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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:
ParsingFancy · 16/01/2013 20:39

Jumping, I agree completely that fixing and regulating the private rental market is an important part of the solution. If private rentals went back to assessed fair rents and secure tenures, and there were still a supply of private rentals (but this might change), then demand for council housing would fall - because fair rents and secure tenures are (from this thread) the major reasons people are seeking council houses.

I'm boggling a bit at statements like "the vast majority are on the same playing field", and the complaints (not just from you) that public rental having good conditions is "unfair" on people in private rental.

The whole business of having a roof over one's head is as far from a level playing field as anyone can possibly imagine. Two children can sit next to each other at school, and yet one will go on to have a central London flat bequeathed them outright by grandparents, the other will not be able to do more than rent, having no family money and a disabled child. There's nothing remotely "fair" about any of this. To use arguments like "fairness" to pit private renters against public while ignoring the inequalities inherent from the start is a false position.

Wallison · 16/01/2013 20:40

I am glad that the landlords on this thread - who are as I have found out since reading it close to the blessed Mother Theresa in terms of godliness and selflessness - are lining up to berate the OP as 'immoral' (in a non-insulting kind of way, obv.)

expatinscotland · 16/01/2013 20:41

Why ot sell your second home then, Spam? Sounds like it's making you miserable.

JumpHerWho · 16/01/2013 20:41

Bogey that was an absolutely classic example of a straw man! Grin

I'd rather all my taxes went on education and the Tube, and the Arts.

It's not an either or, you know. Have you ever played Sim City?

usualsuspect · 16/01/2013 20:42

Only HA tenants should have morals apparently.

JumpHerWho · 16/01/2013 20:43

Wallis on - you seem to think I'm a Ll - I'm not Confused

JumpHerWho · 16/01/2013 20:47

Parsing - I take your point about general inequality, but the point is that need for a state asset can be assessed and it can be used in the best way. It's currently the case that people are waiting for years to get social housing, in genuine need, when others are clinging on to it when they do not need the cheaper rent that others do. It's state-sponsored inequality.

At the moment it sounds like councils are having to pussy foot around, trying to persuade people to downsize or whatever to free up housing when there should just be a clear and transparent system.

JumpHerWho · 16/01/2013 20:48

Usual who are your little snipes aimed at?

Spamspamspam · 16/01/2013 20:50

How brilliant and so perfect - you have all fallen into my hands......Grin

Whether or not I have a second home is irrevelant given the circumstances that I outlined.

I don't have a second home but I thought I would throw that one in to see the reaction and it is exactly how I thought. All those who jumped on it are obviously defenders to the benefits system of social housing. Some of you obviously need it but I bet a hell of a lot of you don't as your circumstances have changed.

Its sad. Give it up to someone who needs it and if you need it you don't need to sit on here defending yourselves do you?

stephrick · 16/01/2013 20:51

what are the dynamics of kids, i have 3 but live in a 3 bed house and is sometimes impossible, eldest DS is 19 and working shares with DS 14 DC own box room. you need to look to the future, not all kids leave home at 18. don't think too hard, you can always downsize your self.

usualsuspect · 16/01/2013 20:54

So you were lying then? how odd.

TooMuchRain · 16/01/2013 20:58

I think social housing is enormously important but it's gross that people who are not in need can pay rents that are so far below the market value, it seems almost immoral that rents are not tied to earnings to encourage people to move on and become independent or allow the councils to build up some extra money to create more housing for those who actually need it.

I also think the 'it's not me, it's the system' line is disingenuous - either you participate in the system or you don't, it's a choice.

JakeBullet · 16/01/2013 21:00

You've lost me Spam Confused......

I think there are a lot of LL in just the position you described....unable to sell so renting out in order to move on and charging just enough rent to cover the mortgage and any agent fees. Yes there are people with four, five or more homes but just as many with a second one simply because they couldn't sell.

Why have people played into your hands ......trying to keep up here but failing.

Spamspamspam · 16/01/2013 21:02

Not odd, clearly people lie all day every day - this thread has shown that.

Not something that sits well with me but each to their own. It appears that it is okay as long as you are "entitled" we have had posters on this thread admitting to lying to authorities to get what they think they are entitled to. But hey that's fine, let's find something odd in my post Grin

All I can summise is that taking the heat out of those posters makes you one in the same. Well shame on you.

Wallison · 16/01/2013 21:02

I don't see how believing what someone says is 'falling into their hands' but whatever floats your boat, Spamspamspam. Hmm

Wallison · 16/01/2013 21:04

Landlords who say they can't sell their second home just mean that they aren't willing to accept the price that the almighty 'free market' puts it at.

LadyBeagleEyes · 16/01/2013 21:08

Yes, spam, because you're a really caring member of the community, and the only reason you're posting here is to support the poor and the dispossessed.
Nothing to do with you being caught in a recession where the value of your home has disappeared.
Not my fault btw, when you were going on the market to buy your home, I got my HA home.
Oh, and I was poor and desperate and I'm not going to give up my home any time soon.

Spamspamspam · 16/01/2013 21:10

Jake - as soon as I mentioned I had a second home I was somehow considered a social pariah with loads of money. Despite describing how I didn't have any money from it was completely ignored, despite describing how I was keeping my rent down to private tenants - something I feel very strongly about there was complete ignorance. People only read that I had a second home without questioning any reason for how, why, when, what - they naturally assumed I had money, which is wrong and is wrong for alot of HA. People seem to think that there is this bigger "THEM" in this country when there simply is not..it;s really sad that most do not know how the country functions and where the money comes from.

To quote a poster tonight:- "Oh no not the taxpayers again" I mean FFS REALLY? I mean REALLY? jeez we are in trouble if the average joe public, intelligent enough to post on here can't work out that the bank doesn't just print a load of money each year and yes we do rely of tax payers.

What is there to not get from my posts?

Chunderella · 16/01/2013 21:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JumpHerWho · 16/01/2013 21:14

Spam tbh you've pretty much lost any argument or credibility by making up lies on here. Not cool.

Wallison · 16/01/2013 21:16

Not really sure what point you're making, spamspamspam, but if you say you've won it then I'm sure you have.

[backs away slowly]

JakeBullet · 16/01/2013 21:20

You were not flamed by me Spam, I totally understand that some LL are in a difficult situation as they cannot sell. It's not just a case of "not accepting a fair offer" if the seller have a mortgage to repay.....its a case of not being able to go below a certain offer.Sad

nailak · 16/01/2013 21:22

we need private landlords.

BelieveInPink · 16/01/2013 21:24

Oh woe is me, I am entitled to a forever house...oh wait, that's until they offer me a bigger one.

Utter bullshit.

JumpHerWho · 16/01/2013 21:26

yy BelieveInPink!