Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to hide the fact that my home is HA?

118 replies

mykidskeepmegoing · 09/11/2012 12:17

Hi all.
Generally i hide the fact that my home is housing association. It looks like any other semi-detached house that you would find in the suburbs.
Anyway, today i was paying my rent in my local post office and one of the women from my kids school noticed my rent card. As i was lighting a ciggerette outside she asked if she could have a word.
She had a go at me for living in my home because i work. Her daughter has just had twins and her and her boyfriend are finding it hard to get a ha home (not many round here). So they live with her and her other 2 children.
Private rents around here are well overpriced, so i was very lucky to get my beloved home. I'm dreading going to get my kids from school in case she has a go again in front of other mums. I don't want anybody knowing my home is HA.
After the year i've had, i really don't need anymore grief :/

OP posts:
peeriebear · 09/11/2012 13:05

I live in a council house... DH and I both work and pay full rent and council tax. Like fuck am I giving up my secure tenancy and my children's childhood home for an unstable private rental market that make us poor instead of merely managing. Having just had a third DC I could easily put my name down to be moved to a bigger house- but I like where I am thanks!

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 09/11/2012 13:06

lovebunny
home ownership is right and normal and for everyone

Historically this is simply untrue. The owner occupant % in this country has never been much more than 70% and is currently declining.
www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/aug/30/home-ownership-fall-mid-80s-levels

In 1918 only around 23% of homes were owner occupied and it wasn't until the 1970's that half the homes in the UK were owner occupied.

SecretCervix · 09/11/2012 13:06

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Original poster
mykidskeepmegoing · 09/11/2012 13:07

@femine. When i was a teenager i used to get off the bus before it went into my estate so the kids didn't see where i lived.
My mum and dad had a bad accident when i was 2 and they lost there house. That's when we got our council house. They didn't work for years because they had operations and mobility issues. They ok now though.
So as you can imagine we didn't have the best of thing. We didn't have the best clothes or go on school holidays to France.
I was ashamed then. Not so much now though because you can't tell my house is HA.
I don't want my kids ever going through that.

OP posts:
Original poster
mykidskeepmegoing · 09/11/2012 13:08

If nobody believe me i can write my name, address and phone number if you'd like.

OP posts:
TheHumancatapult · 09/11/2012 13:08

Op ignore her I have H/A brand new build to in a nice area and tbh I don't give a toss what others think though did have some narky comments as I only waited less than 6 months to be housesd ( last house unsuitable after my accident ) .

I did tell someone go break your back you may get one then long as Yiu can do 6 months of strip washing in front room as can't go in bathroom

myfirstkitchen · 09/11/2012 13:09

what a nitwit. what did she expect you to do? give her the keys to your house? she can piss off. worked for 15 years and could not of afforded to work if i didn't live in a HA house. the rent was so low enough to afford on my crappy wages. If i lived in private rent I couldn't pay it on full time work and would of had to not work and claim full housing benefit. she's an idiot. tell her to fuck off.

ibizagirl · 09/11/2012 13:10

Anyone can live in a HA house if they are entitled to one. As long as its clean and tidy who cares? I live in a HA house and its a damn more cleaner and tidier than the privately owned house next door. Filthy neighbours from hell!!!Dd's old teacher from primary school lived in a HA house and she was married with her husband being a policeman. So did one of the TA's. They weren't bothered. Its nobody elses business but your own.

TheHumancatapult · 09/11/2012 13:10

My kids tbh it's not the same at school none often been looked down on for where we live in fact more envy as we're smack in middle of 4 good schools and can walk

In fact ds2 school 5 mins away and he is envy instead waiting for bus

Feminine · 09/11/2012 13:11

Well if it cheers you up, I live in an HA home and it looks like one Grin

Really, don't stress anymore. I apologize for not believing your first post.

Plus, its now seen as something quite desirable to have an HA tenancy Wink

Original poster
mykidskeepmegoing · 09/11/2012 13:12

I love my home. It's like my own little paradise.
So far my life has been like something out of a soap and lately i have been doing really well with my confidence issues. Now this has set me back.

OP posts:
Original poster
mykidskeepmegoing · 09/11/2012 13:14

It's ok Feminine :)
If it wasn't for you lovely ladies i wouldn't have anyone to talk to. Plus i would be cleaning lol.

OP posts:
caramelwaffle · 09/11/2012 13:14

mykids Does your local council have a website that takes direct payments from your bankcard? Mine does. If you don't feel up to looking over your shoulder every time you have to pay your rent, do it over the 'net; you can do this with your council tax as well.

I had the council come and take some bulky items from my house for free (well, I pay council tax, so not strictly free) All I had to do was put a request in over the 'net and get someone to place the items at the front of the house.

If anyone threatens you, get the the PCSOs or police involved.

PropertyNightmare · 09/11/2012 13:14

Fucking hell, OP. Next time the crazy lady has a go you should smile sweetly and say 'listen baby, don't hate the player; hate the game'.

Feminine · 09/11/2012 13:14

Don't let it.

You are enough as you are. It sounds as if you have had a rough ride, just enjoy your paradise now...

Don't worry about her, if she does continue you have every right to call the police.

HecatePropylaea · 09/11/2012 13:15

I believe you, mykids. Do NOT waste your time worrying about people you don't know and who don't know you. When you wouldn't know each other if you fell over one another, whether they think you're telling the truth or not does not matter. focus on the posts that do believe you and take as much or as little as you are able to from that.

People do get cynical on here sometimes. It's because of the sheer number of fake posts on certain subjects - and sadly benefits / social housing is one of those subjects. So I think some mners are quick to suspect. It's shitty when MN gets invaded by bastards who are out to cause upset. It's unfortunate that that can also mean the genuine posts can be regarded with suspicion and you can blame the shitty trolls for that! but concentrate on the other posts, the ones trying to help you.

caramelwaffle · 09/11/2012 13:16

No. Do not write out your details here!

Original poster
mykidskeepmegoing · 09/11/2012 13:17

@caramel. I have my council tax taken out direct debit. I only pay my rent at the post office because i put all my money in front of me then budget it.

OP posts:
CrikeyOHare · 09/11/2012 13:19

If nobody believe me i can write my name, address and phone number if you'd like

Don't be daft, Mykids - those of us who aren't showing off for our online mates believe you. Honestly.

If I was in your boat I'd simply tell that woman to fuck off back to her pit. But you're not me so all I can really suggest is that you dismiss her from your mind & try not to let her get to you. Most people in HA do, contrary to popular opinion, work.

Enjoy your home. You and your DCs deserve it :)

Original poster
mykidskeepmegoing · 09/11/2012 13:19

Thanks Hecate.
I understand that people might not believe me. I have seen some pretty out there threads on here that have had e scratching my head :)

OP posts:
Original poster
mykidskeepmegoing · 09/11/2012 13:21

Thanks crikey. :)
It's a lovely place to live other than the odd weirdo.

OP posts:
PeppermintPasty · 09/11/2012 13:22

OP has a perfectly genuine (to my mind) thread elsewhere on the site. OP, you have nothing at all to be ashamed of, this woman sounds entitled and blinkered. Try not to care too much.

caramelwaffle · 09/11/2012 13:22

Oh god, yes. I understand that: I used to do that or ALL my bills, and take the cash to various banks (and queue for hours!) then I got over my fear of using online banking

caramelwaffle · 09/11/2012 13:23

*Ol' gimmer

See - eyesight failing as well HmmGrin

HullyEastergully · 09/11/2012 13:24

The problem is that most people on MN never meet people like that so it is hard for them to believe.