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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Council House

145 replies

allthegoodnameshadgone · 22/04/2018 18:44

Do people think I'm unreasonable for the following? Just read another thread and now I'm wondering about peoples views.

I live in a HA house and have for a few years. I get the right to buy soon and I will.

I don't claim any benefits and was a single parent when I moved in.

I work full time. I have a nice car through my work.

Rent where I live is the same for private or HA.

I've spend a lot of money doing this house up with no help from HA.

Do people think I should hand my keys back and if so why?

OP posts:

GoSuckAFart · 22/04/2018 19:44

I'm just going to add this in.

I have no problem with right to buy if your HA is actively building homes (mine is) and you know the funds will go into new housing.

We have a massive affordable housing need right now but honestly, Its not all the right to buy.

Its buy to let landlords with the ever increasing fees or being chucked out after 6mths so the rent can increase. Spent 4 years doing this. Constantly moving around the city because landlords wanted to increase the rent beyond what I could afford or failing to keep the houses in good order. One private rent was so riddled with mould It hospitalised me with asthma attacks that meant I lost my job and nearly ended up homeless. Its stagnating wages, just look at those using foodbanks AND working. Its benefit caps, so many are blocked from renting perfectly good homes because the tenant cannot afford the £30/mth top up out of JSA/UC benefits and those tenants IN private rents that are affordable only to be stung by a rise going above the rent caps.

OP I dont begrudge you buying your home. You have an opportunity to buy a home that is secure and cheap. Take it with both hands.

What I do begrudge is the laws and systems in place that mean working people cant afford to buy homes or rent homes and live. Instead they are existing week to week with no end in sight. I despise austerity. I despise everything that means the OP being given a good deal (and the right to buy comes with a lot of dos and donts so she wont be able to flip it fast for a profit) is frowned upon when its not the OP doing anything wrong but those in charge who wont consider rent caps or decent homes laws or remove the housing benefit caps that mean folk cant live decently.

UpstartCrow · 22/04/2018 19:45

It could be read that way I suppose
Few HA tenants have the right to buy. My HA dont consider RTB a problem.

Glumglowworm · 22/04/2018 19:46

I think Right to Buy is an awful policy that never should’ve been brought in. It’s a large part of the reason why council houses are so scarce now.

I do somewhat judge people who take advantage of it, especially those who then rent it out privately. But the blame lies firmly with the successive governments who brought it in, did nothing to replenish the disappearing housing stock, and still haven’t scrapped it as a policy.

myrtleWilson · 22/04/2018 19:48

Historically yes fewer HA tenants have the RTB and there was the relaunch of the enhanced RTB and then the VRTB but the funding for it was silly - funded through the forced sale of higher value LA homes. Which is a nonsense as firstly many LA's don't hold stock any more and forcing Hull (sorry Hull) to sell their stock which may be valued at £150k wouldn't really generate much into the recycling pot for VRTB....

sweeneytoddsrazor · 22/04/2018 19:48

Some very interesting views on this thread. The op has, like many ha/council tenants, spent a lot of time, effort and money making her house nice. If people were forced to move out once they earned a certain amount do you think they would take care of their houses so well? Do private tenants spend lots of money on carpets, decorations etc for a house they could lose with 2 months notice?
How much would it cost to redo these houses every couple of years when a tenant moves in? Also if the op could afford to buy at a discount rate, should they in future need to go into care, then some of the cost will come out of the sell (at current market rate) of the house as opposed to being funded by the local authority/government.

UpstartCrow · 22/04/2018 19:49

Sorry that was to myrtleWilson.

The housing market has been in a mess since council housing stock was sold off, and councils were prevented from using the money to reinvest in more housing stock.
RTB is one thing, but buy to let is the real problem, as GoSuckAFart says.

Plus in the 1980's we had legislation that meant homes had to be fit for human habitation. So LL had to at least maintain a minimum standard.
Now people pay through the nose and dont seem to have any protection at all.

LucheroTena · 22/04/2018 19:51

I dont agree with RTB as it stands as the social housing stock which is sold isn’t replaced. So people behind you won’t get the same benefits.

However, I absolutely think you should buy your property.

I also think social housing should be available to those on lower incomes but not prioritised to those on benefits as this has created anti social ghettos. I say this as someone who grew up on a council estate and saw it change for the worse as the chronically unemployed moved in.

Shadowboy · 22/04/2018 19:52

Personally, I don’t think you should have the right to buy it. You don’t need the property. And by buying it someone else is not going to benefit from your purchase.

I don’t agree with right to buy.

x2boys · 22/04/2018 19:52

Ok.clearly stated that private rent is the same as her housing association rent so why do people keep saying if she can afford to rent private she should op it doesn't really matter what people on here think just do what's best for you .

x2boys · 22/04/2018 19:55

Op not ok*

Original poster

allthegoodnameshadgone · 22/04/2018 19:58

Ok so if the property costs the same to rent now vs private, what difference does it make if I buy it to someone who needs it?

Could someone who needs it rent privately with benefits paid to the private LL?

Apologies in advance if this is naive.

I'm on the same money I was when I moved in. Same job.

If my HA are replacing housing which they are what's the issue? I'm not getting it.

OP posts:

Finderscrispy · 22/04/2018 20:00

Until private renting can offer the same level of tenancy benefits that social housing can offer, then social housing should be available to anyone who applies for it. People with plenty of money won’t be applying for it anyway and why should only the very poorest have a secure accommodation.

I also believe in a tenants right to buy their own home. It’s a good way of creating a bit of diversity in terms of income in a neighbourhood and stopping it becoming a stigmatised no go part of town comprised solely of impoverished people.

Babyroobs · 22/04/2018 20:03

I don't think social housing should be sold off.

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 22/04/2018 20:03

Buy it! You got it legitimately, you've put a lot of effort and money into making it lovely... Most of us get a bit of luck one way or another (through buying at the right time, or inheritance, or help from parents, or a big bonus etc) - this is your luck so take it and enjoy it.

Moominfan · 22/04/2018 20:04

Go for it. What angers me is this house isn't replaced by councils. I'll be buying once I meet criteria, I'd never get on housing ladder otherwise

Shitshitshitty · 22/04/2018 20:04

Most HA have bought out council properties. I used to be with the council but in 2007 the tenancy was passed over to HA.

I also don't understand how OP says her HA rent is the same as private.

I live in Manchester and a 3 bed semi rent private is about 800pcm.

I pay 360 through HA.

Lovemusic33 · 22/04/2018 20:05

I have right to buy on my HA house, when I moved in I was with dh and claiming some HB, now I am a single mum and get a small amount of HB as I am working. I plan on staying here and eventually buying the house, I have spent a lot on it, decorating, sorting the garden etc..

I have had people comment that I should not have the right to buy, that I should move out when my dc’s leave home and let another family have it.

ALemonyPea · 22/04/2018 20:06

I actually missed the bit where you’re going to buy. Could you afford to buy a house in the same area, that’s what you need to ask yourself.

We have just bought our council house (in an area they are building more council properties), after an 18 year tenancy, so got it for a good discount and wouldn’t be able to afford a house otherwise. We don’t intend on moving from here, and have a child with SN, so bought with the intention of securing his future housing as well.

Feelslikecrystal · 22/04/2018 20:06

I'd fully exercise my RTB if I were in you position.

What I don't understand is you expecting the HA to carpet it and do cosmetic work to it before you moved in. Of course you need to decorate and carpet it. The HA need to make sure it meets an acceptable standard, not spend money doing it up for you. Bizarre thought!

DamsonOnThisDress · 22/04/2018 20:07

I would absolutely buy it. You've put money into it and made it your home. It's a good opportunity. Whether people agree with the current system or not it exists as is (for now) so I wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.

Would be madness pass up the opportunity to buy a home you've put money into, particularly to rent privately.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Feodora · 22/04/2018 20:07

Not read through the thread. The system should be changed but until it is I would not blame anyone taking the opportunity to use the right to buy scheme.

lindyhopy · 22/04/2018 20:07

I don't agree with the right to buy scheme. I actually didn't know it still existed until I read this. I have no problem with you still renting there, saving for a deposit and buying elsewhere. This would then let someone else have access to rent a HA house. I don't see why you should be allowed to have a discounted mortgage.

SilverDoe · 22/04/2018 20:08

It's an important sentiment that social housing should be available for those in need, and much more readily than it currently is.

However, you are not personally responsible for the housing situation in this country, and being in the unstable environment of private rentals with 2 young kids, my advice to anyone in a position like yours would be to not fall on your sword or be a martyr. If you have the opportunity to buy yourself an affordable secure home, then why on earth would you pass that over in favour of private rent?

Please don't do it.

x2boys · 22/04/2018 20:08

Because not everywhere is the same time
Shitshitshitty I also live near Manchester but north of Manchester and my housing association house is about £15 /week cheaper than private.

PoorYorick · 22/04/2018 20:12

I'm undecided on the principle of RTB but I wouldn't blame anyone for taking advantage of it. In your shoes I would do the same, especially given how much work you've had done on it.

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