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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

People in Council houses should be reassessed…

352 replies

AlwaysAnnoyed · 30/08/2022 20:44

I want to tread carefully. But then again I’m pissed off.

I live in a 3 bed house with a mortgage. On our estate there is a selection of Council houses. I have no issue with people having Council homes, people fall on hard times and DESERVE support.

however what really grinds my gears, is on our estate we have one Council house which have 2 brand new Audi’s. Top of the range. Just got back off holiday to Florida. Weekends away. they pay £350 a month to the council for this 4 bed property. (They are very loud about telling everyone this)

it really really winds me up. We have a COST of living crisis, people are going to be struggling to pay bills but yet there are people who are in these Council houses on holidays and brand new cars.

it doesn’t seem fair. Surely Council houses need to be regularly means tested… How can this happen? Able to afford 2 brand new cars but cannot afford to pay their own rent/mortgage!

or am I just being a moany witch!

OP posts:
vodkaredbullgirl · 30/08/2022 20:47

🙄

Original poster
AlwaysAnnoyed · 30/08/2022 20:48

@vodkaredbullgirl id genuinely love to hear your opinion on this????

OP posts:
RocketPanda · 30/08/2022 20:49

Maybe they won the lotto.

vodkaredbullgirl · 30/08/2022 20:50

Honest opinion, yes you are a moany mare.

x2boys · 30/08/2022 20:50

AlwaysAnnoyed · 30/08/2022 20:44

I want to tread carefully. But then again I’m pissed off.

I live in a 3 bed house with a mortgage. On our estate there is a selection of Council houses. I have no issue with people having Council homes, people fall on hard times and DESERVE support.

however what really grinds my gears, is on our estate we have one Council house which have 2 brand new Audi’s. Top of the range. Just got back off holiday to Florida. Weekends away. they pay £350 a month to the council for this 4 bed property. (They are very loud about telling everyone this)

it really really winds me up. We have a COST of living crisis, people are going to be struggling to pay bills but yet there are people who are in these Council houses on holidays and brand new cars.

it doesn’t seem fair. Surely Council houses need to be regularly means tested… How can this happen? Able to afford 2 brand new cars but cannot afford to pay their own rent/mortgage!

or am I just being a moany witch!

How do you know so much about your neighbours ?
I live in a council house I couldn't tell you where my next door neighbours have holidayed
We have a brand new car it's my disabled child, s disability car .

dressupinyou · 30/08/2022 20:50

They are paying their own rent, you're just pissy because you don't think they pay enough. Concentrate on your own life and mind your own business.

ClocksGoingBackwards · 30/08/2022 20:50

I get how you feel because for the vast majority, a council tenancy in an area of homeowners seems like the holy grail of housing with all the benefits it comes with. But if you reassess people who get them, how would you stop it being more sensible for those people to remain on a low income? How do you make them want to become mortgage owners or private tenants when both come with so much expense that their quality of life would decrease?

Namenic · 30/08/2022 20:51

Leave them alone. They haven’t done anything bad to you. Maybe they could buy the house off the council and sell it on at a profit - which would also deplete stock… govt needs to build more houses.

Original poster
AlwaysAnnoyed · 30/08/2022 20:51

@x2boys because they are our neighbours and like to tell us. They are very proud that they only have to pay minimal amounts for their property and can spend their other funds on cars and holidays

OP posts:
Crunchymum · 30/08/2022 20:51

Surely your neighbours are drug lords? Or committing benefit fraud? Or there is some other criminal activity involved?

(Or they are maxed out on credit credit cards and the cars are leased etc)

Are you seriously suggesting all council tenants are penalised for this one family? Who may or may not have legitimate means of "affording" what they have.

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 30/08/2022 20:52

If they’re paying their rent in full then they’re doing nothing wrong.

Maybe they bought it?

Maybe it’s not a council house?

I wouldn’t waste my energy stressing out about this.

TippledPink · 30/08/2022 20:52

Council housing isn't means tested though, we can all apply for it.

x2boys · 30/08/2022 20:52

And £350 for a four bedroom house where would that be ?
I pay more than that for my two bed in a cheap area in the Northwest.

dressupinyou · 30/08/2022 20:52

AlwaysAnnoyed · 30/08/2022 20:51

@x2boys because they are our neighbours and like to tell us. They are very proud that they only have to pay minimal amounts for their property and can spend their other funds on cars and holidays

Good for them. It should be available to all.

soph12347 · 30/08/2022 20:52

Their cars may be disability cars? Holidays could have been gifted from a family member? Maybe they won a bit of money. Or maybe they took out a loan because they fancied going on a nice holiday and i don't blame them..

vodkaredbullgirl · 30/08/2022 20:52

You do know that people in council houses, do work as well.

Quveas · 30/08/2022 20:52

Eligibility for "Council houses" is not means tested. Nor do people get evicted for earning too much.

What a spiteful post. Are only homeowners allowed newer cars or holidays?

x2boys · 30/08/2022 20:53

AlwaysAnnoyed · 30/08/2022 20:51

@x2boys because they are our neighbours and like to tell us. They are very proud that they only have to pay minimal amounts for their property and can spend their other funds on cars and holidays

I don't believe you tbh .

IWasFunBeforeMum · 30/08/2022 20:53

Id be pissed off too OP if they can afford the cars and holidays (and no reason for the new car ie mobility) then it's definitely annoying.

Iliveonahill · 30/08/2022 20:53

A local authority has just got permission from court to see the AirB&B records for a number of its council houses. Not everyone is honest.

Original poster
AlwaysAnnoyed · 30/08/2022 20:54

@dressupinyou with the way the mortgage rates are going we won’t be able to afford our property. So will end up having to sell it or have it repossessed and will move into rented accommodation.

there is a massive LACK of Council properties with many families living in b&b’s waiting for properties. Surely if someone is able to afford 2 brand new cars and multiple holidays they can be worked with to spend that money on private rent… then their lovely Council house can be given to another family who is stuck in some Air BnB waiting for something to come up.

OP posts:
Vonniee7 · 30/08/2022 20:54

So they pay their bills and maybe spend some money getting the house as they want it, but are expected to give that up if they earn more than you think they should? YABU

x2boys · 30/08/2022 20:55

Only on mumsnet do people discuss the ins and outs of their finances .

gamerchick · 30/08/2022 20:56

council houses weren't and aren't for people who have 'fallen on hard times '. Give it a fucking rest for Christ's sake. 🙄

MissAmbrosia · 30/08/2022 20:56

I grew up in a council house. We went on holiday most years and I went to Grammar School. I never met anyone who bragged about their rent.

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