High joint income and in social housing with no plans to buy. Celebrate or selfish?

[SocialHousedNHappy]

I’ve been wondering about for some time and completely understand the dire and desperate situation that many people and families find themselves in. But… I hate the way that social housing is seen as only for the most desperate, when it was introduced as a housing option for all.

My household brings in a healthy income and we pay less than 10% to our monthly rent. This means we get enjoy a modest lifestyle and put some money aside for adult DC for when they’re older - they can then choose to buy whatever they fancy, car, house deposit, uni, whatever as will be their choice.

I hate that people seem to think that I should give up my secure tenancy and move into private rent. Looking on rightmove, a comparable house would be around 3x what I’m currently paying in rent, and to be honest, I wouldn’t move to private rented ever again. But why do people react as thought I’m doing something wrong, in the same way as they think of benefit cheats? I think the govt should be put under pressure to build more social housing - proper social housing, rather than the current situation where people are pit against each other and blaming each other for what is clearly a government failing.

I don’t want to sound like I’m gloating, because I’m not, but I don’t see why I should feel bad and not celebrate the life and comfort that my social housing has allowed me to enjoy.

I’m genuinely interested to hear if anyone agrees and feels the same.

Oh that’s alright then 🙄

I think it depends a bit how healthy your healthy income is.

If you can afford to buy it would be a fairer decision to do that and let someone who can’t have the property. I wouldn’t go and rent privately long termthough, that would be madness.

Social housing was never intended for all, just those who couldn’t buy.

Why rent a council house when you have enough money to buy a property and then leave it to your child/ren ?

Lots of people wouldn’t, people love to buy in this country.

I think once earn over a certain amount then you shouldn't be in social
Housing as can afford private

You just don't want to pay more (which is understandable but ......)

V

Those who earn nmw /£20/25k a year full time who struggle each month who should get help

Life time tenancy imo shouldn't be given. A lot can happen in 10/20yrs

I know people living in 3 bed house but on their own or a couple so in one bedroom with 2 spare rooms

They are in family homes so families /young children should be there

May say they spent years making the place nice (I get that as know council rip out carpets etx)

But in the end they are still renting and no right to live there forever esp when 1-2 adults and 3 bed home

I have no issue with you keeping the property but I'm genuinely interested in how you will pay for it when you retire?

Well you are OP.

The system was developed for those who couldn’t buy. lifetime tenancies are given so poorer people have secure housing (a great idea), given you are no longer poor, the housing is not intended for you.

The fact a lifetime tenancy gives you a loophole to stay doesn’t mean it’s morally right to do so.

I’d say you’re absolutely fine and right to stay in a SH property as long as you wished or could.
I’m in NE Scotland and this is genuinely not an issue that’s discussed/ considered among friends and family, whether those in SH should feel morally obliged to move on.
My best friends, a sibling and partner, a few other friends and a good many neighbours are in this position, in SH with incomes beyond their “need” if you like and it’s honestly just not discussed.

Not everyone. Not if they have the choice to rent cheap affordable secure social housing (with a lifetime tenancy,) they don't. Maybe some 30 years ago people saw it as a massive achievement to be a mortgage owner homeowner.

Not these days. It's just a millstone around your neck for many people. A money pit that leaves them brassick most of the time, and a repairs list that's never ending.

Also, the uncertainty of interest rates going up, and no-one paying your mortgage if you can't work. Most people these days would choose cheap social housing with a tenancy for life over having a mortgage/being a 'homeowner.'

One thing I would get on board with though, is a sliding scale with social housing rents.

For example...

Household earnings ...

Under £30K - £480 a month.

£30K to £35K - £520 a month.

£40K to £50K - £570 a month.

£50K to £60K - £650 a month.

£60K to £70K - £750 a month.

£70K to £80K - £880 a month... etc.

It is highly unlikely anyone in social housing would have a family income of more than £80K.

Very good question. I work in public service and have a good pension that I will comfortably cover the rent.

I think once earn over a certain amount then you shouldn't be in social housing as can afford private

Why? What's the benefit to anyone except mortgage lenders? If we all own the social housing - because it's paid for with our money - and there's plenty of quality housing available, so your kids will be decently housed in their turn, where's the advantage in taking on a massive debt that you will have to service for 25 years?

I did warn you @SocialHousedNHappy that you would get some negative replies on here. Some people on here intensely dislike and resent people in social housing, especially if - GOD FORBID - you are comfortable and happy and not on the bones of your arse.

I think some people would be much happier if people in social housing had fuck-all to live on and just had food tokens and one loaf of bread a week to live on. No car, no holidays, no TV, nothing. Live in penury! How dare you have a nice life when you are in secure social housing for life?! 😆

What’s wrong with MN nowadays? Why do the first 20 posts just say the same thing 🤷🏻‍♀️

Well I certainly wouldn't be paying 3x in private rent if I was you, it would be stupid. But do you not see the benefits in buying your own place?

We pay about 10% monthly income in mortgage and have no plans to move into anything bigger, its really freeing not having to worry about house payments and having spare money to enjoy life.

Just do what's best for you

Lifetime tenancies should stop really. When children move out def a high bedroom tax or move to a suitable property. HA are private so set their own rules and are not always social housing though.

It's very unfair to the middle that those in council houses or HA rents are secure and those with mortgages are secure but those on the average wage are screwed on all sides. No help or opportunity to save to buy, moving on a landlords whim.

I think social housing is for the one who need help. I’m sorry to say this OP but i’m one of the person who think you are cheating the system. If you could afford to save deposit to buy your own property it will be much better.

It's not housing for all. And you are dumb for having 90% disposable income and not buying your own place.

On one hand I think that as there isn't enough social housing to go to those who really need it, it should be given up to them when you no longer need it

On the other hand the rental market is horrific in the UK, too many shitty landlords, and the rental prices are an astronomical joke. I don't think anyone should be forced down that route

So the real issues are a lack of social housing and a rental market in dire need to rent control, especially in certain areas of the UK (not a popular opinion with a subset of MNers) rather than people not moving out of lifetime tenancies if technically they could afford to

I think you're being sensible. I was in my council flat for over 20 years then I bought it last year for complete security. Have you looked into the right to buy? It's not available in all areas.

I don't see why you need to have approval from others though. It's something I rarely discuss with others unless they are in social housing too, as I know it's a touchy subject but also because they might be nosey about why I got my tenancy (suffered DV and have multiple disabilities in the family, but I'm private about all of those). I feel like I endured so much in my past circumstances that getting social housing is only a tiny advantage I've had in life compared to others with perfect health and relationships anyway.

If I was youni wouldn't give up a secure (and cheap) council tenancy for private renting.

I would probably look to buy and save for a deposit using the money I'm not paying out in rent.

I wouldn't feel right staying in a house that is needed more by someone else.

Lifetime tenancies should be abolished. You shouldn't be given a discounted house forever - so many people's finances will change over time. I live in an ex council house, I have multiple council-tenant neighbours who are single, in their 60s, and living alone in a large 3 bed house with a massive garden that should be housing a family! Even a 20 year lease would be fairer.

Just building more and more council estates isn't the answer, towns and villages don't want them (NIMBYism) partly due to snobbery but mostly because their services can't support however many new users of GPs, dentists, schools etc.

Nonsense.
The idea was that everyone who wanted to could live sustainably and securely, with tenancies provided for children also so as to ensure communities were maintained.

I suppose people get a bit cross as realistically they are paying the subsidised rent / maintenance etc for the OP. If everyone had the opportunity for social housing then that would be fair. But it being only the "few" and what seems to be mostly luck of the draw ( where I live) . The repairs and maintenance etc are paid for by taxes.

If you want social housing for all are you willing to pay 70% tax? Why not go the whole hog and become communist?

😁