Page 14 | 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?

WiddlinDiddlin · 04/11/2025 20:26

Take it, areas only get better if better people move into them.

What are your alternatives really?

BananaBreadIsGross · 04/11/2025 20:26

PermanentDarkMode · 04/11/2025 19:55

I don't know anyone in a council property paying anywhere near the same rent as private rentals. It must be area dependent but even in my scruffy corner of the NW private rentals are far more expensive.

I’m on the council list in my area and there’s currently a 2 bed flat for just over £1120 pm. After doing a quick search on Right Move, in the same town there’s a 2 bed flat to rent for £1200 pm. So not a huge difference. There’s 2 different price bandings in our council; affordable rent, which is in line with most standard rent prices in the area (not taking the extravagant properties into consideration) and social rent, which is the lower rent prices that most people would expect a housing association property to be.

Wompet · 04/11/2025 20:26

Helpfullright · 04/11/2025 19:49

Just wow!

Helpfulnot

Hibernatingtilspring · 04/11/2025 20:23

Op, almost all remaining council housing stock is on large council estates, and most large estates have some issues that mean they're seen as 'bad' areas because by nature, the people who qualify for the housing are disadvantaged in some way and that includes people who might not be great neighbours - but it also includes lots of lovely people and lots of families.

Honestly you'd be daft not to take it - security of tenure after a year, more help with the rent compared to private because the LHA doesn't apply, and you won't have to worry about unreasonable rent increases. If you're really not happy there after a while you could see about a property swap.

Also I don't know if you've looked at current private rents but round our way the smallest cheapest two bed houses start at £950 so it might not be as comparable as you think.

Boudy · 04/11/2025 20:22

It sounds v tricky for you. Am stating obvious,I know! On the upside you will presumably have a secure tenancy and will not be at the mercy of rent hikes and potential of house being sold so you have security. On the downside will you feel safe ( and your family). Even if UC help with rent if you private rent you still don't have the security. With the council one like a pp said there is the potential to swap and areas change.

Chuzzle · 04/11/2025 20:21

Do you need a house?

TeaBiscuitsNaptime · 04/11/2025 20:20

I wonder why the last people didn't stay in it long. Its good it beautiful inside anyway! That's a big plus. If the house is a newer build, it mightnt be that bad. Easy access to shops/transport etc could be handy also

Overtheatlantic · 04/11/2025 20:20

Take the house. Winter is almost here, and having a secure tenancy will give you peace of mind.

Ponderingwindow · 04/11/2025 20:19

what is your plan for housing if you turn this down?

Hankunamatata · 04/11/2025 20:18

If choice is take the house or off the list then you take the house

andanotherproblem · 04/11/2025 20:18

Take it, there are so many Facebook groups of people looking to swap houses

Original poster

rhinnq · 04/11/2025 20:17

Sorry yes I saw the house last year when I went on the open viewing. It was beautiful inside.

I didn't know much about the area then but it is a bad area after doing my research etc.
I did live in the area many years ago but it had changed since then.

OP posts:

Luxio · 04/11/2025 20:16

rhinnq · 04/11/2025 20:14

They don't have anymore properties unfortunately as I asked the lady, if I refuse this house then I am off the waiting list.

Then surely it's a no brainer. If you can't rent privately then surely you take this property?

PeonyBulb · 04/11/2025 20:15

Just take it then before someone else does. It’ll be fine I’m sure

Boudy · 04/11/2025 20:15

Do you know the area well op?

TeaBiscuitsNaptime · 04/11/2025 20:15

Consider the facilities around it and crime rate in the area also. Just in case it's not as bad as you imagine. Some places can have a reputation that may not be altogether accurate

Original poster

rhinnq · 04/11/2025 20:14

They don't have anymore properties unfortunately as I asked the lady, if I refuse this house then I am off the waiting list.

OP posts:

Original poster

rhinnq · 04/11/2025 20:13

I currently only work part time and wouldn't be able to pass the referencing for a private let unfortunately.

The rent on this house is £975 which I think is quite expensive but with it being council I would get help towards the rent with UC.

I did actually apply for this same property 12 months ago and went on an open viewing but it was allocated to someone else.

OP posts:

LuigiGhostDog · 04/11/2025 20:12

Accept it or private rent.

TeaBiscuitsNaptime · 04/11/2025 20:11

I would ask them if they have any other properties available or turn it down. You could tell them it's too far away from work/school or something. If it's a forever home, it's better to be happy with it for the most part

Boudy · 04/11/2025 20:10

Also op..did you bid on it? Where I am a person can bid on 3 properties each week. We were served a section 21 many years ago and bid on different properties. Some were in areas that had a reputation including the area we are now in. We are so lucky..our neighbours are fab and there is less anti social behaviour here than when we were private renting in a 'nice' village.

Luxio · 04/11/2025 20:07

PermanentDarkMode · 04/11/2025 19:55

I don't know anyone in a council property paying anywhere near the same rent as private rentals. It must be area dependent but even in my scruffy corner of the NW private rentals are far more expensive.

I agree I would double check that because it doesn't sound accurate at all. I'd also query what happens if you turn it down because I suspect there won't be a second offer.

Moon30 · 04/11/2025 20:07

The only time I've seen rent being similar to private rent is when it's a new build. You could take it and do a swap further down the line. What happens if you don't take it?I thought that you could refuse 2 out of 3 houses, but i may have just made that up in my head somewhere 🙈

SleafordSods · 04/11/2025 20:05

PermanentDarkMode · 04/11/2025 19:55

I don't know anyone in a council property paying anywhere near the same rent as private rentals. It must be area dependent but even in my scruffy corner of the NW private rentals are far more expensive.

I agree. The OP must be seriously unlucky if Council Property commands the same rate as private in the same area.

Rental properties are like Hen’s Teeth where we are and the rent is way over what you’d pay to a social landlord avd it’s only going to get worse, lots of LLs seem to be offloading rental homes before the Renter’s Reform Bill goes through.

What happens @rhinnqif you refuse the house? If you’re in temporary accommodation do you only get offered the one and then you’re out?

TomatoSandwiches · 04/11/2025 20:04

Have you seen it yet?