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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
AlwaysAnnoyed · 30/08/2022 21:08

@richcouncilhousetenantfreehouse read it again if you don’t understand silly.

EDUCATE people financially while they are in Council houses paying a lower rent so they SAVE their money. When they are REVIEWED they can be supported into private renting or even BUYING as they have been supported to save their money. Not spend thousands on cars and holidays.

what is so wrong with me saying people should be supported financially.

a 10 year stint in a Council house with low rent, getting financial support to save. In 10 years, a review. Savings have been built, people can go off to buy or rent properties. Not feasible for everyone I know. However LIKE DESCRIBED in my post I am talking about certain people

OP posts:
richcouncilhousetenantfreehouse · 30/08/2022 21:09

I'm not silly. Don't patronise me. Silly.

RootinandTootin · 30/08/2022 21:09

its not bullshit it’s the truth, they moved in this year after the lady who lived there died. They have several children and work on their cars most weekends so if they are fit enough for that, they can work. It’s outrageous. I think the country is sick of being penalised for working and being middle class. In our area we have to pay for parking at our workplace. It’s ridiculous. Before I moved we had neighbours who spent all day smoking weed, again never worked a day in their lives. Support should be temporary until you sort it out.

DuvetHugger · 30/08/2022 21:09

No way in hells kitchen have they got a 4 bedroom house for £350pm. They're probably having you on because they know how easily triggered you are lol

AlwaysAnnoyed · 30/08/2022 21:10

Mydogbog · 30/08/2022 21:07

This was me and I don't think people on this post see this side.

I saw one women with 6 children in a hostel her husband died and left his house to another women.

She deserved a home. There is no homes. So they should kick the people who can afford cars which are a years worth of rent out.

Exactly this. Social housing should be used for those who GENUINELY need it!!!!!!

OP posts:
dressupinyou · 30/08/2022 21:10

AlwaysAnnoyed · 30/08/2022 21:08

@richcouncilhousetenantfreehouse read it again if you don’t understand silly.

EDUCATE people financially while they are in Council houses paying a lower rent so they SAVE their money. When they are REVIEWED they can be supported into private renting or even BUYING as they have been supported to save their money. Not spend thousands on cars and holidays.

what is so wrong with me saying people should be supported financially.

a 10 year stint in a Council house with low rent, getting financial support to save. In 10 years, a review. Savings have been built, people can go off to buy or rent properties. Not feasible for everyone I know. However LIKE DESCRIBED in my post I am talking about certain people

Jesus, what condescending bullshit.

Look you're wrong, you've been told all the reasons you're wrong. Maybe accept that and keep your daily mail reader opinions to yourself if you won't learn to be less of an arsehole.

CaptainBarbosa · 30/08/2022 21:10

AlwaysAnnoyed · 30/08/2022 21:05

I’m not jealous or bitter of anyone. But there is a massive crisis going on and imagine cramming your 4 person family into a one room b&b while you AWAIT a Council house while getting food from a food bank…

and there are people in these Council houses who could maybe afford private rent if they didn’t spend thousands on cars and holidays.

Your missing the point, private rent is not secured and not sustainable long term accommodation, social housing is.

PRS (private rented sector) is dangerous, overpriced and offers no security.

Societies, communities and individuals thrive when they have sustainable long term accommodation. Children benefit from the stability social housing gives, which improves their quality of life, their educational outcomes. So what if they get the odd holiday abroad or mum has a nice car, those are just "window dressing" the core and stability comes from the house itself.

Charcy · 30/08/2022 21:11

tabulahrasa · 30/08/2022 20:58

“I have no issue with people having Council homes, people fall on hard times and DESERVE support.”

Council housing isn’t support, it’s just rental properties.

How do you think it works? Because it kind of sounds like you think it’s subsidised somehow.

It IS subsidised. What they are paying is a relative amount to the benefits they are claiming and number of children of different sex they have. You would not be able to rent a 4 bed house anywhere in the country for that money.

OrangeVelour · 30/08/2022 21:11

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?

Why can't we all have one then?

FarmerRefuted · 30/08/2022 21:11

Please do explain what your view of "genuine" is so that we can tell the difference between who deserves something and who doesn't?

I'm baffled why someone would begrudge other people a roof over their heads.

AlwaysAnnoyed · 30/08/2022 21:11

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ShimmyYaYaYay · 30/08/2022 21:12

AlwaysAnnoyed · 30/08/2022 21:05

I’m not jealous or bitter of anyone. But there is a massive crisis going on and imagine cramming your 4 person family into a one room b&b while you AWAIT a Council house while getting food from a food bank…

and there are people in these Council houses who could maybe afford private rent if they didn’t spend thousands on cars and holidays.

So they should give up their council property because they can afford to go on holiday instead pay a ridiculous amount in private rent and then live out of food banks.

Behave

Why don't you apply to be a local councillor

richcouncilhousetenantfreehouse · 30/08/2022 21:12

Many council tenants work and pay rent. Under 8% of people in the uk live in council homes. Rents are not subsidised. They are set at a fair local level. The private rent sector is the issue as it inflates rent for profit.

Oblomov22 · 30/08/2022 21:12

I completely agree. I know three families who are completely open about it. That they pay a small amount of rent, have new under floor heating installed by council, new bathroom and kitchen. Holidays and trainers. How is this allowed to go on for so many years?

richcouncilhousetenantfreehouse · 30/08/2022 21:13

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How do I? I had a council house. I had a new car. I owned neither.

But according to you that means I can't budget and need my income assessed by some worthy individual to decide if I deserve to stay in my home? Why?

gamerchick · 30/08/2022 21:13

Private rental is a step down from SH. Why don't you keep your shovel in your own garden OP instead of coming up with tripe to support something you know nowt about.

richcouncilhousetenantfreehouse · 30/08/2022 21:14

Oh well. If they're buying trainers. Give them clogs I say.

FarmerRefuted · 30/08/2022 21:14

Oblomov22 · 30/08/2022 21:12

I completely agree. I know three families who are completely open about it. That they pay a small amount of rent, have new under floor heating installed by council, new bathroom and kitchen. Holidays and trainers. How is this allowed to go on for so many years?

How very fucking dare they accept modernisation to their home mandated by the landlord (the council) and how very fucking dare they have footwear and leisure time.

Cunts.

They should be shot.

ThermoSpooklear · 30/08/2022 21:14

AlwaysAnnoyed · 30/08/2022 21:08

@richcouncilhousetenantfreehouse read it again if you don’t understand silly.

EDUCATE people financially while they are in Council houses paying a lower rent so they SAVE their money. When they are REVIEWED they can be supported into private renting or even BUYING as they have been supported to save their money. Not spend thousands on cars and holidays.

what is so wrong with me saying people should be supported financially.

a 10 year stint in a Council house with low rent, getting financial support to save. In 10 years, a review. Savings have been built, people can go off to buy or rent properties. Not feasible for everyone I know. However LIKE DESCRIBED in my post I am talking about certain people

EDUCATE people financially while they are in Council houses

Do you think they're thick? The only reason someone would be in council accommodation is a lack of intelligence? It's already been explained to you several times that the criteria is needs-based not finance-based.

richcouncilhousetenantfreehouse · 30/08/2022 21:15

Educate me then. Go on.

Tell me what I did wrong whilst in my council house. I'll wait.

AlwaysAnnoyed · 30/08/2022 21:16

I have a colleague who applied to be on the housing register many years ago. Her financial situation improved, her and her partner started to save for a house. They had enough deposit for a £250k. (So guessing around £25k)

they were then offered a Council house. To which they took. They said they will live in the Council house, paying £400 a month. Then in 10 years they will buy it. They won’t have to have a deposit because their rent for the last 10 years counts to their deposit.

they have 25k sat in their bank.

but yes I am SOOO bitter that their are poor families stuck waiting for a house not being able to afford a tin of beans.

you all live in a dream world if you genuinely don’t think people PLAY the system

OP posts:
richcouncilhousetenantfreehouse · 30/08/2022 21:17

You do know a lot of people who share their private financial details with you.

tabulahrasa · 30/08/2022 21:17

Charcy · 30/08/2022 21:11

It IS subsidised. What they are paying is a relative amount to the benefits they are claiming and number of children of different sex they have. You would not be able to rent a 4 bed house anywhere in the country for that money.

No, that’s not how it works.

Its a set amount of rent that the council has decided is enough to maintain current houses and supposedly build more.

If the tenant receives certain benefits, they will be paid housing benefit towards some or all of that rent. If they’re not receiving benefits they Kay for it out of their wages.

richcouncilhousetenantfreehouse · 30/08/2022 21:18

So I was in a council house doing a degree and professional qualifications and putting my kids through uni because I'm stupid. Got it.

AlwaysAnnoyed · 30/08/2022 21:18

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