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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:
usualsuspect · 15/01/2013 16:18

The private rental sector needs a massive shake up. Council housing is fine as it is, apart from there needs to be loads more houses built, so more people get the chance of affordable housing. Which after all, is what council houses were built for in the first place.

shesariver · 15/01/2013 16:20

ethelb of course your budget will determine where you buy and live - but you dont even get this choice as a council tenant - cant you see this?!

Dahlen · 15/01/2013 16:20

pebbles - but at the end of your mortgage you'll have an asset. People who rent, will not.

Fluffy1234 · 15/01/2013 16:23

OP I hood it all works out well for you. It's nice to hear someone getting some good news for a change.

Fluffy1234 · 15/01/2013 16:24

Hope not hood.

pebblesandbamm · 15/01/2013 16:25

I'm stuck with an interest only mortgage at the moment costing almost double to OP rent. If it's ever an asset it will be one I've seriously paid through the nose for!
Sorry - I know I sound like a totally miserable wench. I just had my eyes widened reading this and panic crept in!!
I'm the first to count my blessings when I look at my two children.

shesariver · 15/01/2013 16:25

I work full time and live in a council house, would love to be able to buy but dont ever see myself being in this position. The street in which I stay is not on a bad estate or anything but not where I would choose to live if I could. I totally agree with you usual suspect about providing more affordable houses for families - thats exactly what council houses were built for in the first place.

iloveshortshorts · 15/01/2013 16:29

Hi OP

I think you should take this house as it seems it will be great for you and your family, you may not get an offer like this again so go for it!

Im currently looking to swap my 1 bed for a 2 bed and only had one offer (in a not so good area) hopefully i will get some luck too.

ethelb · 15/01/2013 16:30

I do realise that you don't get to choose as a council tenent.

"I work full time and live in a council house, would love to be able to buy but dont ever see myself being in this position."

So why do you assume others are in a position to buy?

WilsonFrickett · 15/01/2013 16:35

Up till now my least favourite Dave Cameron phrase was the 'sharp elbows of the middle class'. Now I'm seeing his point. You choose to buy a house and as some pp said, five years ago this thread would have led to pearl-clutching and 'live on a council estate, moi?' responses. Now that precious asset isn't standing up to its mortgage payments, everyone wants a social house, huh?

CecilyP · 15/01/2013 16:37

OP, now you have said more about the location of the bigger house, it is quite likely that there is no demand for any larger family to want to move there, which is probably why the council had no objection for it to go to a family of 5.

The swappers that I referred to up-thread who were refused permission because of under-occupation, lived on the most popular council estate in our town, so it was understandable that they were refused.

Dawndonna · 15/01/2013 16:38

I think the OP has stated that they are doing well in part due to the low housing cost.
Which puts her in a position to choose to have more children. Or shouldn't the poor be breeding? Not that it's your business.

They are considering a 4th or 5th child ffs! Forgive me if I'm being daft, but I'm confused.
Just Marie Stopes.

expat, i did not insult you, i gave you an instruction. there is a difference
And therein lies the insult.

I am disgusted by a number of people on this thread. I am astounded by the petty bitter jeolousy and would strongly recommend reading the various housing acts rather than digging at the OP.

Creighton, You are not a housing officer, you may work in local housing but appear to have little idea of how it's run. Your spiteful remarks would demonstrate that much.

TheFallenNinja · 15/01/2013 16:38

No. Nobody else will give a toss about you, take it and enjoy.

JakeBullet · 15/01/2013 16:40

I used to have a mortgage and have resigned myself to never being able to afford one again :(

The situation is crap regarding housing. The OP is in a 2 or 3 bed house, she has the chance of swapping with someone in a 4 bedroom house and she wants to do it. Nobody is taking anything away from anyone, the older couple need to swap with someone unless the HA can find them appropriate empty accommodation and take someone off the housing list. Chances are that isn't likely, and the only way the OP will get bigger housing is to swap.

Nobody should be thinking that if you have 5 children in social housing that you magically get a 4 or 5 bed house because I am here to tell you it doesn't happen......not that often as there is simply to enough to go around. In the local area there is a 10 year wait for 4 beds.....minimum of 10 years wait.

shesariver · 15/01/2013 16:42

ethelB dont get you, where have I assumed others are in a position to buy? Confused Some people will be and some wont, thats life. All I have said is if you are in a position to buy i.e you can afford it you can choose.

ethelb · 15/01/2013 16:43

@wilson 5 years ago I was 20. I'm hardly sulking abotu my assets.

pebblesandbamm · 15/01/2013 16:46

Not at all!

This thread highlights the choice of having children that can be housed in your mortgaged home or having a large brood in the hope that the council will be able to offer suitable housing.

I'd rather not have the stress of relying on HA/council tbh.

And it was a huge financial commitment and strain for me and my DH to get onto the property ladder before we decided we were in a position to have a child.

LadyBeagleEyes · 15/01/2013 16:46

I never thought living in an HA home would be something others would aspire too.
Grin

ethelb · 15/01/2013 16:51

@pebbles or your choice might be neither and you may rent.

pebblesandbamm · 15/01/2013 16:59

@ethelb - totally.

@LadyBeagleEyes - I don't think it is anyone's main aspiration in life.

LegoAcupuncture · 15/01/2013 17:05

Why the assumption that people in social housing don't work. A lot of my friends live in social housing, the majority of them work, even the single mothers.

LegoAcupuncture · 15/01/2013 17:05

And the two single dads I know do as well.

ethelb · 15/01/2013 17:06

I would aspire to have a HA home so I could save up to buy

overmydeadbody · 15/01/2013 17:07

Wow lots of jealous but ignorant people on this thread.

Ethelb why are you not on the housing register? You've got to be in it to win it after all.

HappyJoyful · 15/01/2013 17:10

Pebblesandbamm, I think you've hit the nail on the head.

I don't think the OP is BU to take the house, there is no denying that if the HA approve it she should go for it. I'm assuming the couple moving in have medical reasons and that they wont be stung once universal credit hits for the extra bedroom. She's landed on her feet clearly.

What's frustrating me is that the comments others are making about ignoring 'jealous' posters... well OP shouldn't have started inflaming people by going on about then being able to have another baby.. that's where I think OP is BU- many, many people are struggling to pay mortgages on houses that are worth less than years ago and stuck in a trap of no equity in homes to move or unable to transfer mortgage etc. It's bragging and that's what I don't like.

And for those that don't think Council Housing or HA's have 'subsided' rents please, please live in the real world as many in private rented are telling you.

For anyone stuck in Council property or HA properties that are too small - I'd really, really take heart from this post as Mutual Exchanges are fantastic opportunities - think someone has suggested 3 way swaps /4 way swaps are all possible.. For anyone not currently in Council property or HA and wanting to get on lists - I'd dream on unless you live in an area with no demand, you'd really, really have to be at the bottom of a very, very, very large pile to ever now get a tenancy from either

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