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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to report her

128 replies

Northerngrump · 07/07/2016 21:39

My bil has got a new girlfriend. She's come up from London and moved in with bil into a house my mil owns, for minimal rent. Ive found out she has a council house in London that she's not intending on giving up so she's sub-letting it. This really pisses me off, as the shortage in council houses is well known, but also as they always plead poverty, but neither of them have full time jobs. I work my arse off and we just get by each month, and it bugs me that people use the system (and take advantage of my mil). It would be a shitty thing to report her - I think sub-letting is a serious offence - but some days I'm so tempted!!!

OP posts:
Just5minswithDacre · 08/07/2016 07:51

Australian council houses are big houses paid for by the taxpayer? Really?

Just5minswithDacre · 08/07/2016 07:52

But for the fillers and the new car, I'd burn the witch to be on the safe side.

TheRealAdaLovelace · 08/07/2016 07:52

council housing is not 'paid for by the taxpayer' Liz, the tenants pay rent.
So should your acquaintance shuffle about in sackcloth and ashes then? Is she not suitably shame faced about having been a single parent?

Liz09 · 08/07/2016 07:53

Just5mins Primarily, yes. They are intended for people with exceptionally low incomes/extenuating circumstances that mean that they cannot afford normal rental prices even with rent assistance. They are not meant for a woman who nurses full time and can afford to get her lips filled every couple of months (which she openly admits to doing on Facebook).

It shits me, because I personally know people who have been on the waiting list for a house for years, who have children (some of them with disabilities).

Just5minswithDacre · 08/07/2016 07:55

So, in other words, it IS the same as the UK, and the housing is primarily paid for by tenants' RENT not the taxpayer at all? Hmm

Liz09 · 08/07/2016 07:56

TheRealAda She's not my acquaintance. She's someone I know's mother. And my mother was also a single parent, so pipe down.

Just5minswithDacre · 08/07/2016 07:56

You have a real issue with lips don't you Liz? Smile

Liz09 · 08/07/2016 07:57

Just5mins No, it's primarily paid for by the taxpayer. If these people could afford to pay full rent, they wouldn't be in government housing. How is that not obvious?

Liz09 · 08/07/2016 07:58

Lol, how is the situation I spoke about ANY different the one the OP spoke about?

Original poster
Northerngrump · 08/07/2016 07:59

Many of you say that I don't know all the details and that's true. To be honest, I try and keep out of it. I don't actually mind her that much, other than the fact, in my view, she's lazy, and takes the piss!
They have been living together since the Jan, no kids involved, and I don't think there's any intention of giving up the council house-I've been told it's being sub-let but I have no idea to whom or for how much. I should take birdsgottafly advice and talk to them myself - tell them direct. That might be the best approach, although they may tell me to f*ck off. I really don't want to cause a family argument.

OP posts:
Just5minswithDacre · 08/07/2016 07:59

Not-for- profit is different from free Liz. In the UK council housing is self-supporting, definitely not free and usually tiny.

TheRealAdaLovelace · 08/07/2016 07:59

How dare " these people " want to look nice as well!

Liz09 · 08/07/2016 08:00

Also, considering the average rental price for housing commission is $109 per week, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that it IS primarily funded by the government.

Just5minswithDacre · 08/07/2016 08:00

.Lol, how is the situation I spoke about ANY different the one the OP spoke about?

You don't know? Confused

Your "friend's" mother is living in her house and is not subletting it. Obviously Hmm

2nds · 08/07/2016 08:01

What the fuck has this got to do with feminism?

OP if you are going to report her be sure you are 100% correct.

Are either of them claiming other benefits?

Liz09 · 08/07/2016 08:02

TheRealAda You must be like her, bludging off the system. Smile

poaspcos · 08/07/2016 08:04

What an arsehole you were LIZ she will be paying bedroom tax on her two extra bedrooms Confused council housing is NOT only for those on low income, disability etc - however priority goes to those with highest need of housing

Idliketobeabutterfly · 08/07/2016 08:06

I would.

Liz09 · 08/07/2016 08:08

Well, sorry, but with a waiting list the size of the Great Wall of China, I'm gonna say the woman who has a full-time job and no dependents to care for, who can afford lip enhancements, trips to Europe and a new car is not really a high priority. But you know, I'm just so0o0o0o mean thinking she should ship out.

Brokenbiscuit · 08/07/2016 08:08

As a feminist, I cannot in good conscience recommend that a woman give up her own space immediately after moving in with her boyfriend. Especially when she cannot afford to stay at a hotel or rent something right away.

But if she needed to move back to her own property "right away", what would happen to the tenant to whom she is currently sub-letting. Surely they have rights too, and couldn't just be kicked out without notice.

Liz09 · 08/07/2016 08:08

If you think I'm an asshole for that, that's fine. I have no regrets about doing what I did and I'd do it again. Bloody welfare bludgers.

poaspcos · 08/07/2016 08:12

For all you know she's actually bought her property

Plenty of people do and keep it quiet

I'd be far more outraged about the length of time the council leaves properties vacant with long waiting lists rather than properties that have people living in them

TheWindInThePillows · 08/07/2016 08:21

I can't imagine being bothered about this enough to report. I don't think I've ever reported anyone for anything. I don't think this is a usual attitude. Does everyone go around looking for juicy situations to report?

snowgirl29 · 08/07/2016 08:25

poas I don't think bedroom tax applies to Liz's situation as she's in Aus not UK.

gamerwidow · 08/07/2016 08:27

It's tricky this one because while I don't think people should sub let council houses I can also see the logic in holding onto the house for a few months to see how the relationship pans out.
I think giving up a council house is different to giving up another tenancy of selling your own house. You can always get another tenancy or buy another house but once you're out of council property you can't get back in even in exceptional circumstances because you're considered to have made yourself homeless by leaving.
My sister had been a council tenant for nearly 20 years when she left with her kids to set up home in a private let with her partner. After 2 weeks he left her with a property she can no longer afford and there is no way back into the council waiting list because she voluntarily left her house.