and owner occupiers?

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I think you'll find that many HA are still availing themselves of the Green Homes money.

Arraminta · 08/05/2025 00:01

JenniferBooth · 07/05/2025 23:58

Whether the tenant wants them or not!! see theres the difference YOU get to choose

As a tenant i havent asked for ANY of that crap

Edited
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Well presumably you don't get to choose because it's not your house?

TheFastTraybake · 08/05/2025 00:01

User46576 · 07/05/2025 23:44

Yes it does. The state pays billions every year in grants to local authorities and housing associations to build housing. That’s taxpayer money. Yet many benefitting from these subsidized properties are not in need.

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The building and provision of housing does not equate to subsidy. It's investment in vital essential infrastructure which will pay for itself many times over across its lifespan.

Unless you are suggesting that social tenants already have other properties that they could use and don't (such as second homes), then like everyone else they are in need of housing and that need is being met.

JenniferBooth · 08/05/2025 00:00

Arraminta · 07/05/2025 23:57

And, the money poured into the government's Green Homes Scheme is, obviously, taken from tax payers.

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Because companies want to make money

BIossomtoes · 07/05/2025 23:59

Arraminta · 07/05/2025 23:57

And, the money poured into the government's Green Homes Scheme is, obviously, taken from tax payers.

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You mean the scheme that was scrapped in 2021 and covered private landlords and owner occupiers?

JenniferBooth · 07/05/2025 23:58

Arraminta · 07/05/2025 23:53

What about the government's Green Homes Scheme? Hundreds of millions given out to housing associations to improve their eco-efficiency of their houses? So, thousands of housing association properties massively benefitting from new solar panels, ground source heat-pumps, new double glazing, new doors, exterior wall insulation, the list goes on.

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Whether the tenant wants them or not!! see theres the difference YOU get to choose

As a tenant i havent asked for ANY of that crap

Arraminta · 07/05/2025 23:57

BIossomtoes · 07/05/2025 23:47

Tax revenue doesn’t go anywhere near housing accounts.

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And, the money poured into the government's Green Homes Scheme is, obviously, taken from tax payers.