To think social housing should be means-tested annually like benefits?

[EqualLedgerJay]

Situations change, why should lifetime tenancies exist if income rises? AIBU to think fairness cuts both ways?

I agree. Social housing should be means tested

There is a definite uptick in the number of houses being built. There are several build projects ongoing in my area which I’m happy to see, although whether they will reach the 1.5m target remains to be seen. I do think it was over ambitious! At least it’s being done, though. The Tories built hardly any, unsurprisingly.

It sounds completely unworkable. Or incredibly expensive for the state to implement. Tbe logistics in general, including for the tenants… nah. I’ve claimed housing benefit in the past but I’ve never lived in social housing as I haven’t been given the opportunity. These places are people’s homes, they more often than not take good care of them, or try to. To treat people like the way you propose is just ludicrous and unfair.

Well, you would agree. No surprises there.

I’d say income calculated over the last 24 months. Recalculated yearly. I mean surely if say you entered a property as a single parent on.a low wage while studying and then became for example an account and married someone also working it wouldn’t harm to pay more rent?

I am surprised they would want it to exist at all, and not insist people take responsibility and do the "right thing" (as in buy their home).

I grew up in an council house, as it was known back then they were on an estate, lived there until my mid 20's, not like today's builds, a long road with houses either side, they were known as tide houses due to my DF being employed by the local council as pretty much everyone that live in them were.

Rules on how you kept the house/garden tidy were pretty strick, hedges/lawns kept tidy, no rubbish stacked up in your garden or driveways littered with scrap, or you'd get a knock on the door.
Sounds controlling but memories of growing up their are good, a lovely environment playing out when younger.

That was the criteria back in the early 60's for being given a council property, although if someone left the employment they weren't removed.

You shouldn't. Ignore the ignorant.

They’re always on here ranting about benefit scroungers and how welfare shouldn’t exist. Just plain ignorant, bitter and spiteful 😂

Maybe not yearly, but I do think that it’s unfair for people to have a council house who could afford to rent/buy when there’s people living in temporary accommodation. My former neighbour had a 3 bed flat to himself as a single man in his 40s because he’d grow up there and his parents had passed away and sibling moved out. How is that fair when families are stuck in B&Bs (at v high cost to the council)? I don’t blame individuals using what’s available to them, but given limited social housing and seemingly no plans to substantially increase the stock, I think the system could be fairer.

Yep, I am rubbish at remembering usernames but some stick out due their views.

Well, the argument (and I’m not necessarily making it) is that because everyone else does. And whilst no-one is suggesting you voluntarily give up your tenancy, in a world where resources are scarce, perhaps someone else deserves it more than you?

The reason I’m not necessarily making this argument FWIW is because I appreciate the impracticality of means testing housing. It doesn’t mean I can’t also understand the frustration that some people feel.

There isn’t actually. New home construction starts are down c 30% compared to last year.

Its not the rents that are the problem. Its the instability. I have been a private tenant for over 10 years, my landlords are good although my home is dated (kitchen, bathroom over 25ys years old) I would love to upgrade but the owners could sell at any time. I would love to have some security but can't afford to buy. It's a catch 22, council wont help as I am adequately housed which I do understand, but I am only adequately housed for as long as the owners decide.

I really don't think you can tar all council estates with that same brush. Some, yes, particularly the massive high rise estates in cities.

As pp have said council/social housing was intended for working people to have secure homes. The majority of people living on those estates were community minded, proud of their houses and their gardens and looked after them well and looked out for each other too.

Thatcher and the Tories instigated where we are now.

I agree with you @EqualLedgerJay

We have a very limited resource. We need to find a way to ensure it is only being used by those in greatest need.

There needs to be a point where people are moved on,.both when they are in a house too big for their needs and also if they are earning above a certain threshold or have savings above a certain amount

What happened to the 1.5 million houses Angela Rayner was going to build ?

They are and have been for many years turning green spaces/green belt into large housing estates in local areas here, but none of the one's for sale will be affordable to many of the local people's grown up children, unfortunately they have to move further afield.

New home constructions in 2025 have likely been in planing for 3/4/5 years, maybe a lot longer

I can only judge by where I live I suppose. That’s disappointing then!

The principle should be that secure housing should be available for everyone.

Why are you trying to drag everyone down when we should be building everyone up?

Secure tenancies with capped rents for all, whether in private or social renting. More houses built for need rather than profit.

Its no wonder really
https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/decisions/sanctuary-housing-association-202314757/

I know 3 people who because of their cheap rent never moved on with their lives. If anything it becomes a life sentence as every decision has to be made with the one thing that can’t change. Their address. And if that address is not suitable to raise a family in then a family doesn’t happen,

Indeed its like a dog whistle to some....

Because we probably couldn't get a mortgage, not that we've ever tried. Plus, at some point within the next 10 years I'll likely inherit my parents' house.

We like not having to worry about repairs or a new boiler etc.

Plus we have built brick koi ponds in the garden.

And quite simply we don't want to move.

You can swap houses as many times as you like and to whatever area you like.