Home swapping is ridiculous

[Aaliyah1990]

I’m more than frustrated with the fact that you could bid for years and not get anywhere. Then you think to yourself oh maybe house swap might help? Nope not at all!!! the housing system is a big joke if you ain’t got a garden you can forget it,the demands people are asking for just makes you feel worse and all your hopes are thrown out the window. It’s almost like doing the lottery and hoping you get lucky. I don’t know if somehow these so called serious swappers are getting a power buzz out of it cause that’s what it’s seem to me. In all reality we should all stop compiling to these ridiculous set ups, you waste so many of years being unhappy then you feel as you have to beg in a way to get a property you want. I think it’s all wrong and the council should be responsible if your over crowded etc and the bidding set up is more of a joke you’ll be on there for centuries 🙄. Until the day everyone stops compiling then that’s the day you’ll be able to get what you want but everyone seems to conform to things that are unrealistic,draining and upsetting. From today I’m not doing any of the guideline rules forget it!!! It doesn’t work out and it just makes their jobs easier while we suffer nope not anymore. So on that note I’ll get back to you guys. I’ll update to see that my situation will have improved. And I’ll let you what I did to get out of the flat/cage I’m in.

HennyPennyHorror

You're 100% right....circumstances do change.....however unfortunately some parents once those circumstances change continue to have children.

I think house swapping is more than a great idea OP if there is a person who has had a family and their family have grown up and moved out then why not request a house swap for a smaller place? Alot of older people would be happy with a flat with no garden....your time will come

@Mammyloveswine

I agree. But to some expecting people to be financially responsible for the children they choose to create is an alien comcept.

The socialist come out in force on these posts.

Just a good job all of us don’t think that way or there’d be no money coming in to pay for anybody!! If we all took the same view/attitude.

@BrieAndChilli I agree it should be temporary.

And the same way you’re entitled to a bigger place when you have more kids your entitlement should go down when they move out!

Lol yourscarcasmlsdripping it’s crazyness

Thank you very much cloudly much appreciated

Candlefloozy I’m glad that you where able to get in a much better situation it’s really good to hear. And at least you understand where I’m coming from some people will get and some won’t thats just the way it goes sometimes

I think most of the posters here are just ranting their own personal views without reading and considering what you've said.

It sounds very stressful, and you sound desperately trapped. Although we were home owners rather than council, we were once in a situation where we were in dispute with our neighbours and couldn't sell. The combination of being subject to a harrassing situation and not being able to move had a terrible effect on my mental health.

Look after yourself, and see if you can get access to any support like counselling from your GP. It sounds horrible for you, and I wish you all the best with it.

The council swap issue is secondary to the fact that you are feeling so trapped. If you're in London I could imagine how impossible it might be to get an affordable private rental. Can you contemplate moving further afield?

I can think of one very good reason NOT to buy a house rather than rent.

I own my house, mortgaged, bought when I was earning reasonable money. Due to health reasons I don't have the earning power I used to have, however as a single person who can just about manage to work (when I can find an employer willing to take on my health issues) I am not eligible for any benefits. I could claim ESA, but at a little over £70 per week that doesn't even cover the interest on my mortgage. As a home owner, I get no form of housing benefit for 30 weeks of continuous unemployment, then I would get the interest paid for a shortish period of time (think it's one or two years) then on my own again.

I could sell my house, use up the bit of equity in it by renting privately, then try to get HB but as a single person who isn't registered disabled I would be so far down the list that even a bedsit would be unlikely do it would have to be private. The cheapest rental in my area is roughly double my mortgage interest.

So I would actually have been better off always renting rather than buying, as at least I would get some help!

“Or dont have kids you can't afford... controversial but true”

That is just unnecessary and ignorant not true ...you don’t know the OP’s situation - she could have escaped an abusive relationship, had a very tough upbringing, working and still not making enough...just because someone lives in a council flat, does not mean they have too many kids they can’t afford to take care of...she was looking for input/encouragement - not judgement / mean comments - I don’t get this kind of ‘mean girl’ vibes in adulthood.

Gauntletthrown nobody is asking you to summon any sympathy from anywhere tbh. Victim complex 🙄🤣 and Yh go get a deposit so me and my son are really stable great thinking Batman.

Cloudspotter thank you very much . Yh I agree a lot of ppl seem to read what they want then get to typing as quick as possible to put there Input in. It’s almost like there commenting just for the sake of it lol it’s really weird actually. Any yes certain situation can definitely have an effect on our mental health but I’m glad your not in that situation anymore.

I would make an appointment to see the Housing Officer and carefully explain the overcrowding situation. Get them to come and see you. Show them.
Is there anything you can do about the overcrowding? Who is actually living with you?
( not asking, just for you to think on)
You could also ask to move outside of your area, they can liaise with other Housing Associations.
For the people that tell you to rent, that's nasty when you cannot afford it.
I've helped folk with Housing issues and its no joke.
Good Luck

Hi Ravenesque, my point about being suspicious about only being offered exchanges in London is that I am always hearing about tenants being priced out of their properties and then having to move out of London anyway. Is it because they are claiming HB and their benefits don't cover their entire rent?

As it stands, the rent that I'm paying is maybe £20 - 30 a week difference to what is being offered in London and the wages are quite a bit higher there.

Can someone please help clarify if that sounds correct, thanks .

Hi op
I've read your comments but not others so not sure if this has been said.
My understanding is that you are not overcrowded. Unfortunately a living room is classed as a space you can sleep in so you are not overcrowded.
I know it doesn't help with the living situation but I guess the council aren't worried as you aren't officially overcrowded.
You need to push the council regarding your other issues and ensure that you report anything that happens to you and your son.
Are you in receipt of housing benefits or UC as if you are you can get help with rent in advance and moving costs (DHP) if you want to consider moving to private rented

Bravelurker, rent is definitely more in London but still way cheaper than private rent. I don't think it can be a HB thing because that's based on local rents so it's unlikely to not cover the rent of social housing. There really are quite a lot of people who want to move out of London for non-dodgy reasons so it's worth giving those swappers the benefit of the doubt.

Of course non-dodgy reasons and being serious about swapping aren't mutually exclusive. I was supposed to visit a flat a couple of months ago and the day before I called to confirm was told "I'll call you back in a few minutes" and that was that. I texted, called a couple of times but nothing. I was ghosted. Sometimes it's akin to being on dating sites.

And yet still people are posting the same old self opinionated, self important drivel, filling in any gaps in information to big up their limited knowledge and understanding, without taking the time and effort to engage in discussion. If anyone makes a comment that challenges their ignorance, we get the classic 'Nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh you're a socialist' playground mentality. While I don't have any particular political allegiance, better a socialist than a fascist IMO.

Op, I am getting a little bit angry on your behalf at all the dumb fuck responses from people who probably attack rough sleepers who don't have to pay rent /mortgage/bills.
Those homeless folk don't know how lucky they are .

Lol don’t even let it get to you mate. Some ppl at really weird on the internet. Because no one can see who they are so they just write any crap

Bravelurker Lol don’t even let it get to you mate. Some ppl act really weird on the internet. Because no one can see who they are so they just write any crap

Oh fgs. Why do people in this country think it's their God-given right to access social housing?
Privately rent!
Does my head in.
Social housing has gone out the window.

Devour13 it’s shocking behaviour smh

Op, I could really do with your attitude as I am a sensitive soul hence my username - I lurk rather than post because I can't bear rude, horrible people and their stupid as f, ignorant opinions .

Oh fgs. Why do people in this country think it's their God-given right to access social housing?
Privately rent!

I actually think safe, affordable and secure housing is a right not a privilege. Privately renting is not secure, is not always safe and is not always affordable. Until the private renting situation is sorted out people need to stop demonising people who want social housing. The problem is not with social tenants it is with amateur private LLs and criminally run lettings agencies cashing on the basic needs and rights of those less fortunate than themselves.

Bravelurker I just think to my self some of these ppl can’t be serious lol and I just have to laugh otherwise I’ll be just using energy on the wrong kind of thing,also deep breaths have been helping lol. And I appreciate you commenting your view on things

Frequency I agree with what you saying a 100%. I really don’t understand why that person even commented that lol a strange way of thinking God given right smh