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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think it will be ok to leave social housing for a private rental?

51 replies

allieh37 · 09/02/2012 19:24

Any thoughts please? I'm a single SAHM of one toddler living in a semi rural village with very limited public transport (bus every 3 hrs) and no friends or family nearby, they're 30 miles away.

I have a nice flat, and moved here from London when DD was 3 months as it was a huge step nearer family and better than the cold damp council flat we had. I have made the most of it but have struggled with the location and haven't gone back to work as it would mean £10 in taxis per day to get to the town or train station to go elsewhere. I also have a very noisy neighbour above who I've had to formally complain about.

I want to move near my parents and would have to move to a private rental in order to do this. I have been offered one by a family friend that is quite shabby decor and much higher rent, but in the right location. Would it be foolish to accept and lose the social tenancy?

OP posts:
LilacWaltz · 09/02/2012 19:25

It would yes!!

Council house exchange?

Original poster
allieh37 · 09/02/2012 19:28

Thanks Lilac. I've been on all the swap/exchange sites for 2 years and there's been limited interested and none near my family just surrounding area to where I am now.

OP posts:
tethersend · 09/02/2012 19:29

Very foolish IMO.

I would investigate a swap. Could you put the money you'd save in rent towards driving lessons?

IUseTooMuchKitchenRoll · 09/02/2012 19:34

If you want to move for reasons that you do, and you have the offer of a fairly secure tenancy, I don't think it would be foolish to move away from somewhere that you are unhappy.

BlessThisMouse · 09/02/2012 19:35

Can you put you put yourself on lists for council / HA close to your parents or the town? Have you talked to your local council and HA about it or asked for advice about re-locating withion social housing?

Would you get housing benefit for the private rental? And then be able to get a job to cover rent? You lose a lot of security in the private rental sector.

But if it is the key to you starting work and making overall improvements in your life, it could have advantages.

thepeoplesprincess · 09/02/2012 19:35

Could you not learn to drive?

I think you'd be mental to give up a council tenancy under Call-Me-Dave tbh.

Original poster
allieh37 · 09/02/2012 19:36

They've offered me a year's tenancy and then ongoing if no probs.

OP posts:
oreocrumbs · 09/02/2012 19:38

I would ignore points like the decor and such, and focus on the benefits of social housing vs the benefits of having the flexibilty to live where you want.

Bear in mind that if you give up social housing you most likely won't stand a chance of getting another house. They are like gold dust nowadays.

I would be inclined to keep pushing for an exchange, and driving lessons like tethersend said.

Original poster
allieh37 · 09/02/2012 19:41

Thanks for the replies. I could learn to drive, just finding the cash to do so and then would need FTW to run a car. I have my name on all the lists in my parents' area and would get HB for the private rental but would need to make the shortfall up from the rest of my benefits. I do have qualms about giving up a secure tenancy which has a good rent...maybe it is mental.

Although I think it would be easier to get back into work if I move as it will be nearer civilisation and my mum could help with any gaps in childcare.

OP posts:
smoggii · 09/02/2012 19:42

I think with Council Housing, once it's gone it's gone and you'll have to be more or less homeless to get another one.

That said Council Housing isn't the be all and end all out of life, in fact there was a time when people wanted out of Council Housing and if private rental will get you nearer family and back into work then it may well be worth it.

LilacWaltz · 09/02/2012 19:44

I'm in social housing myself and been bidding for a larger property for ages.... I was given statutory overcrowding status. Yesterday I got the call and now have a new property to move to. Funnily enough it's rather easy to get social housing here. New developments everywhere. I also will be out of this village and away from noisy neighbour.... And best best thing is, I can now look for work!

NettoSuperstar · 09/02/2012 19:47

I wouldn't.
I moved out of private rental in July and am now in temp accom.
My landlord was great, I'd been there ten years, he wasn't planning on selling.

Last month his marriage ended and he's made noises about possibly selling.

I feel lucky to be housed by the council, though I'm still waiting for a permanent home, but it's secure.
Private rental never is.

Original poster
allieh37 · 09/02/2012 19:49

That's great news Lilac nothing worse than noisy neighbours and a village's not for everyone. My status is 'adequately housed', so I've got no points. They don't have bidding here, you're allocated your property by the HA or council.

OP posts:
Heswall · 09/02/2012 19:49

Could your family move near to you ?

Original poster
allieh37 · 09/02/2012 19:51

Netto I agree it's not secure. I am lucky to have this flat just wish I could kick the neighbour out and lift it up and place it 30 miles away!

OP posts:
Original poster
allieh37 · 09/02/2012 19:52

Heswall I have asked, but it's not something they want to do. My father is very set in his ways, and I'm not sure I blame them really.

OP posts:
DanJARMouse · 09/02/2012 19:55

Im doing this in July.

We are moving 700 miles though, and the house I am moving into is my dads! (He rents it out at present)

I will be on the housing lists down there as soon as possible.

I cant bear to be here anymore. I need to work and there is NOTHING (think small town nr John O Groats being current location!) here, where I plan to go has pages of jobs on the job centre website and many of which I could do with my eyes closed.

Im taking a risk, I know this, but I need to do whats best long term. I dont want to sit on benefits forever, I want to work, and provide for my family.

You need to weigh up the pros and cons (exactly as I did!) and see where it leaves you x

Original poster
allieh37 · 09/02/2012 20:12

Thanks for all replies, some great things to consider, will give it some more thought. DanJARMouse you're in a better position renting from your dad and it's still a bit scary but you have to go where the work is too. I agree about not sitting on benefits, it does my head in.

OP posts:
KatieScarlett2833 · 09/02/2012 20:17

No, you will have to get a job and PL rents are far higher usually. Round here twice to 3 times as much and you don't get the full cost paid by HB.

TheresASpareChairOverThere · 09/02/2012 20:20

I wouldn't do it now. I am in private rented, it is insecure and VERY competitive at the moment. As mortgages are harder to get than they used to be, private rented is super competitive. So many people chasing so few houses. If you are ok financially, bide your time and do EVERYTHING you can to make it possible to work in your current area - learn to drive, do distance learning, whatever.

And make complaints about your neighbour every time - eventually they will be moved!

faeriemoo · 09/02/2012 20:27

If you can financially afford to move and rent privately, to me, it would be worth it's weight in gold to be nearer family and in an area that would make you, and your daughter happier.

Obviously, social housing is more secure, but it depends what you are looking for from your housing. Do you plan on renting long term, or maybe looking into buying once you are working?

Chants73 · 09/02/2012 20:30

Some of the forthcoming proposed government changes may make social housing more scarce and will end "lifetime" tenancies for some new tenants, so if you needed to go back into social housing you may find it more difficult to get and also less secure than your current tenancy (many will have fixed term tenancies). Different Housing Associations seem to be taking differnet approaches to the changes so they are being adopted in various differnet ways so you need to consider that. The less secure thing would mean that at the end of a fixed term tenancy if the property is too big or you no longer need social housing you would have to move to somethign smaller/give up social housing. They are talking about making right to buy easier for council tenants so if you have a council tenancy that may be worth considering if that goes ahead. Also bear in mind that some of the proposed benefit changes may make private rent even less affordable. Social rents in some cases will also go up to "affordable" levels for new tenancies so if you do leave socail housing and then need to go back into it the difference between private and social rents may not be so great as it is now. Some of these changes may make exchanges more attractive to people who want to move but want to maintain lower rents/more secure tenancy etc, so this may make it easier for people to find exchanges. Personally I would stay in social housing. It may be worth seekign advice from Shelter to see what there thoughts are about the changes in relation to your circumstances

Serenitysutton · 09/02/2012 20:54

It council or HA? Council no, you'll never get another. HA you may well. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing- you're Moving upwards and onwards with your life which is good isn't it?

The only time this would be no Is If the reduced social housing rent would've allowed you to save a deposit to buy near your parents - presume you've already looked into this

LilacWaltz · 09/02/2012 21:02

I don't quite 'get' the new affordable rent. It's £136 a week for my new one, and it's a new build town house. It's actually not increasing by much at all

Serenitysutton · 09/02/2012 21:08

Depends on the area Really lilac- fwiw average HA/ council tenant rent is £86 pw so yours is quite a bit more expensive although obv still nothing like market rent. Hope you like your new home.