To move from housing association to private rented?

[avata]

I currently live in a 2 bed terraced new build with DS5, housing association property. Pay £610pcm.

I need three bedrooms, but my main reason for moving is that I was attacked by an intruder in this home, and has issues with a stalker trying to enter the property. The issue has since been resolved, but I cannot fully relax here. I could probably learn to, in time.

The property I'm looking at is £995pcm. Three bed, detached. There's nothing cheaper in my area that fits our needs.

Pros:

Third bedroom
Fresh start
Detached

Cons:

More expensive
Lack of security? I could live in my housing association home forever if I wanted to. I don't like the thought of being told to move at any point.

AIBU to move?

If you can afford it I would move, it'll give you the 3rd bedroom you need but also significantly improve your anxiety and mental health

I wouldn't. I'd seek proper therapy and trauma support. I'd also look at mutual swaps

Even if the cheapest now is manageable, the insecurity is a huge issue and you will make yourself illegible in the future.

So sorry you've had such an awful time :(

Why do you need 3 beds for just 2 of you?

the anxiety will follow you

stay put and address with therapy

wait

if you “need” 3 bedrooms.
then it isn’t a dilemma surely? you have to move?

Don’t do it. Security of tenure is priceless. As a pp said, you’ll take your anxiety with you.

I would say your safety and how you feel is important here, you say the issue has since been resolved, if you know friends/neighbours locally do they make it feel a bit more secure knowing they're a stones throwaway and you can call on them.
Would you feel the same in a neighbourhood that's strange to you.

Can you afford the extra in rent, which will be higher whether private or social housing.

If you're concerned about being asked to leave a private rented it's probably best to stay in social housing to eliminate any worries there.

Have you looked at a home swapper/exchange site?

I would seek counselling for your trauma. It will follow you around.

The market is so uncertain. The rent may be affordable now but landlords do increase the rent too. It may not be affordable in the future, even if you stay in the same three bed property.

The uncertainty with renting plus the extra money isn't worth it. As others suggested a swap may be better.

I would use the money you are saving in rent to put aside for your child when they are older. I wish I could do the same with mine but I have no extra money at the end of the month.

Rents are increasing exponentially all the time and you are so insecure. I think you'll swap one load of stress for another honestly. I'd look at swapping options etc

Can you put in for a transfer through your housing association?

Have you considered Homeswappers? You can try to swap with another housing association or council tenants.
Alternatively your current HA may be willing to move you on compassionate grounds.

I wouldn’t give up a secure tenancy unless as a very last resort.

I would not give up the security of a HA tenancy to move into private rented and risk having to keep moving and paying higher rent increases.
Why do you need a third bedroom?

I'm very sorry for what happened & how you're feeling xx

BUT

I think you'd be mad to give up HA & rent privately. There's absolutely NO security in PR, no guarantee the rent won't go up (my mate is pissed off his HA rent is going up, but it's only a fraction of what the PR's are going up by!!) but for ME it would be the fact you won't be made homeless with HA.

I (well the bank & I) own my place. It's very small & not ideal, but knowing no one can tell me to leave & make me homeless is worth the world to me. HA is is much the same.

i don't know all the ins & Outs of the HA system, but can't you look at swaps? What else can you do to feel more secure there & get help for your trauma.

moving to PR just brings insecurity & id think you'd be daft to give up HA housing security!!

The private rental sector is an absolute shitshow at the moment and not great at the best of times. Do you really need another bedroom, presumably the HA don't think you are overcrowded?

Never give up a secure tenancy, you will never get back on the council list should it not work out. Home swaps are a solid option if your property is desirable enough.

I think you would be absolutely mad to give up a secure tenancy for private renting. Honestly I would sell my granny to have that security!

What you should do if you haven't already is talk about whether you can move on the grounds of feeling at risk physically and also the emotional toll living in that property is having on you.

You will need evidence and it won't be easy but I think that's where to start.

What about swapping? you be mad to give up a secure HA tenancy.

I grew up in a HA property, my parents are now looking to downsize in retirement and will be swapping. Low rent etc, they are secure.

You're mad!

I would request a transfer due to the incident, you can sometimes get a swop as well but why do you "need" a spare room? I wouldn't give up a secure tenancy, I'd wait to swop and work out an alternative plan for whatever you want a spare bedroom for.

Obviously if you can afford it it's your choice but £300 a month you could save for a deposit for shared ownership for instance

Could you consider spending some of the money that you would use for higher rent to pay for counselling- the private rented sector is really insecure and you could take the anxiety and worry with you

Look at swapping. The private rental market is a bit insane. One of my friends just had their rent on a tiny 2 bed flat go up by £1000 a month.

Unless your income in very secure then no way would I move from HA to private renting. It's so expensive not only the rent hikes but having to move at short notice at frequent intervals these days. Do you really need the third bedroom? Can you get help for your issues in other ways?

I was going to suggest the same.

Don't ever move from HA to private. I'm sorry you've had a rough time, you'd be better off getting some therapy and trying to move on, in time like you say.

I wouldn't. I think you'd be swapping one anxiety for another. The one you're living with now will diminish with time and work but the anxiety over a difficult rental market and home insecurity wouldn't.

Have you contacted the Housing Association and explained your situation?
They may have another empty property that you could move into and your new build could be offered to someone else.
I wouldn’t advise you to move from a secured tenancy into a private rented property. So many landlords are either selling or increasing the rents as their investment mortgage interest rates increase.