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.

It's almost as if Council Tenants are required to live a life of indentured servitude. Peasants!

Includiing bringing them their shit during the lockdowns

So why not pay for a private rental and just have an old car?

People are annoyed at subsidizing rent for people who are better off than they are. That’s fair enough I think

Oh yes. Thanks for reminding me. The motability scheme that allows you to lease a car with benefit money.

I got some advice on PIP from my CAB office recently and they said if I was anxious to travel on public transport that can help claim PIP and help on being approved for motability - we will see!

New kitchen and bathroom installed every number of years

With free electrocution in the case of Dhs friend

Define better off. Define subsidising rent.

My son has received disability benefits since he was a very young child and will for the rest of his life. I would much rather he had been able to go to university and have a fulfilling, well-paying career, rather than require 24 hour support for his whole life. Nice to know that some people, like you, resent people like him being supported by our society.

Yes I know.

Being a nurse or a teacher doesn’t save you from choosing a feckless father for your children. Nor does it guarantee you will be financially responsible.

God that’s awful.

my Dad had his kitchen and bathroom done by the council in the early 90s, so ‘every number of years’ is more than 30 for him and no upcoming plans as far as he is aware.

What private rent? Renting private is shit right now. 30+ viewings for each property. It took my DP months after his section21 ended to find somewhere.
You are also at the mercy of a landlord who can put the rent up, 3 monthly inspections where they write a report about your own sofa cushions not being plumped up.

Not an expert yet. Just know about the ones I’ve claimed so far/in the past. From MN I’ve learned about LCWRA, PIP, Motability, DLA, Carer’s Allowance and Attendance Allowance and it’s my mission over this next year to get what I can. As I said, if I can’t beat ‘em (in my 2012 car) I shall attempt to join them!

Oh and I knew about PIP, but I didn’t know I could claim for anxiety and depression, which I have been diagnosed for and medicated for decades. MN has opened my eyes!

Yes and why should they when there are lower to middle earning couples who will do it instead!

Why on earth should they?

The sheer ignorance here is offensive! My father worked from the age of 15 to 55 when he had to retire due to developing progressive MS. He was given DLA (although that’s now been replaced). To get a Motability vehicle his benefit was taken to pay for it and he also paid towards the monthly cost. They are not just ‘handed out’.

You can try, there is no guarantee you will quality since it’s based on how your condition affects you, not what it’s called.

Because due to them being in a housing association house with cheap rent, the council is having to fork out a small fortune in temporary housing for another family who are much worse off. There ought to be a set period of time you can be in such accommodation before your situation is reviewed to see if you still meet the criteria. If you have a well paid job you should be asked to move on or pay an open market rent for the property, funding the housing association to build more properties.

No low to middle earning Council tenants then, I guess?! The housing market is shit. Blame the landlords not the bloody tenants.

If you are taking the piss with this, then get a grip. It is a real and miserable reality for a lot of people... not the subject of a joke.

Why should someone be allowed cheap rent so that they can afford a brand new car?

I assume the flashy cars is just down to insecurity over wealth, in the way that you see far more ‘designer’ labels in areas of poverty than you see in affluent areas. In the affluent area near me the cars are all old and scruffy, just like their owners. The people have the confidence of the upper middle classes. No flashy car needed to show that you belong. In fact a flashy car would very much do the opposite.

What makes you think that people in TA are worse off financially than Council tenants? That the Council tenant you evict for the household in TA don't simply switch places? You do not have to be The Deserving Poor to experience homelessness. The housing crisis is a supply and affordability crisis.

Why do you think that because she is a lawyer she can't also have a disability severe enough to qualify for PIP?

That’s why you would check the owner against the criteria used to originally allocate them to social housing to see if they still qualify. If they’re skint they would. There are lots of people living in grim b&bs with no means to even cook a meal for years on end. We need to prioritise housing for these people.