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 isn't subsidised. But if it makes you feel better to think you pay for all people living in council housing then carry on

It's not controversial, it's just not subsidised. Unless you believe that not making a huge profit is the same as subsidising?

Housing benefit is the tax payer subsidising private landlords though.

He works but you get a house for free? Why? And they even let you pick and choose? Words fail me.And for the record, we both commute for more than an hour to the jobs that pay our mortgage. So does everyone we know.

Who gets a house for free HomeIs? Where do I get one??

many here do need to dust off unused brains re the landlord slagging off.

yes, private landlords are in it to make a profit. Why do you go to work - for the fun of it? Why don't YOU just give all your earnings away as you seem to expect property owners to do? Working as a business providing housing seems quite a good thing to do. Better than selling useless cosmetics, working in fashion peddling anorexia or many other immoral jobs.

council houses are subsidised by taxes and council tax. Paid by people who work - as it should be. Including the landlords (who have to live somewhere and also pay tax on their income) and in some cases the people in the council houses.

get it? Too complicated?

argument

PLEASE DO SOME RESEARCH.

quickly

A 45min commute is easily doable. I've always worked in the neighbouring city (can't afford to live there). It takes me an hour door-to-door (20min train and walking). I have a 15 month old and would love to leave later and arrive home earlier (leave at 7.15am and home at 6pm), but needs must. In my area, affordable, decent houses are not near the jobs!

All the trains between 6.30 and 8.00 are rammed with commuters travelling between 20 mins and 60mins by rail, followed by walking, cycling or tube at the other end. This is normal

I'm glad you accepted the house. Enjoy it!

Who do you think pays for council houses? They are (or were) built by councils to house people in need. If a private landlord owned those houses, the rent would be substantially higher.

The same argument goes for housing benefit of course.

The fact is that we live on a small island with a very limited housing stock. Market rents are high. But at the same time, we need to house people who cannot afford market rents. We do so, I hope gladly.

But make no mistake about it, whether it is a council house or a private house paid for by housing benefit, this has been subsidised by the taxpayer.

please link to the place you find free homes! My council house must be broken as I pay for mine

Initial building of council housing is paid for by the taxpayer, but there upkeep is paid for my rents - most council housing stock has paid for itself many times over now, and councils run a surplus on council housing.

I don't deny they are subsidised rents if the tennent receives benefits.

My rent is NOT subsidised.

Your dp will never be happy in this house, you know that, and resentful that you did not do as he said.

I suggest you let the house go, I am sure there are other people who would love it, who wont pass it up just because the journey to work is a bit inconvenient.

If the nest house is like the first, dont worry. On 20k you will be fine to rent privately or buy your own home. Especially when you return to work.

Alternatively, you can take the house, and he can rent a bedsit near his work and come "home" for the weekend.

No argument that is still incorrect.

try harder please.

op has a husband who goes to work.

I'm assuming he pays tax?

Council houses are a fair rent.

Private rents need to come down

Councils need to build more.

it is a massive mess.

Also my home is over 60 years old and I have spent £££££'s decorating etc.

I do not pay subsidised rent.

Lol at the ignorance about social housing... And then the indignant 'my tax pays for that' claims!

Are people truly this thick?

Take a look at social housing rents, they have been brought more in line with the robbing private landlords ...

bloody hell OP where do you live where you get offered council housing that quick

esp as (at least) one of you is working

don't get me wrong i think its great you have been offered one, and i do think council housing should be for everyone, but where i live the wait is years and years and i am in the north. i have one and only got mine by the absolute skin of my teeth as i was a single mum, not working and about to be made homeless.

anyway, take it, it sounds amazing

I dont think council rent is subsidized. Although in my area it is about 10% of "market" rent for private lets.

I think the entire housing market is Effed up. With the way the mortgages work, and the house prices are so high, rent have to be high for landlords to cover their expense and make a profit. However I see now logical way they can reduce interest on mortgages, reduce house-prices and reduce rent without a serious problem within both the banking and housing market.

Hang on, I think I am under exaggerating. £145 per week is 600 pcm, for houses that are around £1.8k -2k pcm, approx. Ridiculous rents to pay for 2 bed cottages.

Inflated private rents are a problem - reasonable social rents aren't.

You are confusing the idea of a 'fair rent' which is something that normal people can afford with the idea of a 'market rent' which is what a landlord could achieve in the market.

Council house tenants do not pay market rents. That is an absolute fact. This is what makes a council house a privilege. If you dispute that, then go out to the market and see what you pay. You will pay an awful lot more. People cannot afford that, which is where housing benefit comes into play.

The whole system is a mess, I agree. But I come back to my original point which is that I would far rather pay for Bulgarians and Romanians to live in the housing that I subsidise. Because those Bulgarians and Romanians will work and not grumble about the commute.

do NOT let this house go. move in, then if your partner does not like it, apply to move. you will be living in comfort while he does the work to find something better, assuming there is something better out there. he will probably come to his senses shortly and see that you have been very lucky. if you are on a limited income, it is better to have a secure tenancy and not have to move at the whim/need of a private landlord and find a deposit.

How is not paying "market rent" the same as a subsidy? You seem to be a bit confused on that.

If Lidl cola costs a third of Coca Cola, is Lidl subsidising you when you buy it?

Not all landlords make a profit, properties will be mortgaged and rent needs to cover the mortgage and insurance.

We rent out a 3 bedroom property and the rent covers the mortgage. Council housing is about £200 a month cheaper here then renting privately.

When we were letting our house in London (while living overseas), the rent covered the mortgage (interest only!!), agents fees, buildings insurance, landlords insurance, gas and electricity certificates, and some general maintenance. We did not make a profit.

If the house is lovely it should be fairly easy to get a swap nearer your DPs work. I can see where he's coming from re the long commute. Just because lots of people do one doesn't mean your DP shouldn't be trying to avoid one. Such a tedious waste of time.