Offered council house in a not very good area?

[rhinnq]

I got a call today from the council to advise me that I have been offered a property.

The property isn't in a very good area to be honest and the rent is on level with a private rent.

I am not sure if I should take it.

AIBU?

Op what happens if you turn it down? Are you off the waiting list?

So rent privately then and let them give it to someone else?

Surely you're off the waiting list if you turn it down? And if rent is the same as private just do that? Presumably it's not though, or you would already be renting privately.

Is saying you can’t afford it an option?

Just wow!

You’d be in a more secure position in terms of rent price and no sudden eviction etc. Private landlord could increase rent significantly or even evict you under certain circumstances
up to you - if you’re financially secure enough to decline it then I’m sure another person will be in need of it

Getting allocated council house is like finding a needle in a haystack so take it.

Unless it’s a private property allocated by the council and the rent is unaffordable?

Have you been to see the house (do you know where it is?) Even in not great areas there are nice streets and decent people?

See if you can do that before making a decision.

I don't know anyone in a council property paying anywhere near the same rent as private rentals. It must be area dependent but even in my scruffy corner of the NW private rentals are far more expensive.

Grab it while you can! You might be able to swap with someone at a later stage! Query the rent although private rents can be sky high.

That is really odd op..re a council rent being on a par with private rent. Is it because the area is so dodgy that private rents are low?

Here it’s around £450 a month for a 3 bed council house and you get december free …..private 3 bed is upwards of 1100 ….so it’s a no brainer

It depends how bad the area. There's a difference between a bit rough and seriously unsafe with high crime stats, drugs, anti social behaviour etc where is would be worrying to raise your children.
If it's just not the best, then it really depends on how important it is to have a secure life long tenancy and not be subject to rent increases or notice on the whim of a private landlord.
If its a forever home you're after, then it's worth remembering that areas change over the years. There are areas near me that were once 'rough' that have been much improved over the years. Above all, I think the wider area is often less important than your immediate neighbours. Do the homes around the house looked reasonably cared for? If you visit at various times in the day, it is noisy?
Take your time and don't feel shamed into accepting it from gratitude. SH isn't charity. You will be paying rent to live there. If its cheaper it's because you're not having to make profit for a landlord, not because 'the tax payer' is subsidising you.

Definitely take it. It might work out better than you think and if you really don’t like it you’ve still got the option of private renting.

Goady…

Have you seen it yet?

I agree. The OP must be seriously unlucky if Council Property commands the same rate as private in the same area.

Rental properties are like Hen’s Teeth where we are and the rent is way over what you’d pay to a social landlord avd it’s only going to get worse, lots of LLs seem to be offloading rental homes before the Renter’s Reform Bill goes through.

What happens @rhinnqif you refuse the house? If you’re in temporary accommodation do you only get offered the one and then you’re out?

The only time I've seen rent being similar to private rent is when it's a new build. You could take it and do a swap further down the line. What happens if you don't take it?I thought that you could refuse 2 out of 3 houses, but i may have just made that up in my head somewhere 🙈

I agree I would double check that because it doesn't sound accurate at all. I'd also query what happens if you turn it down because I suspect there won't be a second offer.

Also op..did you bid on it? Where I am a person can bid on 3 properties each week. We were served a section 21 many years ago and bid on different properties. Some were in areas that had a reputation including the area we are now in. We are so lucky..our neighbours are fab and there is less anti social behaviour here than when we were private renting in a 'nice' village.

I would ask them if they have any other properties available or turn it down. You could tell them it's too far away from work/school or something. If it's a forever home, it's better to be happy with it for the most part

Accept it or private rent.

I currently only work part time and wouldn't be able to pass the referencing for a private let unfortunately.

The rent on this house is £975 which I think is quite expensive but with it being council I would get help towards the rent with UC.

I did actually apply for this same property 12 months ago and went on an open viewing but it was allocated to someone else.

They don't have anymore properties unfortunately as I asked the lady, if I refuse this house then I am off the waiting list.

Consider the facilities around it and crime rate in the area also. Just in case it's not as bad as you imagine. Some places can have a reputation that may not be altogether accurate