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Original poster

To think that there is a misunderstanding about social housing.

787 replies

Bitchesbelike · 06/05/2025 21:50

On social media, lots of people assume that people in social / council housing are getting a free house and don’t work.

i grew up in social housing: my dad worked from age 15 to 65.

my brothers have worked since they were 16 and both live in social housing.

its not “free housing”: it’s rented, affordable accommodation.

OP posts:
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13
JenniferBooth · 11/05/2025 14:42

Bushmillsbabe · 11/05/2025 12:51

I think they were being compared as both have a secure tenancy as long as pay rent/mortgage. And some social housing can be handed down between family members I think, like an owned property.
In some ways social housing is probably nearer to having a mortgage than private rental in terms of security.

Yes, of course we knew that! It's a comment, in the same way as social housing tenants sometimes moan about having to provide own flooring, white goods etc, when they knew that when applied for social housing. I am forever seeing messages on our local Facebook page asking for free fridges etc as 'just got given my first place after waiting for years, I can't afford white goods and the stingy council didn't give me them"

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And you knew you would have to pay for your own repairs before buying. Right?

JenniferBooth · 11/05/2025 14:35

Youagain2025 · 11/05/2025 12:37

I'm really confused . Why is mortgage/house buyers and renting from social housing being compared to to each other surely they are completely different.

I'm seeing comments about home owners having to pay for their own repairs. But social housing tenants don't have to . Surely home owners and people with mortgage knew this before buying the house?

Yep And im willing to bet they are the ones telling the stepmums on here "well you knew he had kids before you got with him" 😊

JenniferBooth · 11/05/2025 14:30

User79853257976 · 11/05/2025 08:07

No, get a better job.

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Really? I thought we were all for kicking tenants OUT of social housing when they progress in employment. Because there is no way i would be able to afford a house here no matter what job i got. So the only option would still be social housing And you only get bigger social housinf IF YOU HAVE KIDS So make your mind up.

XenoBitch · 11/05/2025 13:25

Bushmillsbabe · 11/05/2025 12:51

I think they were being compared as both have a secure tenancy as long as pay rent/mortgage. And some social housing can be handed down between family members I think, like an owned property.
In some ways social housing is probably nearer to having a mortgage than private rental in terms of security.

Yes, of course we knew that! It's a comment, in the same way as social housing tenants sometimes moan about having to provide own flooring, white goods etc, when they knew that when applied for social housing. I am forever seeing messages on our local Facebook page asking for free fridges etc as 'just got given my first place after waiting for years, I can't afford white goods and the stingy council didn't give me them"

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Social housing tenants have sometimes come from hostels/temp accommodation so don't have white goods to bring with them, and they often don't have the money either.

Youagain2025 · 11/05/2025 12:58

Bushmillsbabe · 11/05/2025 12:51

I think they were being compared as both have a secure tenancy as long as pay rent/mortgage. And some social housing can be handed down between family members I think, like an owned property.
In some ways social housing is probably nearer to having a mortgage than private rental in terms of security.

Yes, of course we knew that! It's a comment, in the same way as social housing tenants sometimes moan about having to provide own flooring, white goods etc, when they knew that when applied for social housing. I am forever seeing messages on our local Facebook page asking for free fridges etc as 'just got given my first place after waiting for years, I can't afford white goods and the stingy council didn't give me them"

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Ah yes I get that makes sense.

Youagain2025 · 11/05/2025 12:56

Bushmillsbabe · 11/05/2025 12:39

And how much would a private rented flat of same size and location cost? If that's in London, that's cheap for a 2 bed flat.

In zone 3/4 London I paid that much for a poorly maintained 1 bed 10 years ago.

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I think it depends. in zone 3/4 private 2 beds are 1700-1800

My dd is in a 2 bed housing association the rent is 665 a month it's a new build.

The old council stock 2 beds are around 450- 500 a month.

Bushmillsbabe · 11/05/2025 12:51

Youagain2025 · 11/05/2025 12:37

I'm really confused . Why is mortgage/house buyers and renting from social housing being compared to to each other surely they are completely different.

I'm seeing comments about home owners having to pay for their own repairs. But social housing tenants don't have to . Surely home owners and people with mortgage knew this before buying the house?

I think they were being compared as both have a secure tenancy as long as pay rent/mortgage. And some social housing can be handed down between family members I think, like an owned property.
In some ways social housing is probably nearer to having a mortgage than private rental in terms of security.

Yes, of course we knew that! It's a comment, in the same way as social housing tenants sometimes moan about having to provide own flooring, white goods etc, when they knew that when applied for social housing. I am forever seeing messages on our local Facebook page asking for free fridges etc as 'just got given my first place after waiting for years, I can't afford white goods and the stingy council didn't give me them"

Bushmillsbabe · 11/05/2025 12:39

pinkpedi · 11/05/2025 11:12

It's not always cheap. My 2 bed housing association flat is £1300 pm

And how much would a private rented flat of same size and location cost? If that's in London, that's cheap for a 2 bed flat.

In zone 3/4 London I paid that much for a poorly maintained 1 bed 10 years ago.

Youagain2025 · 11/05/2025 12:37

I'm really confused . Why is mortgage/house buyers and renting from social housing being compared to to each other surely they are completely different.

I'm seeing comments about home owners having to pay for their own repairs. But social housing tenants don't have to . Surely home owners and people with mortgage knew this before buying the house?

Lnew · 11/05/2025 11:26

pinkpedi · 11/05/2025 11:12

It's not always cheap. My 2 bed housing association flat is £1300 pm

Is that cheap for the area?

pinkpedi · 11/05/2025 11:12

It's not always cheap. My 2 bed housing association flat is £1300 pm

CharSiu · 11/05/2025 09:51

@Trickydelivery so did you end up with a mega work ethic and must do well educationally ethic? I did and I must admit it’s worked out well for me. Sadly my Dad did not see the house I now live on its on one of the most expensive roads in the town I live in.

Bushmillsbabe · 11/05/2025 09:00

JenniferBooth · 10/05/2025 23:55

And yet ppl would moan if tenants let their homes turn into a shit tip,

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Not letting your home turn into a 'shit tip' is about providing an appropriate home for your family and having some self respect, it not doing someone else a favour. No one else (apart from maybe social services) cares how clean and tidy your home is, so no, they wouldn't moan.

Bushmillsbabe · 11/05/2025 08:54

User79853257976 · 10/05/2025 23:58

Paid off? We are 12 years in to a 35 year mortgage and we are stuck in a house that is too small for us.

Social housing is needed but should be means tested every five years and lifetime tenancies should not be given.

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This.
I work with families with disabled children. Those who don't work or work in a low paid role get rehoused in a brand new council property, yes it takes a few years which isn't ideal, but they always get one eventually. Which is great, they need a suitable property to support their child in.

But the middle earner families I work with, who have privately bought a flat in a split house conversion for example, because buying a house in London is out of reach for them, earn too much to get a council property but too little to be able to afford a property which suits their child's needs, so are carrying their severely disabled child up flights of narrow stairs, and sleeping on a sofa bed in their lounge as they have given the bedrooms to their disabled child and their other child, they can't share as the disabled child is up multiple times of the night for their medical needs. They don't resent others getting a suitable property, but they do resent the fact they have worked hard and paid significant amounts of tax but they cannot access same help.

A council tenant can claim overcrowding and ask to be rehoused to a larger property. A home owner has to stay in a property which is too small for them as they can't afford a larger one.

Absolutely agree that should re assessed every 5 years. That doesn't stop anyone painting the walls of their child's bedroom or buying a new fridge or carpets, but it does stop somine being a property longer than they need. It's a form of benefits and should be linked to need or income.

User79853257976 · 11/05/2025 08:07

JenniferBooth · 11/05/2025 00:27

Like what Get pregnant Im nearly 52 so that ship has sailed

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No, get a better job.

JenniferBooth · 11/05/2025 00:27

User79853257976 · 11/05/2025 00:16

It’s got nothing to do with you - you assumed our mortgage was paid off. If you don’t like your poky flat then do something about it.

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Like what Get pregnant Im nearly 52 so that ship has sailed

JenniferBooth · 11/05/2025 00:26

XenoBitch · 10/05/2025 23:11

If your house is paid off though, you own it.
Someone in social housing does not own their home, they they have to supply wallpaper/paint, carpets, white goods. All those things are catered for in private rentals.

If you have a mortgage, you are not at threat of being evicted if you behave antisocially. You wont get evicted if you wont let contractors into your home. Social housing tenants have to be good all round people to stay where they are. People with mortgages don't have to behave a certain way to stay housed.

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Rydon were still getting contracts post Grenfell, So tenants still had no choice about letting them into their homes whereas home owners can just choose not to use them

JenniferBooth · 11/05/2025 00:24

User79853257976 · 11/05/2025 00:16

It’s got nothing to do with you - you assumed our mortgage was paid off. If you don’t like your poky flat then do something about it.

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No i didnt That was another poster. Lose the booze goggles

User79853257976 · 11/05/2025 00:16

JenniferBooth · 11/05/2025 00:09

And? im in a poky flat because i havent got living proof that ive had sex without contraception

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It’s got nothing to do with you - you assumed our mortgage was paid off. If you don’t like your poky flat then do something about it.

JenniferBooth · 11/05/2025 00:09

User79853257976 · 10/05/2025 23:58

Paid off? We are 12 years in to a 35 year mortgage and we are stuck in a house that is too small for us.

Social housing is needed but should be means tested every five years and lifetime tenancies should not be given.

Show quote history

And? im in a poky flat because i havent got living proof that ive had sex without contraception

XenoBitch · 11/05/2025 00:00

User79853257976 · 10/05/2025 23:58

Paid off? We are 12 years in to a 35 year mortgage and we are stuck in a house that is too small for us.

Social housing is needed but should be means tested every five years and lifetime tenancies should not be given.

Show quote history

You will pay it off eventually though. My parents have paid rent on their council house for 35+ years now. They don't own it. They will be paying rent until they die.

You taking on a mortgage was also your choice.

User79853257976 · 10/05/2025 23:58

XenoBitch · 10/05/2025 23:11

If your house is paid off though, you own it.
Someone in social housing does not own their home, they they have to supply wallpaper/paint, carpets, white goods. All those things are catered for in private rentals.

If you have a mortgage, you are not at threat of being evicted if you behave antisocially. You wont get evicted if you wont let contractors into your home. Social housing tenants have to be good all round people to stay where they are. People with mortgages don't have to behave a certain way to stay housed.

Show quote history

Paid off? We are 12 years in to a 35 year mortgage and we are stuck in a house that is too small for us.

Social housing is needed but should be means tested every five years and lifetime tenancies should not be given.

JenniferBooth · 10/05/2025 23:55

User79853257976 · 10/05/2025 23:18

I paid for a new boiler because I had to and I didn’t ‘shell out’ for it, it is on a credit card. My point was that the other poster had been able to do work on that house because the rent is cheap and any of the big, emergency costs would be covered.

There are content creators who show off about how much work they’ve done to their council houses and say that’s why they should have lifetime tenancies when we have a housing crisis and people who truly can’t afford anything else.

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And yet ppl would moan if tenants let their homes turn into a shit tip,

Poppyseeds79 · 10/05/2025 23:29

User79853257976 · 10/05/2025 23:18

I paid for a new boiler because I had to and I didn’t ‘shell out’ for it, it is on a credit card. My point was that the other poster had been able to do work on that house because the rent is cheap and any of the big, emergency costs would be covered.

There are content creators who show off about how much work they’ve done to their council houses and say that’s why they should have lifetime tenancies when we have a housing crisis and people who truly can’t afford anything else.

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You paid for the new boiler because you own your property. Therefore it's a financial asset that you have. As I said PP isn't going to be leaving their rental with their boiler because it belongs to the HA/council as does the property they're renting.

Content creators is a crappy example to be fuming over really. They "do a kitchen makeover", by going to B&M and spending £90 on stick on door vinyl, and new handles.

Realistically though as a nation we are genuinely still better off financially with those is SH who work and pay full rent vs those who get maximum HB. If you do the maths it's not that hard really.

User79853257976 · 10/05/2025 23:18

Poppyseeds79 · 10/05/2025 23:09

Is that a race to the bottom comment? If so, you're still paying your mortgage off on a property you own. You're not paying rent on a HA one, and they do come with bare floors as even if the carpets are laid 5wks before they're still ripped out.

Also paying for a new boiler is a big red herring, as regardless of HA or private rental. Nobody is paying for a new boiler unless they have a mortgage. Plus of the HA/council do upkeep your garden they just run the sit on mowers over it. They're not popping round to plant pansies.

If you've shelled out 3.5k on a new boiler then that's because you're investing in the house you're paying for. Nobody renting regardless of circumstances is going to be doing that are they? It's not like they'll take it with them when they move.

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I paid for a new boiler because I had to and I didn’t ‘shell out’ for it, it is on a credit card. My point was that the other poster had been able to do work on that house because the rent is cheap and any of the big, emergency costs would be covered.

There are content creators who show off about how much work they’ve done to their council houses and say that’s why they should have lifetime tenancies when we have a housing crisis and people who truly can’t afford anything else.

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