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Original poster

Social Housing - is there a limit for earnings?

116 replies

Dogreared · 01/01/2023 14:22

So, I am asking as someone who was homeless for several years and earning minimum wage, working two jobs, and spent years blaming myself for the position I was in... Experienced all forms of homelessness during this time, was incredibly vulnerable with both mental and physical health issues.

Recently met someone who is a Band 8 salary within the NHS, and who's partner is earning 60k a year - they have been living in social housing (and now complaining they are not eligible for it in their new area they've moved to).

I guess I am really confused about the system and how it works. I was told there were no homes, it is the same area, and it has been through the same time period.

By the way - this isn't posted out of my spite, I ended up being incredibly fortunate and am now comfortable and have secure housing although on benefits and pay for it all from my benefits (I manage with very little to spare each month, but my house is long term secure).

I don't know if I just didn't fight hard enough looking back, or if this is how the system actually works? Are people allowed to keep social housing as they progress through their careers?

OP posts:
IDontCareMatthew · 01/01/2023 14:24

Yes, some people have lifetime tenancies

IDontCareMatthew · 01/01/2023 14:25

But that doesn't quite ring true here because if they had a lifetime tenancy they could use it to move to a new area

What kind of tenancy do they have?

Boomboom22 · 01/01/2023 14:26

Yes it is only based on circumstances when you apply. Once in you can stay forever as long as you pay your rent.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Benefits
HideyHoe · 01/01/2023 14:26

Their circumstances when they got the property aren't the same as now. They might also have inherited the tenancy or were added before the main person left or died.
I'm surprised they didn't go for a house swap when they moved as it's obvious they would no longer qualify plus the wait is ridiculous.

BuffaloCauliflower · 01/01/2023 14:27

Once you get your tenancy it’s generally yours for life unless you relinquish it. So you could get an HA house when single and earning very little, then marry a high earner who moves in (random example) and not have to give it up. Once you’re in you’re in basically.

2023willbemyyear · 01/01/2023 14:29

It depends on the council and the type of tenancy you have. In my last council flat I had a five year tenancy. They told me they would review my tenancy every five years and if my earnings went up enough to afford private renting, they wouldn't renew it. Now I've since done a house swap and have a lifetime tenancy, in a different area.

Original poster
Dogreared · 01/01/2023 14:45

Ah, thank you - I didn't realise the tenancy is for life. This is a huge explanation as to why there is such a social housing crisis.

I'm unsure what type of tenancy they have, (had) but I do know it wasn't inherited and only one of them had the property (then married, and their partner moved in a few years ago).

It seems really weird to me, but more because they are complaining about it now!

OP posts:
IDontCareMatthew · 01/01/2023 14:50

No it does NOT EXPLAIN THE 'social housing' problem Hmm

UrsulaPandress · 01/01/2023 14:53

Didn’t a famous union boss live in a council house?

gamerchick · 01/01/2023 14:54

Here we go. Been a couple of months 🙄

Sh isn't linked to benefits, never has been.

Original poster
Dogreared · 01/01/2023 15:09

@IDontCareMatthew read what I said.

I didn't say it explained the social housing problem, I said it was a (as in one of many) huge explanation as to the social housing crisis.

I was living (and paying) for rooms with up to 30 people in and not being offered social housing and yet there's people with a joint income in a six bedroom flat paying a fraction of the market rate (or at least that's what they are moaning about).

OP posts:
Original poster
Dogreared · 01/01/2023 15:10

I also never said social housing should be linked to benefits - but it's low cost housing

OP posts:
JackieDaws · 01/01/2023 15:12

6 bedroom flat eh 🧐

cestlavielife · 01/01/2023 15:15

the tenancy is for life. This is a huge explanation as to why there is such a social housing crisis.

No it does not
The crisis is selling off council houses some ending up in private landlords hands
And not being replaced as social housing

If some one earns huge amount they may prefer to move on anyway, to "better" housing , but they dont have to and that is not the reason for the crisis

cestlavielife · 01/01/2023 15:16

How many six bedroom flats are in your neighbourhood? Very rare!!

IDontCareMatthew · 01/01/2023 15:33

Hmmm... someone sounds bitter and something else which I just can't put my finger on 🤔

TimBoothseyes · 01/01/2023 15:34

yet there's people with a joint income in a six bedroom flat paying a fraction of the market rate

And that's where the real purpose of this thread became obvious.

Original poster
Dogreared · 01/01/2023 16:51

I meant to type 3 bedroom not six - sorry!

Honestly, there was no point to this thread other than to ask the question - I was unaware the tenancies were for life. Explanation given and I now know that this can/dose happen.

And I'm not bitter at all - as I said my luck changed dramatically and there's nothing for me to be bitter about in my life. It was more them moaning about it that made me think and I wanted ot know the answer.

OP posts:
IDontCareMatthew · 01/01/2023 17:21

A quick google could have answered that

But you don't even know which tenancy they have so pointless really

Iam4eels · 01/01/2023 17:46

Thr government could afford to fox the issues with social housing by providing funding to local authorities specifically for housing but they don't because they don't care and having the electorate blaming each other rather than blaming those in charge suits their agenda.

DH and I both work and live in a council house, when we applied we were both working FT but now he is still FT and I'm PT due to other commitments. Income and employment is not a barrier, social housing is for anyone who fits the criteria. In some areas/for some properties you get higher priority if you are working.

Mentalpiece · 01/01/2023 18:36

Well goats don't come cheap OP.

Sarahcoggles · 01/01/2023 18:51

OP you'll get a hard time here if you say anything about social housing. Apparently multimillionaires should be allowed to keep their social housing because once upon a time they qualified for it. But i think it's insane.

A friend of my Mum's still has her 4 bedroom HA house despite the fact that her children are independent adults with their own homes, and she has inherited over £500k which is just sitting in the bank. Meanwhile people are living in hostels and B&Bs, waiting for social housing locally. It makes no sense to me. I'm not saying she should be forced to move, but I think there should be some sort of system where she should be made to buy the house from the HA, so they can buy another one to offer to a family in need.

Original poster
Dogreared · 01/01/2023 19:03

@Sarahcoggles I think how you have explained it is how I thought it was already happening.

I was shocked when it was said.

OP posts:
Mentalpiece · 01/01/2023 19:15

Sarahcoggles · 01/01/2023 18:51

OP you'll get a hard time here if you say anything about social housing. Apparently multimillionaires should be allowed to keep their social housing because once upon a time they qualified for it. But i think it's insane.

A friend of my Mum's still has her 4 bedroom HA house despite the fact that her children are independent adults with their own homes, and she has inherited over £500k which is just sitting in the bank. Meanwhile people are living in hostels and B&Bs, waiting for social housing locally. It makes no sense to me. I'm not saying she should be forced to move, but I think there should be some sort of system where she should be made to buy the house from the HA, so they can buy another one to offer to a family in need.

I understand where you're coming from with your last paragraph, but given the amount of time that your mum has lived in the house, she's probably already bought it twice over.
The government stated when they said that people could buy their council houses, that they would build more to replace those sold....which as we know, never happened.
I think the better solution is for someone like your mum to be made to take smaller accommodation, thus freeing up the house to someone more in need.

Lolreally · 01/01/2023 19:21

Also social housing rent is not a fraction of the price in most areas.
I cant believe that people actually believe the housing crisis in this country lies at the feet of tenants, and not the absolute shit show of successive governments. Who for years have not built enough affordable /social housing, who have allowed the price of houses to on no way reflect people's earnings.
Basically completely mismanaged housing in this country.
But no its not their fault its the tentants fault.

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