Page 5 | Social housing exchange - AIBU

Brighton5555 · 2023-06-26T20:56:47+00:00

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

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 27/06/2023 07:08

Unsurprisingly virtually the whole private rental market would probably quite like to have the security and benefits offered by SH but it isn't realistic for the government to endeavour to do this.

The government could help buy at least building a decent amount of SH though.

Round here two HAs have done some decent amounts of building in the last few years and it’s made a really positive impact on the local rental market for tenants - it’s forced quite a few of the really shit landlords out of the market and, because there is more building going on, landlords are trying to stay relatively competitive.

Combine that with a really good pilot landlord registration scheme the council had going (sadly ditched for cost cutting - even though it ultimately saved money overall) positive changes are possible if the inclination is there. Even if they can’t build enough SH for absolutely everyone.

bellac11 · 27/06/2023 07:08

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 27/06/2023 00:52

That doesn’t happen everywhere

A friend of mine just downsized her HA house in a swap. The people she swapped with had put really nice wooden flooring and a relatively new bathroom into the house. She had to sign to say she understood that any replacement for the bathroom would be with HA standard and may not match the rest qnd that the flooring wasn’t their responsibility at all and would never be replaced or repaired by then.

Thankfully many now seem to have got over the need to unnecessarily rip out things that are fine.

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I specifically said 'not through exchange'

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 27/06/2023 07:09

But it mirrors owned homes too. Many thousands of homeowners in houses way bigger than they need just two retired adults, and the available properties for young families are either teeny flats or very very expensive houses because housing is scarce across the board. But if you suggest older people / retirees downsize you get "it's their home they've lived in it all their life" etc.

Same for those in SH.

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 27/06/2023 07:10

bellac11 · 27/06/2023 07:08

I specifically said 'not through exchange'

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Sorry, I should have been clearer - the HA do the same with new tenants going into places.

They don’t rip out unnecessarily at all anymore.

x2boys · 27/06/2023 07:12

IfUnicornsWereReal · 27/06/2023 01:02

You do realise that in London £15,000 wouldn’t even be enough to pay a years rent upfront?

By the time Op used her savings paying a private landlord, she could find herself with an eviction notice and made homeless within a year, then would end up having to go back to the council and be put into temporary accommodation where she could be for years, so how does that help?

You do.realise not everyone lives with n London?

RoseGoldEagle · 27/06/2023 07:12

I would go for it. It sounds like you’ve done a great job with your current house but still aren’t keen because of where it is, and there’s not much else you can do to improve that. Once you’ve done the work on the new place you’ll hopefully feel so much happier where you are. Worth it in my eyes, good luck OP!

Pigstrotter · 27/06/2023 07:15

I once moved from my lovely new build to HA, although I almost didn’t as the thought of it overwhelmed me, & it was in such a state! HA allowed us to do whatever we wanted, they didn’t care just as long as they didn’t have to spend any money on the place. Most people had put new kitchens & bathrooms in as they were only replaced every 20 years. It was smaller, a better area than where I come from, & lovely & peaceful. But in saying that I only stayed about 5 years. You can always change the inside, but not the outside.

Workquestion11 · 27/06/2023 07:16

Very understandable to be nervous but I would do it
I swapped a 2 bedroom for a 3 bedroom with 2 bathrooms
Except all the doors had holes, were hanging off, had swear words written on them.
Both bathrooms had no toilet seats, no sink plugs so nothing as drastic as you've got but I phoned the HA and I said I don't care, I'd pay for all of the above I just need that house, I need the 3 bedroom.
3 years down the line we are still decorating and fixing things so it hasn't been a quick fix but I'm so glad I took the risk

Bonniebluesea · 27/06/2023 07:18

I would say definitely go. You said you "detested' the area you live in now. Living somewhere you detest isn't living. Look on the renovations as a chance to grow and be happy. Take lots of photos of before and after and keep track of your progress- you'll enjoy it. And as for all the "£15k - you don't need social housing comments" - thank the universe or your God that you do have the money, move and be happy.

Original poster

Brighton5555 · 27/06/2023 07:21

Bonniebluesea · 27/06/2023 07:18

I would say definitely go. You said you "detested' the area you live in now. Living somewhere you detest isn't living. Look on the renovations as a chance to grow and be happy. Take lots of photos of before and after and keep track of your progress- you'll enjoy it. And as for all the "£15k - you don't need social housing comments" - thank the universe or your God that you do have the money, move and be happy.

Thanks . Yes I do feel lucky that i have the means to improve it x

OP posts:

Outofthepark · 27/06/2023 07:22

OP nerves are just you being realistic it's a big change and a bit of a challenge...maybe it isn't nerves but excitement? 🙂

If the following is true then a million percent do it!!

much better area that you really like
better garden space
more inside space including extra toilet
nicer neighbours
lifelong tenancy you can pass to children

It's no life living in an area you hate. I think it's a great idea. Definitely take the before and after photos, you'll be so proud and doing all that will truly make it yours.

Zebedee55 · 27/06/2023 07:31

Every HA home I've moved into has needed a lot of money spent on it. This place has had thousands spent to bring it up to a high standard - but we knew we were here for life, so did the essentials first, and then ploughed through the rest.

I'd go for it - do what you need to do to make it liveable, * *and then do the rest gradually.

Zebedee55 · 27/06/2023 07:34

Doggymummar · 26/06/2023 22:26

Round here you wouldn't be allowed to change kitchens bathrooms windows not even the front door. All done on a five year schedule by the HA or LA, how come they let you do so much work?

My HA were happy for me to rip out the kitchen and bathroom and have them replaced professionally.

Many HAs are ok with it, providing the work is done to a decent standard.

Blondeshavemorefun · 27/06/2023 07:41

It's all about location

So if you have a nice home in a location you don't like but he has a place in bad condition but nice area

I'm very surprised if it is that bad that ha Havnt said something to him. Smell fleas etx and have approved the swap

But as you have a life tenancy it will be worth it in the end

Zebedee55 · 27/06/2023 07:48

TrashQueens · 27/06/2023 01:30

Totally agree with this

I understand the “if you can then why wouldn’t you” mentality

but it is also very frustrating

if you can save 15k for home improvements and spend “thousands” on a SH home then you really need to be looking to buy/private rent and make room for people that desperately need a roof over their head

it seems quite entitled tbh

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I got my first Council/HA place in 1975, and have always lived in SH. Anyone could apply then, and I was rehoused, from a private let, in 3 months. It was easy then.

I've always worked, never been on benefits. Now, I'm a pensioner, and I'm in my last home - I still don't get means tested benefits, I get pensions, and I pay my full rent.

I've spent thousands here upgrading it.

I have never wanted to buy, and I'm too old now anyway.

I'm in a nice area, in a nice home, and I've got no intentions of moving out to a private rental because others might want my home.🙄

Beezknees · 27/06/2023 07:55

I guarantee that all the people saying OP should private rent or buy would not do that if they were in her situation!

I live in housing association, I got it 14 years ago when I was a teen mum with a baby living in temporary accommodation. I now work and have savings but I could never get a mortgage on my single income of £24k. I'd have to save about £100k to get an affordable mortgage and that's impossible for me. And private rent? Why on earth would I give up a secure tenancy to go and pay someone else's mortgage and be potentially made homeless at any point with my child?

OP I would do the swap, it's daunting but location over house any day.

Skinthin · 27/06/2023 07:58

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 27/06/2023 00:53

She's already in SH so her current circumstances are irrelevant. At the time she was given a tenancy by her SH provider, she was eligible for it. Either based on being high enough up the priority list to get one, or by everyone else above her on the list saying no to the property she is currently in.

People do say no to some properties, gor various reasons. Op said yes when it was offered to her.

That she now has money in the bank is irrelevant, SH isn't a benefit that is taken away when not "in need". A significant number of tenancies in SH will be families where both parents are working and bringing in a reasonable wage and getting by day to day. They gor their home because they were offered it by the provider and at the time of offer, there was no one of greater need on the list who wanted it.

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Ok so your comment that “anyone” can get it wasn’t particularly relevant to people wondering why OP should be in SH when she has 15k in the bank.

Skinthin · 27/06/2023 08:07

Brighton5555 · 27/06/2023 06:45

For the house I need size wise in the area I’m in £15000 is not even one years rent . I do not need to disclose why I’m a social housing tenant that’s not what my question was about

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No of course you don’t need to disclose that. nobody is entitled to know that, and it’s nobodies business but your own.
But I think it surprised people that you had 15k to renovate, and they therefore they started asking questions about the system, which were quickly shot down by some posters as being “odd” or dumb, but they weren’t odd or dumb questions at all.

I get it that 15k isn’t a load of money compared to cost of private rent, but a lot of people have a lot less. And when people were asking why you were in SH but had that kind of money, pp’s popped up and started snidely retorted things to the effect of “are you an idiot , living in social housing doesn’t mean you are poor, lots of people in SH are well off” 💁🏼‍♀️.

Bumpitybumper · 27/06/2023 08:16

Beezknees · 27/06/2023 07:55

I guarantee that all the people saying OP should private rent or buy would not do that if they were in her situation!

I live in housing association, I got it 14 years ago when I was a teen mum with a baby living in temporary accommodation. I now work and have savings but I could never get a mortgage on my single income of £24k. I'd have to save about £100k to get an affordable mortgage and that's impossible for me. And private rent? Why on earth would I give up a secure tenancy to go and pay someone else's mortgage and be potentially made homeless at any point with my child?

OP I would do the swap, it's daunting but location over house any day.

A turkey doesn't vote for Christmas. Of course you and OP are going to stay in your SH for as long as the rules allow it. Some people would feel morally obliged to move if/when they get into a better financial position but most wouldn't.

This is why people are questioning whether the system needs to be reformed. It simply doesn't make sense to ration a scarce resource in this manner which basically enables many people to profit from the system effectively at the expense of people that are much poorer than them.

Spidey66 · 27/06/2023 08:26

Ahh the old council house jealousy.

Op may have 15k savings, but depending on where she is that's unlikely to cover a deposit, let alone moving costs. And if she's (say ) 50, she probably doesn't want a 25 year mortgage.

Would the new council pay to put bathroom in?

CockyTeeHunz4Eva · 27/06/2023 08:29

Absolutely 100% do the swap. If you have the ability to make good on the property the area will be worth it.

Bumpitybumper · 27/06/2023 08:29

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 27/06/2023 07:08

Unsurprisingly virtually the whole private rental market would probably quite like to have the security and benefits offered by SH but it isn't realistic for the government to endeavour to do this.

The government could help buy at least building a decent amount of SH though.

Round here two HAs have done some decent amounts of building in the last few years and it’s made a really positive impact on the local rental market for tenants - it’s forced quite a few of the really shit landlords out of the market and, because there is more building going on, landlords are trying to stay relatively competitive.

Combine that with a really good pilot landlord registration scheme the council had going (sadly ditched for cost cutting - even though it ultimately saved money overall) positive changes are possible if the inclination is there. Even if they can’t build enough SH for absolutely everyone.

Building SH is often very difficult, especially in places like London where demand is sky high and there isn't an abundance of land just sitting around ready to be developed into SH. Unsurprisingly the vast majority of homeowners would fight against a massive SH development being built on their doorstep (even if it's sacrilege to suggest this on MN) and it's hard to make the financial case for building SH for as long as right to buy is in place.

Keeeeetones · 27/06/2023 08:33

Bigger house, better area, definitely will be worth it…I’d do it!

Beezknees · 27/06/2023 08:37

Bumpitybumper · 27/06/2023 08:16

A turkey doesn't vote for Christmas. Of course you and OP are going to stay in your SH for as long as the rules allow it. Some people would feel morally obliged to move if/when they get into a better financial position but most wouldn't.

This is why people are questioning whether the system needs to be reformed. It simply doesn't make sense to ration a scarce resource in this manner which basically enables many people to profit from the system effectively at the expense of people that are much poorer than them.

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Better idea would be to invest in more social housing so more people have that option.

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 27/06/2023 08:40

Bumpitybumper · 27/06/2023 08:29

Building SH is often very difficult, especially in places like London where demand is sky high and there isn't an abundance of land just sitting around ready to be developed into SH. Unsurprisingly the vast majority of homeowners would fight against a massive SH development being built on their doorstep (even if it's sacrilege to suggest this on MN) and it's hard to make the financial case for building SH for as long as right to buy is in place.

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The fact that it’s hard in places like London shouldn’t be used as an excuse for them not to build in other places.

Not should everywhere be subject to the same kind of tenancies that are wanted/needed in places like London though. Most of the Uk isn’t London.

They could easily remove right to buy from new tenants. It’s been done in Scotland.

It’s all just excuses. Lots more SH could easily be build. There’s just not the political will for it.