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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To buy a house next to housing association properties?

328 replies

Brightskiesahead · 13/01/2021 20:55

I need some advice/opinions please.

Soon to be divorced and left with some equity to buy a small house for me and 2 primary age DC.

One has come up on a new build development which is great on paper. Detached, 3 bed, garage, 2 parking spaces and west facing garden. It's in budget. I can't stretch to the next house type up. But the house types I'm looking at are next to housing association properties. The immediate neighbour is a disabled property then its 5 terraced houses of HA.

Would you buy it?

I can't investigate the area as it's not complete yet. The general neighbour hood is lovely (I live close by currently).

OP posts:
LizFlowers · 15/01/2021 14:07

There was absolutely nothing snobbish about Bright's opening post, it was perfectly reasonable and anyone contemplating buying a house would want to know as much as possible about the immediate area.

Lots of defensive people on this thread.

thedancingbear · 15/01/2021 14:24

@LizFlowers

There was absolutely nothing snobbish about Bright's opening post, it was perfectly reasonable and anyone contemplating buying a house would want to know as much as possible about the immediate area.

Lots of defensive people on this thread.

People tend to get 'defensive' when they're told they're not fit to have as neighbours because they are 'council'.

The OP didn't say, should I find out what the area is like. She effectively said 'I can see council houses from my bedroom window. should i be scared'.

Bigoted as fuck.

amusedbush · 15/01/2021 14:26

We own our house in a small square of houses, many of which are HA. They are all occupied by lovely people aged 60-80.

Before we moved last year we were in a street of privately rented flats (we were also renting). We were surrounded by rude, aggressive children who broke things and screamed from sun up to sun down and if you dared say anything, a parent would appear and start shouting ‘who the fuck do you think you are, talking to my kids like that?’ etc. The parents would have parties every weekend and more than once a couple of them got shitfaced and starting fighting in the street at 2am.

I know where I’d rather live.

funinthesun19 · 15/01/2021 14:32

It’s fine as long as you don’t go moaning about them having the same house as you “for free” and that their boiler gets fixed “for free.” etc.... The usual things that people moan about when they buy a house next to HA houses.

thedancingbear · 15/01/2021 14:37

@funinthesun19

It’s fine as long as you don’t go moaning about them having the same house as you “for free” and that their boiler gets fixed “for free.” etc.... The usual things that people moan about when they buy a house next to HA houses.
It's pretty clear from the OP that she may have to see working class people.

OP, maybe you could ask the council to put screens up?

Abracadabra12345 · 15/01/2021 16:19

So has this thread in any way helped, OP?

Kate139 · 15/01/2021 17:25

Housing Association properties are affordable rent properties and generally working people or families with a parent that works are offered these properties...some are offered to disabled people also. They are different to council properties (flats/houses) who generally house the homeless or those with problems or out of work. If the area is nice and a new estate I don't see why you would have any problems from people in the housing association properties.

LizFlowers · 15/01/2021 18:13

@Abracadabra12345

So has this thread in any way helped, OP?
I was wondering the same, Abra :-). The op came on here asking a reasonable question and has been faced with endless posters who have chips on shoulders, calling her a snob!

You do your research, op, and make up your mind based on that, not from what you may have gleaned on Mumsnet.

If I move house I certainly won't be mentioning it on here.

Good luck.

AnxiousSM · 16/01/2021 16:55

So anyone who believes the OP to be an outrageous snob has a chip on their shoulder. Righty ho!

Grapewrath · 16/01/2021 17:55

The comments on this thread. I have second hand embarrassment for some people.
OP I work in housing. New builds are dodgy territory not because of HA tenants but because there’s no hierarchy usually so ends up with everyone moving in and going as they please as they don’t feel they have to impress or pacify neighbours who already live there. This can result in some anti social behaviour- ime more from the private homes. Also if you are wary of council houses ( with no need to be!) bear in mind the social housing at the minute is in very short supply and councils are widely supporting families to rent privately.
If there are any issues with HA tenants then you can go to the HA. With private owners or tenants it’s tough shit do I’d be warier off the latter
In addition, new estates are usually lots of young families which means lots of kids playing out. If you find that a benefit, great. If not, don’t bother.
HA tenants really are the very least of your problem

Grapewrath · 16/01/2021 17:57

Also watch out for bullying tenants associations and neighbourhood watch who tend to target social housing tenants and make a very unpleasant atmosphere for all

LizFlowers · 16/01/2021 18:18

@AnxiousSM

So anyone who believes the OP to be an outrageous snob has a chip on their shoulder. Righty ho!
She clearly isn't an outrageous snob so, yes. I could see nothing snobbish about her posts, she asked questions which any potential home owner would ask and made no judgement on the inhabitants of the area.
vodkaredbullgirl · 16/01/2021 20:10

It was her family and friends, who said not to move near HA.

AnxiousSM · 16/01/2021 22:50

I don’t have a chip on my shoulder but I can’t stand the tone of these people who consider themselves so much better than their equals who just don’t have the ability to find a huge deposit. As a single mum she should no better than to think of herself as any better than another single mum who is living in HA!!

LizFlowers · 16/01/2021 23:07

@AnxiousSM

I don’t have a chip on my shoulder but I can’t stand the tone of these people who consider themselves so much better than their equals who just don’t have the ability to find a huge deposit. As a single mum she should no better than to think of herself as any better than another single mum who is living in HA!!
The op doesn't think she's better than any other single mother living in HA, though. She never even hinted at that! Read her opening post again (without bristling in advance).

You, and others, are being defensive when there is absolutely no need, which is actually quite snobbish.

CrazyCatLover · 16/01/2021 23:31

Wouldn’t touch it. Lived on an awful street like that before. HA people have an attitude problem towards people who actually own their house and have a job.

donewithitalltodayandxmas · 16/01/2021 23:47

@CrazyCatLover what all ha people? How judfemental of you I live in a HA house I don't have issue with people who own a house , just wish I was able. I do have an issue with people who tArt everyone with the same brush though , but you are not the first and won't be the last that has judged me because I live in a HA house.

donewithitalltodayandxmas · 16/01/2021 23:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

donewithitalltodayandxmas · 16/01/2021 23:51

@craZycatlady sorry wrong person asked for it to be removed

LizFlowers · 16/01/2021 23:56

@CrazyCatLover

Wouldn’t touch it. Lived on an awful street like that before. HA people have an attitude problem towards people who actually own their house and have a job.
Crazycat: The house the op was looking at with a view to buying had one home for a disabled person and a terrace of five HA properties nearby; all others were owner occupied. She wasn't looking at a predominantly HA estate.

"HA people have an attitude problem towards people who actually own their house and have a job."

I've known people in HA properties who've had jobs, it never occurred to me that most wouldn't! I do 'get' that some may have an attitude towards home owners (just another form of snobbery), but surely most don't even think of it. Many move on to buying their own houses eventually anyway.

GodOfPhwoar · 17/01/2021 00:20

Not read the thread but know exactly how these always go!

Loads of anecdotal stories about their lovely HA neighbours and people getting massively offended at ‘the sheer snobbery’.

Majority of HA residents are likely fine, and you can get shit neighbours anywhere. However, when you get some scumbag addict dealing out of his flat it’s fairly certain that he won’t be a homeowner or renting a luxury detached property. He’ll be in a council property.

Littlelilyx · 17/01/2021 00:22

I done it and never looked back 😁 kids play together fine x

LizFlowers · 17/01/2021 00:29

@Littlelilyx

I done it and never looked back 😁 kids play together fine x
You done it, did you?
LegoAndLolDolls · 17/01/2021 00:43

Being practical I dont like new build estates. The gardens are tiny, communal green spaces dont get looked after ( looked at a few town houses with a mix of flats that overlooked a central strip of green, it was overgrown and full of rubbish). Plus they only have two parking spaces normally so anti socail parking of neighbours. If it's a better design ( hard to get scale on your map ) then maybe. But I just think they are overcrowded most of the time

Littlelilyx · 17/01/2021 00:45

Oh hey! Yep just pm’d if you don’t mind x

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