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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To swap my council house

77 replies

flossie86 · 30/04/2019 16:48

Okay so this is my first time posting, more of a WWYD. I rent a Council house, it's a Victorian terrace 3 story, livingroom dining room small kitchen 4 bedrooms 2 large one small & one box room. I have a small L shaped patio type yard, small but enough room for table/chairs some fairy lights few pots etc will attach photo of part of it. The street is mainly bought houses with just 2 council including mines. All in all a great house however I've been wanting a back garden for my 3 children for a long time & have a girl interested in swapping. She has a new build house on a council estate, 3 bedroom no dining room but enlarge kitchen & a great back garden with lawn. Now the catch is her house is 500per month whereas mines is 350per month, my house has character & not on an estate with high ceilings & long halls but hers has the large garden that I've been longing for & the house is only 2 years old, would I be unreasonable to swap based solely on wanting a large garden for my 3 DC one of whom is on the spectrum & cant play outside? Wwyd

To swap my council house
OP posts:
GreenTulips · 30/04/2019 16:49

I’d prefer them to have their own bedroom and make use of local parks

feelingsinister · 30/04/2019 16:51

I can see the temptation but I wouldn't swap. You'll be paying more for fewer bedrooms in a less nice area for the sake of getting out to the park regularly.

I like having a garden to sit in but I wouldn't lose a lot of house space to get it.

kaytee87 · 30/04/2019 16:52

No, I wouldn't.

donajimena · 30/04/2019 16:53

I wouldn't move. Your house sounds lovely. Also I know people have to share rooms but trust me when they are older you'll be desperate for more bedrooms and I doubt you'll get another 4 bed.

DillyDilly · 30/04/2019 16:54

I wouldn’t, you’re going from a good sized house where everyone has their own bedroom (a huge benefit as children get older and want their own space) to a smaller house with two sharing a bedroom and a substantial rent increase a month. Plus bring a new built, the house may not be as sound-proof as where you are now.

Tingface · 30/04/2019 16:54

Not a chance would I do that swap.

Original poster
flossie86 · 30/04/2019 16:55

Thanks guys I just keep trying to weigh up the pros & cons, just keep picturing my kids enjoying a paddling pool/trampoline etc etc but in reality we dont get very many sunny days I suppose & we do live 5 mins from park, I've never had a proper garden before and have always always wanted one

OP posts:
boredboredboredboredbored · 30/04/2019 16:55

No way. 3/4 of the year a garden is not useable when its winter and you're all stuck in a smaller house you'll regret your decision.

Lanaa · 30/04/2019 16:58

I wouldn't move what what sounds like a lovely house and pay more to live on an estate. New builds are often shoddily built - you'll miss the high ceilings if you move.

Surely there must be a park nearby that your DC can play on, or do you have an alleyway at the back of the yard? Join forces with your neighbours, clean it up and use that as a space for the DC to play. The garden

Original poster
flossie86 · 30/04/2019 17:00

Good point about them needing a room each as teenagers, the boys are happy to share now but doubt that will be the case when they are older lol

OP posts:
hammeringinmyhead · 30/04/2019 17:02

You'll barely use it - paddling pools immediately fill with dead flies and grass. The B&Q garden advert activities are so far from reality.

Original poster
flossie86 · 30/04/2019 17:02

We do have an alleyway but it is so narrow, we have enough room for a sandpit & few plants so might just need to get creative

OP posts:
InterchangeableEmma · 30/04/2019 17:13

Much as a garden is a wonderful thing to have I'd not swap, no. A 40% plus rent hike for a not-as-nice house in a not-as-nice area? Absolutely not.

Purpleartichoke · 30/04/2019 17:15

We have a large garden. I really only value it for meaning there is space between us and the neighbors.

BlueSkiesLies · 30/04/2019 17:17

No way! Stay where you are. Everyone has their own room and your house is cheaper and nicer.

Bringbackthestripes · 30/04/2019 17:18

Also new builds have very flimsy walls. My DM can hear her neighbours doing EVERYTHING in her council house. Stick with the solid Victorian and with the saving in rent you can have lots of nice days out.

AuldJosey · 30/04/2019 17:18

If it was a south facing garden I'd consider it.

LittleOwl153 · 30/04/2019 17:18

I'd pass on this one, but I'm assuming you are on the council swap list - so stay on it! You house sounds quite desirable so it us quiet likely you will get other offers.

llangennith · 30/04/2019 17:27

You can put a paddling pool on a patio you just have to put those thick foam jigsaw shaped pads down first to make it safe. And the sandpit doesn't have to be huge.
Don't swap your house!

givemesteel · 30/04/2019 17:38

Oh no way OP, it sounds like over all you've got a great house.

Don't move to a council estate from where you are, consider who your neighbours might be and that crime may be higher (before people accuse me of bias my nan lived on a council estate and was burgled several times).

Your patio looks like you've set it up for you not your kids. I'm sure if you moved the garden furniture you could get some more kid friendly stuff in there (Idk what as you font say how old your kids are).

The pro of this house does not weigh up the cons.

Blahdeblahbahhhhh · 30/04/2019 17:40

Don’t swap!

OVAgroundWOMBlingfree · 30/04/2019 17:49

Your current house sounds great.
We have a yard and a separate garden and we have the paddling pool in the yard area rather than the lawned garden just because it’s closer to the house. We put foam padding underneath and around and it works perfectly well.

I wouldn’t give up a nice house you can continue to grow into, for a garden that will only be used on sunny days and will soon be grown out of when your DC go to secondary school.

Omzlas · 30/04/2019 17:53

Not a chance. Take them to local.parks etc etc

You may be in a position to buy your house in the future and the value would be higher too, just based on your description. The fact you have so many bedrooms adds value too, for me anyway, keeping teenagers apart will keep you same.

As PP said, make your outside area more child friendly and you're sorted.

Tumbleweed101 · 30/04/2019 17:56

I’ve got a large garden and it’s an awful lot of work to keep on top of, even though I’m grateful to have it.

The important thing is you have private outdoor space to enjoy. A bit of shifting of the furniture and you’d be able to fit in a paddling pool on hot days.

LaCastafiore · 30/04/2019 17:59

This thread will go so well with posters who are against the benefits system