Should I take this housing association property?

[whyismysoullost]

Hello,

After 6 years of living in a very small one bed flat, which we've had so many issues with, but that's for another thread. We have been offered a housing association property. Woohoo !

The only and big issue is that the £279.00 a week ! Plus pricing will go up every year (I assume) My family members think I'm crazy for considering this. I can afford the property (just about) but it will be a stretch, if I'm honest and I will have to cut back on a few things. I'm going to see the property next week.

What do you think ?

It depends on the size of the property, the size of your family, the cost of other properties in your area and whether it meets your needs.

That is a lot! Where is it?

cornish it's a two bedroom flat, just for DS and I. Newly built housing association properties are becoming more expensive. However, other housing properties do not cost this much,

Lsna London.

What is the LA rate for a two bed should you need housing benefit?
Could you stay there if you needed help?

How much are you paying now?

Can you do a list of pros and cons?

Do you think you and your son will be happier there?

It does seem expensive.

I think that’s about the same as private rent for a two bed in London. What’s the zone? We are in zone 5 and people pay the same.

Sounds like it'll be an assured shorthand affordable rent tenancy so priced around the average of rental prices in the area.

I would take it as after a year you may be eligible to look for a mutal exchange for something cheaper.

We are currently paying roughly £130.00 a week. Even though our current housing situation is dire, we have quite a lot of spare money to do other things... e.g. holidays, extra curricular activities, treats etc etc. I will have to cut back ALOT.

Queen I would not get housing benefit, I would move across to UC. I work so I don't get much benefits anyway.

Would your outgoings increase for council tax , utilities etc though - need to consider the full picture

are you on uc or in receipt of hb (nb if you change areas & are on old style benefits you will be forced to swap over - I think it says) check on web exactly what it says about rent increase -chances are it will be set at x percentage maxim) & what happens if you refuse - you may be put into lower band & be unlikely to get another offer.

Of course Mrsbyers.

Currently, after all tax and other bills are paid , I had quite a lot of money left over.

Yes I agree with the above posts about taking all costs into consideration. Oh cull tax, commute etc and weigh up the full package. I like the stability of the property though. A private landlord can kick you out but a HA are less likely to do so unless you are a bad tenant. Make sure you are getting all the benefits you should be. Good luck.

Oh cull is meant to be council tax.

If you've got a housing association house I'd say you would be entitled to something. You might fall into the bracket for housing benefit help if your rent increases. It would be a shame you did not have the security of social housing because they out priced you. I'd say take it but look into any help you can get.

Balance somewhere pleasant to live, against money to do other things.

I like my home, so being in a comfortable place would be a priority for me, but it depends on what you and your son prioritise. Are there things you can do for free in London, to make up for reduced outings and holidays?

The stability of the property would be important too.

If you've got a housing association house I'd say you would be entitled to something

That's not how it works.

What tenancy do you have now and what is the HA offering?
Would you lose any tenancy rights or length?

I'm currently in a council property. Sorry, should have made that clearer.

I would not be entitled to housing benefit, I would be swapped to Universal credit and with that, I will get very little.

The majority of my money goes to DS therapy- ADHD and Dyspraxia -ish

Ah there's the rub.
You have a secure tenancy (presumably) so the HA will be different you need to check, no good if they can review it in five years i.e.
Council has RTB but HA differ with right to acquire, is that likely to impact you?
Council rent doesn't fluctuate by vast amounts but HA vary in what they charge.

Can you risk waiting on a council property (do they have many the size you need?) or do you have restricted offers because of a priority?

TheQueef This is something I can ask at viewing. I currently have a secured tenancy. Luckily, there are quite a few Council Houses/ HA with the required 2-bedroom flat. I have been waiting this long so I guess I can wait. I don't want to miss this opportunity. But if I would be struggling month to month to pay all bills... I'm not sure if it's worth it.

Make sure your dc gets all the benefits needed for his condition too.

I don’t think its worth it. I’d expect HA to be cheaper than a private let surely. Otherwise you could take your pick of the private market rather than take what they offer you? Is there a garden? My neighbour pays that privately and has an 80ft garden.

That is a fortune, twice my mortgage! (But not London I grant you)

How much better is the new place than where you are now? Will it give you a better quality of life?