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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be concerned about living near social housing?

183 replies

XNC · 12/06/2023 16:31

Hi,

So before anyone starts with the popcorn emojis or snobbery accusations, I'm well aware I'm going to offend some people by asking this question and whereas I'm not happy about that, I could really do with some advice and experiences, so I've decided to ask a controversial question.

I should also make it clear that I'm fully aware that the majority of people living in SH are not anti social arseholes - I have friends in SH. I have also had issues with neighbours who own their house or rent privately. I know SH doesn't automatically equate to issues.

However, statistically speaking, there are more issues with anti social behaviour in SH areas, disproportionately so, so am I really being unreasonable for being concerned about moving to a road which has SH?

Thanks.

OP posts:
Usernamen · 12/06/2023 17:42

3girls1boy1puppy · 12/06/2023 17:39

You need to speak to others living on the street to find out if there are any anti-social issues nearby. It’s so case by case dependant.
My story - we bought a small terraced house in London, opposite a block of SH flats. Had to sell and move in the end as the problems were just non stop - physical fighting in the street (kids and adults), loud parties going all through the night, had teenagers passed out over-dosed outside our house, one day someone tried to murder someone by repeatedly ramming them with their car……… I couldn’t count the amount of times I had to call 999 or go out to administer first aid to people. Swore I would never live next to SH again.
Maybe I was just unlucky and it was a particularly bad street!

Which area was this in, if you don’t mind me asking?

TheGrimSqueakersFlea · 12/06/2023 17:46

@Kerfuffler That's a good point. I live in social housing, decent neighbours and a low crime area. I don't think OP would fit in, nobody likes a judgey neighbour.

Beeinalily · 12/06/2023 17:46

OP (and anyone who's thinking of moving), I found Streetcheck absolutely invaluable when I was looking for a new rental.

Whatthatitwould · 12/06/2023 17:47

Some of my family have lived in social housing and overall the experience has been negative unfortunately.

My favourite was some 4 year old sort of age group kids chucking biscuits at me and calling me a bitch when I was visiting where my brother lived, I was just walking to the local shop minding my own business.

When I looked at the crime map of my town when we were looking to move the one thing that stuck out with all the recorded crimes was it was almost anti social behaviour on the council estate.

I wouldn’t live anywhere SH because the points system now means the more points the more likely you are to be housed. So some of that is no one’s fault such as being a victim of DV. I will say I’m sure there are problems in every road but on some estates it seems to spill out in to the street more.

3girls1boy1puppy · 12/06/2023 17:48

@Usernamen it was in quite a sought after area of SW London. But a v dodgy road!

MammaTo · 12/06/2023 17:50

It’s very hit and miss.

We have a social housing block of flats in our road with a couple of undesirables but they haven’t caused any real bother yet.

But in my mums road there’s 1 house let out by social housing and it’s always got trouble, but they don’t stay for long.

clpsmum · 12/06/2023 17:51

WhyCantYourPartnerDoIt · 12/06/2023 16:43

"I know I'm being unreasonable, but ... am I being unreasonable?"

This hahaha

You are a snob that doesn't want to be called a snob. I'm glad I don't have friends like you tbh

thisthenthat · 12/06/2023 17:52

When you say

pinkyredrose · 12/06/2023 17:52

YoucancallmeKAREN · 12/06/2023 17:14

Vanessa George owned her own house
Peter Sutcliffe owned his own house
Harold Shipman owned his own house.............................................

Sorry what's your point?

Gerrataere · 12/06/2023 17:54

I grew up on a council estate, it was a beautiful place with absolutely no issues, great community, quite frankly the area it’s in would now be absolutely snapped up for holiday homes and Air B and Bs. I’ve spent the last 8 years in private rentals and even shared a bought home with my ex. They were not areas anyone in their right mind would live in if the cost of rentals wasn’t absolutely insane.

Id sooner live around social housing, people who get a council house these days tend to appreciate what they have as they’re as rare as hens teeth. Wouldn’t want to do anything to risk losing it, once you’re out you’re homeless for years.

IHeartGeneHunt · 12/06/2023 17:54

I've lived on two council estates. One was horrible, there was a gang of dealers in the flat under mine and nobody stayed longer than a year or so. The one I'm in now is lovely. My neighbours are great, there's a green flag award winning park about 100 feet from my front door and it's never noisy. It really depends where you are.

user1471538283 · 12/06/2023 17:54

It's not social housing that's the problem it's the neighbors. I lived in social housing and we were for the most part decent people and had respect for each other and our surroundings.

My ex neighbors (one owned and one privately rented) were the worst people I've ever met.

But whatever you decide to do check the area thoroughly because in my city the council are rubbish and incompetent.

deepspace9 · 12/06/2023 17:56

I work in social housing and you are right to ask the question. We have a whole team dedicated to tackling ASB as it's a huge issue. However many areas or houses are totally fine with very few issues.

Usernamen · 12/06/2023 17:56

3girls1boy1puppy · 12/06/2023 17:48

@Usernamen it was in quite a sought after area of SW London. But a v dodgy road!

I can so relate to this! If I walk 2 mins from my flat, it’s all cool pubs and hipster coffee shops full of lovely, lively people who are well-mannered and lead interesting lives. Some of my (SH) neighbours are honestly among the rudest, dullest and most miserable people I have come across.

When buying in London, it’s really not enough to research an area, one has to research individual streets and blocks.

Eudaimonia5 · 12/06/2023 17:56

Can you speak to the local MP? You could ask if it would be possible to get all the povvos moved somewhere else? Explain that you wish to move to the area but are put off by the social housing as you only want to live near superior people who own their own homes like your good self. I'm sure they'll sort it for you. There's no reason why wonderful people like you should have to live near working class scrotes. After all, if they stay living there, it'll be terrible for you and the property prices. You won't make any profit and we all know the purpose of housing is to make a profit.

Best of luck OP, got my fingers crossed for you!

thisthenthat · 12/06/2023 17:57

When you say 'road which has SH' what does that actually mean? A road with a big block of council flats, or a couple of houses in the street that are SH?

Hecate01 · 12/06/2023 17:59

Eudaimonia5 · 12/06/2023 17:56

Can you speak to the local MP? You could ask if it would be possible to get all the povvos moved somewhere else? Explain that you wish to move to the area but are put off by the social housing as you only want to live near superior people who own their own homes like your good self. I'm sure they'll sort it for you. There's no reason why wonderful people like you should have to live near working class scrotes. After all, if they stay living there, it'll be terrible for you and the property prices. You won't make any profit and we all know the purpose of housing is to make a profit.

Best of luck OP, got my fingers crossed for you!

Best reply on this thread 🤣

YoucancallmeKAREN · 12/06/2023 17:59

pinkyredrose · 12/06/2023 17:52

Sorry what's your point?

Show quote history

I think you know exactly what my point is.

hermioneee · 12/06/2023 18:06

OP, I know what you mean in terms of statistics but you are being unreasonable in using the one stat. As someone else suggested have a look at crime rates and look at the area as a whole.
On my road half the houses are social, half not (sold via right to by years ago)
The ones that are social housing are no different to any other.

sqirrelfriends · 12/06/2023 18:08

Social housing is different from affordable housing, I mention it because a few people on this thread seem to be confusing the two.

I used to live on a council estate and there were lots of lovely people who lived there. Also a few real shits including a woman who let her children run wild and terrorise pensioners to the point they were scared to leave their houses.

clpsmum · 12/06/2023 18:08

Eudaimonia5 · 12/06/2023 17:56

Can you speak to the local MP? You could ask if it would be possible to get all the povvos moved somewhere else? Explain that you wish to move to the area but are put off by the social housing as you only want to live near superior people who own their own homes like your good self. I'm sure they'll sort it for you. There's no reason why wonderful people like you should have to live near working class scrotes. After all, if they stay living there, it'll be terrible for you and the property prices. You won't make any profit and we all know the purpose of housing is to make a profit.

Best of luck OP, got my fingers crossed for you!

😂😂👌👌

Zebedee55 · 12/06/2023 18:11

Eudaimonia5 · 12/06/2023 17:56

Can you speak to the local MP? You could ask if it would be possible to get all the povvos moved somewhere else? Explain that you wish to move to the area but are put off by the social housing as you only want to live near superior people who own their own homes like your good self. I'm sure they'll sort it for you. There's no reason why wonderful people like you should have to live near working class scrotes. After all, if they stay living there, it'll be terrible for you and the property prices. You won't make any profit and we all know the purpose of housing is to make a profit.

Best of luck OP, got my fingers crossed for you!

I agree. I'm horrified at her having to live near someone like me. I've spent thousands (since the 1970's) improving my social housing, never caused a problem, but I'm obviously still an inferior soul, compared to the OP.

Lemieux3 · 12/06/2023 18:12

You wouldn't be unreasonable to worry about an area that's known for more criminal activity. But I think it's unreasonable to not want to live in an area with social housing if there isn't a load more crime.

We all want to protect our children. I used to live near a park where drug dealers would rock up at the time I was doing the school run. I really disliked this situation. Similarly, there is one council estate where a few grisly murders have taken place (to do with drugs)

So it depends.

Livelovebehappy · 12/06/2023 18:16

I would say to all those saying all their neighbours in social housing are lovely - this isn’t the norm unfortunately.

drpet49 · 12/06/2023 18:17

Arightoldcarryabag · 12/06/2023 16:47

This is very very area specific.
In general I'm sure your assumptions are broadly reasonable but check out the area as some are fine and others are a nightmare, same can be said for areas without any social housing of course so just have a good look around before you move anywhere.

I agree. There is a running joke where I live that you can tell when you get to the social housing areas in the new build estates because of the overflowing bins and gardens. Area specific though.