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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 · 27/06/2023 10:00

Wizzbangfizz · 27/06/2023 09:38

So it's entirely up to them if they want to downsize or carry on caring for and paying for the larger home where they have always been. Social housing and privately rented housing with housing benefits is subsidised and therefore ought to be for those that need it, while they need it, at the size they currently need it, appropriate for any additional needs they have, and relatively near to their work and schools if applicable.

This. I was raised to believe that the state was there to support you if you couldn’t support yourself.

I groan when the subsidy thing comes up because it makes people look thick and yet over and over on these threads it comes up.

SH is not subsidised. Housing benefit for both private and SH/HA is a subsidy but not everyone claims housing benefit.

It's not a state benefit and everybody needs a home. 🙄

Private rents are a step down from SH. Nobody is going to make themselves worse off willingly.

Wizzbangfizz · 27/06/2023 10:34

It is significantly cheaper than private rental - averaging just over £90 a week MAX. You can’t get many private rentals for that and no one is suggesting that people willingly make themselves worse off but it is a contributing factor to the housing crisis in this country.

Avondale89 · 27/06/2023 10:42

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

Who should they be for then, in current times of desperate need and increased homelessness?

EmpressSoleil · 27/06/2023 10:49

averaging just over £90 a week MAX

Hahaha, I wish! My HA rent is £180 a week! Double your "MAX" amount. Yes in some parts of the country, for some property types, you can pay less than £100 a week but we don't all have such low rents. Yes it's still cheaper than private renting but it is close to a third of my income. I pay it all, claim zero benefits.

Lennybenny · 27/06/2023 10:51

I'd ask your HA to tell you when the nee bathroom and kitchen are due to be done. Mine are every 20 years.

If its that bad your HA, shouldn't be agreeing the exchange. If they are then they should be expecting to either do the work or make the current tenant do it. All areas are supposed to be up together and in a clean decorated condition before an exchange. If they don't enforce it they should provide you with vouchers for the decoration.

Shouldn't have mentioned the 15k...we aren't allowed to save. Plus you won't be on benefits with 15k in savings.

Lennybenny · 27/06/2023 10:52

Wizzbangfizz · 27/06/2023 10:34

It is significantly cheaper than private rental - averaging just over £90 a week MAX. You can’t get many private rentals for that and no one is suggesting that people willingly make themselves worse off but it is a contributing factor to the housing crisis in this country.

Hahahaha I wish. Mines £156 a week plus a C in council tax rate.

Lennybenny · 27/06/2023 10:54

Brighton5555 · 27/06/2023 09:27

Thanks . I’m going to stay elsewhere for a couple of weeks for the work to start. I plan to clean it myself with about 15 bottles of bleach 😂

Show quote history

If you can afford 15k, get professional cleaners in.

Equalitea · 27/06/2023 11:04

I gave up SH years ago, to buy my first house. I don’t think that’s uncommon or at least it wasn’t back then. I thinks. Lot of people either bought their SH or moved out to buy elsewhere.

I also know of people in the last 10 years who have moved from SH to private renting to be in the right school catchment/nearer work/family. However none of these were in particularly nice areas.

Wizzbangfizz · 27/06/2023 11:05

The average weekly general needs (social rent) rent across England was £94.31, with variations across different regions of the country. Rents were lowest in the North East (£78.89) and highest in London (£116.16).

Gov.uk regulator of social housing report just to clarify I wasn’t making it up.

Zebedee55 · 27/06/2023 11:07

Wizzbangfizz · 27/06/2023 10:34

It is significantly cheaper than private rental - averaging just over £90 a week MAX. You can’t get many private rentals for that and no one is suggesting that people willingly make themselves worse off but it is a contributing factor to the housing crisis in this country.

I'm paying £800 per month...I wish I was paying £80 per week! 🙄

Tidsleytiddy · 27/06/2023 11:11

ThreeFeetTall · 26/06/2023 22:31

I'd do it, once he and the pets are gone and you've aired it and wiped the walls it probably won't be so bad. Even just ripping up the carpets and having rugs for a year or two would be ok.

I wonder where people live if 15k is a deposit? And that they can know that OP could get a mortgage just because she's got some savings? Confused

Exactly this. My son needed a £50k deposit for a mortgage on a one bed apartment. Where would £15k get you. Not everyone in social housing are poor. Most work. Most tenancies are assured for life

gamerchick · 27/06/2023 11:14

EmpressSoleil · 27/06/2023 10:49

averaging just over £90 a week MAX

Hahaha, I wish! My HA rent is £180 a week! Double your "MAX" amount. Yes in some parts of the country, for some property types, you can pay less than £100 a week but we don't all have such low rents. Yes it's still cheaper than private renting but it is close to a third of my income. I pay it all, claim zero benefits.

I did chuckle at the max bit. Grin

Tidsleytiddy · 27/06/2023 11:28

It’s the usual bitterness and jealousies coming out as soon as Social Housing is mentioned, usually by people who are piss poor themselves and struggling

HeckinBamboozled · 27/06/2023 11:28

If you have the money you might as well move. Location makes a massive difference.

Get a forensic clean after removing all of the flooring. It'll probably make quite the difference. Get Shelter's support if the council won't play ball on replacing the windows. With the current focus on reducing damp you should be able to get that sorted quickly.

ohdamnitjanet · 27/06/2023 11:28

So OP should spend her £15000 hard earned savings on a years private rent, run out of money then apply for social housing? This isn’t a communist state, people are allowed to have savings even if they claim benefits.

LadyGrinningSoul85 · 27/06/2023 11:31

Sorry but if you have £15k to spend on renovations then no way should you be in social housing.
I'm being made homeless with several young children and we are terrified.
We are stuck on a waiting list, no idea how long it will take and there are people like you sat in social housing that have 15k kicking about.
Wtaf.

LadyGrinningSoul85 · 27/06/2023 11:32

Tidsleytiddy · 27/06/2023 11:28

It’s the usual bitterness and jealousies coming out as soon as Social Housing is mentioned, usually by people who are piss poor themselves and struggling

Yes, I am 100% bitter.
This is a ridiculous situation.

Tidsleytiddy · 27/06/2023 11:35

Which bit?

Tidsleytiddy · 27/06/2023 11:36

Sorry, I didn’t see your previous post. I’m sorry for your situation but I meant it’s usually nastiness by people who look down on SH tenants than those who are in dire need

wineschmine · 27/06/2023 11:38

Sarahtm35 · 26/06/2023 22:25

I’m mean this in the kindest way possible but if you have spent thousands of ££s and can afford to spend £15k on this new place then you really should not be eligible for social housing.
when we got our social housing we could barely afford paint. That’s why we needed the house because we weren’t well off. We have a huge homeless issue in this country and so it upsets me that there are people living in them that clearly have other choices with their renovations and fancy new kitchens. Sorry but i had to rant

Sorry OP, but I have r I agree with this.

I saw your reply to this poster and it just doesn't cut it for me, I'm afraid.

Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

There are huge waitlists for social housing, for people who are in dire need of a home.

I also feel these homes should be for the people who really need them.

But I guess that's on the council and the whole system. You're not doing anything legally wrong, you are entitled to the house. Ethically though is a different thing.

Have spent "thousands" on your current council house and now have £15k to do up another. Just doesn't sit right with me.

Yerroblemom1923 · 27/06/2023 11:42

People saying OP shouldn't have savings or that £15000 is a lot.... it really isn't much when it comes to decorating etc. We've been pricing up new kitchens and you're looking at £12000 minimum. I know the OP talking about the bathroom but would imagine that'll be easily £6000.

Locutus2000 · 27/06/2023 12:02

There are huge waitlists for social housing, for people who are in dire need of a home.

The people already living there also have a dire need of a home. There are no private rentals, where do they go?

Bremusa · 27/06/2023 12:04

Op, I'm assuming you live in Bristol from your username which is a different area to me, but I would check with the council if I were you. In my area (West Yorkshire) there are no lifetime tenancies any more, they're regularly reviewed. Also if you have a lifetime tenancy and mutual exchange/swap with another tenant, you lose your lifetime tenancy and have to sign a new agreement for regular assessment, initially every six months. Just a heads up, might be worth you checking, although Bristol may be different. Otherwise definitely go for it.

Original poster
Brighton5555 · 27/06/2023 12:05

Yeah £15k will only covering flooring, moving , and decorations plus door replacements and some but not all of the bathroom… the rest will be outside of the initial input .

I assume most of the ignorance on social housing comes from people who have never needed to apply. You do not have to be poor or homeless to be able to apply and sure they have increased the rules to apply now ( for example where I live you cannot apply until you have lived in the area for at least 5 years ) but you can work and have one , you can have one with a million pound in your bank… you can also have one if on benefits . Tenancy for life is another reason why there are one or just two people occupying large family
homes because it’s their right to stay.

it’s not free housing . For sure I’m lucky to have one but I’ve been a social housing tenant for over a decade .

OP posts:
Original poster
Brighton5555 · 27/06/2023 12:06

Bremusa · 27/06/2023 12:04

Op, I'm assuming you live in Bristol from your username which is a different area to me, but I would check with the council if I were you. In my area (West Yorkshire) there are no lifetime tenancies any more, they're regularly reviewed. Also if you have a lifetime tenancy and mutual exchange/swap with another tenant, you lose your lifetime tenancy and have to sign a new agreement for regular assessment, initially every six months. Just a heads up, might be worth you checking, although Bristol may be different. Otherwise definitely go for it.

It’s been confirmed as he has a life
time as do I so we are technically swapping tenancies x

OP posts: