Housing - the silent crisis?

[CrisisTime]

The shocking state of housing in this country for anyone who didn't get on the gravy train in earlier decades, that is.

The homelessness. The sheer costs of housing. The tiny rooms and tiny houses. Storage rooms converted to miniscule 'bedrooms'. The dirt and dilapidation of so many rentals. Increasingly greedy landlords and letting agents. A cool house-share like The Young Ones would never exist now. The gentle landlord I once had (a vicar's wife) and her relaxed tenants - is no more. Just the sheer lack of decent affordable housing for so many.

300,000 more people coming to UK every year as well, which makes bad matters even worse, if they could be worse that is.

Is any politician from any party ever going to do anything on this issue? All I ever heard is daft initiatives that are a drop in the ocean.

@increasinglymiddleaged

And in terms of 'not all landlords are money grabbing twats' I don't get the pensions stuff - why should someone make money out of someone less well off than themselves to fund a pension? People who deliberately buy a second property to rent out are doing just that whether you like it or not.

This ^ Anyone who is making money out of other peoples housing need deserves everything they get imo. (If they get a shit tenant.)

@strikhedonia User you have such a ridiculous view of the world, can't you even see the difference between a very wealthy individual/ fund with a portfolio of properties, and someone who bought a 2nd flat or house to fund their pension and is nowhere rich or wealthy.

'you have such a ridiculous view of the world'
translated: 'I don't agree with you.'

Funny how many of these people who have bought a second home to fund their pension (allegedly,) often still charge ludicrously high rents. I stand by what I say, I have no sympathy for them when they get a shit tenant.

how very generous of you, (to say landlords with more than 2 properties can keep 2,) we're not in post Revolution Russia just yet then?

You are more than welcome. I aim to please.

To think it's OK to make money and plump up your (probably) already fat pension pot by making shit loads of money out of vulnerable people with a housing need is breathtakingly arrogant, selfish, and utterly disgusting.

No-one, I mean NO-ONE needs to own more than one property.

I would happily see all additional homes that 'accidental landlords,' people 'investing for their pension,' AND 'private landlords (who do it as a business,') all be redeemed by councils and social housing landlords. Then they can be issued with affordable rents, and long-term tenancies, and they will have a decent repairs system. Too many landlords won't spend a penny on their properties unless they have to by law.

And there is nothing 'socialist' or 'communist-like' about a fairer society. But then people making a killing from fleecing vulnerable people WOULD say it's a bit socialist to share the wealth.

Agree with mum2be too. Shared ownership is a pain in the arse. I have spoken to many people who suffered all kinds of trouble and strife with being stuck in a shared ownership situation. If you can't afford to buy/are unable to buy, then rent; don't touch shared ownership. In many cases, you are responsible for the cost of repairs, as well as having to pay the mortgage AND rent. Terrible system!

We are accepting it because what's the choice?
I've saved, I've scratched my head for alternatives, I've written to government, I've written to mps, I've signed petitions.
The mental health affects will be huge
The messed up affect on our kids will be huge
The bill for housing benefit to private landlords when we are too old to work will be huge

But no one cares. We are just told to work harder, save more. Meanwhile house prices are going up by more than the equivalent 10% we could save.
yhe main problem for us is multiples with a mortgage. We can afford the mortgage (not missed rent in 9 years) but we just don't earn enough to say we can.

@Tfpsa. Excellent post.

I really am not sure what can be done about it though.

The whole system is broken, and it's a fucking disgrace that approximately 5 million homes are now owned by private landlords, and there are more people living in insecure short-term tenancies with high rents now, than there are people living in secure, modest-rent social housing.

As you said, it's waaaaay worse than the 'poll tax' situation.

Seriously someone asked where people would live if it wasn't for buy to let landlords?

Possibly in the houses that weren't tented out. I don't believe it's housing stock that's the issue, it's getting a property at the bottom end. First time buyers miss out to cash rich older buyers. Everyone I know whose renting pays way above what a mortgage costs.
Stop letting landlords buy at the bottom end.

Everyone should be allowed to rent out one property at whatever rent they want.
Two to five properties can be rented out at HA rents
More than five and you need to take people of the housing register.

changes to taxation have been designed to make BTL far less financially advantageous, should see some having to LL's sell up thus releasing property for owner occupiers

willow I agree on spending being much higher now. DH and I don't eat out much. We save a lot and don't take holidays. We had somewhat normal incomes (mine was high but a lot went on legal fees) when we met and saved a deposit in about two years. We still don't buy new furniture. Our dining table is lovely. Costs about $3,500 new. I waited just over 3 years to buy it 2nd hand for $900. Sofa bed was $4500 new. Bought it second hand for $1200. Most of our peers buy new and struggle financially. We buy used without exception.

user1493759849

What a bitterly jealous attitude, you are so full of venom that you can't realise you are exactly the same as these bad landlords you resent so much, only caring about yourself.
Like it or not, some landlords have made huge sacrifice to purchase properties, or they are inheriting something because their parents work really hard for them. There are plenty of cheap houses in this country, nothing prevents you from buying one and letting it until you can afford better.
Not all tenants are "vulnerable people". Read threads on here, some are more than happy to pay minimum rent, without having to worry about repair, market crash and so on.

It's not a fairer society to give something for nothing, it's not a fairer society to give luxury accommodation to someone who has made different choices, chose a lower paid job. You want to earn minimum wage, or nothing but afford a house? How is that for entitled. Good grief.

Your are going to love that one, but I wasn't even born in your country, mine paid fuck all so I relocated to get a decent income. I went where the jobs are, and shock horror, I found them despite barely speaking English (let alone write it) when I started. So your sob stories about poor people who can't afford a home, I have seen first hand that you might have to start at the bottom, but it's not that difficult, merely uncomfortable for a few years.

User greatlongnumber - that is believed to be the plan in the uk. Eventually all private landlords will be driven out and all rentals will be owned by housing associations.

And then many more tenants will have tatty shitholes and nothing will be done. Ask the h a tenants on here, with stories of harassment and poor repair standards that would (deservedly) get private landlords in big trouble.

Higher interest rates will flip the switch and make cash b t l not worth it - outside London it hasn't been worth it with a mortgage for a while. I can see the resulting evict and sell not helping the situation though, as we will then be back to rental being cheaper than mortgage as it was a few years back.

Suggest following mark Carney request and pissing cash away on brickphones and tat - saving is strongly discouraged.

userbunchofnumbers, I don't think anybody wants to earn 'minimum wage or nothing'. Most people would like to earn enough to live a reasonably comfortable life.

And yes, some tenants want to rent for whatever reason. Many many many hate the insecurity and expense of private renting, though, and would very much like to own their own place. That's surely not bafflingly hard to understand?

Oh sorry, wrong user! That was to Strikhedonia

What a bitterly jealous attitude, you are so full of venom that you can't realise you are exactly the same as these bad landlords you resent so much, only caring about yourself.

Utter nonsense, people can disagree with people making money out of renting houses out without being jealous. People who work should be able to afford basic accommodation - do you think those on mw should be sleeping on the street?

And FWIW I have a lovely house and am relatively well off in case I am advised of 'jealousy' and 'just being out for myself'

Nocarbsorsugar - but owned by who?? Government or local councils - that's more billions to add to Labour's bill then

And yes, some tenants want to rent for whatever reason.

Yes of course there are some tenants who are happy to rent for the time being. Those with DC who want to buy but keep on getting evicted every 6 months or so feel differently.

I don't think anybody wants to earn 'minimum wage

I know more than a few, who are happy to do 9 to 5, Monday to Friday, no over time, no responsibilities, who are happy not to study overnight for months, and not be reachable weekends and holidays. Nothing wrong with that, but you can't expect the same income and buying power than others who have made difference choices.

How many families do you see sleeping rough in the streets in this country? Thankfully, none (or next to none), which is a good thing, but it just proves that the "crisis" is not such a crisis.

indeed, increasingly. I am in just such a position myself. Current landlord doesn't seem inclined to sell for now, but the last one gave us notice three weeks after I had a baby. And then wanted us to keep the place looking lovely for viewings, and escort viewers round.... Over a third of families with children are now in private rented, and ill bet the vast majority don't want to be.

I am bloody desperate to buy and very, very glad we are finally in a position where we can. I don't care that I'll have to pay to fix stuff - I'm doing that anyway in the shape of rent payments above the mortgage amount. Plus, if I'm responsible for repairs I can actually make them rather than relying on the landlord/agent being decent. (That freezing winter we had about six years ago, all my ancient crappy storage heaters packed in. The landlord said he'd pay to fix one but not all of them, because it seemed "unlikely" three would go at once. -10 outside...)

cathf I don't understand what your're asking.

Why do the HA or government have to own any more properties? Just make sure people that are landlords rent on fair terms - over two properties and they can only charge HA rent. More than five then they need to get tennants from the housing register to rent.

They can still make profit from owning property which goes up in value.

@strikhedonia
What a bitterly jealous attitude, you are so full of venom that you can't realise you are exactly the same as these bad landlords you resent so much, only caring about yourself.

Oh please do grow up.

As increasinglymiddleaged said one can have opinions and views without being 'jealous.' What a ludicrous and narrow minded statement.

Some landlords made huge sacrifices to buy properties.

Do stop talking such bollocks. It's embarrassing.

I wasn't even born in your country, mine paid fuck all so I relocated to get a decent income. I went where the jobs are, and shock horror, I found them despite barely speaking English (let alone write it) when I started. So your sob stories about poor people who can't afford a home, I have seen first hand that you might have to start at the bottom, but it's not that difficult, merely uncomfortable for a few years.

Bully for you. Give yourself a peanut. Not everyone has the same luck and good fortune as you have CLEARLY had.

And yes people who rent ARE vulnerable, like it or not. People who rent cannot buy, usually because of lack of funding. Not everyone has rich baby boomer parents to gift them 50 grand. So they depend on a landlord to house them and hope they can keep that tenancy and security.

EVERYone who rents from a private landlord is especially vulnerable, as private landlords often charge exorbitant rents, and the tenants struggle financially to pay the rent (often for a poor quality property.) And if they complain about ANYTHING, they will get a section 21, and lose their home!

Your posts are naive at best, and patronising and insulting at worst.

So call me 'jealous,' and 'bitter' til you're blue in the face if it makes you feel better, and makes you feel more like you are 'correct.' I couldn't give a fuck about you or your opinions.

Specialsubject, I have a social landlord and they are great. Repairs done when needed with no problems and all to a good standard. When my back door lock broke one Saturday evening there was a locksmith with me by 9pm who repaired it. Not all social landlords are awful just as not all private landlords are awful.

I've had good private landlords and awful private landlords. Without exception, they all considered themselves good landlords. And I think the shit ones genuinely believed it as well.

Families are lucky and get priority got hostel places, that's why you don't see them on the street. They're in a shitty bed and breakfast with a family to a room. If they're lucky they'll have a kettle and a microwave and be allowed to be in their room during the day.

I find the whole thing bizarre and have no particular axe to grind - I own my home but I bought my first flat in London for £250k in 2007 and sold for £475k in 2011. It sold recently for £1.2m. Apart from an 'bugger I shouldn't have sold' it's a wtf. It couldn't have been changed much or extended, and the area was always nice.

It's just bonkers and getting worse.

I have relatives in Europe who rent their homes. All manage to do this on income from work...none require benefits to do so even on lowly paid jobs.

That's the big issue here...wages have not kept up with the cost of living. A roof over your head is s basic human right...,even if it's a shared roof in the short to medium term. You shouldn't have to claim benefits in order to afford this if you are able to work full time.

artisanjam does that not beg the question why they started families without securing housing snd money to pay for kids?

Just possibly circumstances can change? Perhaps?

It's illegal to abort children after they've been born and it's quite difficult and expensive to take them into care, especially if they have loving parent(s) who don't have money so sometimes there are families in shit circumstances.

For example, a family is renting privately. The landlord served notice. They cannot afford 6 weeks rent upfront to rent somewhere else so are dependant on the local authority for housing. The local authority don't have any spare housing = families in temporary b&b accommodation at vast expense.

So the feckless families can just live on the streets or with bad landlords?
Of course not. Looking after even the " rubbish " members of society enables civilisation. It's a positive even if it costs us short term.

Alfie that is good to hear. So many horror stories about housing associations, and some of the h a properties I see in my area look awful, admittedly I only see the outside.

My tenant would get the same service as you did - home emergency cover. Indispensable as I can't guarantee to be around, but I can guarantee a phone.