To ask a really stupid question about council houses

[cleofatra]

To be honest, this is the best way to ask so I don't embarrass myself too much.

Do people actually pay any "rent" for council houses? (Or does it come out of some kind of payment?) I have no idea.

Sorry, I honestly am asking to find out as I don't know.

People pay rent in council houses in exactly the same way a private tenant does. If they don't work, are disabled or qualify for housing benefit in some way then they get HB. They aren't free.

Hi, yes they do but it is generally quite a but lower than a private rent in the same area

Yes, people pay rent.

Usually it is lower than private rents as it just covers the cost of maintenance to the building, staff costs etc without needing to make anyone a profit.

Yes people do pay rent for council houses - by "payment" do you mean benefits? Some people may use Housing Benefit/Universal Credit to pay for some/all of their council rent but others won't

Then why do they exist lalalayra? rather than private rental houses I mean

Of course they pay rent. You might get benefit if you're on a low income etc but they aren't free.

They exist because they are in theory more secure, and represent the true cost of housing in the area not inflated rents going to private landlords.

ah, thanks tiredbefuddledrose

Yes it is lower than private rented but then most people that have council homes generally earn less than most who live in private sector. It’s not subsidised cos it pays for itself.

Then why do they exist lalalayra? rather than private rental houses I mean

Why do council houses exist? Because people need affordable housing. Same with housing associations.

You do realise that council housing being a minority part of the housing market is a relatively recent thing?

Council housing is better for the tenant as it is secure housing and should be maintained to a better standard than slum landlords.
Its better for society because people need affordable, good quality housing and it costs less as housing benefit isn't being paid to private landlords.
Asking why it exists is like asking why do state schools or the NHS exist when there are private schools and hospitals.

I pay full rent for my council house.

You pay rent in the normal way.
So out of wages/benefits etc.
It's often not much cheaper than private.
If you are on basic benefits this is often a massive struggle even with reduced rents
Private tenants can get housing benefit for rent in the same way council tenants do...so exactly the same.

Out of interest did you think that they were literally getting free housing without paying out of their total income?

Did you honestly think they were free OP?

Is this the regular council house wind up post? Because it’s such a weird question to ask.

I should mention before everyone thinks I am a complete dipsh** that I am not British. so apologise for my ignorance.

Then why do they exist lalalayra
They, in theory, offer more security, are generally better maintained and are either rented at cost or are subsidised.

Until Right to Buy (and the other housing reforms that the Conservatives introduced), council housing was much more common than private rentals.

They exist because, historically, the private sector hasn't provided enough quality homes for people. Council housing was built, particularly after the Second World War, so that people could have comfortable, affordable homes instead of Victorian slums.

Mrs Thatcher's government in the 70s and 80s saw public housing as a bad thing and sold off millions of council homes. That made the people who lived in them richer as the growth in house prices made investing in a mortgage a no-brainier. It also meant that council housing, rather than being a very common form of housing tenure became more associated with more vulnerable and poorer households (not all, of course.)

No need to pile on the poster. It's a perfectly reasonable question. My mother worked in housing for a private housing association and the council and I don't really know the ins and outs of it.

Glad some (most) people have just answered the question

before everyone thinks I am a complete dipsh**

You are allowed to swear here.

And council housing used tp be more secure and a better deal...plus were much more common than today.

We need to become either a social house based market or a much fairer private rent market.....the current system is driving lots of families into poverty, and is making money for a lot of absolute cunts who couldn't give a flying fuck about their tenants.

Google "Tory MP landlords" btw just to see why mass rental ownership is pushed as the thing.

Private tenants can get housing benefit for rent in the same way council tenants do...so exactly the same.

Except that private rents are usually dearer than council house rents so the housing benefit usually doesn't cover the whole rent and the private tenant has to pay the difference from their other income (usually benefit of some kind).

People pay rent same as with private rental. The reason why people (well me anyway) choose Council over private renting is that there's a more secure tenancy, more affordable rent and a quicker response with emergency repairs (my HA has not long changed the rules so a lot of repairs are chargeable now if they're not essential).

I'm not shocked that the OP doesn't know, a lot of people seem to think that they're free houses and you have to be unemployed to get them.

My council house costs way more than my mortgage was and costs more than the average rental price of similar properties in my area.

I pay full rent for my housing association place.