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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

New build council estate?

28 replies

MrsSopranos · 10/08/2019 00:53

We live in a two bed flat with our two girls , one has special needs. We have been told we have a chance if maybe getting a new build council house in a rather undesirable area, the flat we are in isn't the greatest either but it's quiet enough. We are torn between moving to an unknown, maybe rough area for an extra bedroom or stay put and making do in the home we are in that ticks every other box. Does anyone else live in a new built council area? Am worried about neighbors noise/crime. Really stuck on a decision.

OP posts:
HelenaDove · 10/08/2019 02:44

There have been many problems with a few of the new builds. If you are offered one can you afford to have an independent survey done.

HappyLoneParentDay · 10/08/2019 03:17

The new build council houses are on regular privately owned developments - only 20% of them are for social housing (council). So there won't be a lot of other council houses around you.

It was a government scheme to end council estates, by requiring every new development to have at least 20% social housing.

Personally I'd take it. You could always exchange if you're not happy? My friend has one and it's truly stunning! She even got brand new carpets included (other social housing has no flooring at all. It's always all ripped up after each tenant) and a stunning kitchen with built in appliances all included. The craziest part of it however, is that she even has an electric car charging port on the side of her house!

Gingerkittykat · 10/08/2019 03:20

I don't think anyone can give a proper opinion unless they know the area you are talking about.

How rough is it? Is it just council or part of a bigger estate of new builds with a mix of private too?

PinkFlowerFairy · 10/08/2019 03:20

Wont it be other people like yourself?

Original poster
MrsSopranos · 10/08/2019 12:36

I think it will be a mix of council/private. Was just worried about noise and anti social behavior, where we are now luckily is quite quiet but have experienced the noisier side too, we are really quiet as a family and special needs dd is noise sensitive

OP posts:
Wishihad · 10/08/2019 12:42

I lived for 5 years on a new build estate. Near the housing authority houses. One family was an issue, because of their aggressive dogs. But to be honest I dont know if the was a HA or not.

Never any issues.

I now live on an older estate where all but 4 houses are council houses. On the edge of a 'well to do' village. Its known to be rough.

But actually we have far less crime than the collagen it's a lot quieter and everyone gets on.

My friend lives in the heart of the village. Police are always around. People blasting music out until 2am. Every so often there seem to be a rave going on, or someone letting fireworks off. The Facebook page is hilarious. Lots of posts about 'outsiders' moving into the village. They all campaigned to stop a field being used for new house and lobbied the council to have it set up as playing fields for kids sports. Now complain the kids playing sport for 3 hours on a sunday morning is too noisy and that needs banning etc.

All the houses are privately owned. More than twice as much as my house. I woudlnt have one given, although everyone talks about how lovely the village is. It's an area everyone wants to move to.

Happy where I am.

PinkFlowerFairy · 10/08/2019 12:55

Why is it considered undesirable?

Lots of new build estates are fine and its just snobbery.

There are some.v rough city centre estates or known rough areas.

Are you talking gangs/stabbings etc?

If not the extra space for your child to have their own room will outweigh "undesirable" snob factor wont it?

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 10/08/2019 13:16

How can it be in an undesirable area if its new build? Surely it will just have people similar to yourself moving in?

Original poster
MrsSopranos · 10/08/2019 13:18

No not stabbing etc, I mean really noisy house parties, junkies, couches in the front garden sorts. I am not a snob at all, but some people get given lovely new build houses and ruin them 😟

OP posts:
NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 10/08/2019 13:30

Well considering how quickly they've turned a new build estate into a place where junkies have noisy parties and sofas are dumped in the gardens then no way would I live there. Why would anyone who had a choice? Stay put or wait for a better offer.

Sandybval · 10/08/2019 13:43

But a lot of them will be just like you, families who need some help with housing Confused I would go for the bigger house to be honest, you're just as likely to get people like this moving into the older houses as well as the new builds.

TheQueef · 10/08/2019 13:47

Is it council or will it be HA?
The flat you live in is that council, private or HA?

Original poster
MrsSopranos · 10/08/2019 13:57

HA to HA transfer, houses haven't been built yet, but the area they will be in is quite rough x

OP posts:
TheQueef · 10/08/2019 14:04

An ok. But if you do end up moving do double check your new tenancy agreement.
Make sure any RTA (right to acquire) is the same and length of tenancy etc.
Remember HA are businesses to make a profit (in a lot of cases now) and can be sneaky.

Regarding moving. Will the new build have decent size rooms and garden? There is truth in the saying they don't make em like they used to.
I would need to see the finished build before making a final decision.

BeanBag7 · 10/08/2019 14:08

I wouldn't want to live in a new build. Friends of mine have had to deal with shoddy workmanship and very long delays before being able to move in. If you like your current house and location I would stay.
Would the extra bedroom make a huge difference to your girls quality of life? If so I would consider it but otherwise not.

Mouikey · 10/08/2019 14:19

I don’t really understand your question because it is a total unknown. The houses are yet to be built, you haven’t explained the size of the new housing estate, is it purely affordable/social housing, and your concerns would relate to any house move in any area.

A brand new housing estate built in a rougher area doesn’t mean it will be rough... a new housing development is normally 20-40% affordable housing and of that some will be shared ownership. If large enough you’ll find that new play areas will be created.

If you like where you live, stay, but if you’re being offered more space for your family, why not get the plans for the estate out (look at your local planning authority at the council) and take a look. If there are market houses, go look round them to get a feel of the build quality (which in lots of new builds is shocking!).

Jellybeansincognito · 10/08/2019 14:30

‘MrsSopranos

I think it will be a mix of council/private. Was just worried about noise and anti social behavior, where we are now luckily is quite quiet but have experienced the noisier side too, we are really quiet as a family and special needs dd is noise sensitive’

There’s no guarantee it will stay that way where you are.

We have just got some new neighbours, they’re disrespectfully loud... they’re council, were private. Nightmare.

Dinomom52 · 10/08/2019 15:42

I live in between 2 council tenants. Terraced houses.

We live on a bad rep mostly council estate. I actually love it here. Wouldn’t live anywhere else

PookieDo · 10/08/2019 16:13

I live on an estate like this and there are no issues but it isn’t known as antisocial

You can’t get a survey done on a council house I am very LOL about that whoever suggested it 😂😂
You get to view it once then you must decide there and then!

HelenaDove · 10/08/2019 17:02

You can’t get a survey done on a council house I am very LOL about that whoever suggested it.

Well i know a few tenants who have done just that when they have had a surveyor from their HA out insisting there is nothing wrong with the property or that a certain repair doesnt need to be done. LOL

Original poster
MrsSopranos · 10/08/2019 17:05

Thankyou for all your replies. It's just the unknown I'm wary of, suppose it will be fine. Will have a look when built x

OP posts:
PookieDo · 10/08/2019 17:07

@HelenaDove

When they already live in it
Not before they move in

manicinsomniac · 10/08/2019 17:09

I would move. Your NT daughter is going to need her own space apart from her sister as they get older.

LoafofSellotape · 10/08/2019 17:13

Regarding the unknown,if you live in a practically any road in London you are more than likely to have a mix of people and you have no idea who will be living next to you as there's such a mix of HA and private housing,it's all pot luck and people from different backgrounds living cheek by jowl. Remember that your flat might not continue to be quiet if someone moves out and someone noisier moves in so it might be that you'd be better off in a house.

Bobbindobbin · 10/08/2019 17:23

If HA tenants are the ones causing anti social behaviour then the HA will have a team to help solve the problem and evict if necessary. Far far better to have nuisance neighbours in HA properties than private !!

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