Offered a council house but partner doesn't want to accept as it's 40 mins commute from work

[Zeta123]

I applied for council housing in the middle of November. I was offered a horrid house first and refused and was yesterday offered the most beautiful council house I have ever seen. It's 2 bedroom but in a lovely area and it's huge with a big garden. It's perfect, it even meets my partners very high standards. But he wants to refuse it as it's 45 mins from his work place and also isn't in the exact area that he wants. I'm trying to explain to him that it's not like buying a house. Although we have been offered two houses in the space of a few weeks this isn't the norm and it's actually hard to get a council house. I have wrote this thread in the hope that the replies will make him realise some people wait a long time for a house and are in much worse situation than us. We should be grateful to not only be offered a house but a beautiful one at that. So do you think he is being unreasonable and unrealistic to refuse a lovely house because of a 45 minute commute? How long did u wait for a house/ is there a long waiting list In your area? Also explain to him that in many areas we wouldn't even be housed at all as we only have one child and he works on quite a good job. We've accepted the house but he's not happy about it.

It's subsidised in as much as no one is making a profit out of it like most landlords and mortgage companies, therefore it is significantly cheaper than anything in the private market.

Can't you take it and then swap for a similar one in your preferred area if one is available?

At least that way you've got one, if nice ones in your preferred area are abundant enough that you would have been offered one in the near future you will also be able to swap. And if they aren't then at least you have a house.

He has unrealistic expectations totally. I commute an hour each way. As do a lot of people i know if not more! It's not a big deal. I am currently looking for a new job and would quite happily look for that sort of distance again although will be looking closer to home too.
Your council house sounds lovely. When DD1 was younger we lived in a 2nd floor council flat for 14 years, no lift and obviously no garden but I felt lucky being there and for the most part was quite happy there. Just the odd unhelpful person or 2 around to mess it up but overall it was fine. Yours sounds lovely.

It is not subsidised. My rent covers everything. It would be subsidised if my rent didn't cover the upkeep of the property. But it does. If you pay full rent it is not subsidised.

Not easy to get a council place where I am, I was in a very very grotty homeless hostel for 9 months, and when I say grotty, I mean it- mould+dirt all up the walls, a door lock that didn't work and people could easily access my room, filthy carpets, filthy shared bathroom/kitchen, 5th floor of a building.

my council is changing the rules too in feb, it'll mean that 1000's get booted off the housing list- they will be ineligible for housing under the new rules

If your dp has any ounce of sense, he will suck it up and get on with it!! opportunities like this DO NOT come everyday and to be honest you are veryyyyyyy lucky to have been offered somewhere without a long wait- that IS NOT the norm! and 40min commute, pfffft! want a long commute, try 240mile round trip every day!!! now that's a long commute!!

Easy to get a council house???? Your DP is on Planet Zog. He clearly has no idea how lucky you two are.

If he's that picky he can get a job where he earns enough to buy his dream pad. Bet he has to commute a lot longer than 45 minutes then.

I personally really resent having to subsidise a bloke like this. My commute to work is 75 minutes minimum. Why should I do all that, pay my taxes, pay for my own housing etc, to subsidise a bloke who on being granted a pretty good deal, turns his nose up at it?

I really think that social and affordable housing needs a review. Because this is not reasonable.

Roll on the influx of Bulgarians and Rumanians. I frankly think that this piss-poor attitude has to stop. We need people with work ethics, we don't need whingers.

"Not making a profit" doesn't mean subsidised - though actually most councils make a surplus from council housing rents. Many Housing Associations run huge surpluses too.

The initial build is subsidised, but the properties pay for themselves many times over from rental income.

Woowoo but profit isn't everything and if I remember correctly councils were not to make a profit from them. It's a pity some private landlords don't feel the same, I mean a little profit is good but not when they are charging sky high rents and letting their properties fall into disrepair

Take it! In our area, you can wait years for a council/housing association house. 40 minutes is really not that long a commute. And at those who think Council houses are only for those on benefits. We both work, live in a housing association property, but live in an area where wages are low, but house prices are astronomical. I envy those who have their own homes, but at the same time consider myself to be incredibly lucky to have such a secure tenancy which, for our area is actually really cheap.

I had to live in a hostel for a year before even being considered to get a house we managed to get one quickly 14 months later and extremely greatful me and husband always pay full rent and worked if we could of brought a house we would of but couldnt we r not bums and dont receive benefits atall so just because someone's in a council house you shouldn't judge I dont plan to be in one for rest of our lifes but dont have a choice at the moment op you would b mad to not except a hostel was horrible

What planet is he on? Most people commute up to an hour for work quite happily - I commute 80 minutes each way.

Arguments how the hell are you subsidising the OP's DP? He has a job so will be paying full rent and he is paying taxes

45 mins is bugger all. Suck it up.

In what way are you subsidising him arguments?

45 mins is bugger all. Suck it up.

A full rent is not a market rent though, is it? That is the issue with council housing. If the OP's DP prefers to rent privately, without my subsidising him in any way, he is free to do so.

Arguments are you for fucking real? Get your facts right..

Christ I'm going to have to hide this thread. I honestly didn't know how bloody ignorant people could be! Christ on a bike!

Why should you pay "market" rent if not necessary though?

Is Lidl subsidised because Waitrose is more expensive?

Yes, exactly how do you think you are subsidising the OPs DP arguments? I would like to hear your thoughts.

You aren't subsidising him in any way, shape or form... hth

My commute is 20 mins and I wish it was a bit longer. It's the only bit of peace I get all day!

I believe the council rents are in fact market rents, private rents are higher than market value.
Again arguments in what way are you subsidising council rents?

Oh goodness sake - why is this controversial? Council housing is subsidised housing. It is subsidised by the taxpayer, by and large, and it is only awarded to those in need. That's good. That is what society is for and I am glad it exists.

I am not glad that council house places are being turned down by people who are not prepared to (or do not have the funds to) go private. If the OP's DP preferred to rent privately at a location that is 5 minutes away from his work - then more power to his elbow and more people who are truly in need of housing get housed.

Why should I pay for someone who doesn't work as hard as I do?

And the argument that private rents are 'higher' than market rents is economic nonsense. Just think about your statement there. If private landlords could not make a profit then they would go out of business and exit the market. Council rents are lower. Much lower than market rents.