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AIBU?

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Original poster

To keep our council property when we can technically buy?

236 replies

HungaryForLove · 26/11/2025 17:25

Hi all,

My partner and I are TTC and thinking about our future. Ideally, after I have a baby I only want to work maximum 2 days weekly so I can be around for our kids, and also save on childcare costs. Partner earns about £35k/year before tax/pension, and we have around £16k in savings. We wouldn’t be claiming UC, just child benefit.

We currently live in a council house that my partner grew up in — he inherited it when his mum moved abroad. It’s a 3-bedroom house. Rent is £480/month. The estate is fine, some people are bit rough around the edges but they never give us any trouble and there’s actually a nice community. I regularly walk to the local shop at night and never feel unsafe. It’s full of young families.

The alternative is buying a 3-bedroom house (we need 3 bed as want 2 DC and I often WFH), which seems to start around £160,000 here and with the 10% deposit of £16,000 our savings would go back down to £0 with no buffer for house maintenance, car issues, maternity leave etc. Also with a 30-year mortgage (we’d need 30 years to be able to afford the monthly payments) at 4.35% interest, I’d realistically need to work 4–5 days a week just to cover costs. I am currently only earning £26,000 full-time. Working so many days would mean barely seeing our kids and only taking home less than £1000 anyway after childcare, and that’s with taking into account the 30 free hours as you still end up paying hundreds a month anyway (I know this from my sister who uses our local nursery 4 days a week for her son who is soon changing to 2 days as she will pay nothing then).

If we stay in the council house, we could comfortably manage on one full-time income and one very part-time income and retain over £10,000 in savings (that would otherwise go on house deposit) to get us through maternity leaves etc, and the a portion of the money we’d otherwise spend on mortgage interest we would invest. Even considering rent going up a few percent per year, we’d still be much more comfortable.

So, AIBU for wanting to stay put in our inherited council house for now, even though we could technically afford to buy? I’m not saying we would stay forever but at least until the expensive childcare years are over, and maybe by then mortgage rates will have become more reasonable and I could go back to working full-time and we’d only be paying wrap-around care.

I do appreciate we are in a fortunate position to be even able to make this choice. Me and DP did grow up in severe poverty, I had alcoholic gambling addict parents and DP is originally from a very deprived country which his DM has moved back to and neither of us will inherit anything. Just to add context.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Famousinlove · 07/12/2025 03:16

You should speak to a mortgage broker. There are mortgages available for first time buyers with 5% or no deposits. They will also be able to tell you exactly what you can borrow and how much it will cost per month, might be less than you think

Original poster
HungaryForLove · 02/12/2025 14:57

We also wouldn’t need to worry about awkward sellers…being gazumped…moving in and finding they’ve hidden a load of mold under a false wall etc. we know exactly what to expect with this house

OP posts:
Original poster
HungaryForLove · 02/12/2025 14:50

Thank you everyone who gave useful responses.

Having considered it, we are going to look to buy our current house under the right to acquire scheme. We hadn’t been aware before that the £9000 discount we can get can go towards the deposit and that has been a game changer. The property would be worth about £125,000 after the discount so the monthly payments would be manageable (only about £100 more than we pay in rent, which would mean it’d be still manageable to go PT after I have a baby). We had a preliminary call with a mortgage advisor who is confident they could find us a mortgage where we’d only need a maximum of £5000 deposit (likely to be even less), which would leave us with over £10,000 left in savings. Not to mention not having to pay for a removal man etc

We originally thought we’d need the full 10% deposit and were reluctant because whilst the house does the job, the kitchen is falling apart needs a full replacement and we were once again worried about not having any savings left afterwards. But if we can purchase this and use the discount towards our deposit we can be left with a decent amount of savings left to do the kitchen, spruce up the bathroom etc.

I know it’s taking a much-needed council property off the market and I’ve felt bad about that but at the end of the day it’s not our job to do the governments job for them. If the option is there we may as well take it. Me and my partner will never inherit a house or any money and when my parents pass I will need to find provision for my autistic sibling (who will never live independently) which is likely to wipe out any money my parents leave. If neither us can expect a windfall in the future, we should take this opportunity now.

OP posts:
Thechaseison71 · 29/11/2025 23:30

Clonakilla · 29/11/2025 22:09

I would prioritise getting out of accomodation that’s dependent on the government allowing you to have it. That’s a very precarious situation in which to raise children. I would not subject my children to the uncertainty unless I had no choice. Part of being a parent is being financially responsible for your children.

Being in a position to buy a home is very privileged. I wouldn’t ignore that privilege I’d want to use it to give my children better security.

Everyone is short of money and has to compromise on home size and area when they first buy a home. Your buying power won’t increase with years of part time work and extra expenses, and house prices will continue to rise. You may be out of the market forever if you miss this chance.

I could not do that to my children and their security when you have better options.

Surely being in private rented accomodation is more precautions. I think most council tenants have lifetime tenancies so as long as they pay the rent and behave themselves they are in a very secure position. Even if you own a house and can't afford the mortgage you can get kicked out whereas I. A council property you can get housing benefit if you lose job etc

Not sure why you think this

Ripplemoment · 29/11/2025 22:47

OP, keep the house and the security it brings while continuing to save steadily.

Vivi0 · 29/11/2025 22:22

cestlavielife · 29/11/2025 22:11

", I can rent it out and buy an additional property. I

The irony that you need other people to rent from you ?

I was simply demonstrating that home ownership gives you options that renting doesn’t.

And that it is better to have those options, than to not have those options.

I think the OP should buy a property now, as opposed to continued renting.

I don’t need anyone to rent from me. I’m not a landlord. I don’t want to be. I don’t need to be. But the option exists for me nonetheless.

cestlavielife · 29/11/2025 22:11

", I can rent it out and buy an additional property. I

The irony that you need other people to rent from you ?

Clonakilla · 29/11/2025 22:09

I would prioritise getting out of accomodation that’s dependent on the government allowing you to have it. That’s a very precarious situation in which to raise children. I would not subject my children to the uncertainty unless I had no choice. Part of being a parent is being financially responsible for your children.

Being in a position to buy a home is very privileged. I wouldn’t ignore that privilege I’d want to use it to give my children better security.

Everyone is short of money and has to compromise on home size and area when they first buy a home. Your buying power won’t increase with years of part time work and extra expenses, and house prices will continue to rise. You may be out of the market forever if you miss this chance.

I could not do that to my children and their security when you have better options.

aneelli · 29/11/2025 21:47

@Poms agree this not real at all

Thechaseison71 · 29/11/2025 21:42

Vivi0 · 29/11/2025 16:35

Then have to deal with being a landlord. Many simply don't want the extra layer of hassle.

Perhaps not. But many people do benefit nicely from the additional income of being a landlord, despite the “extra layer of hassle”.

I can’t even fathom using my own money to pay off someone else’s mortgage, when I could be paying off my own.

I appreciate that the OP is in social housing, but I still see renting as such a waste of one’s own money. I do understand that many people don’t have the option but to rent, but the OP does have the option. I’ve never thought about it as a choice before. It’s certainly not a choice I would make. Come to think of it, I don’t think I actually know anyone who rents.

I will be advising my own children to buy a property as soon as possible, and if they do require to rent, to not stay in that position for too long.

Home ownership offers you choices that renting does not. And I’d rather have choices in life.

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You obviously have very privileged friends and family then if you don't know anyone who rents.Seeing as around 40% of the population do it's not that unusual

alphabetti · 29/11/2025 17:04

I think many people get jealous when they hear of others living in council housing which is generally cheaper rent. No one on here is able to pick exactly who would move into the property so can’t determine who would be more deserving.

If was me i would consider what would happen if something happened to your partner as from my understanding succession of a council tenancy can only happen once after original tenant died or left. So i would look into option to buy it or if not save like mad to buy a property so that you and your children always have a home. My knowledge of council tenancy’s isn’t great tho never had one. But my reason for buying was because i wanted my children to always have a home or if older and i died they would get a split of it.

Vivi0 · 29/11/2025 16:35

Thechaseison71 · 29/11/2025 15:54

Then have to deal with being a landlord. Many simply don't want the extra layer of hassle.

Strangely it seems the UK is far more obsessed with home ownership than other countries

Oh and I am mortgage free. But if id done the whole " climb the ladder" I wouldn't have been. I stated in a small flat rather than it bigger and bigger houses like many of my age group

But the situation 30 years ago when I bought my place ( I was young) and the OP having a 3 bed house are miles apart

Again though once I retired if I didn't have enough money to pay rent if I had a council property then id get housing benefit or whatever they call it these days

Edited
Show quote history

Then have to deal with being a landlord. Many simply don't want the extra layer of hassle.

Perhaps not. But many people do benefit nicely from the additional income of being a landlord, despite the “extra layer of hassle”.

I can’t even fathom using my own money to pay off someone else’s mortgage, when I could be paying off my own.

I appreciate that the OP is in social housing, but I still see renting as such a waste of one’s own money. I do understand that many people don’t have the option but to rent, but the OP does have the option. I’ve never thought about it as a choice before. It’s certainly not a choice I would make. Come to think of it, I don’t think I actually know anyone who rents.

I will be advising my own children to buy a property as soon as possible, and if they do require to rent, to not stay in that position for too long.

Home ownership offers you choices that renting does not. And I’d rather have choices in life.

MyAmusedPearlSquid · 29/11/2025 16:26

Only you can decide on whats best for you your rent is massively cheap

Thechaseison71 · 29/11/2025 15:54

Vivi0 · 29/11/2025 14:16

@Thechaseison71 Presumably you will be mortgage free at some point?

Many people rent simply because they may need to move around with work. Imagine the hassle of selling and buying houses every couple of years when you get a different work contract

Rather than selling their property though, they could rent their property out to ensure their mortgage is being paid off, whilst they move around with different work contracts.

They would still have to rent, however, my scenario allows them to retain an asset at no additional cost.

Home ownership offers more options than simply renting.

Edited

Then have to deal with being a landlord. Many simply don't want the extra layer of hassle.

Strangely it seems the UK is far more obsessed with home ownership than other countries

Oh and I am mortgage free. But if id done the whole " climb the ladder" I wouldn't have been. I stated in a small flat rather than it bigger and bigger houses like many of my age group

But the situation 30 years ago when I bought my place ( I was young) and the OP having a 3 bed house are miles apart

Again though once I retired if I didn't have enough money to pay rent if I had a council property then id get housing benefit or whatever they call it these days

justasking111 · 29/11/2025 15:03

KaleidoscopeSmile · 29/11/2025 15:00

In my opinion, being able to "inherit" council housing is the second worst thing after selling them off.

You'll soon be able to do this in the private sector. Wales put this in a few years ago

KaleidoscopeSmile · 29/11/2025 15:00

In my opinion, being able to "inherit" council housing is the second worst thing after selling them off.

Vivi0 · 29/11/2025 14:16

@Thechaseison71 Presumably you will be mortgage free at some point?

Many people rent simply because they may need to move around with work. Imagine the hassle of selling and buying houses every couple of years when you get a different work contract

Rather than selling their property though, they could rent their property out to ensure their mortgage is being paid off, whilst they move around with different work contracts.

They would still have to rent, however, my scenario allows them to retain an asset at no additional cost.

Home ownership offers more options than simply renting.

Thechaseison71 · 29/11/2025 13:34

Vivi0 · 29/11/2025 13:28

For me, I would rather buy.

Housing is usually an individual’s largest outgoing each month, and I’d prefer to retain some of that money in an asset that I own. An asset which typically grows in value.

I can remain there and leave it to my children to inherit, I can sell after a while and climb the property ladder, I can rent it out and buy an additional property. It gives me much more choice than renting ever would.

Show quote history

See I own my place. But while I'm alive I dont really get any benefit of owning it rather than renting . The only way it's a usable " asset" is if I sell it then of course I have no where to live

Many people rent simply because they may need to move around with work. Imagine the hassle of selling and buying houses every couple of years when you get a different work contract

Vivi0 · 29/11/2025 13:33

Seymour5 · 29/11/2025 13:17

If the OP or her partner get ill, can’t work, they won’t lose their secure tenancy, the rent if they are on a low income will be all, or partially covered by housing benefit. If they buy a house and the same thing happens, who helps pay the mortgage? No benefits available with that. The worst case scenario could see them homeless, and in a lot worse position given the acknowledged shortage of social housing. Stay put at least until your DC are older OP.

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Not true - there are insurance policies which cover this kind of situation.

No one should buy a property without having this type of insurance in place.

I believe home ownership is more beneficial to the individual in the long term, rather than renting. And it’s better to get on the housing ladder sooner rather than later. Anything can happen to anyone in life - no one should allow “what it’s” to prevent them progressing in life.

Vivi0 · 29/11/2025 13:28

Thechaseison71 · 29/11/2025 12:59

Out of interest just WHY is it better to buy? So you then have to pay for the upkeep? What does owning a house give you that renting one does especially in the case where the OP is in social housing so can decorate etc

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For me, I would rather buy.

Housing is usually an individual’s largest outgoing each month, and I’d prefer to retain some of that money in an asset that I own. An asset which typically grows in value.

I can remain there and leave it to my children to inherit, I can sell after a while and climb the property ladder, I can rent it out and buy an additional property. It gives me much more choice than renting ever would.

gamerchick · 29/11/2025 13:24

x2boys · 29/11/2025 11:46

This and disability threads
Posters make their own rules up and then get upset by the fact they are wrong .

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Or double down and hope for the best.

its like they really wish what they're saying is true and if they say it often enough it will be!

gamerchick · 29/11/2025 13:19

WiggyWiggyImGettingJiggy · 29/11/2025 11:44

I think they just get excited because they can't use the word 'subsidised' much in real life.

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I just assume they're on a wind up when they say that. Nobody is that dim, they can't be.

Makes me laugh though Grin

Seymour5 · 29/11/2025 13:17

Vivi0 · 29/11/2025 12:52

My view is that if you can, it is preferable to buy, rather than to remain renting.

I have no view on the social housing aspect of your post, but believe it would be in your interests in the long term to buy a property for you and your family.

Don’t put home ownership off unnecessarily.

If the OP or her partner get ill, can’t work, they won’t lose their secure tenancy, the rent if they are on a low income will be all, or partially covered by housing benefit. If they buy a house and the same thing happens, who helps pay the mortgage? No benefits available with that. The worst case scenario could see them homeless, and in a lot worse position given the acknowledged shortage of social housing. Stay put at least until your DC are older OP.

GreenGodiva · 29/11/2025 13:17

Op, look to see if your dps house has the right to buy, you can typically find out on your authority website and find the calculator. The discount is limited to £26k now but that’s classed as your deposit and so you could both own the house AND keep your savings.

in my home town our council has built over two hundred new properties in the last few years so my DH didn’t feel bad about buying his flat back when the discount was bigger as the council woman said the money from the sale went into the pot for the building projects. It’s a home for life and future proof for us as it’s a ground for two bed flat with a private garden and shower room.

Thechaseison71 · 29/11/2025 13:13

AInightingale · 29/11/2025 13:13

Well certainly the govt would prefer us to buy, as we have less chance of needing help with private rent/ there is less need for social housing which they have to provide, and also because it's a handy asset to sell once someone becomes old and incapacitated. I don't know how the state would pay for care otherwise. Call me cynical, but the right to buy has saved the state's bacon - most of the people who bought in the 80s are now elderly. If they'd continued to rent, they would have required housing benefit into old age, and many would have been eligible for funding for very costly care placements.

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Yes and what the benefit to the OP then? Or those in her situation?

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