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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To hold on to my council house?

237 replies

Memoo · 17/12/2011 11:56

10 years ago I fled a very abusive marriage. DD was 2yo and ds was 3 months old. I lost my home, my savings and all dc's clothes and toys. Basically dc and I were left with nothing.

After being homeless for 3 months I was given a council house and I slowly built up a good life for the dc and I. I went to college and got a job. I supported myself and my children and I was really proud of that. Not being dependant on anyone was the best feeling I've ever had.

6 years ago I met my now 2nd DH. He moved into my house and although things have been tough at times we have got through it. I've also had another baby and dd is now 2.

The problem is we live in a really crap area. Crap schools, anti-social behaviour, drug dealer a few doors down, you get the picture.

DH is adement that we should give up this house and try and rent privately in a better area. I hate the idea of this. The way things are at the moment I know whatever happens with dh and I, this is my house and no man can take that from me. It gives me a sense of security knowing the dc and I have a home for life. If we rented privately I would once again become dependent on somebody else and the thought of that scares the crap out of me.

OP posts:
GypsyMoth · 18/12/2011 11:18

The assumptions about social housing on this thread are scary!!!

AnyFuckerForAMincePie · 18/12/2011 11:21

too much reading of the Dail Mail, I reckon

or a very sheltered life Hmm

manicinsomniac · 18/12/2011 11:50

*manic "the type of homes you don't have to pay for"?

what are you talking about ?*

I'll admit to having a very sheltered life (in this repsect). As I said my house comes with my job so I don't even know how much rent I pay tbh!!

I thought that council houses were for people who couldn't pay rent. I thought the council paid the rent and the tenants lived there free. I knew that people could buy their council houses if they wanted to but I didn't know there was any half way house of paying your own rent on them.

Are there no free houses then? What if somebody can't afford to pay anything? WIll the council not give them a house anyway?

Kova · 18/12/2011 11:56

Are you being serious manic Xmas Hmm

Really, are people living amongst us who are that dense ?

Original poster
Memoo · 18/12/2011 11:57

I pay full rent for my house manic.

Council housing is not free. Some people can get help to pay their rent, I'm not one of them.

OP posts:
manicinsomniac · 18/12/2011 11:58

Yes, I'm serious. I really thought housing was available for people who needed it. Though I knew there was a long wait to get one.

pretendhousewife · 18/12/2011 12:05

Just to throw the cat among the pigeons, I BET that soon our lovely government, in the name of 'equality' and 'reducing the state deficit' will make all council housing means tested.

I think there is already a pilot scheme under way somewhere, with a sliding scale of rents.

NinkyNonker · 18/12/2011 12:06

Of course Manic isn't dense, don't be so bloody rude. Until I joined MN I had no idea council houses weren't free, didn't know (and still don't really get) housing associations etc. I had never known, and still don't know anyone who lived/lives in one...so why would I have any understanding of something I have no experience of or have never come across? Doesn't mean I disagree with them or don't think people have the right to them as anyone who has read any of ny posts will see, and I'm sure Manic is the same.

LadyBeagleBaublesAndBells · 18/12/2011 13:00

I'm trying not to be rude here, but wow, just wow.
Do people really think council house/HA tenancies are free?

usualsuspect · 18/12/2011 13:04

I'm speechless that some people think that council houses are free

ThisIsNotMyLife · 18/12/2011 13:22

Well it certainly explains some of the nonsense about council tenants I've read on here.

I've got one, a job and the deposit to buy a house saved up. That's impossible judging from some posts on here!

sozzledchops · 18/12/2011 13:31

I grew up on a council estate, from what I remember most people worked and paid full rent. Many of those did go on to buy their council houses and buy private housing when they could. Not sure how much it's changed now as most folk who can seem to try and move out if they can afford it.

usualsuspect · 18/12/2011 13:34

I live on a council estate ,plenty of people still work and pay their rents ,I don't know anyone that wants to move out and rent privately

ThisIsNotMyLife · 18/12/2011 13:36

It's a great myth that the majority of people in council housing get them 'free'. Most of the people in our building work and presumably pay rent.

Kova · 18/12/2011 14:33

It seems there are two people living amonst us.......wow.

I am officially speechless. Shock

NinkyNonker · 18/12/2011 15:20

Well, why wouldn't I have? I'm 30, I have never met anyone living in a council house, and even if I had I wouldn't necessarily ask the details of their finances. I have never looked into the details, because why would I? I have never discussed it with my family, because why would I? Ditto friends. So, until I joined MN a few years backI thought council houses were for those who couldn't afford to support themselves, which seems logical. And I was fully behind them as a concept, which surely is a good thing?

Tell me, oh council housing experts...are you all also experts on everything including that which you have never had cause to encounter...through some sort of osmosis? It just kind of, gets absorbed, even without you actively seeking the info? Because as far as I can see I have been nothing but supportive of the OP (check posts if this concept is so unbelievable), and am vocally in support of (the welfare state', vocally against the dimishment of social housing etc...yet you feel the need to be very rude to me?

NinkyNonker · 18/12/2011 15:25

Ps: I bet any amount I could ask around my friends, all well educated, intelligent professionals and find plenty who are not well informed on the ins and outs of social housing. So shoot us.

Bloody hell, you'd think I'd owned up to shooting puppies or something. Hmm

Doobydoo · 18/12/2011 15:32

Keep it!They are like hens teeth.

LadyBeagleBaublesAndBells · 18/12/2011 15:39

Sorry Ninky, was just a bit surprised I suppose.
There are usually long waiting lists for them but it is always an option for many, many people.
In my small village the spare houses are all usually holiday homes, so even to be able to rent up here is well nigh impossible.
Of the six Council houses and 9 HA properties everybody works, apart from a couple of pensioners.
And though there maybe a little more leeway, if you get behind with rent/council tax you will be evicted, like anybody else.

NinkyNonker · 18/12/2011 15:44

I have always been a vocal supporter of the welfare state and social housing, even back in my tender years when I thought they were 'free' (or at least v v cheap)...so to be called dense and the sarky '2 amongst us' are way over the line, imo, and certainly won't help foster open dialogue about the subject. I was never conciously thinking they were free, BTW, the subject had never crossed my mind until I joined MN and read a few discussions and it was more of an 'oh, that's interesting' moment.

mrsjay · 18/12/2011 15:44

there seems to be alot of misconceptions about social housing Confused Its sad really people think like that , Social housing doesnt mean anybody is subsidied or they are tem so what if they dont have a mortgage, Mortgages can really put people into financial Hardship ,

NinkyNonker · 18/12/2011 15:48

To be fair I think those attitudes are a minority, only 1 poster on here I think who wad very obviously an arse.

OpinionatedMum · 18/12/2011 16:20

"Well, why wouldn't I have? I'm 30, I have never met anyone living in a council house,"

Blimey!!!

Not a dig ninkynonker. A bit sad that different sections of society have no clue about each others circumstances. Opens the door for a lot of prejudice in both directions.

NinkyNonker · 18/12/2011 16:24

Not really, as stated, no prejudice here. I used to teach in a very under privileged school so am very aware of the hardships suffered by many, I just wasn't aware of the ins and outs of the financial arrangements of their accommodation.

GypsyMoth · 18/12/2011 16:27

Hardships? There you go again...assuming!!