I don’t want to buy a house directly opposite affordable housing

[SpainToday]

I have name changed for this because I expect to get annihilated.

DH and I are considering reserving a plot on a new development. I think all developments now need to have a certain amount of affordable housing. Our first choice of house would be directly opposite three affordable plots and this is a real sticking point. DH is also wary. There were originally 8 plots with our preferred design of house, they have all sold except this one and I suspect that’s the reason.

Of course we could always go with our Plan B type of house round the corner, but that seems such a shame. When we bought our current home, 12 years ago. One of the mortgage questions was proximity to any affordable housing, so its clearly an issue.

Am I worrying unnecessarily?

Which makes them snobs.

Tell that to all the bougie middle class people in London who live in council blocks. Even the poshest streets in London have social housing just round the corner. “Most people” do not think like this at all.

don't worry, the working class people you're scared of can't afford "affordable" houses anyway 🙄

i bought a new build op and all I can tell you I have affordable/social living opposite me who are happy normal families. To our one side we have 4 problem households. There are police checking them regularly, armed police raids, stolen vehicles being seized, drug issues and often fights in the street between the 4 issue households. The houses are 4 out of 10 houses so most are fine.
There is definitely an element of problem families in the affordable housing but that could happen anywhere I suppose in any household type.
I wouldn’t if I was you and If I could buy again, I wouldn’t buy near affordable housing and to the previous posters I don’t care if that makes me a snob.

No it’s not - affordable housing generally just means that it’s cheaper/smaller housing so that people on lower incomes can afford to buy with a mortgage or a shared ownership scheme. Most affordable housing these days still costs at least £150k in the SE and is suitable for first time buyers and young families. You might want to check exactly what they mean by ‘affordable’. Social housing is rental accommodation that is either owned by the council or a social landlord.

OP, for me it would depend on the density of the housing. If it is a huge tower block of apartments plonked in an awkward place that would put me off because it would likely mean it could be busier than I’d like. If it was low rise apartments or town houses then that adds to the character and range of the development and helps to create a community of people. Context is important.

The builders aren't warning people. Most people actually like to have housing developments with mixed income brackets. And fwiw often builders change where the 'affordable' housing quota are so you can't 'avoid' them.

Hi op. Sorry you are getting screeched at. My husband has worked for companies that have built these housing estates. He says don’t do it and wait for a better property to come up. The reason being that you are more likely to end up opposite a problem tenant. Not certain of course but it is a risk and people know that. Shouting, loud music crap parking, rubbish etc it happens. He said that to make properties sellable there had to literally be different entrances and exits etc for the different types of resident. Be wary of what they call it. Social housing or affordable be very clear what they mean by that. If they are family homes then yes you may end up opposite a lovely or a nightmare family. If it’s too much of a risk to get it wrong then be cautious and wait.

I would try and find out how the area is (from local people/shopkeepers etc) if you can. Sadly where we live there are problems with social housing on a local new estate (doesn’t affect us as but I know it causes huge problems for the rest of the street-many of them first time buyers thinking they have bought their dream home only to find out there are huge problems).

I do find it unbelievable that you can be all but given a house and still disrespect your neighbours and the house you live in. I believe there are agreements that have to be signed about behaviour etc but not sure how strictly this is followed.

I don't know what you are imagining but affordable housing is typically still expensive and it will probably still be a professional person or couple buying those places such as teachers, nurses and so on. They still get a mortgage and so on. Its not like you are going to be accross the street from some problem family with anti social behaviour or some paranoid fantasy benefits street situation! Nobody wants to live next to horrible neighbours but if you are turning your nose up at normal, average people just because their expensive property is deemed affordable then you are a terrible snob.

We have affordable houses near us and any minor issues our next door neighbour complained to their housing association. And by minor I mean they hadn’t cut their grass and it looked unkept 🤣😂 no issues with mortgage or the people

No, it makes them people who live in this Country. I'm tired of people taking the easy way out and directing their anger at individuals. We've had a systemic problem with housing for decades.

How does that work ? Do they buy or rent the affordable housing ?

It sounds like a distasteful implication if you don't mind my saying. A lower income might mean lower standards of behaviour, so much so that you're worried about living opposite?

Go for the other option.

As someone in social housing, not affordable, I wouldn't want you as a neighbour either

I would so strongly disagree with all three points you have made. Housing is an investment and people and builders are not stupid.

You can get affordable housing which is reserved for key workers eg nurses, teachers, police etc

@SpainToday the truth is that I probably wouldn’t buy it. Affordable housing can be privately owned social housing (which is more likely to be the source of antisocial behaviour) and is usually built to a lower spec so is less attractive to look at.

I’m in social (affordable) housing due to years of abuse against me and my children. If you wanna judge me for trying to keep me and my kids safe then go ahead.
Selfish twat

How insulting!
Everyone is one step away from misfortune.
I am about to move into social housing with my son. I currently live in my ex partners home (mortgage) in a nice area, 3 bed victorian but I'm choosing to give all that up because even those who have nice houses with mortgages can be a disgrace. Hence why I'm leaving him to go into social.
I am a hard working mum but cannot afford the extortionate private rental properties in our local area alone.
I would feel more sorry for your less fortunate neighbours having to endure your snobbery I'm afraid

It doesn't seem right that it's known, which houses, on same new build site, are purchased using the affordable scheme (I'm not sure how it works I should point out). How do you know, OP?

Find out if it's social housing or housing association or simply shared ownership.

BMW 🤣

That's great but they've saved to buy a house, so it's their choice what they do with it

If social housing is stigmatised in this Country and makes it a poorer investment, why is it their fault?

The builder isn't "warning" people

they are probably being clear so people know what they're eligible for on the plan

and to prevent people whinging after they put a deposit down.

Live where you want but rich people can be bad neighbours too.

In this Country it's an investment, in other parts of the world it's a place to live
And here's why we're now messed up, as opposed to countries like Austria where they have a high percentage of social housing.