Asked to consider leaving our council house for private renting

[Edenviolet]

Because we have been overpaying on rent and therefore should re evaluate our position.....

Bit of background, we had been in arrears which we paid off whilst dh was in work.then had a few months on IS and got HB and now dh has been working again (part time) we pay nearly all the rent.

We decided about 3-4 weeks ago to overpay our rent a bit each week to allow us two or three 'weeks off' over Christmas and new year.

Got a call today about my rent account as the balance is now in credit by just over £200 (so only a week and a half ahead really). Housing officer was offering an appointment for us to come in and discuss a possible move to private renting as there is a huge shortage of social housing and we could according to them afford it due to the fact we are overpaying our rent.

I explained why we have been paying a bit extra but she was quite pushy about us at least considering a move!

AIBUto think this is a bit pushy and wrong?

Why didn't you just put the extra cash in savings or something? Seems like a complicated way to save cash for Christmas.

I hope you told her to do one?

Yes its pushy and wrong - don't do it!

I pay the rent every week with a rent card so thought I'd overpay on that each week and then I wouldn't have to go to the post office/pay point shop over Christmas and new year as just fancied staying in/not having to worry about going out to pay it!

actually i am getting a bit annoyed on your behalf.
Why should you give up a council place for the wild west of private renting just because you are responsible rent payers.?
grrr

Yes I made it very clear why we have been overpaying and that we have no intention of moving. She was very insistent that we should consider it and make an appointment to go through our options and re evaluate our position.

Just ignore them. They can't make you move. Do you not get two weeks rent free over Christmas anyway? We do.

I do the same I pay an extra tenner a week for a few months so I don't have to worry about paying it over christmas. Tell her you are not interested in private renting.

She did seem to be making out that privately renting would be better for us, choice of area, more space (we are a little overcrowded but its not too bad). I know that renting can be unpredictable but others may not and I expect they are doing this to other people too, some of whom might believe what they say and think its a better option.

Pushy and wrong, given you have lots else going on with the children's health problems, and your husband's income is far from stable, I wouldn't be going anywhere. Social housing is for families who need stable, affordable housing, you are one of these, don't let them pressure you! (especially if you move to private rented, you could be moving every six months, lack of permanency).

Don't save like this in future though, pay the exact amount of rent and then save the money in a building society account. £200 isn't even 1/4 of most private rental rent for a house for one month, what a stupid lady/policy!

We overpay as well in fact it's quite common and they offer a refund near the end of the year. Apparently people use it to save for Christmas.

Decline their offer they can't make you move out for that reason.

Check they can't make you move. And then ignore.

No we don't, it was only because SIL had mentioned that she pays more rent than us for a similar size house in the neighbouring borough but gets two weeks off that we decided to get a bit ahead with our rent.

Ignore. Don't show up for the appointment. Fuck her off. I'd save the money rather than overpay in the future. I wouldn't private rent again.

I would consider making a complaint about this woman if she continues to harass you

My rent is currently paid until the end of March, I'd not give up my HA tenancy for anything.

I have done that in the past too Hedgehog
I think she was being very pushy.
I hope that you declined her offer of the appointment. As long as your account isn't in arrears it's none of her concern

They can't as we have a secure tenancy. I think they are just trying their luck as there really is a huge demand in our borough and next to no housing stock.

and tell her that too.;
your income is unstable and you have children with health problems?
I would just fuck her right off

In fact ours was over by nearly 6 or 700 quid this year (exact amount escapes me) and they sent me a letter asking if I want a refund. We've just skipped the rent this month.

I don't understand why they're on your case by that much though.. you're supposed to pay a week or 2 ahead on rent anyway.

Maybe it's time to open a savings account.

What about people that have DD set up and pay a month upfront?

£200 is nothing, that is not even a weeks private rent where we are (for a 1 bed !!)

Good grief. That sounds ridiculous. Don't let her railroad you into agreeing, no matter what she says. I would advise you against any more overpaying as you don't want to give her any ammo. I don't live in council housing but I don't see what her problem is. I know people who have good jobs and still live in council housing, so I assume your right to remain in council housing is not linked to income?

I would definitely refuse a meeting with her as you've done nothing wrong.

How odd. They must really be struggling for social housing.
Just ignore though, I don't think they can force you.

TBF to the housing officer, they are under loads of pressure to move on people who don't need council houses so that families who do can use them. She's just doing her job. Obviously she should be polite and take no for an answer but it wasn't unreasonable for her to make the call, she's trying to help all the families on the list.