Page 11 | Offered council house in a not very good area?

rhinnq · 2025-11-04T19:41:52+00:00

I got a call today from the council to advise me that I have been offered a property. The property isn't in a very good area to be honest and the rent is on level with a private rent. I am not sure if I should take it. AIBU?

Kirbert2 · 04/11/2025 21:44

rhinnq · 04/11/2025 21:40

I have friends that live in the area and they have all advised me to refuse it as they say "I would be crazy to live there" I think that's what is putting me off.

I have been to the area in the day time and it dosent seem that bad but apparently night time is different.
There is a lot of drug user and drug dealers who frequent the area, the area is well known for that.

It's your only option to not feel isolated away from family so I'd take it.

It sounds like you have little choice unless you just don't move?

Original poster

rhinnq · 04/11/2025 21:44

@Boudy yes that's how I feel. I do find making decisions very hard due to constant stress and anxiety.

@whynotwhatknot - This is exactly what I feel, I will never get to move back and just be stuck here with no friends or family here.

Before this offer I was trying to save money so I could pay rent upfront to move back but it just feels impossible with kids and only working part time.

I have been looking for full time work but I live in a small semi rural town.

OP posts:

Purplefoo · 04/11/2025 21:43

So what are your choices, I don’t understand. Can you spell it out?

(you are being incredibly unreasonable to reject a house due to it being under a street lamp)

(can you work full time?)

Burningbud1981 · 04/11/2025 21:42

@rhinnq You’ve answered your own question haven’t you ? If you turn it down you’re off the list. If you can’t afford private not sure what choice you have

Hibernatingtilspring · 04/11/2025 21:41

Op it might not be that the tenants chose to leave, they might not have been able to maintain the tenancy.
Ultimately if you don't take it, you've no alternative. If you do take it, and you're not happy with it, you would be in a more stable position to plan to move again.

@Lifestooshort71 the majority of people who (successfully) swap do so to be closer to friends or family in the area, so it's less about how 'naice' the area is than you'd think. I say successfully because loads of people seek a swap because they need somewhere bigger, but there's very little reason for anyone with a larger property to downsize, especially knowing that they won't stand a chance of re-applying for a bigger property in future if they wanted one.

loganrunning · 04/11/2025 21:41

rhinnq · 04/11/2025 21:40

I have friends that live in the area and they have all advised me to refuse it as they say "I would be crazy to live there" I think that's what is putting me off.

I have been to the area in the day time and it dosent seem that bad but apparently night time is different.
There is a lot of drug user and drug dealers who frequent the area, the area is well known for that.

So what is your other option then?

You sound like you have decided not to take it, so I guess look at other options.

Workingoutthetruth · 04/11/2025 21:41

rhinnq · 04/11/2025 21:24

Hi
I did wonder myself why the last tenants left so quickly.
I did a quick check on Rightmove, the house was only purchased 2 years ago and there was a previous tenant last year who had just left, so the house has a high turnover of tenants.

The house is also right under a lamp post, it's on a main busy road with no parking, and on Streetview there are bin bags just left out side people's front door as bins get stolen.

What is wrong with being near a lamppost? Bright light would improve safety?

Original poster

rhinnq · 04/11/2025 21:40

I have friends that live in the area and they have all advised me to refuse it as they say "I would be crazy to live there" I think that's what is putting me off.

I have been to the area in the day time and it dosent seem that bad but apparently night time is different.
There is a lot of drug user and drug dealers who frequent the area, the area is well known for that.

OP posts:

loganrunning · 04/11/2025 21:40

rhinnq · 04/11/2025 21:31

So basically I fled DV last year and was rehoused in a new build house an hour away from where I used to live.

I have no friends and no family here and I feel very isolated.

Last year I applied to the council in an area close to where I moved from due to "local connection" and I was advised that I would be waiting 10 years plus for a house and advised me to try HA.

I applied to a few HA and viewed the same house I have just been offered.
This is the only vacant property that seems to be vacant as I have been on their waiting list for almost 2 years now.

Their policy is that they remove people if they refuse an offer which is what I have had.

Well it's not a question then.

Take it.

Nomorecoconutboosts · 04/11/2025 21:40

OneFunBrickNewt · 04/11/2025 20:57

Not now the RRB is becoming law.

Show quote history

My understanding of the RRB - which isn’t in place yet - is that the landlord is still able to sell the house or decide to move into it themselves (or even just claim this is their plan) which makes it less secure than a LA property

Boudy · 04/11/2025 21:39

I think it can be difficult to see the wood for the trees when you have been living in constant fear,stress,anxiety. Decision making can be really really hard.

YellowKettle · 04/11/2025 21:39

@rhinnq what HA?

whynotwhatknot · 04/11/2025 21:38

im sorry about whats happened i really think you should taker it or you'll never get to move back

stichguru · 04/11/2025 21:37

Why don't you want to take it? I don't mean that to sound snarky, but genuinely not sure. I mean if you think there are better private rental properties that you can afford and could get, then leave this house for someone who would be stuck without it, otherwise snap it up!

Luxio · 04/11/2025 21:37

Honestly I cannot see a negative to accepting this property given your updates.

VaccineSticker · 04/11/2025 21:35

You refused the offer?!
why?
I get that the house might not be ideal, but in your situation you can’t be picky. Plus, you need to see this council home as temporary, the idea is to buy yourself time, and get up on your feet and get out of the situation you’re in. Have a plan and grow yourself again. You will never get your dream home through a council home. You are not being realistic.

Boudy · 04/11/2025 21:34

I am sorry @rhinnq how stressful for you. If you had been offered it when you first saw it would you have accepted? I know you said area has changed( not fir the better) but it can chabge again..for the better. I wish you all the best.

Original poster

rhinnq · 04/11/2025 21:34

I just looked at the email and it says "Market Rent".

I can't help but think there must be a reason why tenants leave so quickly as it truly is a beautiful house inside.
From looking at their website they have closed their waiting lists now and they rarely have empty properties.

OP posts:

IwishIhadcheese · 04/11/2025 21:33

rhinnq · 04/11/2025 21:31

So basically I fled DV last year and was rehoused in a new build house an hour away from where I used to live.

I have no friends and no family here and I feel very isolated.

Last year I applied to the council in an area close to where I moved from due to "local connection" and I was advised that I would be waiting 10 years plus for a house and advised me to try HA.

I applied to a few HA and viewed the same house I have just been offered.
This is the only vacant property that seems to be vacant as I have been on their waiting list for almost 2 years now.

Their policy is that they remove people if they refuse an offer which is what I have had.

Eve more reason to take it. What have you got to lose?

Kirbert2 · 04/11/2025 21:33

Boudy · 04/11/2025 21:30

@Kirbert2 we bid on anything that came up we were eligible for even though some of them seemed abit 'dodgy'. This house was refused by the people above us so we were very very lucky indeed!

We did the same. Got a suitable property within 1 month. Luckily about 5 minutes away from our old rented property so not a massive upheaval either.

Original poster

rhinnq · 04/11/2025 21:31

So basically I fled DV last year and was rehoused in a new build house an hour away from where I used to live.

I have no friends and no family here and I feel very isolated.

Last year I applied to the council in an area close to where I moved from due to "local connection" and I was advised that I would be waiting 10 years plus for a house and advised me to try HA.

I applied to a few HA and viewed the same house I have just been offered.
This is the only vacant property that seems to be vacant as I have been on their waiting list for almost 2 years now.

Their policy is that they remove people if they refuse an offer which is what I have had.

OP posts:

vivainsomnia · 04/11/2025 21:31

Ultimately some people will be living there so why is it good enough for them but not you? Are you and your family more worthy?

You don't have to take it if you really don't want to live there. Private rental is not usually bad if you are a good tenant and can afford something decent.

Boudy · 04/11/2025 21:30

@Kirbert2 we bid on anything that came up we were eligible for even though some of them seemed abit 'dodgy'. This house was refused by the people above us so we were very very lucky indeed!

whynotwhatknot · 04/11/2025 21:29

its more secure than renting the price can go up anytime-my sister tried to get council they said she had too much money-sold house equity) but agents said they cant take cash as a wage so was really stuck until someone private accepted her

where are you living now

olderandnonthewiser · 04/11/2025 21:29

You can’t pass reference checks, you work part time, and you’re being offered secure housing with help with the rent.
But you’re worried about there being a street lamp outside.
OP perhaps you should up your hours and give yourself more choices.