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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Offer of a council house does this seem fair?

88 replies

SuzieX · 25/05/2018 14:42

Hi. I’m newly registered but not new to Mumsnet as I’ve been reading through the forums for a while. I’m wanting peoples opinions on this matter as I’m not at all happy with the way my local council allocate their homes and don’t think it is at all fair. My set up is i’m married with two children. A dd age 14 and da age 6. We have been in private rented accommodation since we first moved out of parents 17 years ago. Long story but the top and bottom of it is the house prices here are way out of our league and even if we had saved a set amount each month since we first got together we still wouldn’t have a big enough deposit.

So a few years ago, I think 2012 we registered with our local council for housing. We were told we could register but wouldn’t be a priority as we had a roof over our heads. Fair enough, and so we expected to be waiting a long time. Six years later we still aren’t a priority but are moving up the list so again that’s fine. What’s not fine is that a friend of mine (I say friend but we hardly see each other anymore) who owns her own house has recently been given and moved into a council property.

Her and her partner bought a house a few years ago. They have three children and out of the blue they announced that they were separating and following this her partner moved out. She went to the council and got put into band 2, the second highest priority (we are band 4) and within two months she was offered a house. I’ll be completely honest with you and admit I’m at a loss as to how she got this house and I’m pretty pissed off with the fact she moved in and then within a week the father of her three kids also moved in despite her telling everyone that they had separated. The house that they own they have now got a tenant living there so they are getting their mortgage paid on the house they own whilst living in a heavily discounted council property. Aibu or is this completely unfair?

Like I said we have been in private rented for years and whilst I agree we aren’t a priority compared to people who are homeless or about to be homeless but our ds is registered disabled. He has Asd, adhd and PDA and has a lot of issues and living in private rented accommodation doesn’t help. For example we need to fit locks to the bathroom and kitchen doors due to safety but our landlord won’t allow us to do this. We need locks to the windows as he’s tried to climb out on more than one occasion but again our landlord won’t allow this. We need a bathroom with a low level access shower (wet room) as our son can’t tolerate the bath and hates water but somehow he copes better in a shower but won’t get in the bath to use the shower.

With this issues our son has and the supporting evidence we got from the occupational therapist and paediatrician we were told by the council they couldn’t move us into a higher band as our son doesn’t have any physical disabilities. So why oh why can a person who has no need whatsoever, or her children, get a house when she already owns a house of her own?

OP posts:
SaltyPeanut · 25/05/2018 15:27

All the council homes I've ever been in (a lot) just have a bath so I don't quite know what the part of your OP that mentions needing a wet room is driving at. I'm not sure if you think you would get a council to fit out the bathroom of one of their properties with a wet room for you. Councils won't even install nor maintain a shower over the bath in anything but the most exceptional of circumstances.

Years of badgering by social workers backed up by doctors letters with intervention by local MP and the media in one case I heard of locally where an elderly severely disabled man could not bathe himself at all because he couldn't lift his legs to get in a bath at all. Three years of waiting and washing with a flannel if memory serves.

And yes by the way, your friend a fraudulent scrote.

Original poster
SuzieX · 25/05/2018 15:28

There are so many people in a similar position so I really feel for your friend it’s not right. Our area compared to other places like London isn’t too bad. I know I’ve been waiting a long time for a house but one of the reasons for this is that I need a house in one of two areas. I need to be close to my kids schools mainly my son’s school for reasons I won’t bore you with and I need to be close to mine and husband’s work. If we were willing to move to other less desirable areas miles away I expect we would have been offered a house before now. It’s not that we are being particular in way of we expect a huge house with added extras. All we need is a house locally that’s big enough that we can put a wet room in for our ds.

OP posts:
Bitsandbobsalot · 25/05/2018 15:30

This happened to a couple round the corner from me. They bought there house from the council at a heavily discounted price. Applied for a council bungalow even tho the only criteria they met was been over 55. They were given a 1 bed bungalow. They then “gave” the house to there eldest dd.
People were up in arms about it. They owned there house so shouldn’t have a council bungalow which are like hens teeth round my way.
Turns out they sold the house for a massive profit to a buy to rent back landlord years ago wasted the money away and they sub let the house to the dd. The dd gave up a secure council tenancy to move into her “parents” home and eventually had to move out as she couldn’t afford the “mortgage” aka private rent.

It’s been a little bit of a scandal on my estate that has only come to light very recently.
I’m only telling you because sometimes looking at from the outside we don’t know everything. I agree it looks like a scam but what’s done in the dark always comes to light so if they’ve gained a home by deception then I’m sure it will catch up with them eventually. Leave them to it when you eventually get your home you won’t be looking over you shoulders worrying you’ve lied to get it.

OurMiracle1106 · 25/05/2018 15:30

this makes me angry. I’m a single person. Was living with violence drug taking and having been sexually assaulted by one of the tenants I shared accommodation with and got zero help!!! They wouldn’t even let me join the register!!!!!! Yet someone can decide they have separated and be given somewhere

I work full time but I earn a low wage (topped up by working tax) but living in London means I will never be able to afford to buy

Original poster
SuzieX · 25/05/2018 15:31

Hi. There are plenty of priorities already in our area that have wet rooms/low level showers as I see them on a weekly or maybe fortnightly basis. The issue is we aren’t really a priority and there are elderly people out there who need these sort of priorities too. A friend of mine owns her own house and the council put a wet room in for her son and she didn’t have to pay a penny. She just needed lots of supporting evidence so they do it. x

OP posts:
Frequency · 25/05/2018 15:32

Councils do fit wet rooms in some areas. I have one in mine. It was installed for the previous tenant and they won't pay to take it out, not that I want them to, I prefer showers to baths.

But what councils won't do is give you permission to fit one at your own cost. Either you need one enough that they'll fit it for you or don't need one at all.

If you don't have medical evidence of needing a wet room, I'd ask a few questions before moving to a council property in the hope they'll let you fit one.

RunMummyRun68 · 25/05/2018 15:33

I doubt you'll be even offered a house op

In 4 years your dd will be an adult, moving on maybe. You might get a flat. But you don't sound in need at all

Jael003 · 25/05/2018 15:34

A friend of mine had lots of stuff done to her council house, including a wet room, as she has MS. The council should do it if it's medically necessary.

Amanduh · 25/05/2018 15:34

It’s unfair. But i think it’s unfair if you ever got one as well. The system is a joke

m4rdybum · 25/05/2018 15:39

YA BOTH BU.

Neither of you seem to be in need of a council house. But you both want one.

Unfortunately, we all have to struggle to make ends meet. People just deal with it.

Original poster
SuzieX · 25/05/2018 15:39

How is it unfair if we get a house? We both work full time pay our taxes don’t get much in the way of help, have a disabled child who can’t share a room with his sister. Ok we are not homeless but I wouldn’t say we don’t have any need at all.

OP posts:
Boulshired · 25/05/2018 15:40

The OT department in our area sort out disabled facility grants, I had specialist bathroom flooring and a key fob system on all external doors. They also help with liaising with housing dept for extra points especially if the landlord will not cooperate. This is a case of the few people who will do anything to get what they want.

Original poster
SuzieX · 25/05/2018 15:41

Actually no, if I wanted a home that badly with the council then I’d have spent the last few years bidding for houses in other areas instead of concentrating on the area we live in and another area between school and my work. It would be nice to get a house don’t get me wrong but like I have already said there are other people more in need. It’s just my friend isn’t one of them. That’s my point!

OP posts:
FreudianSlurp · 25/05/2018 15:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
SuzieX · 25/05/2018 15:44

There’s no need to nit pick at my post. What I meant my registered as disabled is tnat my son has multiple medical conditions, receives Dla, has one to one support for 25 hours and may be moving to a specialist school. I didn’t mean to cause offence.

OP posts:
Boulshired · 25/05/2018 15:45

Registered disabled is an “opt in” within my local council. You receive a card that is recognised by many service providers and stops the need of having to carry forms.

justanotheruser18 · 25/05/2018 15:48

It's so unfair. I don't understand 'the system'. I'm sorry for your friend but you clearly need as much support if not more than she does. I guess you aren't priority because you haven't been made homeless as you rent privately.

I know someone who was living with their mother, got pregnant (single mother) by choice via assisted conception (self funded) and then claimed homelessness to get a free house.

FreudianSlurp · 25/05/2018 15:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

theredjellybean · 25/05/2018 15:51

OP why do you think you deserve a council house?
I am genuinely curious.
You can afford your private rent but the house you rent doesn't meet your son's needs. Why don't you move to a different rented house? Why should you get a reduced rent council house?
I can afford my mortgage but would like to live in a cheaper subsidised house.. After all I work and pay taxes

lastnightidreamtofpotatoes · 25/05/2018 15:52

In honesty we are in a high demand area for SH and the only people I know who got a house were the ones that played the system. It rankles, but that's life I suppose.
OP in fairness you really don't sound like you are anywhere near 'priority' but if it bothers you that much then report them.

BewareOfDragons · 25/05/2018 15:53

Total scam.

Your friend and her boyfriend are revolting.

Not sure what you can do about it though, other than find better friends.

You are judged by the company you keep.

MimpiDreams · 25/05/2018 15:56

I think it's terrible that people feel pitted against each other for housing like this. Essentially forced by successive governments to squabble over the crumbs. It about time they pulled their fingers out and got on with building a system which provides decent, reasonably priced, secure housing for everyone.

I now live abroad and my experience of social housing here really brings home how utterly shit it is in the UK.

I hope you get what you need soon OP. Nobody should have to wait years for a secure home.

Emmasmum2013 · 25/05/2018 15:57

Neither of you need a council house by the sounds of it.
You can afford private rented. Just because you can't afford to buy your own home doesn't mean you're entitled to a council house.

And if you're really that bothered about your "friend" why don't you report her? Unless there's some missing information here, she's not in need of the house either. She could move back into the mortgaged house with her partner?

I feel sorry for the person who was probably a band 2 on the list who actually needed the house that she took, who was truly homeless with kids.

LegallyBrunet · 25/05/2018 15:59

OP, my mum and stepdad both work full time, pay their taxes and care for my severely disabled brother. The council won’t even put a sodding ramp in for his wheelchair meaning we have to bounce him up steps. It’s got to the point where they’re both struggling to lift him and both have back pain but we still can’t get a hoist or lift. If you’re in my area, you probably aren’t getting a council house.

CressyBessy · 25/05/2018 15:59

Why do you need a house?

You’re able to rent privately. Why on earth should you take a house from someone in need?