Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I should be allowed to live in social housing without getting a bollocking?

81 replies

OreosAreTasty · 27/07/2016 18:24

I live in a lovely HA flat. It's a "difficult to let" because it's a 2bed on top floor. Anything other than a ground floor flat generally isn't wanted/offered to those with kids and a single person on HB can't live here due to Bedroom tax which is why (according to my housing officer) it's likely that's why no one wanted it. It was listed 3 times and no one bid on it, put in the difficult to let list (open to everyone even those not on list) viewed once and rejected. So we managed to get it.
Dh and I both work- I'm off sick atm. Even with me working full time we make approx 25k PA (after deductions) that isn't each. That's both of our Salaries. At the moment we're managing on 15k pa plus SSP. The point is we're not rich by any stretch and no one wanted the flat anyway But since moving in (last week) 4 people, one being my sister have had a go at me for it. Apparently I'm taking from the vulnerable in society? Not sure how as the vulnerable couldn't have it or didn't want it.
We also earn enough to not NEED reasonable rent apparently (even though I reckon everyone should get it but there we are).
The fact there was no deposit etc was a major plus but the rent itself is actually 150pm more than my last deathpit house.
I don't know why I'm justifying myself anyway tbh.
I'll cut to the chase.
Aibu to think I'm not doing anything bad or wrong? :(

OP posts:
NapoleonsNose · 27/07/2016 19:34

Of course you are entitled to your HA house. Aneurin Bevan, architect of the great social housing revolution after WW2, saw social housing as a way of bringing people together, by mixing the poorest, with the not so poor to stop segragation and help community cohesion. Sadly, it seems that since Thatcher sold off council housing stock, vastly curtailing the supply of social houses, society has successfully managed to divide communities up and allowed people to think that you must be in receipt of benefits, or be out of work to be deserving enough for a social home. Nye Bevan will be turning in his grave if he could see the situation now.

Enjoy your house and stuff what anyone else thinks.

MrsDeVere · 27/07/2016 19:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pippitysqueakity · 27/07/2016 20:00

OP, do you like the accomodation? If yes, move in with a glad heart. And enjoy.

HelenaDove · 27/07/2016 20:19

OP you are perfectly entitled to your new home Enjoy Thanks

Is there anyone here who subscribes to Inside Housing and knows more details on this.

www.insidehousing.co.uk/debate/expert-opinion/helping-hand/7016107.article?platform=hootsuite

Dontyoulovecalpol · 27/07/2016 20:21

Don't you worry a bit. Housing associations were set up exactly for people for you. They're not council houses, the demographic they serve is quite different actually.

AnaisWatterson · 27/07/2016 20:43

Congratulations on your lovely new home. Your doing nothing wrong, it is meant for people to live in. I think your sisters being a bit of a dick and should be pleased for you.
I'm hugely jealous of your secure tenancy as a private renter.
Enjoy making it home

AnaisWatterson · 27/07/2016 21:04

Yes yes to the 1930's developments, they were planned with communities in mind.
Doctors, shops, schools all within walking distance.
Big plots with big gardens for people to grow their own, ensure nature has a place and help people's health.
Maisonettes with gardens so suitable for all. Only 4 in a block so your not on top of each other and still have community harmony.
decent built homes.

Birdsgottafly · 27/07/2016 21:29

I live in a rubbish hard to let area. It's full of low earners, because the Local Housing Allowance, is enough for a private LL, so those who aren't looking for work, tend to live in better areas, ironically.

I think that HA/Council housing should be for those that would struggle to get a mortgage, in the area that they live in.

Scotmumof2girls · 27/07/2016 21:32

You are doing nothing wrong and I hope it gives you a bit of room while you're off sick :) you are just as entitled as anyone else and don't let anyone try and tell you different (could be jealousy of how much they're paying)

Chin up x

Ifailed · 28/07/2016 06:58

MrsDeVere
Sorry, I'd also agree as a social service, it has been decimated (lack of investment, new builds etc), but I'd say the biggest impact was RTB.

charlestonchaplin · 28/07/2016 07:55

MrsDeVere meant that 'right to buy' caused a decimation of social housing stock. So she is saying the same thing as Ifailed using different language which seems to have confused you Ifailed.

LondonNicki · 28/07/2016 08:01

Paperdoll, you are very civic minded. I hope your health is back to its full strength.

chilipepper20 · 28/07/2016 09:01

is council housing really for everyone? is there enough? Why don't private tenants get the same protections?

If people giving you a bollocking for being in social housing are simply jealous, isn't that part of the problem right there? The divide between secure social tenancies and insecure private tenancies is very odd in my opinion.

molyholy · 28/07/2016 09:09

I work for a social housing tenant charity. What a load of bollocks that only poor vulnerable people are 'allowed' to live in social housing. I have met tenants from all walks of life and this 'everyone should owntheir own home' ideology is bullshit. Enjoy your home OP. Why wouldn't you. There are standard housing associations must adhere to. And keeping your home in working order and safe, is one of them. Better than private renting where I have heard so many scary stories where the landlord doesn't give a shit and the tenant can do nothing about it.

mollie123 · 28/07/2016 09:19

the so-called 'bedroom tax' only applies (and is a reduction not a tax ) to those who claim housing benefit and are under-occupying.
If you are not claiming housing benefit (or can afford the small deduction represented by the reduction) OP you are absolutely entitled to the flat and I hope you enjoy living there.

PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon · 28/07/2016 09:25

My next door neighbors live in a council house in a sought after area and are older so no kids at home. They have a very good income between them. They get no help as in rent reduction, help with council tax etc. Why shouldn't they live there? They pay higher rent than other council house tenants. I think places like HA and council actually need people who pay a higher amount as it helps with their funding

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 28/07/2016 09:26

Of course YABU don't you know that just as letting a 3yr old boy put on a dress means he will catch the gay, living in social housing means that you will catch the poor. Just think of it rationally, living amongst all those people who might be claiming benefits or working two jobs, has to rub off.

My mother was horrified when we could only afford an ex-council house, and worse had to visit us in it. Fortunately she hasn't caught the poor from us or my sister when she followed my terrible example, though my mother does suffer from snobbitis.

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 28/07/2016 09:29

Oh no, forgot to write 'lighthearted'!

MrsJayy · 28/07/2016 09:38

People are weird about social housing i dont get it its for all. I grew up in sociall housing we all did at school mum and dad still live there i was a tenant for 15yrs paying rent sometimes with top ups depending. Enjoy your flat if somebody needed it before you they would have been offered it before you.

plaicetobe · 28/07/2016 09:50

There's a lot of jealousy around social housing. Don't worry about it OP and just enjoy your new home, and don't tell more people than is necessary about the fact it is social housing. I got my council flat years ago due to being in a desperate situation (homeless with a newborn and leaving dv). In London so really everyone here with a tenancy is or has been in similarly dire straits. I've retrained though and got a very good income now and I've had people being Hmm about me staying on in my flat even though it's been my home for 12 years. But most colleagues don't realise I rent it, they assume I bought it as most of the more professional people on the estate have had to buy it as an ex-council flat, and I don't bother telling them otherwise as I don't really want to go into my past circumstances.

chilipepper20 · 28/07/2016 11:53

There's a lot of jealousy around social housing.

why do you think that is?

HelenaDove · 28/07/2016 13:23

"There are standards housing associations must adhere to"

There are a lot of fb support groups for HA tenants who cant get repairs done and are living in places that have been damaged due to the HA trying to do things on the cheap.

Yet the myths persist that its just private landlords who behave like this.

pinkie1982 · 28/07/2016 13:35

Don't worry. We are the same.
Any mention of HA on MN will result in a lot of bad vibes.

My DP and I both work, pay full rent and claim no benefits. We have a HA property and get comments all of the time. We are lucky to have it, waited a long time but our circumstances were different when we first got offered the original flat.
I was working full time, he was self employed and we were struggling.
Fast forward...we now have a DS, I have returned to work part time, DP is employed full time and we have a HA house which we are planning to buy later down the line when we are able.

HelenaDove · 31/07/2016 01:43

Housing association hikes up rent by 20%

The nurses, teachers living there have a choice.....pay up or leave.

www.standard.co.uk/news/london/nurses-and-teachers-living-in-affordable-housing-scheme-face-20-rent-rise-a3304431.html