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Politics

Lifetime Social Housing Tenancies

713 replies

RowsOfFlowers · 26/06/2025 07:46

Am I wrong or being unreasonable to think that this new policy that Labour are bringing in is very unfair?

I come from a poor-ish background (as in no one in my wider family has any money). However, my mum and Dad did fairly okay and managed to move up the property ladder (through sheer hard work and sacrifice). My dad died a few years ago and so now it’s just my mom. We never received any benefits - and now my DH and I live in a house and pay a high interest rate (thanks Truss) and I don’t know if we will ever pay off our house (if I am to have children and go part time), so we will need to downsize. We don’t qualify for any benefits either but we are in the squashed middle, so we really feel it when anything rises in cost and don’t get any help.

I feel really cross that someone can benefit from social housing for a lifetime, no matter how much they go on to earn, and then if they pass away, they can pass it down as an asset.

I have a friend who’s parents came to this country, got given social housing, their children paid it off (40% discount) and now they all get to keep a £650k house in London. It doesn’t seem fair to me at all. I feel really disillusioned living in the UK.

OP posts:
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IleftmybaginNewportPagnell · 26/06/2025 22:18

Frequency · 26/06/2025 21:34

That's because the ridiculous waits in the SE are skewing the figures. Take London and the SE off, and the average wait is probably closer to 1-2 years.

I waited 2 weeks for my HA property from joining the list to getting the keys.

Wow what area? In the borough I brought my family up in (south) there’s no social housing left and no list you can join! Frightening prospect for those in need.

RowsOfFlowers · 26/06/2025 22:18

Ratisshortforratthew · 26/06/2025 22:07

The luck and no hard work required is equally true of people handed huge house deposits by their parents. But you don’t seem to be angry at the fact that housing is a for-profit business when it shouldn’t be, and we’d all be able to access affordable housing if it wasn’t?

I am angry at that too — it should be secure and a right to all, but it isn’t.

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IleftmybaginNewportPagnell · 26/06/2025 22:09

RowsOfFlowers · 26/06/2025 20:53

At the heart of this thread is why do some people get the benefit of lifetime security - yet someone who is privately renting, or paying a mortgage doesn’t get the same level of security?

A lifetime tenancy is only secure if you keep up your rent and abide to (reasonable) rules - same as a mortgage is secure if you keep up repayments. Private rent is the obvious worst option but hopefully will be fairer soon. RTB was a terrible idea which has been overhauled now so the discounts are a lot less generous.

K0OLA1D · 26/06/2025 22:08

Ratisshortforratthew · 26/06/2025 22:07

The luck and no hard work required is equally true of people handed huge house deposits by their parents. But you don’t seem to be angry at the fact that housing is a for-profit business when it shouldn’t be, and we’d all be able to access affordable housing if it wasn’t?

Shhh thats not fitting the narrative

Ratisshortforratthew · 26/06/2025 22:07

RowsOfFlowers · 26/06/2025 21:04

And there we have it.

Thank you @Frostiesflakes for the brutal honesty.

No brains or hardwork required. And this is the unfairness. I’ll just be working my ass off to line the pockets of the next generation.

RTB was an absolute joke and at the root of a lot of our housing issues in this country. Sickening really.

The luck and no hard work required is equally true of people handed huge house deposits by their parents. But you don’t seem to be angry at the fact that housing is a for-profit business when it shouldn’t be, and we’d all be able to access affordable housing if it wasn’t?

RebelMoon · 26/06/2025 22:06

mylovedoesitgood · 26/06/2025 21:28

It’s worth pointing out that the average wait for council housing in the U.K is nearly three years.

But that figure is a bit misleading because it suggests that someone who wants social housing on average waits three years. It doesn't take into account the thousands of people who can't even get on the list nowadays. The fewer people they allow to go on the list, the better the figures look.

RowsOfFlowers · 26/06/2025 22:00

Frostiesflakes · 26/06/2025 21:55

As I said

luck & being able to take advantage of such luck

Most of the houses that were bought under RTB by my family and friends mine included would easily sale for 300 -350’k if put on the market today

Some especially the Victorian terrace ones 400k for sure as they are in a very popular area that’s in recent years has become very trendy and popular with family’s and people from London

some are Victorian style terraces some are newer ( like mine a 3 storey type town house but built when they were a lot bigger than the ones that are built now )

a few are the big typical estate style red brick council house with big gardens those would go for around 325 350 as they are popular because of the size and they are all semi detached style with big front and back gardens

and some you wouldn’t even know they are council owned as the council bought up a lot of private houses years ago where I live mainly Victorian or 1930. -1960 style house so you would have no idea it’s a ex council house

@Frostiesflakes I am happy for you, but please don’t rub it in!

OP posts:
Frostiesflakes · 26/06/2025 21:55

As I said

luck & being able to take advantage of such luck

Most of the houses that were bought under RTB by my family and friends mine included would easily sale for 300 -350’k if put on the market today

Some especially the Victorian terrace ones 400k for sure as they are in a very popular area that’s in recent years has become very trendy and popular with family’s and people from London

some are Victorian style terraces some are newer ( like mine a 3 storey type town house but built when they were a lot bigger than the ones that are built now )

a few are the big typical estate style red brick council house with big gardens those would go for around 325 350 as they are popular because of the size and they are all semi detached style with big front and back gardens

and some you wouldn’t even know they are council owned as the council bought up a lot of private houses years ago where I live mainly Victorian or 1930. -1960 style house so you would have no idea it’s a ex council house

Itsnothealthy · 26/06/2025 21:47

mylovedoesitgood · 26/06/2025 21:28

It’s worth pointing out that the average wait for council housing in the U.K is nearly three years.

Its much more than that

Frequency · 26/06/2025 21:34

mylovedoesitgood · 26/06/2025 21:28

It’s worth pointing out that the average wait for council housing in the U.K is nearly three years.

That's because the ridiculous waits in the SE are skewing the figures. Take London and the SE off, and the average wait is probably closer to 1-2 years.

I waited 2 weeks for my HA property from joining the list to getting the keys.

RowsOfFlowers · 26/06/2025 21:31

Frostiesflakes · 26/06/2025 21:31

I would have been an idiot not to take advantage of RTB
other people’s problems with housing is not my problem and when I got mine it was plentiful

sad as it is I look out for myself and my family no one else will
a lot of people feel the same they just won’t say it out aloud

pretty much everyone in my family had social housing and eventually bought it under the RTB most of us with the exception of death still live in it

same for my husband and his family

Years ago maybe around 25 -30 years ago the council and HA would give people money if they moved out and got a mortgage

I have several friends who were given between 10-20k to hand back there tenancies and take a mortgage
I don’t think it ever took off or was that popular though as they stopped doing it after a few years

Wow

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Frostiesflakes · 26/06/2025 21:31

RowsOfFlowers · 26/06/2025 21:04

And there we have it.

Thank you @Frostiesflakes for the brutal honesty.

No brains or hardwork required. And this is the unfairness. I’ll just be working my ass off to line the pockets of the next generation.

RTB was an absolute joke and at the root of a lot of our housing issues in this country. Sickening really.

I would have been an idiot not to take advantage of RTB
other people’s problems with housing is not my problem and when I got mine it was plentiful

sad as it is I look out for myself and my family no one else will
a lot of people feel the same they just won’t say it out aloud

pretty much everyone in my family had social housing and eventually bought it under the RTB most of us with the exception of death still live in it

same for my husband and his family

Years ago maybe around 25 -30 years ago the council and HA would give people money if they moved out and got a mortgage

I have several friends who were given between 10-20k to hand back there tenancies and take a mortgage
I don’t think it ever took off or was that popular though as they stopped doing it after a few years

mylovedoesitgood · 26/06/2025 21:28

It’s worth pointing out that the average wait for council housing in the U.K is nearly three years.

Frequency · 26/06/2025 21:20

RowsOfFlowers · 26/06/2025 21:00

My issue is not with people taking advantage of the system. If I were in that position, hell, I might too!

My argument is also that there are people out there who are in a really unfortunate and desperate position where they really really need somewhere to live, now won’t get it. And now your nephew is in a 2/3 social housing house that could’ve gone to a family fleeing domestic abuse…

Everyone who is disagreeing with me feels attacked because they are taking advantage of the system and are now getting defensive. You are unable to take criticism or comment that might cast you in a bad light.

Edited

My town does not have a shortage of social housing. Believe it or not, London is not the start and end of the UK. There are other areas outside of London, there are even other cities Shock

The average wait for a council property in Newcastle is only 42 weeks; that is just the council, Newcastle also has several HAs. Some areas in Newcastle have an average waiting list of 10 weeks.

RowsOfFlowers · 26/06/2025 21:16

K0OLA1D · 26/06/2025 21:15

Yes I am saying that. I live in HA housing from 18 to 29. Where we had managed to get enough for a deposit on our own home.

Not many people would remain in HA if that was the option given to them.

Well done to you x

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K0OLA1D · 26/06/2025 21:15

RowsOfFlowers · 26/06/2025 21:09

So are you saying you gave up your social housing for a mortgage?

Yes I agree it wouldn’t have been wise to give it up to go and rent, but social housing is really for those on low income, that’s what I think anyway.

The whole situation is quite broken.

Yes I am saying that. I live in HA housing from 18 to 29. Where we had managed to get enough for a deposit on our own home.

Not many people would remain in HA if that was the option given to them.

RowsOfFlowers · 26/06/2025 21:12

I know someone who came to this country after marrying a UK citizen and she then broke up with him and went straight into social housing, no wait, nothing.

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RowsOfFlowers · 26/06/2025 21:11

Itsnothealthy · 26/06/2025 21:10

But i was private renting that =2 evictions for me and years in temporary accommodation. Now im in social housing should I have to give that up at some point to go through the same thing over again?

You could private rent wait for eviction spend years in temporary accommodation. And get secure social housing that way? Social housing isn't just handed out you have to go through the system it's not pretty.

I know it’s not pretty, and I’m really sorry for your experience there.

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juneny · 26/06/2025 21:11

You're consumed by jealously. People in council houses, people who manage to get pregnant, your poor brother.

Appreciate what you have and stop coveting what others have. You'll be happier

RowsOfFlowers · 26/06/2025 21:10

K0OLA1D · 26/06/2025 21:02

Have you read anything I've written. How am I feeling attacked because I GAVE UP my secure tenancy?

I am disagreeing with you because I think you are wrong and you are angry at the wrong people

Also that comment there wasn’t necessarily aimed at you @K0OLA1D

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Itsnothealthy · 26/06/2025 21:10

RowsOfFlowers · 26/06/2025 20:53

At the heart of this thread is why do some people get the benefit of lifetime security - yet someone who is privately renting, or paying a mortgage doesn’t get the same level of security?

But i was private renting that =2 evictions for me and years in temporary accommodation. Now im in social housing should I have to give that up at some point to go through the same thing over again?

You could private rent wait for eviction spend years in temporary accommodation. And get secure social housing that way? Social housing isn't just handed out you have to go through the system it's not pretty.

RowsOfFlowers · 26/06/2025 21:10

Duckyfondant · 26/06/2025 20:53

What was? If I didn't see them every day, I'd still know they were there.

Although I must admit I did leave some low price social housing because I thought others might need it more. Sadly it doesn't pay to try and do the right thing.

Bless you.

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RowsOfFlowers · 26/06/2025 21:09

K0OLA1D · 26/06/2025 20:57

Why do you not understand that owning a house when you're 65 (normally the round about age) is a better option than continuing to rent until you DIE?

I gave my lifetime tenancy up for a mortgage. I would have been a fucking idiot to give it up because I was earning more money and rent privately instead

So are you saying you gave up your social housing for a mortgage?

Yes I agree it wouldn’t have been wise to give it up to go and rent, but social housing is really for those on low income, that’s what I think anyway.

The whole situation is quite broken.

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RowsOfFlowers · 26/06/2025 21:04

Frostiesflakes · 26/06/2025 20:58

Luck mainly

for a lot of people being born at the right time when social housing was plentiful and the RTB

I had social housing I bought mine years ago

I have no mortgage any more

my parents had a council house
bought it for peanuts under the RTB

When they passed away my son inherited half of it and used it to put down as a deposit on his house so he had a tiny mortgage and he will inherit again from his other grandparents shortly and also from me I expect eventually
Just Luck

no hard work or brains required

And there we have it.

Thank you @Frostiesflakes for the brutal honesty.

No brains or hardwork required. And this is the unfairness. I’ll just be working my ass off to line the pockets of the next generation.

RTB was an absolute joke and at the root of a lot of our housing issues in this country. Sickening really.

OP posts:
K0OLA1D · 26/06/2025 21:02

RowsOfFlowers · 26/06/2025 21:00

My issue is not with people taking advantage of the system. If I were in that position, hell, I might too!

My argument is also that there are people out there who are in a really unfortunate and desperate position where they really really need somewhere to live, now won’t get it. And now your nephew is in a 2/3 social housing house that could’ve gone to a family fleeing domestic abuse…

Everyone who is disagreeing with me feels attacked because they are taking advantage of the system and are now getting defensive. You are unable to take criticism or comment that might cast you in a bad light.

Edited

Have you read anything I've written. How am I feeling attacked because I GAVE UP my secure tenancy?

I am disagreeing with you because I think you are wrong and you are angry at the wrong people