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?

Do you know the area well op?

Just take it then before someone else does. It’ll be fine I’m sure

Then surely it's a no brainer. If you can't rent privately then surely you take this property?

Sorry yes I saw the house last year when I went on the open viewing. It was beautiful inside.

I didn't know much about the area then but it is a bad area after doing my research etc.
I did live in the area many years ago but it had changed since then.

Take it, there are so many Facebook groups of people looking to swap houses

If choice is take the house or off the list then you take the house

what is your plan for housing if you turn this down?

Take the house. Winter is almost here, and having a secure tenancy will give you peace of mind.

I wonder why the last people didn't stay in it long. Its good it beautiful inside anyway! That's a big plus. If the house is a newer build, it mightnt be that bad. Easy access to shops/transport etc could be handy also

Do you need a house?

It sounds v tricky for you. Am stating obvious,I know! On the upside you will presumably have a secure tenancy and will not be at the mercy of rent hikes and potential of house being sold so you have security. On the downside will you feel safe ( and your family). Even if UC help with rent if you private rent you still don't have the security. With the council one like a pp said there is the potential to swap and areas change.

Op, almost all remaining council housing stock is on large council estates, and most large estates have some issues that mean they're seen as 'bad' areas because by nature, the people who qualify for the housing are disadvantaged in some way and that includes people who might not be great neighbours - but it also includes lots of lovely people and lots of families.

Honestly you'd be daft not to take it - security of tenure after a year, more help with the rent compared to private because the LHA doesn't apply, and you won't have to worry about unreasonable rent increases. If you're really not happy there after a while you could see about a property swap.

Also I don't know if you've looked at current private rents but round our way the smallest cheapest two bed houses start at £950 so it might not be as comparable as you think.

Helpfulnot

I’m on the council list in my area and there’s currently a 2 bed flat for just over £1120 pm. After doing a quick search on Right Move, in the same town there’s a 2 bed flat to rent for £1200 pm. So not a huge difference. There’s 2 different price bandings in our council; affordable rent, which is in line with most standard rent prices in the area (not taking the extravagant properties into consideration) and social rent, which is the lower rent prices that most people would expect a housing association property to be.

Take it, areas only get better if better people move into them.

What are your alternatives really?

So its a no brainer then

Right?

How bad is the area? Do you have children?

Sorry to hear this. I think you’ve been given a bit of a hard time on the thread. Can you take this property and see what options you have to move to a different one later on? Or swap with someone else?

Where are you currently living if you can't private rent? Surely this house is better than no house.

I was thinking maybe take the property then if you really hate the area, look to do a house swap? What is it you don’t like? Anti social behaviour? Poor transport links? Far from work/ schools etc?

Can you walk around the area, go into the local pub, shop etc. and ask around how people find it? I live in Croydon and people expect us to be bad/ get freaked out at crime stats but I haven't had any issues here in 20 years. In fact my neighbours and community are really involved and supportive of each other. I'd be inclined to take it. I think the immediate neighbours are what makes or breaks your experience, and you can have rubbish neighbours anywhere.

Do you know why the previous tenant has moved in so quickly (within 12 months) - could you knock on their door to find out? Nightmare neighbours are hell in any situation council, HA, private rent, owner occupied.

I'd take the house and try to do a swap later on. Private rents are extortionate and every year they get worse. You're also very unlikely to get a council house in a 'nice' area. If you need the house take it.

Turn it down then. Simple.

Could someone explain? Why do you qualify for a council house if you can afford a private rental? What is the criteria for getting a council house?