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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To take a bigger council house than we need?

999 replies

isthisunreasonable · 15/01/2013 10:11

Have namechanged for this as it's pretty obvious who I am if you know me...

We currently have a two bedroom house (3 children) and we can fir just about but it's a squeeze. We are "entitled" (cringe) to a 3 bed house but it's likely to be 4-5 yrs by the time we would be offered one so placed our details on the Housing Association's "mutual exchange" site. We have also said we are happy to take a 2 bedroom house with separate dining room to use as the 3rd bedroom.

Have been contact by someone via our housing association's "mutual exchange" list. They have a large 4 bed house with a dining room and massive garden and they want to downsize (older couple all kids left home) and would like our house.

Given that is is bigger than we actually need . Part of me thinks it should go to a family with 5/6 kids but part of me thinks this couple are looking for a mutual exchange to downsize to a 2 bed house, what's the chance of them fining such a large family in a 2 bed house that they want.

It would be fabulous for us of course, lots of space for everyone, kids could have their own bedrooms and a nice big garden to play and we wouldn't have to move again when we have more children (planning another 1 or 2 in next 5 years perhaps).

Would we be unreasonable to accept it?

OP posts:
Original poster
isthisunreasonable · 15/01/2013 15:51

Maybe I should post the photos of the "lottery" I have one shall I?

I will gladly pass the details on to any "more deserving" family who might like to take the 4 bed house instead of us. Anyone here living in a 2 bed property with more than 3 children? You also need to live near me and have a disabled adapted house (as that is what the elderly couple want in exchange for their 4 bed).

OP posts:
usualsuspect · 15/01/2013 15:52

No one gave a toss about council tenants until call me Dave and his crew started banging on about scroungers v the squeezed middle.

All in it together? yeah right.

shesariver · 15/01/2013 15:52

But - I can see why people in HA houses don't want to move - they have all the benefits of owning (can decorate, can do modifications etc) but don't have to pay for it

No they dont!! One big obvious benefit to owning is its their house - they own it, whereas people in council houses will never own it (well not unless they buy it obviously) If you are in a position to buy a house yopu can choose where to - again council tennats have to take what area is offered.Of course council tenants have to pay for decorating, the council are responsible for keep the house safe and habitable and thats about it, they would maintain it e.g windows, central heating etc. There is so much ignorance amongst other thigns on this thread.

ethelb · 15/01/2013 15:55

OP, yes and I can show you the one bed flat that costs me 40% of our full-time duel-income take home salary shall I?

@usual this isn't about the OP making a decision and living her life. It is about a system that has made a certain kind of decision possible for her and not for others.

usualsuspect · 15/01/2013 15:56

Anyone can go on the housing list, it's not the OPs fault that Thatcher sold them all off.

LadyBeagleEyes · 15/01/2013 15:58

I've never seen so many jealous people on one thread, for what is essentially a council house, which in pre recession times would have been looked down on by many who wanted to get on the property ladder.
That used to be the be all and end all for many, unfortunately, because of the ridiculous prices now, everybody wants social housing.
It's almost funny.

ethelb · 15/01/2013 15:58

If you are in a position to buy a house yopu can choose where to

No you can't you would only be able to buy one where you could afford one

impty · 15/01/2013 15:58

If you can take it. 4 bedrooms between 5 of you seems fine to me.

Original poster
isthisunreasonable · 15/01/2013 16:00

Ethelb - Is it my fault that your rent is high? Should I decline the offer of the house because your rent is high, will that make it go down?

OP posts:
usualsuspect · 15/01/2013 16:02

It is almost funny LBE, Some of them wouldn't dare walk through a council estate, I don't think they would want to live on one.

They send their children to school miles away in case they have to mix with the rough kids , but they are jealous of their houses.

They need to make their bloody minds up.

ethelb · 15/01/2013 16:03

No. I never said that. But the exageration of the level of priviledge experienced by private renters and home owners here is a bit over the top. I do think you need to realise just how priviledged you are.

I don't agree that we would all do the same thing. And at the other end of the spectrum I hate how it is suggested we would all do the same as Jimmy Carr et al.

ethelb · 15/01/2013 16:04

@usual I would live on a council estate. I grew up with friends on them and thogh some are problematic, I don't get the fuss about others tbh. Is the OP even talking about living on a council estate?

usualsuspect · 15/01/2013 16:05

You know what, I've lived on a council estate for 30 years, I've never been called privileged before Grin Underprivileged, yes.

How times have changed.

shesariver · 15/01/2013 16:08

Ethelb I said if you are in a position to buy i.e you can afford it you can choose where you want to buy as opposed to a council tenant having to live where the council house is. What is it about this that you disagree with? You buy within your means of course but you still have a choice i.e no-one telling you where to live.

LadyBeagleEyes · 15/01/2013 16:08

Why didn't you put yourself on the list then ethelb?

pebblesandbamm · 15/01/2013 16:08

What is the problem? You have the answer to your probem.

I'm stuck in a tiny house that I owe more on than the house is worth, sky high mortgage - would walk away with nothing if I sold, we earn money to keep our house over our 2 children's heads and as a result can't claim any benefit ... this post just makes me think what's the point of trying - the council provides large houses with large gardens for people who want 5 children!?

ethelb · 15/01/2013 16:10

i might followign this thread

JenaiMorris · 15/01/2013 16:10

"'Why is it that I can be turfed out at the end of each twelve month period from my private rented house, but social tenants cannot?"

Because the private rental sector is utter, utter shit.

Doing away with the perks of social housing (I hate that term as it's too close to "needy" - council housing was never just for the poorest - wtf happened?) will do nothing to help those stuck in the private sector. Nothing at all. If anything it will make matters worse.

Original poster
isthisunreasonable · 15/01/2013 16:11

I don't live on a council estate by the way! Around this way it's more rural, so villages rather than towns with big estates. Out current house is a road with a mix of HA council and private housing and the "new house" is on a lane in the middle of nowhere with two other houses. Perhaps the fact it's not well connected or near a town / bus route / station is why the council haven't persuaded the old couple to move before and giving it to a larger family. Or maybe they tried and the couple declined. Who knows.

OP posts:
ethelb · 15/01/2013 16:12

@shesariver your budget would determine where you can live though. Just a different master

Original poster
isthisunreasonable · 15/01/2013 16:12

usualsuspect, Privileged, lady of the mannor, lottery winner - You are all of those!

OP posts:
JenaiMorris · 15/01/2013 16:13

Oh and take the house, OP.

The bitter, envious types will gain nothing at all if you don't.

Original poster
isthisunreasonable · 15/01/2013 16:14

Well we've arranged to go and see the house at the weekend. The couple are very sweet and keen and have called me twice today to check tomorrow's viewing of our house is ok still :)

OP posts:
shesariver · 15/01/2013 16:14

And I really dont get the poster who believes living in a council house encourages peoples children not to work?? Confused

ethelb · 15/01/2013 16:15

@she no that was total bollocks and outrageously classist.