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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to get a council house?

38 replies

Sweetpea01 · 12/10/2014 16:07

I am a single mum to DD (4) and DS (8) and work FT.

We've always privately rented in the past and have been in this house since just before DD was born. It's fine, but prone to damp and the windows are all still those wooden framed single panes so it gets quite cold even though the central heating works great. It's also a two bed but that's no big deal at present. The gardens wrap around and as we have two dogs, we can't let them have the run of it for fear they will get out. Can't really move as anywhere else in this area (half council, half owned) is too expensive (got a really good deal on rent as house was unoccupied for some time prior to moving in).

Friends and colleagues have been encouraging me to apply for council housing. It would be cheaper than what I pay currently per month and obviously comes with the added benefits of repairs towards boiler, pvc windows, enclosed gardens etc etc.

I know quite a few come up each year in our area on that online bidding thing, but if I signed up, what are the chances I'd even get a look in? As we're not in dire need and I don't claim benefits? I know I could apply for a 2 bed, would I be able to apply for a 3 bed though if one came up? The rent price wouldn't be an issue.

TBH it would be really nice to have a home I know we could stay in for the long haul, especially as there's no way I could buy on my own for a very long time.

Is it morally wrong that I should apply for a council house when I work?

OP posts:

LST · 12/10/2014 22:19

Me and Dp both work and we have a council house and claim no benefits. We now have 2 dc.. We started in a flat and when dc1 was 6mo we bidded on a 2 bed house and got it. I'm in the midlands.

Discopanda · 12/10/2014 22:30

YANBU, just because you work doesn't mean you shouldn't get help from the government.

alemci · 12/10/2014 22:31

Why shouldn't you. go for it.

Alambil · 12/10/2014 22:36

I have a council house and work FT. If I didn't, DS and I would be on the streets.

Why does working mean you shouldn't have a council house? I don't claim housing or council tax benefit - pay it in full myself each month, like you would if you earn over the HB/CTB threshold.

Dragonfly71 · 12/10/2014 22:50

Yanbu. As others said anyone can apply for a council house, however the demand exceeds the supply in most areas so you may not get one or have a long wait. I put my son on the social housing list in my area when he turned 16 as a kind of experiment... He might even eventually be high enough up the list to qualify. As time on the list is a factor I think of it as future insurance. And we all pay towards social housing so why should there be any stigma? Privately renting is a lottery as landlords are not sufficiently regulated IMO.

Chunderella · 13/10/2014 08:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mammanat222 · 13/10/2014 08:53

We are council tenants (well rather HA tenants)

We have done it honestly and above board. We earn what would be considered a decent salary but live in a terribly expensive borough of London.

We cannot afford private rent and childcare [that is before you take into consideration any living expenses], so on that basis we qualified for a certain scheme. We pay less than private rent but still a significant amount (as we work we get no benefits at all).

We had to wait for 2 years for something to come up, but it's always worth checking it out.

NapoleonsNose · 13/10/2014 08:59

We are social housing tenants. We both work, DH F/T, me P/T. In our street, I would say there is a 50/50 mix of tenants who work and those who don't. It definitely is a misconception that you have to be on benefits to get social hoising. I thank my lucky stars that we live in this house as we would never be able to afford to rent privately in this area now. Go for it.

FelixFelix · 13/10/2014 09:03

You should definitely go for it. It sounds like you'd all benefit from it.

Not sure what area you live in, but you may be lucky that there's not a huge amount if demand where you are. My brother and SIL privately rented for a few years, and put their name down in the council waiting list. They bid for a 3 bed semi this year thinking they would have no chance, but they got it. It's worth a try

jellybelly701 · 13/10/2014 09:06

YANBU go for it.

I would put your name down sooner rather than later though as it could take quite a long time.

JamNan · 13/10/2014 09:08

Apply asap as the time spent on the list is taken into consideration and will count in your favour.

How bad is the condition of your current rental? Does it affect your health? Talk to your local Housing Officer at the council.

SoftKittyWarmKitty · 13/10/2014 09:35

Put your name down now. I'm in a similar situation to you in that I'm a working single parent living in a private rented house - nothing wrong with where I live but I'd prefer more security, be able to decorate and of course social housing rents are much cheaper than private rents. I've been on the list for 4.5 years and last time I put a bid in for a property (about 6 months ago) the woman at the council practically laughed and said I'd have no chance at getting it. I totly understand shy - the waiting list in my area is huge and those with priority are given first choice (rightly so). I'm hoping that I'll have more chance in another few years, when I've built up more waiting time. Good luck with your application but please remember you might have to wait.

SoftKittyWarmKitty · 13/10/2014 09:36

*I totally understand why, ffs

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