to be really annoyed that my kitchen's costing thousands while a friends having hers done free - AND she's moaning about it.

[Jamum]

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

My friends has a HA house, and this years has had new double glazing and guttering - all paid for. And is now just had a lovely new kitchen fitted.

She chose the units and tiles. Has had a team of fitters, and is now waiting for the inspection team to check all the finishing touches.

AND then she's going to buy the house - but only once all the work has been completed for free.

Sorry but this makes my blood boil. We have had to save up for years to afford a new kitchen and certainly won't end up with a nice a one as she has got that my taxes have paid for.

(yes I know - it's jealousy and sour grapes)

Anyway - rant over.

[ScummyMummy]

sorry- I shouldn't have pressed post. I will report myself.

[BarbieLovesKen]

No, I dont think you are being unreasonable - For the genuine cases of course they should get the help!! but I, for one am sick to death of people just "screwing the system" (im not in UK)for example - dps brother and girlfriend - young, healthy people - the same opportunities available to them as the rest of us. She gave up work when was a month pregnant (because you cant possibley work when expecting!!), he (gobshite) gave up a very well paid career (at her instruction) because (fair enough) it involved a 3 hour commute and possible over night stays and he wanted to be around all the time for the baby which imo is lovely and all that but realistically the last thing you do before having your baby is make yourself way more financially unstable and his wage would have definately been enough to support her and baby enough for her to be sahm comfortably.

Anyway, they live (for 2 and half years now) in his fathers 2nd property (4 bedroom fabulous house) - rent free but yet the parents are out of pocket approx 300 per wk to pay the mortgage for it. "daddy" gave him a job with him, collects him each day at the door and drops him home, he is claiming unemployment etc cos work with father isnt going through books. Parents also often lend them their car when needed.

She childminds now and then at home, claims single parents benefit, the 3 of them have medical cards etc... (laziest feckers you have ever came across) - recently the father gave up work due to ill health so dps brother had no work then and wouldnt have the cop to get off his own backside and get one - so they are both at sitting at home with the baby. Just dont want to work. Have these benefits coming in for sitting at home so why would they want to? yet they have huge "ideas" about themselves - she insited that she wanted a 1000euro laptop and a ghd straightener for xmas (not asking much) and yes, she got them!, she was on a foreign mini break for a weekend with all the girls here a few wks ago and they are on nights out every weekend. They are now waiting for their council house to be built - due to finish in 10 weeks, brand new, 4 bedroom, 2 bath house (oh and there is a scheme to buy after you live in it for 5 years). and I think wtf?? why are the rest of us bothering? we are wrecked here trying to build our house (living in a tiny rundown cottage while waiting to be built) im working full time - dp works two jobs.... have never claimed one cent and sometimes I think...... who is the bigger fool?

and yes, it pisses me off that the tax payers money is going towards this type of thing when there are geniuine people out there and this sort of thing gives them a bad name.

sorry for rambling on and on but this is something that just boils my blood.... no, I dont think your being unreasonable (for the not so genuine people)

[Caligula]

But she didn't ask about not so genuine people, she asked about someone who needs a new kitchen

But please by all means have a rant about benefit scroungers, any occasion will do.



The fuckers wear shoes, you know.

[BarbieLovesKen]

Yes, but (I could have taken it up wrong - a bit dozey ) from what I gathered the friend the op is taking about is not so genuine - the op said this friend and her dh works and they have far more disposable income than op - this would bug me, I have to admit!!

[coppertop]

Being on benefits is not a pre-requisite for getting a council house. They do occasionally let us out to work you know.

[chopchopbusybusy]

I just have to reiterate - people who live in council houses and housing associations pay rent. They are not being 'given' accommodation. Yes, some people in council houses will be receiving housing benefit which does come out of taxation but please do not think that taxes pay for all people who live in council houses.

[Caligula]

Yes they have more disposable income because they rent, their landlord is required to keep their accomodation in good condition and they are not accumulating an asset as people who own houses are.

Honestly, my kitchen is a PITA and I wish I'd gone to IKEA, but I don't envy anyone who is getting a new kitchen at the council's expense. They are not as well off as I am because I have an appreciating asset in the form of my house.

[misdee]

[yawns][parp]

[ScummyMummy]

And they have to contend with naked envy and bile from people who believe them to be scrounging chancers, don't forget.

[misdee]

of course, and we get told over and over again how lucky we are

[BarbieLovesKen]

chopchopbusybusy, Ok, im not sure that I fully understand.. I have always assumed that the government pay for the council houses to be built, where do the government get the money? - Off the tax payers - No?
Also, as for paying rent?.. I know a girl who pays 13 euro per week rent..

I looked it up recently and the tax payers money first and foremost and most amount goes on social welfare....

down the line after this include education, health care, infrastructure....

[zippitippitoes]

don't we want people to live in decent homes and be lifted out of poverty?

[BarbieLovesKen]

Oh God of course Zippi!! - for the genuine people who need some help but not to the people too plain lazy to bother doing anything for themselves when they are blessed to be more than able.

[LedodgyCheapEasterEggsAreASin]

I don't understand this thread is she supposed to have a minging kitchen and a house in disrepair because she has a HA House? Also it will probably fall apart quick enough as councils are renowned for getting the crappiest workmen to do the job.

[MellowMa]

Message withdrawn

[Soapbox]

Where does this envy stop though?

'My next door neighbour has 5 kids and they all get a free education, snot fair, I haven't got any and have to pay for all their kids, when they earn more than me'!

'My cousin is going into hospital for an operation and she's getting it all for free - I've never needed one and I resent paying for hers when they earn more than I do'.

It is part and parcel of living in a relatively civilised country with a welfare state that is fairly effective. I can't believe that you really feel in your heart of hearts that only those who have enough money to buy their own homes deserve to have a decent kitchen.

[chopchopbusybusy]

Barbielovesken. Read my earlier post. My Mum has paid full rent for the 43 years she has lived in a council house. She has paid way more in rent than the market value of the house and she has nothing to sell. When the time comes my Mum's house will be handed back to the council and they will still be able to rent it out.

Bear in mind also that the market value of a house is much greater than the cost of actually building it in the first place - and all the council houses that I've ever seen are pretty basic in their design and build quality. I imagine when my Mum's house was built in the sixties it would have cost under £2000 to build.

I can't comment on anyone you know paying rent of 13 euros a week. I don't where you live I can only comment on the system in the UK.

[Tortington]

who is genuine? what constitutes genuine?

the broad definitin is somene in housing need.

this means shock horror that working people cannot afford to buy houses.

i know of professionals - policement nurses and social workers. all who cannot afford to buy - and are therefore entitled to social housing.


social housing providers are not like private landlords. in that they have a benevolent aim and many - no most - recognise that to maintain or create sustained communities one must first get the people living within a neighbourhood to have an investment in their community.

how can you have an investment in what is your home without choice?

why complain about crime and non investment in society when you go home to squallor. What makes it ok for you to live in a decent area - but not me?

why arn't i allowed to be a fully participating member of society - without a mortgage?

why cant my children grow up in a decent environment?

why can't i have a denent home

why can't i be proud to bring my friends inside?

becuase i am a second class citizen? and you think your better and more desering becuase you have a mortgage. take a looka t yourself.


I resent the implication that someone is doing me a favour.

i'm trapped.

[Tortington]

and its not effin free

[Caligula]

Soapy lots of childless peopel do now feel like that. Note the whinging about people with kids taking holidays in August, when most childless people don't want to go away in August anyway.

This kind of corrosive envy has become acceptable. I personally find it revolting, but you do get views being expresed like that and it's to do with a corrosion of the feeling of solidarity and fellow-feeling among people.

It's very depressing imo.

[misdee]

rent for a 3 bed house in stevange privately 4 years ago was £650 PCM + council tax. here, in a 3bed bungalow, council with maintaince and warden charge is £90 pw + council tax..

[zippitippitoes]

no they are less

but some people rent privately and get housing benefit if applicable

[BarbieLovesKen]

To the childless people who would crib about children receiving free education, childrens allowance etc.. I would say, my children will probably be paying your pension, contributing towards the country you are living in when you are too old to do so...

[MellowMa]

Message withdrawn