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Original poster

To think it is ridiculous that a woman with 11 kids is getting a £400,000 house for nowt

999 replies

angelos02 · 19/02/2013 09:59

Especially when most working people couldn't never afford to live somewhere costing that much?
Link: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2280385/Home-fit-dole-queen-Mother-11-gets-BRAND-NEW-400-000-house-built-council-shes-struggling-current-homes.html

OP posts:
KobayashiMaru · 19/02/2013 11:28

I don't get why the adult children are counted, along with the grandchildren? They could all move out, then she would have 7 to be counted, and only need a 4 bed.

My cousin is one of 13, they had a 4 bed house. no-one needs a massive house.

mablemurple · 19/02/2013 11:30

I earn just above the threshold (£40,000) - no benefits, no help, no tax credits. I have to work full time and nursery fees when the time comes means that the majority of people on benefits are taking home a lot more than me

Can you provide some evidence to back up that BS rather extraordinary assertion? Also, I don't think people take home housing benefit, it just goes straight to the landlord, doesn't it?

As a single person earning well above the average salary, your post reeks of self-pity.

Sallyingforth · 19/02/2013 11:32

Kobayashi
The adult children are staying until they have each produced sufficient children of their own to qualify for their own houses. Then the cycle will repeat.

(yes I know that sounds bitter, but it's what does happen)

countrykitten · 19/02/2013 11:32

mable I think that is a little harsh. The poster has said that they are frazzled and that this hits a nerve.

countrykitten · 19/02/2013 11:34

sallyingforth this does seem to be what happens in situations like this, sadly. Low aspirations breed low aspirations.

Flatbread · 19/02/2013 11:34

Why isn't this woman and her grown-up kids working? Ok, if the council gives her a house, why isn't she asked to do a job in return? It coukd be a volunteer-type one, such as picking up dog-shit from the streets or picking up litter from parks in-between normal council cleaning?

ElliesWellies · 19/02/2013 11:34

It's just another Daily Mail rant article. As far as I know the council do not build homes to order for families. If they know a family is moving into a new-build house then they will consult them over choice of kitchen cupboards, flooring etc. before fitting. Also don't like the snide comments, e.g. the family 'claim' the partner is unemployed (suggesting he is working cash-in-hand), the woman 'says she is married' (suggesting she is lying).

Having said that, she sounds over-entitled. They are not going to just build her another house if she doesn't like this one.

Isityouorme · 19/02/2013 11:35

Councils should not be building 6 bed houses .... I can't afford to live in a big house and I get sweet FA help so why the hell should she get a brand new house for free .... It takes the piss.

Mumsyblouse · 19/02/2013 11:36

Although people assume that having this house will be the start of a better future for the children, it's not very likely, in our local council estate where I grew up, we are now on third-generation families who have never worked, and having an ok council house doesn't stop that unfortunately.

PeneloPeePitstop · 19/02/2013 11:37

Still some arseholes around here who believe that children should be made to pay for the actions of their parent, then.

They didn't ask to exist. They have had four years of being I adequately housed, but they need punishing still more, yes?

HoHoHoNoYouDont · 19/02/2013 11:38

Also, I don't think people take home housing benefit, it just goes straight to the landlord, doesn't it?

No, it doesn't. And in the case of my ex tenant she claimed it and spent it for three months. HB will not address the issue until the claimant is in 8 weeks arrears. Only then do they start making investigations into the issue. F**king nightmare.

sashh · 19/02/2013 11:39

Did anybody actually read the article?

The council are not paying for the house, it is a housing association house.

Don't worry, once the bedroom tax comes in she will only be entitled to a three bed.

currentbuns · 19/02/2013 11:39

The woman's attitude seems designed to rile. I can certainly see why many people, especially those who struggle to find adequate housing, or who cannot afford a second or third child, would find this galling. But I doubt many people really envy her- who would honestly want to be in her position, living her life?

Presumably the woman's benefits will be cut under the new cap, and her children are likely to suffer as a result - irrespective of their nice, new Eco-home.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 19/02/2013 11:39

I'll be very disappointed if, when finished, it doesn't look like a shoe ....? Grin

Birdsgottafly · 19/02/2013 11:40

No one is angry at her for being poor

The DM are, otherwise we would be seeing the same caliber of reporting about another extended family living for free in Central London and they get private transport, holidays etc, all provided for by the state.

In the words of John Bishop "Being a scouser, i excuse the unemployed, doing a bit of cash in hand, for extra's, but i'm glad there's no royality sitting in the best seats for free, cos, that lot totally take the piss".

I don't get why the adult children are counted

It is no-ones business why they are, accept the agencies involved, but there will be reasons.

Glad to see that ITV was taken off the air for the second showing of this report for breaking guidelines.

People may not want the workhouses back, but many would like the stocks, so that they can be even more public in their condemnation and mocking.

KobayashiMaru · 19/02/2013 11:42

Are they inadequately housed though? They have 2 3bed houses knocked together...how are they not housed well enough already?

Isityouorme · 19/02/2013 11:42

Why should people have kids which they have no means of providing for, and I am talking 11kids, not struggling with 2or 3. This woman probably gets every benefit under the sun yet contributes nothing towards society. Having two houses knocked together might have been a pain but if you ave a large amity which you are incapable of supporting then deal with it. I want 3 bathrooms and more bedrooms but no one except me and DH is going help us get it.

secretofcrickleyhall · 19/02/2013 11:43

mable - you're right, I earn above the threshold but the key is, there is only me.

If I earned £20,000 and had a DP who also earned £20,000, perhaps you'd see what I meant? That sounds really arsey and challenging and I don't want it to Grin it was meant in an inquiring sort of tone, not an aggressive one.

HB doesn't go straight to the landlord - or it doesn't in our area, I know that because my brother rents out his flat and hasn't been paid rent for weeks.

Anyway, that is beside the point. Trust me, I DO count my blessings and I am grateful for what I earn. However, I do work very hard for it and it would be nice to reap SOME rewards for it rather than endless doom-and-gloom, life will be like this 'til you're 68 then the house you've paid the mortgage off on will be sold to pay for your care leaving your beloved DCs to build up huge debt if they go to university.

Meanwhile, other people don't have these cares, or at least so it seems, and I know nobody knows quite what someone else's life is like and so on but I'm knackered, I'm lonely, as I feel like all I do is work Grin and I am being a bit self pitying, yes, I'll admit to that charge. I'm not trying to be a pain in the arse, it's just I do feel at the moment that I work very hard for very little.

Thanks countrykitten :) I'm not a bitch, I promise, I'd never see children starve, but ... you know!

Flatbread · 19/02/2013 11:44

they will consult them over choice of kitchen cupboards, flooring etc. before fitting

Why? My tenants who pay out of their own pocket to rent don't get a choice on flooring etc. when I refurbish.

Why should council tenants, many of who are not paying rent out of their own pocket, get to choose cupboards and flooring?

You cannot get the fun part of home ownership (choosing flooring etc.) without the painful part, e.g., working, earning and being responsible for the mortgage.

lougle · 19/02/2013 11:46

Flatbread, because that's standard. They won't get carpet - it'll just be floor tiling. New builds always consult the tenant and give a choice of 3 worktops/cupboards,etc...it's not luxury, just a case of 'which of these do you want'?

gordyslovesheep · 19/02/2013 11:47

they are NOT COUNCIL TENANTS ...just saying. Most people in social housing provide their own flooring

Birdsgottafly · 19/02/2013 11:48

"they will consult them over choice of kitchen cupboards, flooring etc. before fitting"

That is standard in HA house, you pick your choice of colour and the finish, when getting new kitchens and bathrooms.

I have a HA house, but i "pay out of my own pocket". Some of us in Social Housing do work, you know.

secretofcrickleyhall · 19/02/2013 11:48

HoHo - that's happened to my brother as well, and you're right, it is a nightmare. Hope you manage to get it sorted x

Birdsgottafly · 19/02/2013 11:49

That was to flat.

SuckingDiesel · 19/02/2013 11:54

Not all tenantes get a choice of kitchens etc.

For new build social housing or planned refurbishment of old housing stock, the tenant will be presented with maybe 3 or 4 choices of kitchen type/floor covering to choose from. They are not given free reign to choose whatever they choose.

If you are not the first tenant of a new build, or are not the tenant at the time of refurbishment, you take what you get when you are allocated a property. Kitchens are expected to last around 20 years. If you are allocated a property with a 10 year old kitchen then you're living with that kitchen until the next planned refurbishment

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