To think council housing is really unfair??

[Helpmechooseausername]

I totally get that some people need to be housed by the council, but AIBU to think that the system is abused - but it seems to be his the system works?

I know of two families who have lived in their council houses for years and raised their children there. They needed help when they first moved in, and so were quite fairly given council houses. But, now the kids have grown up and moved on. The parents both have got jobs, nice cars, holidays, go out for meals, etc., etc.. They can continue living in their council houses for the rest of their lives.

It seems massively unfair. Is it really not means tested?? Surely the houses should be given to other people who need them? How can it be right that they aren't told to move back into the private property market?

I feel a bit like when I stand in a queue in a shop, waiting to pay, while people come in and just take what they want without paying or queuing!!

And yes, I'll admit that I'm jealous! I can't afford to do any nice things for my kids and I, despite working hard, and it seems to be because I chose to own my own home and get a mortgage instead of getting a council house!

Firstly it’s there home, secondly when you pay of your mortgage and live rent free living the high life , they will still be paying rent

I can see it from both sides, so very much on the fence with this topic, but from my relatively short time on MN, I suspect many will not be receptive to your view. I could be wrong though…..

we should never how sold councils houses under the right to buy scheme. Years ago council houses were plentiful and the criteria for them was fairly wide. There was less sigma. It’s only unfair because there isn’t enough to go round. Council houses aren’t free and many people pay a lot of rent. I unsure if they should go to the poorest of people, because there is a real lack of affordable alternatives.

I agree with you OP, but I suspect we'll be in the minority

It wouldn't work, would it? You can't just chuck someone out of the home they've lived in for years, just because their kids have grown up. Where would they go? How would they afford the extortionate rents that have to be paid now?

It’s not a free house. My family member was made homeless because private landlord sold the home they lived in. The cost of private rentals skyrocketed due to demand. They became homeless and the council housed them in a grotty 60 year old flat, with damp. They were then allocated a new build. 3 bedroom, their rent is over 700 a month. My mortgage for similar house is 400. Neither of us can afford to go on holiday.

Don’t hate the player hate the game…

Their houses aren't available for people who need them. They're occupied already. The answer to a shortage of council houses is to build or buy new stock, not throw existing tenants out of their homes. Why on earth would that be your go to resolve?

Yabu. Council tenants pay rent. They aren't stealing. Also, I doubt you'd enjoy living in a country where 50+ year olds got kicked out of their homes once their kids were grown, with all the attendant social problems that would bring.

You know those houses aren't free. If they're working they will be paying rent like everyone else.

The good thing about a council house it's a secure tenancy and you don't need to worry about the landlord hiking the rent or putting the property up for sale. It's yours as long as you need it. That's the whole premise of social housing.

My parents live in a council house paying full rent, up until a few years ago they went abroad twice a year until ill health took over they are just over threshold for pension credits so receive no benefits they will be in their house until they are no longer able/with us, I wouldn't expect them tp give it up. Social housing is just that Social housing.

Where do you suggest all the people go who you're turfing out of their council houses?

They're not rent-free, you do understand that?

People pay for them, until they die. There's no opportunity for the equivalent of a mortgage-free life.

Council housing was never intended as temporary accommodation - it was supposed to provide working families with decent homes.

The problem isn't people having jobs and paying rent - the problem is the government not building enough housing.
Don't make a societal issue into an individual problem.

I'd start with tapered rents (percentage of income, so still more affordable than private) and entirely scrapping right to buy. I'd also up bedroom tax and make councils facilitate and incentivise swaps according to need.
You can't just kick people out though - would cause far more problems than it would solve.

Your mortgage, when paid off will have given you an asset to use for your benefit.
Living in social housing and paying a slightly subsidised rent is not the same thing.

But you will pay off your mortgage in 15 or 20 years.
You will then own an asset outright that is likely to continue appreciating in value while your living costs drop because you are no longer paying the mortgage.
You will also have the option to sell the house at retirement, downsize somewhere cheaper and release capital to help fund a more luxurious retirement.
Plus you have an asset that will likely (unless unfortunate enough to require several years of expensive nursing care) be worth someone the you can leave to your children.

Where as the council tenants will continue paying rent until death. So while you have financial options in retirement to release capital, they do not and their living costs remain the same. Plus nothing to leave kids.

So if you are private renting, you might have more of a point but as someone with a mortgage, it's a silly thing to be resentful of as you will be better of in 15 or 20 years for the rest of your life.

Yes council tenants pay rent if they work, but let’s not pretend; the rent is minuscule compared to what rents are for others not so privileged to be a council tenant.

Yes this, the street my parents live in, most of the council built houses are now privately owned, my dad didn't want to but their houses because he didn't agree with RTB.

If it's not the benefit scroungers it's the social housing horders - it never ends and I'm so tired 😫 .

No not like everyone else. Their rent is significantly lower than market rate.

Their houses aren't available for people who need them. They're occupied already. The answer to a shortage of council houses is to build or buy new stock, not throw existing tenants out of their homes. Why on earth would that be your go to resolve?

But they shouldn’t be occupied by them. They are meant for families. That’s why they were given the house in the first place. They should move out and go somewhere smaller. And pay the rent the market dictates like everyone else has to.

And yes, I'll admit that I'm jealous! I can't afford to do any nice things for my kids and I, despite working hard, and it seems to be because I chose to own my own home and get a mortgage instead of getting a council house!

Or you chose to have too many kids for your income perhaps?

No I don’t think they should be chucked out as I don’t think it will achieve anything. I do however think they should be paying market rate rent once they are no longer in an emergency situation.

I'm assuming they can go and live with OP, since it's her idea.