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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Social housing exchange - AIBU

310 replies

Brighton5555 · 26/06/2023 21:56

Hey

just need some assurance / reality check I guess. I have managed to find a housing swap after quite some time ( the feedback I get is lovely house but too small) so not beating off offers by any means despite my home being to a high standard and spent thousands on it…

im due to sign a exchange soon. The man has the same bedrooms as me and he has a house in a area I desire but if this house wasn’t in the area I want I don’t know if I would actually go for it..

bonus points are - neighbours on one side only, good garden size, extra toilet downstairs, larger kitchen than mine, larger bathroom and about same size of the 4 bedrooms BUT

its pretty gross. He has 7 animals including 4 dogs, it needs gutted from top to bottom as in complete new flooring and complete decoration and the bathroom will need ripped out. It’s in a very poor conditon but has passed all the checks they do for exchanging .. I viewed it for the 3rd time last week and the house had a lot of flies, I mean a lot I suspect from the animals . It was super clear to me on that viewing just how much money and work will need to be put in whereas here mine needs only a freshen up on the painting upstairs there are no other costs to him..

of course he’s lucky and it’s not his fault that our homes are very different but I just feel am I being crazy to take it on? I’m legit starting from the bottom again and will need to spend a few weeks living outside and at least £15,000 to have it okay to move into.

I have the means to do both but I know it’s going to a long slog. Again the benefits are extra toilet, larger kitchen and bathroom more manageable sized garden and a better area ..

I guess I feel daunted by it all

OP posts:
gamerchick · 26/06/2023 22:44

I did it. Swapped an immaculate house for a shithole. It was a lot of graft but it was worth it in the end. Get a cleaning company in from the off. It'll cost, but it save you a chunk of time.

gamerchick · 26/06/2023 22:49

Wizzbangfizz · 26/06/2023 22:33

If you have 15k you can easily afford to use to upgrade your new property why are you in social housing? I thought it was for people in dire need? That isn’t as critical as it sounds and is more a judgment on where we find ourselves as a society today - help and benefits are going towards to the working poor and not to those in dire straits.

Social housing is not and has never been linked to benefits. Years I've been on here and it's only prettg recently people have got the message they're not free houses.

Toddlerteaplease · 26/06/2023 22:49

I don't know where you are. But 15k would be a very adequate deposit for a house. I bought mine with only half of that.

Lilbunnyfufu · 26/06/2023 22:59

tanyaturneristhegoat · 26/06/2023 22:35

What HA/LA does upgrades every 5 years?

Show quote history

I would like to know too been in our ha property for 15 years so should have had 3 new bathrooms and kitchens by now and guess how many we have had 0. It was meant to get done in lockdown now I have no idea when it will be done.
We did get our new boiler fitted just before the lockdown and kitchen where meant to be done after.

SittinOnTheDock · 26/06/2023 23:02

Brighton5555 · 26/06/2023 22:01

Thanks . That is my worry. That there won’t be another offer… I detest the area I am in but my home is to a high standard . Maybe I’m just getting last minute nerves

If you want to move from a shit area to a nice area, plus get a bigger house, of course it's going to be in shit condition to even things out.

No one would want to exchange with you otherwise!

ThreeFeetTall · 26/06/2023 23:05

I think the minimum standards (which was an improvement on before!) is 20 year old kitchen and 30 year old bathroom.
The HA I worked for did communal area painting every 5 years, no one is replacing a bathroom that often!

Mumofsend · 26/06/2023 23:07

My HA allows us to make changes like bathrooms etc. We just need to confirm any building works meet standards and appropriately qualified tradesmen.

Shock horror, people who work live in council housing too. We do and we are off on holiday next year again.

Wizzbangfizz · 26/06/2023 23:10

@gamerchick whats your point? I’m not saying it’s right but 15k is a lot of money and would be a deposit where I live

Princessfuckingpeach · 26/06/2023 23:14

Do it @Brighton5555, it'll be worth it in the end! Definitely though as PP said get in professional cleaners, it'll long term save time and money.

I can't believe people begrudge social housing because you have savings.
Please don't justify your situation to anybody. It's weird people are even asking.

A man I worked cleaning for had a over a million pound house and was on benefits for life, highest benefits, motobility car etc.
I'm sure though he'd have much preferred to have not been blown to pieces in a terrorist attack. People just want to punch down on here so much it makes it joyless.

OP, I'm hopeful this is your forever home and all runs smoothly!

SparklyShoesandTutus · 26/06/2023 23:18

Lucky you. Where we are you'd be lucky to get a garage for 75k. Assuming you put down a 10% deposit.
People saying 15k means OP shouldn't have social housing. That wouldn't even pay 1 years private rent and the rental market is so crazy some landlords are asking for 6-12 months up front.

SparklyShoesandTutus · 26/06/2023 23:19

My comment was in response to @Toddlerteaplease

QueenMegan · 26/06/2023 23:19

Areas change what's the allure of the new one.
No idea how tenancies work I think that's a huge amount to spend I could do it to a decent standard for half that.
Its for life so you don't need to do everything. Get a professional clean first dog piss is a nightmare to remove

EddyF · 26/06/2023 23:22

gamerchick · 26/06/2023 22:49

Social housing is not and has never been linked to benefits. Years I've been on here and it's only prettg recently people have got the message they're not free houses.

Show quote history

It's incredible that in 2023, people still think council properties are for the poor! Anyone can go on the list and depending on the area demand, they can get a social housing pretty quick. Also, you have to account for the people who have been in SH for many many years when it was easier to get them. Those people would likely NOW be in a better financial position and are actually living good! I see this all the time in London; properties done up in high specs and tenants with good jobs.

It's crazy to keep reading that social housing is only for the complete destitutes. Far from it. In fact, demand is so high now, nobody is leaving their secure SH unless they can buy another property.

OP, I would exchange. Area gets more important to me as I get older. I wouldn't move away from London for example but I sometimes think I would love to live in a quieter area (lol definitely getting older ). Good luck.

3AndStopping · 26/06/2023 23:23

@Brighton5555 I’m in brighton to so good knowledge of the areas. If you’re moving from say bevendean/moulscombe/whitehawk to Hove/Patcham/Portslade I would say DO IT. The quality of life, schools etc will be much better. Plus the house is bigger… yes you have work to do but as a PP said if his house was immaculate he wouldn’t be swapping! It’ll be worth it in the long run, definitely go for it.

Zapzep · 26/06/2023 23:30

Toddlerteaplease · 26/06/2023 22:49

I don't know where you are. But 15k would be a very adequate deposit for a house. I bought mine with only half of that.

And how do you know she can afford the mortgage payments?

Skinthin · 26/06/2023 23:32

Brighton5555 · 26/06/2023 22:28

No that’s okay you don’t need to apologise. I never mentioned a kitchen you just made an assumption a bit like saying that how can I need social housing if I can afford £15k output… it’s a well rooted but very outdated that the only types of people who live in social housing must be poor or should be poor .. why would anyone pay £1600/1800 in the area I live in for the same type of house when it’s less than £600 through social housing ?

Show quote history

that the only types of people who live in social housing must be poor or should be poor .. why would anyone pay £1600/1800 in the area I live in for the same type of house when it’s less than £600 through social housing ?

Well no one would. But I think what people are wondering is how and why you are eligible when you have money available for private rent ?

Skinthin · 26/06/2023 23:35

EddyF · 26/06/2023 23:22

It's incredible that in 2023, people still think council properties are for the poor! Anyone can go on the list and depending on the area demand, they can get a social housing pretty quick. Also, you have to account for the people who have been in SH for many many years when it was easier to get them. Those people would likely NOW be in a better financial position and are actually living good! I see this all the time in London; properties done up in high specs and tenants with good jobs.

It's crazy to keep reading that social housing is only for the complete destitutes. Far from it. In fact, demand is so high now, nobody is leaving their secure SH unless they can buy another property.

OP, I would exchange. Area gets more important to me as I get older. I wouldn't move away from London for example but I sometimes think I would love to live in a quieter area (lol definitely getting older ). Good luck.

Show quote history

It's incredible that in 2023, people still think council properties are for the poor

I don’t get it though, surely they should be for people who need it the most?

MedievalMadness · 26/06/2023 23:36

You are responsible for interior painting/decorating. If the windows are rotten then that’s for your social landlord to replace them. Unless the kitchen and bathroom have not been updated for 20+ years or are in disrepair, then that would be up to you to replace I imagine. If there’s an infestation of fleas or other critters I’d not have thought it would have passed the exchange standard?

Would it definitely cost as much as £15k to make it nice (if the landord replaced the windows and dealt with any infestation) or serious disrepair? Could you prioritise the things that really have to be done and deal with the rest gradually?

If the area and bigger house size is your main reason for moving I think I’d go for it having tried your absolute best to get the landlord to take responsibility for the fabric of the building which they should be keeping maintained properly. Rotten windows need replacing and you shouldn’t be the ones to have to pay for that.

ignore those who say £15k is a decent deposit on your own home. It may well be, but one down-payment does not mean you can afford a monthly mortgage, building insurance, major repairs etc, as well as all the other bills that go with home ownership, plus all your other outgoings.

goodyt · 26/06/2023 23:38

I don't know why so many people are commenting about the OP and her saving up- it clearly wasn't the point of the thread.

A long time ago I moved into SH, DH had a good job but I couldn't work due to DC profound disabilities. We wouldn't have been able to get a mortgage on just his income alone- although we had a fairly large amount of disposable income.

Don't be so narrow minded.

Skinthin · 26/06/2023 23:41

goodyt · 26/06/2023 23:38

I don't know why so many people are commenting about the OP and her saving up- it clearly wasn't the point of the thread.

A long time ago I moved into SH, DH had a good job but I couldn't work due to DC profound disabilities. We wouldn't have been able to get a mortgage on just his income alone- although we had a fairly large amount of disposable income.

Don't be so narrow minded.

commenting about the OP and her saving up- it clearly wasn't the point of the thread

im just genuinely curious! Some of the comments on this thread have confused me about what social housing is for!

lots of people can’t afford a mortgage but privately rent? So how is it decided who qualifies for housing at a fraction of the rent of others then if it’s not based on having money available to pay ?

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 26/06/2023 23:41

DoeRayMe · 26/06/2023 22:13

Not being rude but if you have £15k in savings to do it up, why are you in an HA home?

Just curious, not meaning to be rude. I have no idea how this works.

You know anyone can get a HA home right? It goes on priority, so you may be bottom of a list if you have ££££ in the bank, but if no one above you on the list wants it, it'll be offered to you.

EddyF · 26/06/2023 23:58

Skinthin · 26/06/2023 23:35

It's incredible that in 2023, people still think council properties are for the poor

I don’t get it though, surely they should be for people who need it the most?

Show quote history

Read the rest. A lot of people are not just now how to get their SH. Many have lived in them for years/decades. It was much easier (even in London) to get one years ago. With lifetime tenancies, people rarely leave unless they're buying. And if they could buy, most would start with the Rights to Buy their SH. There are so many people who I know who have been in their SH properties for a long time and now they are earning very well. They do up their properties to high standards etc. The OP most likely spent thousands over a NUMBER OF years on her property as it's a long-term tenancy.

There's just this really odd stigma/misconception that you have to be really poor to only get a SH. The only thing that has changed now is the huge demand for them. To get a SH, you don't need to be on benefits etc. Nobody in their right mind would leave their SH to go rent privately.

Skinthin · 26/06/2023 23:59

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 26/06/2023 23:41

You know anyone can get a HA home right? It goes on priority, so you may be bottom of a list if you have ££££ in the bank, but if no one above you on the list wants it, it'll be offered to you.

Show quote history

You know anyone can get a HA home right

the pp already stated she has no idea how any of this works.

It goes on priority, so you may be bottom of a list if you have ££££ in the bank, but if no one above you on the list wants it, it'll be offered to you

So are you suggesting that there’s probably nobody in OP’s area who wants (but can’t get) social housing , who has less than 15k in the bank?

EddyF · 27/06/2023 00:01

Also each local authority will have their own rules regarding bidding etc. It's not really clear cut but just wanted to say they're not only for poor people. Should they be? Maybe, but everyone has their different views on that.

Skinthin · 27/06/2023 00:03

EddyF · 26/06/2023 23:58

Read the rest. A lot of people are not just now how to get their SH. Many have lived in them for years/decades. It was much easier (even in London) to get one years ago. With lifetime tenancies, people rarely leave unless they're buying. And if they could buy, most would start with the Rights to Buy their SH. There are so many people who I know who have been in their SH properties for a long time and now they are earning very well. They do up their properties to high standards etc. The OP most likely spent thousands over a NUMBER OF years on her property as it's a long-term tenancy.

There's just this really odd stigma/misconception that you have to be really poor to only get a SH. The only thing that has changed now is the huge demand for them. To get a SH, you don't need to be on benefits etc. Nobody in their right mind would leave their SH to go rent privately.

Show quote history

There's just this really odd stigma/misconception that you have to be really poor to only get a SH

I don’t think it’s fair to call it a “stigma” though. I think a lot of people quite reasonably assume that social housing is for those in need.
If things don’t work that way in practice, I think it’s perfectly reasonable to ask questions/ want to discuss it, given that there are so many people in dire need who can’t get/ afford housing. It’s not about “stigmatising” people who live in social housing.