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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be envious that my neighbour lives in a council house........

304 replies

EnviousEvie · 28/09/2011 10:04

and pays £600 a month less than me for the exact same bloody house (her's is nicer inside) next door to mine?

Difference is hers is a council house, mine is a private rental. The owner of mine bought it from the council and now rents it out while he lives in a 4 bed detached house in a nicer part of town. We pay £950 a month, neighbour pays council £350 a month (3 bed terrace). We had to move here after selling our house last year because DH lost his job and we needed to release the small amount of equity we had to pay the bills we were behind on because we were terrified of being in debt. Our rent is now £150 a month higher than our mortgage was.

We struggle every bloody month and live on 'value' food. We are not entitled to housing benefit (DH now working again after a year, I work part time - 3DCs). Neighbour's DH is an accountant so she can afford not to work at all. That £600 would make a massive difference in our lives but we have not got a chance in hell of getting a council house. There are over 5000 people on the waiting list in my area. We are on the list but have been told that it could be over 5 years before we have a chance. Love my neighbour to bits but can't help feeling pissed off about it!

AIBU to think that this is bloody unfair?

OP posts:
PeachyWhoCannotType · 28/09/2011 18:42

I don;t ahve the research and it may well ahve been outdayed but when I was at college in 1992 (gimmer) there was a lot made of how people who were moved in old age had increased mortality in short term

5inthebed · 28/09/2011 18:42

No I wouldnt.

Our council had a scheme going not so long ago where they gave £1000 per empty room, packed and moved and unpacked for the tenant to a property of their choosing (they bid on them just like everyone else). IIRC they also had help with changing the bills over as well. I think this is a fair scheme, especially if it eradicates a lot of the stress involved with moing. Being turfed out within a certain timescale is not on really. MIL byw is not entitled to this as she is moving into a private Sa house, rather than a council one. We are oing l the moving for her once she gets a house.

5inthebed · 28/09/2011 18:42

byw - btw

PeachyWhoCannotType · 28/09/2011 18:43

Yes Mum and dad looked at that 5ina, good scheme

ReindeerBollocks · 28/09/2011 18:44

Usual, I am sorry if your parents are experiencing this, and I have dealt with people who were in the same position and were very distressed at the prospect of losing what they considered to be their home.

I am not dismissing it as an immeidate solution that the elderly should be re homed. But we have a national shortage of affordable housing, with the elderly living longer and occupying properties far too large for their needs. I really truly understand how they view it as their home, but unfortunately it is owned by the HA/Council. Therefore, with so many young families in less than adequate housing is isn't unreasonable to ask elderly people to move into more appropriate housing.

I know that will upset people but you can't stake a claim on a property you don't own. Having been in both private and HA housing I do try to understand the issues but it is very short sighted to not see what is going on nationally and the practical solutions that are sometimes sought.

Flamingredhead · 28/09/2011 18:50

Op sadly it's people like you that prevents me being able to share my good news as sadly people will be envious of my situation .

usualsuspect · 28/09/2011 18:53

My mum lives alone ,if my dad was still alive maybe it would be easier to uproot her from all she knows

EnviousEvie · 28/09/2011 18:56

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Original poster
EnviousEvie · 28/09/2011 18:59

And Yes I am jealous (er, is'nt that another word for 'envious' as per my OP). I make no bones about that. I want to have more money available to provide for my DC and to have a home we can decorate and make our own. And??

OP posts:
Thingumy · 28/09/2011 19:02

You don't sound envious OP.You sound downright bitter.

crazynanna · 28/09/2011 19:03

Envy eats you away from the inside out.

OpinionatedMum · 28/09/2011 19:03

OP If you are such a great believer in providing for yourself then stop bidding on council bridges houses.

Flamingredhead · 28/09/2011 19:04

Omg op I'm actually laughing I do infact have a dc with Sn but thats now why I got the house

Infact I do not mind admitting only reason I'm getting the new house is because I had a accident that has left me paralysed from the waist down and incontinence and the last 4 months since home from hospital I not been able to get in my bathroom at all .Still feckinv envious Op ? Want to swap now ?

You want my blue bade and my shiney new car and yes my Ot was right

usualsuspect · 28/09/2011 19:04

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thefirstMrsDeVere · 28/09/2011 19:04

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crazynanna · 28/09/2011 19:05

What usual said.

booyhoo · 28/09/2011 19:05

"I want to have more money available to provide for my DC"

dont we all?

Flamingredhead · 28/09/2011 19:05

You know what I rather not need the house tyvm . But I do and I'm going to dam well enjoy it

crazynanna · 28/09/2011 19:07

Flaming...you do right...enjoy Smile

5inthebed · 28/09/2011 19:10

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OpinionatedMum · 28/09/2011 19:14

I have a council house with a new kitchen and bathroom,beautifully decorated and a Mahooosive garden...

I am soon going to have a swimming pool built in my garden.

OP Twist your knickers into knots.

crazynanna · 28/09/2011 19:15

if you saw my CH,OP,you would be as sick as a Blackpool donkey Wink

Flamingredhead · 28/09/2011 19:18

See I'm working On how to get a hot tub in mine Winkand erm working out how to get in it [

usualsuspect · 28/09/2011 19:23

heres mine

OpinionatedMum · 28/09/2011 19:23

You can claim for an adapted hot tub you know. A friend of a friends neighbour has one...