to think it is fair enough that High earners, earning £30000 pa have to pay market rates for social housing.

[NoahVale]

www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/04/david-cameron-ally-rohan-silva-firms-must-be-forced-raise-low-pay

I spose there has to be a cut off somewhere, and I spose it helps that I dont earn £30,000,
no doubt if it was just in the bracket I might feel a bit peeved.

[SaucyJack]

"Some rents are token in relation to the true costs of some properties."

I'm sure they are. But equally, many properties are already generating about 95% profit in rent.

New kitchens, bathrooms, boilers, re-plastering, windows etc don't cost a penny when you live under a council that doesn't replace them.

There are huge variations in standards of modernisation and maintenance between various councils and HAs.

[usualsuspect333]

My DDS SH is damp as anything. Mould growing on the bedroom walls.

I don't think you would get 'market rent' if it was a private let. In fact I doubt you would be able to let it at all.

[irretating]

Storm mortgage on 30k?! Honestly? Maybe for a studio flat somewhere up north.

Depends, where I live in the north you could get a 3 bed semi in a not too shabby area.

[Raveismyera]

Mrs ruffulo - re generations of families paying rents can be low- that's a nice idea but I'm
Afraid it's completely inaccurate.

However storm swept you're also far off the mark re rents not covering maintenance. Social housing is pretty lucrative actually

[tametempo]

I just put my details into a benefits calculator and if we had to pay market rate rent we would end up being entitled to Housing Benefit. What's the bloody point?

[irretating]

usual

Absolutely. Dare we say, class warfare?

[Raveismyera]

I think there are some interesting points on this thread. If 70% of the population really do earn £30k or less the then it's clear people on that salary can afford to either rent privately or buy, because most already are.

Additionally increasing social housing to market rent then paying it through housing benefit does mean the money goes back to government rather than private landlords pockets.
Storm- of course they'll charge £600 more if that's what it costs. Market rent isn't something you guess at, or average out, it's actually a formulaic process to come to the figure which is then blanket applied.

[StormSwept]

Using the term 'average' was my mistake, I understand that market rent calculations will not be as simplistic yet on the other hand, I doubt very much that a SH tenant will be paying the same rent as the most expensive private rent in their area for a comparable property, some private LL 's do try there luck ;)

[NoahVale]

so if you dont claim HB or tax credits or any kind of benefit, except child benefit, you earn £30,000 + and now have to declare your earnings to your landlord The Council/Housing Association

There may be trouble.

[SpottyTeacakes]

That's not the local highest rent it's the local lowest rest. A two bedroom house to rent, within a 10 mile radius, is £1000pcm. The most expensive is £1895 pcm (still 2 bedroom). Anyway I wish more than anything I could afford to buy a house I just need to accept it'll never happen. All I can do is hope for more for my children. This thread is depressing me.

[jellybeans]

Bad idea, it will encourage right to buy and be a disincentive to seek better jobs etc. Eg it could mean a second earner stops work.

We are in this income bracket and i dont believe it is a high wage. We are only just getting by, we have 5 children. Cost of living has gone up hugely so it may look good on paper but its not a great deal. Friends on lower incomes seem similar as are topped up with tax credits etc (not begrudging this i think it is good).

[TheHouseOnBellSt]

DH and I earn just under 30 grand between us....we live in a council flat. The rent is 450 per month in comparison to average local rents of about 600-750....if we were over the 30 grand limit and suddenly had to pay 750 per month, we'd be on our arses.

[NoahVale]

second earner stops work?
you cant just stop work

[Raveismyera]

5 children on £30k? Jesus Mary and Joseph how is that even possible?

[SaucyJack]

Of course the second earner can just stop work. It is not illegal (as of yet!) to be a SAHP or housespouse.

Also, it can and will lead to people giving up second jobs if they have them or declining over-time to keep them under the 30k threshold.

[YUDOTHIS]

OH and I brought home 40k a year between us last year, we then took home 30k after tax. We lost 10k a year to rent on top of that, then 7k a year to part time only childcare (my aunt and SIL pitch in for childcare to bring the cost down) leaving us with £270ish a week to pay all of the bills aside from rent and childcare, run one car and feed and clothe two children ok not in the grasp of desperation and running to the foodbank I know but is still very tight, and thats on 40k!... My wages have just gone up and here is hoping this year will be better!

[jellybeans]

Don't get your point raveismyera

[ghostyslovesheep]

it may sound fine to many ...but this is how it STARTS - it wont end at £30/40k - it will be reduced to 23, 20 etc just as they are doing with CTC, TC and CB

if they cut something and people say' well that sound fair' (ending universal CB) it gives them the power to then keep cutting

[Raveismyera]

Well no point really, just that it's not very much money to bring up a large family with. Fair play to you

[Raveismyera]

I didn't have much money when I earned £30k as a single person, lol

[NoahVale]

you are assuming you have children, if the second earner gives up work, the original earner needs to support them, and could you afford to live on one wage ad infinitum, with no children

[m0therofdragons]

For the last 4 years we have lived in £30k with a family of 5. We have a mortgage with a 3 bed house, run 2 cars and put money in savings most months. We live in the south and mortgage is 650 a month but used to be 870. Dd1 does horse riding we have one meal out or a takeaway each month and have a week abroad once a year. We get child benefit and 200 a month child tax credit.
what is everyone else spending their money on!? I've just increased my hours and so we are now on closer to 40k with no tax credits. I put 850 in savings this month. I really don't feel we have a tight budget. I'm baffled you can get a council house if you're earning 30k.

[Toofat2BtheFly]

If course either DH or I could give up work. 4 wks notice to employer and that's that ! Neither of us have career jobs so it's not like we do it for love of it !

But then we would be entitled to the lower rent and tax credits ...

Makes loads of sense that does .

If this comes In , we will be using our right to buy quick sharp so it will be one less property to benefit anyone else ( we would have brought on the open market in a few yrs , and given house back as soon as we felt able but they will be forcing us to do something morally we don't agree with )

[NoahVale]

why would you want to give up work if you didnt have children?