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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

blondieblondie · 31/07/2016 02:17

I've just made my application to buy my HA flat under the RTB scheme this week, and I've been wondering whether people will judge me for it. TBH it's a bit of a shithole, but I'm a single parent and I don't know how else to get on the property ladder and hopefully have something to leave my DS one day.

YANBU in my opinion. You sound very grateful and like you will be a good tenant, so happy new home to you!

HelenaDove · 31/07/2016 17:36

Still..............i guess those nurses and teachers can be comforted by the fact that there are ppl jealous of them eh!

PersianCatLady · 01/08/2016 13:37

I've just made my application to buy my HA flat under the RTB scheme this week
At present you have got the opportunity to do that and the RTB scheme may be changed or stopped some day in the near future.

Generally I think the widespread application of RTB was a bad idea because a lot of the scams that some people did to make money out it.

However for you, I think that while the opportunity is there you need to take it.

HelenaDove · 01/08/2016 17:21

Agree with Persian

chilipepper20 · 01/08/2016 19:03

I've just made my application to buy my HA flat under the RTB scheme this week, and I've been wondering whether people will judge me for it.

People have the right to judge you for it, but you have the right not to care!

What I don't understand is why people don't seem to understand the jealousy. Of course people in insecure private tenancies paying sky high rents are jealous. that's why people want HA or social housing. The security is worth something, as is the non-market rent. Sniggering at people in a worse position than you isn't very helpful.

HelenaDove · 01/08/2016 19:08

chili HAs are putting their rents up.,

chilipepper20 · 01/08/2016 19:12

yes. So? that doesn't mean they aren't a good deal, and hence the jealousy.

Doobydoo · 01/08/2016 19:16

I agree with MrsdeVere. We are about to move into a council property.We were able to bid on 2 bed houses due to our household. We have a 3 bed with sep dining room as it is in a rural location with limited transport links. I am a nurse and work full time. We have been in private rented for years but landlords want to sell and we have not got the few grand it takes to move into private rented.I feel extremely lucky.Enjoy OP.

HelenaDove · 01/08/2016 19:20

chili you are forever coming on these threads saying how HA places are so much cheaper than private. And thats one of the reasons for the jealousy.

Im simply saying that HAs are putting their rents UP. So you are getting the race to the bottom that you are asking for. Or are you annoyed you wont be able to use cheap rent as a reason now the HAs are putting it up.

HelenaDove · 01/08/2016 19:23

The upping of the rent in the place i linked to wont just affect the tenants themselves.

There are nurses and teachers living there. If they cant afford it and have to move that will cause a shortage in the hospitals and schools.

Affecting patients and disrupting schooling. Sometimes i really dont think ppl can see past their envy enough to use their brains.

chilipepper20 · 01/08/2016 19:30

Affecting patients and disrupting schooling. Sometimes i really dont think ppl can see past their envy enough to use their brains.

yes, it affects a lot of people. My point is that saving a few places somewhere isn't going to solve the housing problem. I agree it's good for nurses and teachers to afford places and not have to commute for miles. I want that. But that equally applies to everyone, and these policies don't solve that problem.

jellybeans · 01/08/2016 19:31

Social housing was originally meant for everyone. Doctors or dustbin men living side by side. 1/3 of the population lived in them in them.

HelenaDove · 01/08/2016 19:35

Agreed chili. Whats needed is a proper rent cap a limitation on how much can be charged right across the board which applies to every type of landlord.

chilipepper20 · 01/08/2016 19:38

that will predictably lead to a bigger housing shortage. That is what price controls usually lead to. Even Shelter is against such an idea.

HelenaDove · 01/08/2016 19:47

Because the landlords will probably just sell the housing off.

PersianCatLady · 01/08/2016 20:04

Whats needed is a proper rent cap a limitation on how much can be charged right across the board which applies to every type of landlord.
No that is the worst idea ever as it leads to substandard accommodation and LLs being unwilling to provide accommodation.

Regardless of the feeling towards private LLs, they are needed as they provide accommodation for people who cannot afford to buy.

blondieblondie · 01/08/2016 22:29

I'm I'm Scotland and RTB ended yesterday, hence my last minute application.

chilipepper20 · 02/08/2016 00:13

No that is the worst idea ever as it leads to substandard accommodation and LLs being unwilling to provide accommodation.

details. just getting in the way of a good landlord bashing.

PersianCatLady · 02/08/2016 12:30

details. just getting in the way of a good landlord bashing.
I am hoping that you are having a little joke with that comment as sometimes it is really hard to tell when words are written and not spoken.

Just5minswithDacre · 02/08/2016 12:35

Same thing ifailed

Just5minswithDacre · 02/08/2016 12:39

Oh sorry, app's gone weird again.

OP I love the idea that you're so full of fox-like cunning, that you've persuaded the HA into letting to you against their own policy

Gran22 · 03/08/2016 21:05

Just5mins perhaps I haven't understood your post. Housing policy usually allows for properties that are 'hard to let' to be accessible to anyone who is eligible. In the housing department where I worked for some years there are always some types of properties (council and HA) in parts of the city that attract no interest from people in the high level bands, they're waiting for something better! Much better to have a property occupied than letting it sit empty bringing in no rent.

Just5minswithDacre · 03/08/2016 23:17

No I don't think you've understood my post.

Just5minswithDacre · 03/08/2016 23:20

I was being sarcastic about the criticism OP had attracted from whichever stickybeak it was. (Cousin?)

The HA is, as you say, obviously setting their letting policy according to local demand. You'd think any critical cousin or nosy neighbour could work that out. (Or look it up.)

HelenaDove · 03/08/2016 23:49

A lot of people dont or wont look stuff up if it may contradict their belief or agenda.

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