Council houses owning brand new cars?

[TheCluelessMum]

I’m writing this post with the hopes of being educated, not slandered

however I completely appreciate I may be just completely shot down for asking this.

i live on a new build estate, 12 houses at the start of the estate are council houses. I don’t know this because I’m a snob, I know this because it’s clearly marked on plans when you buy those houses.

i see so much stuff online about how the UK benefits system is failing people, the higher rise of food banks. It’s absolutely abhorrent people are in this situation.

however, when entering my estate today I noticed that each and every single council house had a car newer that a 20 plate. Mercedes, Audi’s, BMW’s even range rovers.. there was not a single house out of the 12 which had an older than 20 plate car.

I am now confused as to why this is the case? Everyone I know (including those receiving benefits) continually speaks about how hard the cost of living is.

so could someone please answer how/why those in what we would presume lower income families, are able to afford such lavish cars.

Council houses aren’t just for those on benefits. They’re a secure tenancy in return for rent paid. Those on lower income will get housing benefits towards rent but there are those that pay rent outright.
I work full time and rent a housing association house.

hire purchase
credit card
prioritising money for cars over all other things
fake plates
a gift
meh
NYFB

oh!!!!!! I didn’t know this, so just like renting except council is your landlord.

case closed!!!!!! Thanks for responding

They could be on finance or they are Motability cars.

My parents live in a council house. They don't claim any benefits. My mum has a car on lease, so brand new every 3 years.

Council houses are not exclusively for people on benefits. Sometimes people end up getting council houses due to being served section 21 when privately renting or someone who was once on a low income has been promoted and earns well but cannot or doesn't want to get a mortgage

You don’t have to claim benefits to get a council house. You can also get cards on credit.

I live in a council house. And I work so hard on my own business. My kids have brand new iPhones. I have a gorgeous 67 plate fancy car and have another vehicle too. We eat amazing food. Eat out often. Have nice clothes. Designer sunglasses. I vape. I don’t drink. I go the gym and have a PT. My kids go to multiple clubs almost every day of the week. I have a 65 inch TV on my wall. I have well cared for pets.

May be these guys are the same? Not everyone in a council house is poor etc. many work. And work bloody hard.

Mobility cars from getting enhanced rate PIP - on top of the free house and other benefits - that’s what you could think if you were stereotyping.

Council houses don't have anything to do with benefits OP.

It will probably be a mix of Motability and regular hard working families who have prioritised a reliable car over other things.

Yes.

Generally you need to have some kind of ‘need’ to initially get into the council house system, but once you’re in it you can stay until
you choose to leave.

There’s also the odd bit with cars. You don’t need much, if any, up front funds to get a car on a credit arrangement. Whereas to buy a second hand one outright you do. So if you don’t have cash savings, new on a finance deal can be more accessible than second hand.

They’re probably Motability scheme cars. My father in law always has a new car via this.

🙄here we go again

Here we go again.

More than half new leased cars are on notability scheme. For people claiming disability benefits. Paid for by other people.

10 million people of working age are not working or not working enough and claiming benefits.

Who said claiming benefits is hard. Literally millions are doing and new cars are being handed out on benefits, the likes of which people in work could bill afford.

That’s why the systems is broken and losing so much support.

Thanks for those responding. I meant no offence, but I’m glad I asked because now I know.

There are long waiting lists for council housing, there's not enough for the people who really need them

My partner and I live in a council house. It's £550 a month and we both work full time and pay tax.

Council houses are much cheaper than private rents so people can save for new cars etc.

We live in a 2 bed new build housing association house and we don’t claim benefits. We pay £1000 a month rent, £200 council tax. We run our own business and I’m a stay at home Mum and pregnant with our second. We own our 24 plate family car outright.

Story of my life. We are surrounded by people with 24 plates yet we are the only homeowners (ex LA) and are about to buy a 10 yr old car as that’s all we can just about afford.

People on benefits seem to not be able to plan for the future and cannot delay gratification, hence they use their spare case to lease a flashy car. There’s also a cultural element, where we live, at least.

A few comments on here have said they live in, or know someone who lives in council housing and is not on benefits.

I promise they’re all on the never ever. To be fair though, if they are range rovers etc, they most certainly aren’t Motability as they aren’t on the scheme.

Surely the point of council houses should be that they're for people who NEED subsidised housing, and when their circumstances improve they should have to go and pay market rent or get a mortgage. I have never understood how people get longterm tenancies without the situation being reviewed at intervals.

What ‘culture’ exactly?