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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think there's a worrying number of people who are under the impression that Local Authority housing is free?

166 replies

MrsWinnibago · 23/09/2014 12:03

I've read things on MN a few times which make me realise that some people seem to be under the impression that if you live in a council house or a housing association house then you don't pay for it.

They seem to think that people in these properties get full housing benefit as some kind of default!

Am I wrong? Please tell me I'm wrong. It's a minority of people who think this yes?

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 23/09/2014 12:05

I've only seen it twice in 3 years on Mumsnet

But I was gobsmacked to think anyone assumed it was free lol

Pootles2010 · 23/09/2014 12:07

Hmm not sure. Thing is people tend to mix with others of a similar econimic situation to themselves, so might not know anyone in council housing?

Suspect the media (or certain parts of it) have a lot to answer for here as well.

Bathsheba · 23/09/2014 12:10

I think most people know that LA housing isn't free - however it is much much less expensive that renting privately, and the houses are on a rolling maintenance scheme so have a tendancy to get updated kitchens/windows/central heating more regularly than some private rentals.

guitarosauras · 23/09/2014 12:10

That'll be the ones that read the daily wail headlines. 'Person [insert religion, race, sexuality etc of said person] gets given a free house'.

flanjabelle · 23/09/2014 12:12

Its definitely not! My rent has gone up and up until it is nearly normal market rent. The main benefit now is that it's a secure tenancy. I get some help from housing benefit, but only because of low income. No different to if I was in a private rental.

HeySoulSister · 23/09/2014 12:12

I think the word subsidised gets bandied about nowadays.... Now most people realise they aren't actually free they bang on about them being subsidised instead

Bathsheba · 23/09/2014 12:13

It is also the case that people believe that Housing Benefit = the rent of a LA house - so benefits cover rent, so essentially the tenant is paying nothing out of their own pocket.

BastardGoDarkly · 23/09/2014 12:13

Can't say I've ever come across someone that thinks that.

Original poster
MrsWinnibago · 23/09/2014 12:17

Bastard Oh they're out there. I seen comments from them on here.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsWinnibago · 23/09/2014 12:21

I've seen! Not I seen lol.

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 23/09/2014 12:21

I didn't think people thought that council housing was free only a lot cheaper than renting privately. And not many people seem to pay the full rent.

WhereDoAllTheCalculatorsGo · 23/09/2014 12:29

I have a couple of colleagues who thought this, and I've seen it on the forum too.
You often see in the daily mail 'released from prison and given a free flat by the council' and similar...

Original poster
MrsWinnibago · 23/09/2014 12:31

Vivenne where'd you get your figures on that "not many seem to pay full rent"

OP posts:
Vitalstatistix · 23/09/2014 12:32

I think it is that those people believe that social housing = benefits = not paying for your house.

I think they fail to realise that many or most people in social housing do actually work.

But yes, social housing is generally less expensive than private sector.

This is not a bad thing! It baffles me that it's such a terrible thing. Private sector rents are massive. Property costs are out of control. The property cost to salary ratio is totally fucked. People need to flip their thinking on this one.

Greenfizzywater · 23/09/2014 12:42

Some people surely get HB that covers the full amount? for them, it is essentially free. but not for most.

SaucyJack · 23/09/2014 12:57

What soulsister said. Subsidised is the new buzzword for the right -wing frothers who can't cope with the concept of non-profit housing.

SaskiaRembrandtWasFramed · 23/09/2014 12:58

"Subsidised is the new buzzword for the right -wing frothers who can't cope with the concept of non-profit housing."

This ^

Mrsjayy · 23/09/2014 13:08

Yes its all subsidised now and not free meh id rather give rent to a council HA than a landlord who can sell their house leaving people homeless I dont know what forthers want oeopke to do I paid full council rent for years it's not free or cheap either but much cheaper than private rent.

Mrsjayy · 23/09/2014 13:08

People*

pinkie1982 · 23/09/2014 13:12

You are right!
I live in a HA property. When I first went on the list in 1999 I was 16 and living in a hostel. I renewed my application in 2007 and made my OH a joint applicant. We got housed in 2012.
We both work full time and pay full rent and council tax. We have never claimed benefits in our lives but people are surpirsed when they ask and I say I just pay the rent.
We are planning a baby and looking to do a mutual exchange to a 2 bed house if possible and people then ask if we have to pay the bedroom tax...umm know we just pay the full rent!?!

Bambambini · 23/09/2014 13:25

Have seen it a few times, folk thinking it's free. I think some folk think that folk in council housing don't work and that council housing is only for those who don't work. Also that as soon as so one has a job or is earning a certain amount then they should have to leave their council house - because it is only for really, really poor people.

HeySoulSister · 23/09/2014 13:29

I'm on a new build estate which is, as in most areas, a mix of HA and private.

You can't really tell by looking who owns/rents. But I did laugh when a person living down the road assumed I owned my house as I work!

guitarosauras · 23/09/2014 13:34

We get it the other way round HeySoulSister... we live on a council estate but privately rent and have been asked if we are entitled to council housing because I'm a student???????? oddballs.

ShakesBootyFlabWobbles · 23/09/2014 13:39

I hardly know anything about council housing rent anymore but did live in one as a child so here is what I think happens...

Work: income above a certain level = full rent, no HB
Work: income below a certain level (I don't know what though, is it around £15K total household per year?) = full rent but receive some HB to part pay
Don't work: full rent to pay, no HB (savings above threshold; is it about £24K?)
Don't work: full rent and HB income to offset some/most/all depending on circumstances?

As I have never made a comment on it before and it isn't something I think about really, I won't be one of your previous stats... more than happy to be corrected on any of my thoughts above... cheers.

5toocoolforschool · 23/09/2014 13:42

My mum lives in a ha house and its only 65 a week! 65!

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