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Original poster

Why do people look down on council houses

410 replies

Easystuff · 09/09/2023 13:22

Just that really why do others look down on council/social houses. I don't understand. There's no special treatment. It's not unusual, it's been about for many years. It's now pretty hard to get social housing. There are thousands of family waiting lists, being made homeless. Through no fault of their own. It's pretty awful out there.

OP posts:
rainbowunicorn · 09/09/2023 19:13

CBAanymoreTBH · 09/09/2023 14:59

Since when are council houses free

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Another person that obviously doesn't understand how quotation marks change the meaning 🙄

Seagullchippy · 09/09/2023 19:13

NoisyArses · 09/09/2023 19:05

Because the list is years long and priority is given to those most in need.

I waited 3 years for mine almost 20 years ago.

In our area now the waiting time is more like 8 to 10 years.

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People who take out enormous debts for housing in the form of mortgages don't get it paid in benefits because the money would be going to repay their personal debt, rather than, as it does in housing benefit for council rent, to the council for local services and back to the treasury for public spending.

Original poster
Easystuff · 09/09/2023 19:13

sandalsinthebin · 09/09/2023 19:02

Very interesting and enlightening thread. I admit that I thought Council Houses were free! From some responses on this thread, it seems that council houses can be lovely and so much cheaper than private rented. And you can be working and still get one! Can just anybody put their name on the application list then? If so, I wonder why more people aren't applying? It sounds like a good (and cheap) way to get a nice house inexpensively. I know tons of young people who are still building their careers and would appreciate this opportunity, rather than paying massive private rents for terrible houses.

Each council had a different criteria. There's also a banding system. And it sone areas you can wait 10+ years even when homeless/temporary accommodation. If your private renting you would be classed as adequately housed.

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WhisperingHi · 09/09/2023 19:13

For me, it's because I know too many people in council houses who fiddle the books. They take all they can and don't care if it's ethical or not.

They rarely look after the property and seem to think the government owes them regular bonuses, despite the rest of the population needing to fund themselves.

I'm sure there are lots who don't do the scamming, but my own experiences have shaped how I see it.

I also totally disagree with a council house for life. It should be means tested. If you go on to have a better household income, you should have to privately rent like the rest of us.

Seagullchippy · 09/09/2023 19:14

WhisperingHi · 09/09/2023 19:13

For me, it's because I know too many people in council houses who fiddle the books. They take all they can and don't care if it's ethical or not.

They rarely look after the property and seem to think the government owes them regular bonuses, despite the rest of the population needing to fund themselves.

I'm sure there are lots who don't do the scamming, but my own experiences have shaped how I see it.

I also totally disagree with a council house for life. It should be means tested. If you go on to have a better household income, you should have to privately rent like the rest of us.

That's beyond insane. Why should anyone be forced to pay a private landlord for a basic human right such as shelter?!

MrsMous · 09/09/2023 19:17

I grew up on a council estate and it was rough as hell. I still hold those memories and i can’t help but think back to those days when I hear about council housing.

rainbowunicorn · 09/09/2023 19:18

VeronicaSawyer89 · 09/09/2023 17:21

Free? Mine is over £500 per month, how is that free?

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It's in quotation marks for god sake.

rainbowunicorn · 09/09/2023 19:20

Fallingthroughclouds · 09/09/2023 18:38

What's free???

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And another, the level of reading comprehension is woeful on here.

Original poster
Easystuff · 09/09/2023 19:23

rainbowunicorn · 09/09/2023 19:20

And another, the level of reading comprehension is woeful on here.

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I replied to the "for free" comment. I replied with its not free though. That was Me agreeing with the poster as In the people that think that are wrong. Maybe some others meant simlar?

OP posts:
sandalsinthebin · 09/09/2023 19:23

Thanks for the responses re the waiting list and need. I still can't understand then how posters on here say they are in work and pay rent for their council house - if they are working how did they get to the top of the list and get the house in the first place? Do you get to stay on paying lower rents than private if your circumstances change?

hobbitonthehill · 09/09/2023 19:24

FlamMabel · 09/09/2023 13:35

Because people are getting something "for free" that other people have to work for.

Oh ffs

vodkaredbullgirl · 09/09/2023 19:27

rainbowunicorn · 09/09/2023 19:20

And another, the level of reading comprehension is woeful on here.

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I did apologise to them.

Redlarge · 09/09/2023 19:28

sandalsinthebin · 09/09/2023 19:23

Thanks for the responses re the waiting list and need. I still can't understand then how posters on here say they are in work and pay rent for their council house - if they are working how did they get to the top of the list and get the house in the first place? Do you get to stay on paying lower rents than private if your circumstances change?

Some arent actually that low. Albeit lower than private. I guess they waited, or have a disability/their children do or were in a domestic violence situation. Or they just waited.

Original poster
Easystuff · 09/09/2023 19:29

sandalsinthebin · 09/09/2023 19:23

Thanks for the responses re the waiting list and need. I still can't understand then how posters on here say they are in work and pay rent for their council house - if they are working how did they get to the top of the list and get the house in the first place? Do you get to stay on paying lower rents than private if your circumstances change?

People situations are all different. There could be someone fleeing DV but still working. They would be prority for housing. Homeless familys who work would be priority as well.

OP posts:
vodkaredbullgirl · 09/09/2023 19:29

sandalsinthebin · 09/09/2023 19:23

Thanks for the responses re the waiting list and need. I still can't understand then how posters on here say they are in work and pay rent for their council house - if they are working how did they get to the top of the list and get the house in the first place? Do you get to stay on paying lower rents than private if your circumstances change?

I've been in my HA house since my 2 were little. Was on the housing list for 5 years, lived in private rent. My 2 are 26 and 24 and still live at home.

Redlarge · 09/09/2023 19:29

sandalsinthebin · 09/09/2023 19:23

Thanks for the responses re the waiting list and need. I still can't understand then how posters on here say they are in work and pay rent for their council house - if they are working how did they get to the top of the list and get the house in the first place? Do you get to stay on paying lower rents than private if your circumstances change?

Yes the rent stays the same. Once you have it you have it... security. Unless you behave terrible or use the property to commit a crime.

TooOldForAllThisNonsense · 09/09/2023 19:32

I don't think council houses are looked down on, but OME of the people who live on council estates are rough. I say this from experience - from the age of 11 (I'm in my 60s), I lived on 3 separate council estates. We got a council mortgage and bought that house, when I was 26, then sold it a few years later - the estate had got so very rough by then, and there were quite a few fights/evictions/arson attacks, etc. For the past 32 years, I've lived on a private estate (not posh or expensive) and the difference is astonishing.

FUimananteater · 09/09/2023 19:33

In my generation and probably area (SW) - getting pregnant and getting on "the list" for mythical social housing is THE absolute goal for 75% of the population

Once you're on the list and have been allocated a house - you've successfully made it.

BritishDesiGirl · 09/09/2023 19:33

@Redlarge the rent does not stay the same!! Mine goes up 4.7 % each year

vodkaredbullgirl · 09/09/2023 19:34

Redlarge · 09/09/2023 19:29

Yes the rent stays the same. Once you have it you have it... security. Unless you behave terrible or use the property to commit a crime.

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Does the rent stay the same? Mine has doubled since we have lived here, that's 20 years.

gamerchick · 09/09/2023 19:34

boboshmobo · 09/09/2023 16:52

Those saying it's not free , it actually often is as the rent is paid for by universal credit .

I don't care but that is the truth . I have a friend with a lovely house . She gets pip , dla for her child and has a motobility car . She won't be the only one for sure .
She literally gets everything free and doesn't work at all despite being able to 🤷‍♀️

Man, it comes to something when people are jealous of the disabled Confused what shit times we live in.

People like to look in their neighbours bowl to make sure they don't have more than them. People need to suffer as much as them.

DrinkingWineInBed · 09/09/2023 19:37

I don't care but that is the truth . I have a friend with a lovely house . She gets pip , dla for her child and has a motobility car . She won't be the only one for sure .
She literally gets everything free and doesn't work at all despite being able to

Good for her.

I hope she knows you’re not really a friend.

DrinkingWineInBed · 09/09/2023 19:38

Man, it comes to something when people are jealous of the disabled what shit times we live in.

Right? Fucking depressing.

Oliotya · 09/09/2023 19:42

Barbiesback · 09/09/2023 18:30

@Oliotya you evidently have a issue going around judging and stereotyping everyone. Like I said we will probably end up in the same care home only you likely will have to sell your home and fund your care. I'm laughing because opinions like this are so lame. I'm a HA tenant and I'm not what your implying..... I'm a single parent, I holiday twice a year abroad and I pay my rent. If you want to assume otherwise based on very little other than you know people live in a council I don't think you have enough to do that's forfilling

I didn't offer a judgment anywhere. If that's how you want to interpret what I said, that's up to you.
I have a mortgage, not a HA, so I can't afford to holiday. Like I said. Inequality. Like I said, that is what I have an issue with.

Seagullchippy · 09/09/2023 19:47

sandalsinthebin · 09/09/2023 19:23

Thanks for the responses re the waiting list and need. I still can't understand then how posters on here say they are in work and pay rent for their council house - if they are working how did they get to the top of the list and get the house in the first place? Do you get to stay on paying lower rents than private if your circumstances change?

Social housing is set at supposedly 'fair' rents (actually it's often very high nowadays) whereas private rents are entirely up to individuals making money out of others' needs for shelter.

Private rent isn't ethical.

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