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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be pissed off with being offered a council FLAT instead of a HOUSE?

999 replies

OMFFG · 16/02/2012 10:46

We have 4 DCs, youngest 16 months and they think this is suitable!! The flat is 3 bedrooms and on the 2nd floor of a small tower block and has balconies which I would be pretty worried one of the DCs may fall out of.

This is my worst frigging nightmare. We have been 'homeless' for almost 2 years and the council have housed us in temporary accommodation (private rented) which we have to pay market value for (£875 per month) even though we did not choose it and it's a complete shit hole. We could not leave as we would lose our priority on the council bidding list. We lost our house when DH was made redundant and could not afford to pay £1200+ to privately rent.

Now after all this they have offered us a fucking flat. I am furious because every week until last week, there were only offering 3 bed houses but we would always be 3/4 on the list. Now that a flat was offered, less people have bid on it so we got to the top of the list. I did not even bid on it, the council did. Apparently they can bid on 'our behalf' as we are homeless and if we refuse this flat, we will be taken off the housing list. How the hell will we cope in a flat???

The rent is 'only' £380 a month but a house would only be £20 a month more.

AIBU to tell them to stuff it up their arses?

OP posts:
AnnieBody · 16/02/2012 13:13

Just a thought and it may well have been covered, but why did they need to leave their £1200+ private rent? Couldn't they have claimed housing benefit and stayed?

I'm on this bidding system waiting list too. 3 years homeless. Would love anything I won Sad

mosschops30 · 16/02/2012 13:15

Bollocks! lilac id be homeless if i didnt pay my mortgage, but as i do im not. We are both employed with 3 dcs.
I still dont understand the logic, the OP can pay her rent unaided, her dh is working.
Surely there are people in greater need? Those who are unemployed, disabled, carers, asylum seekers, victims of domestic violence?

LilacWaltz · 16/02/2012 13:15

My guess here is that nobody wanted the flat, no bids were placed and the council autobid because it needs tenants. It's probably a dump. But the council needs tenants in for the rent to be paid

Everyone else on bidding system can be a bit choosy ( here you are allowed 3 bids per fortnight cycle) but with 'homeless' status it an urgent need so autobid comes in to play

marriedinwhite · 16/02/2012 13:17

Three bed flat, £380pcm, 4 children, permanent accommodation, provided by your local authority because you are unable to provide accommodation for your own large family.

Shouldn't you be thanking your lucky stars.

usualsuspect · 16/02/2012 13:18

Anyone can go on the social housing list

NorthernWreck · 16/02/2012 13:19

I dont really get how they are homeless if they can pay the rent on their rented house?
Not being an arse, just don't get it.

QuintessentialyHollow · 16/02/2012 13:19

There is NO such thing as personal responsibility on Mumsnet.
Here everybody are entitled to as many children the state will feed for you.

My suggestion to you is to become pregnant again, aim for twins or triplets. That for sure will get you up the housing ladder.

That, or like most of us do: WORK and not plan any more children you cannot afford (but this I cant tell you without being flamed here. Wink )

Finallyfinally · 16/02/2012 13:20

I accept that you've been through the mill, and I'm very sorry your husband lost his job.

But you are being ridiculous. Council housing is scarce, and you are being housed at a very low rent. That is enough. And yes, in similar circumstances, while I'd feel a bit very sorry for myself for my change in circumstances, I would be very grateful for a council flat, because it meant the state had provided me with a subsidised home.

The fact it's not ideal might turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to you. Resolve that you'll be out of there this time next year, and in a better house.

usualsuspect · 16/02/2012 13:21

Having more children does not get you up the housing ladder , another council house myth

NormanTebbit · 16/02/2012 13:23

She describes it as a 'smal tower block' so it's not a high rise which is why it's perhaps suitable for a family.

PosiePumblechook · 16/02/2012 13:23

The trouble with personal responsibility is that for those who display little it's waaaaay too late to lecture them.

silkytouch · 16/02/2012 13:23

I haven't managed to read all the thread, but OP, I would take the flat. The rent is so low that you should be able to save a lot while you're living there. You will probably get an introductory tenancy for the first year, so you can't exchange until it's converted to a secure tenancy after one year, but after that you can go on exchange lists.

Have raised 2 dc in a council flat without a garden and they are fine. The rooms are so big and there's a communal play area so it doesn't matter that we don't have a garden, and better for me as I don't have to deal with garden maintenance. And we've been able to save so much that we'll be able to buy it next year (the RTB discount is increasing to 50k) and hopefully we'll be able to get our own house in the future.

Feminine · 16/02/2012 13:26

op have you seen the flat?

Have you ever lived in a council style block? they are not all horrible.

many are really , really spacious.

I say this in an effort to cheer you up ....a bit :)

mosschops30 · 16/02/2012 13:26

Really? Anyone can apply for social housing?
No wonder we're in so much shit as a country.
Now am pissed off that the OP can have a working dh and enough money to pay rent but is miffed shes been offered a council flat.
Fucking ungrateful IMO

Bobolbach · 16/02/2012 13:28

I'm with NorthernWreck here - forgetting the op (whether it's true or not) but can someone please tell me if they can afford £800 ish a month to privately rent, why are they being offered a council property (flat or bleeding not?) It may be difficult and hand to mouth..... but isn't that what an awful lot of people who rent / have mortgages do already?

It may be difficult, but I would rather council property went to people who had absolutely NO chance of affording private rental.

usualsuspect · 16/02/2012 13:30

No we are in a housing crisis because someone thought it would be a good idea to sell all the social housing

Social housing was never meant to be just for the unemployed entitled benefit scroungers , it was meant for hard working people on low wages , a bit like the OP

ChickensHaveNoLips · 16/02/2012 13:32

Could the current rent be subsidised by the council to keep it at that level? And I presume you don't need a deposit if it's emergency accomodation.

Whatmeworry · 16/02/2012 13:35

One assumes the council is trying to reduce the cost of housing this lot. As a taxpayer I agree with that.

tantrumsandballoons · 16/02/2012 13:36

You see there was no mention of saving up for a better house from OP
It's when people don't try and help themselves and just expect to get whatever they want, that's what annoys people

animula · 16/02/2012 13:38

Now would surely be a good time to embark on a big scheme of building of social housing? Rather than, say, subsidising Tesco to get their shelves stacked?

Think there are two, almost contradictory, roles for social housing: 1. to provide shelter for those in (dire) need 2. to provide decent housing at an affordable rent - which ultimately eradicates the possibility of slum landlords.

Can't see that the state/local councils taking on the role of becoming slum landlords themselves is in anybody's interests!!

I really do think we seem to have moved too far from the role no. 2 outlined above.

That;'s why I don't approve of forcibly evicting people from what are their homes after children have left, to be honest. that just seems to completely undermine the whole idea of social housing ever being anything but state-subsidised crap housing, rather than a way of forcing down private rents and (ultimately) forcing the private sector to behave.

Really do think the only answer is more social housing, and more mixed housing at that.

HowAboutAHotCupOfShutTheHellUp · 16/02/2012 13:39

Why should you be bailed out because you CHOSE to have FOUR kids ! Jesus please use a condom from now on, the economy is on its knees as it is without having to help people like you who have multiple kids despite not being in a position to afford them. Why should you get preferential treatment?

I was brought in up a flat, it didn't kill me. Get over yourself.

usualsuspect · 16/02/2012 13:41

I give up

fedupofnamechanging · 16/02/2012 13:43

When they had four dc, they could afford them. Peoples circumstances change - they probably didn't predict her dh losing his job.

Besides they are paying their own rent, the state isn't paying it for them, and the dh is now working again, so they are supporting their own dc.

Christ, so much vitriol on this thread.

hotheels · 16/02/2012 13:44

Fucking hell am really shocked by your attitude OP. I was private renting a detached 3 bed house for £850pcm. No HB. Was decided by council that we were homeless due to other factors but mainly that our ast was coming to an end. I signed up for my flat on Tuesday (And move in Monday) I am so fucking grateful I have two dd's aged 9 and 15m with a ds on the way the flat is top floor (no lift) and is 3 bedroom. It is temporary homeless flat that is owned by the council, and I can't believe how lucky we have been to have been 'picked up' by the homeless unit. I think you are being very, very ungrateful! Angry

TotemPole · 16/02/2012 13:45

mosschops, You can be working and apply. I think the eligibility criteria varies between the councils.

I'd be annoyed in the OP's position. She wanted a house. She's seen the applicants ahead of her given houses over the past few weeks. Really a 3 bed flat isn't ideal for a family of 6.

On the other hand, if I was in her position I'd happily take the flat. A couple of years ago we were at risk of losing our home. I went to speak to the housing office. Because we are in such a crowded borough the waiting lists for council/HA is massive. We'd have been put in cheap B&B and on the waiting list for up to 6 years. I don't know if they just say that to everyone to scare them.

We were fortunate and the situation turned around and we were able to stay.