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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think this is really taking advantage of the council and us as taxpayers?

21 replies

Lentils · 13/08/2007 17:17

I know a woman whose dh "inherited" a council owned flat in Notting Hill from his father, so has had it from the 60's. You can imagine the "rent" they pay for it. They recently had a child and requested the council upgrade them, which they did, giving them a 2 bed garden flat in Holland Park. So now they are renting the flat out at market rate and living in her fil's house (while he is away abroad). Am I being unreasonable to think this is really taking the piss? Her argument was that if the gov't hadn't allowed for house prices to get out of control, she wouldn't have to resort to this, so she is within her rights to do so.

OP posts:

Sheherazadethegoat · 13/08/2007 17:19

yabu

NAB3 · 13/08/2007 17:19

Sounds completely unreasonable but is probably allowed.

NAB3 · 13/08/2007 17:20

Have reread. She has asked for another flat from the council which she now isn't living in andis claiming rent for it? Unbelievable.

ledodgy · 13/08/2007 17:20

You can't sub- let council accomodation surely?

LIZS · 13/08/2007 17:20

can you sublet a council property ?

bookwormtailmum · 13/08/2007 17:21

It's taking the piss but if they didn't do it, someone else probably would. Wonder if the sub-tenant is a council tenant too? .

NAB3 · 13/08/2007 17:21

That doesn't make it right.

Original poster

Lentils · 13/08/2007 17:24

No, it is completely against the rules to sublet council property.

OP posts:

bookwormtailmum · 13/08/2007 17:25

Well you could probably report her for abusing the system if you want but you'd have to prove that it was a permanent arrangement. She could argue that she was minding the house for a few weeks whilst FIL was abroad and was doing a friend a favour in the meantime. It's not right but there are worse things in the world.

Sheherazadethegoat · 13/08/2007 17:25

is her father coming back from 'abroad'

Original poster

Lentils · 13/08/2007 17:26

he's permanently retired and living indef. in Spain.

OP posts:

SaintGeorge · 13/08/2007 17:28

A council property can change hands through succession or assignment.

Succession only happens at death, to next of kin and they must have lived at the property for at least 12 months.

Assignment can be made before death but the same rules apply. The original tenant has no further legal rights over the property.

Succession or assignment can only happen once at any address. If the property is still in the ownership of the council on the death of the succeeded/assigned tenant, then the rights to the lease must be handed back.

LIZS · 13/08/2007 17:29

Unfortunately it is instances like this that undermine the whole system. I'm all for social housing , for those who need it but "inheriting" the right to occupy, subletting and even continuing to take advantage of subsidised rents when family circumstances have changed and it is no longer necessary, while others have to wait, doesn't seem right.

Kathyis6incheshigh · 13/08/2007 17:30

No, of course you're not being unreasonable. What she and her FIL are doing is completely illegal and immoral. Not just because it's taking advantage of taxpayers, but because it's stopping someone else who needs a council property from having one.

I have heard that there is a lot of this about and there will be a crackdown, especially in London, as councils have to deal with the problem of shortage of housing for keyworkers.

catsmother · 13/08/2007 17:32

"Her argument was that if the gov't hadn't allowed for house prices to get out of control, she wouldn't have to resort to this, so she is within her rights to do so.
"

I don't think you're being unreasonable to feel mad at this.

The above excuse could feasibly be used for all sorts of criminal acts - for example, mortgage fraud (due to inaffordability of housing), or theft (because you can't afford your rent/mortgage etc) and many more, yet I can't see it standing up in court !

Council properties shouldn't be sublet - and I bet it's not being let out at council rent either, so this person is actually profiting from having a council home. They are supposed to be for people in genuine need. I can't fathom the "having to resort to this" at all ...... why can't they live in said flat, be grateful they have one (instead of B&B like many needy families on the waiting list) and, if FIL wanted his house taken care of while he's abroad, let that out ??

I think I'd report her, for the sake of all those in desparate situations whose move into decent accommodation is being held up by all those who abuse the system like this.

hanaflower · 16/08/2007 14:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

expatinscotland · 16/08/2007 14:55

I'd say report them.

flowerybeanbag · 16/08/2007 14:57

YANBU. There are people who need council accommodation who have to wait. Report her.

mm22bys · 16/08/2007 15:17

YANBU. Report them.

I'd report the father too. If the father is overseas, how can he still be entitled to a council property?

(I know nothing about council properties, so sorry if I sound really ignorant!)

ImBarryScott · 16/08/2007 15:35

YANBU.
It's both illegal and immoral.
Think of all those poor people in shitty B&B accommodation who are stuck on housing waiting lists while people pull stunts like this.
I'd be very tempted to make an anonymous call to the council.....

sparklygothkat · 16/08/2007 15:41

There has been a story here recently. A man in his 50s has been living and paying the rent on a 2 bed house with his mother. When his father died, the tenacy are passed to the mother. The mother has died and now the council say that this man must move out, they have been to court now to get the man evicted.he has lived in this house for 54 years, always maintained the house and paid the rent. How can the council do that and yet people are illegaly renting out their council flat??

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