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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to not want to live in that flat?

17 replies

MuffinToptheMule · 08/04/2009 13:00

DP and I are due to graduate in the summer. We are looking for jobs around the country and not just specifically in the city we live in now. We have no children.
DP's brother has a two bedroom council flat in the city we live in now. He is moving to another city and wants to rent his flat out. My in laws have suggested that we rent this flat from DP's brother.
We politely declined this offer on the basis that we were not sure if we wanted to stay in this city and also we do not feel entitled to a council property because we should be able to get jobs to pay private rents.
Dp's brother and his in laws are now calling us snobs (behind our back). If we don't rent the flat out Dp's brother will sign it over back to the council. I think this is great because someone else will have the opportunity to live there. Someone who needs it that is.

AIBU? Am I a 'snob' because of this?

OP posts:

chocolepew · 08/04/2009 13:02

Surely that's illegal, isn't that sub-letting? YANBU.

ZacharyQuack · 08/04/2009 13:03

YANBU. You can't commit to a flat if you don't know where you'll find jobs.

I'm not in the UK so don't really understand how council housing works....

Original poster

MuffinToptheMule · 08/04/2009 13:04

I'm not sure on the legality of it, but I haven't looked into it. I think he may be able to sublet it if he doesn't charge over the amount the council ask him to pay.

OP posts:

LIZS · 08/04/2009 13:05

Didn't think he could sublet anyway

LadyOfScoffleTheEasterEggs · 08/04/2009 13:06

I would imagine that's illegal

KingCanuteIAm · 08/04/2009 13:08

He cannot sublet, it is a big no-no and he will get into all sorts of trouble for it. You can't even rent out a council house you have bought for a certain number of years after you have bought it!

(We once had to refuse to process a mortgage for a client who let it slip that she was planning on letting a council house she was about to buy as we were aware of her intention)

TrillianEAstraEgg · 08/04/2009 13:12

YANBU - he shouldn't be letting it, and it's better to rent from a landlord rather than family anyway (especially if they are the sort to call you snobs behind your back - doesn't bode well for any maintenance issues that might come up if you lived there).

kid · 08/04/2009 13:13

From reading your title to this thread, I would have said YABU, but after reading the details I agree that you shouldn't rent it off him.

Out of curiosity, if it was a house would you be happy to rent that off him? (same circumstances as the flat)

flowerybeanbag · 08/04/2009 13:16

Of course YANBU to not want to illegally sublet a flat which in all likelihood won't be where you need to live anyway, how strange.

In fact you wouldn't be unreasonable even if it were legal and you knew you would be working nearby, if you would prefer to choose your own flat it's not at all snobbish of you to want to do so anyway.

Plus wanting council properties to go to those families who genuinely need them is absolutely the right attitude imo.

Original poster

MuffinToptheMule · 08/04/2009 13:25

kid - no we are looking for a flat. Just a one bedroom as it is just me and DP.

OP posts:

kylesmyloveheart · 08/04/2009 13:25

there is no way anyone can ever rent out their council flat. cant beleive he would/you would even think that he could.

kid · 08/04/2009 13:28

Then how can they call you a snob?
You are willing to rent a flat, but want it above board, how is that wrong?

If you rented it from him, you would get caught out, be in serious trouble and have to move anyway.

Ignore them, probably some jealousy that you can afford your own place! Let your BIL hand it back to the council, there are loads of people in need of a council property.

Original poster

MuffinToptheMule · 08/04/2009 13:28

Thanks for the replies. DP's parents and brother are normally lovely people, very helpful etc. That's why I wanted to check if I was BU.

OP posts:

HecAteTheEasterBunny · 08/04/2009 18:10

Agree with the others. I don't think you are allowed to sublet a council property.

And I also don't approve of people hanging onto social housing when there are people living in b&bs or hostels waiting months and months for a proper home. It's not morally right to misuse our scarce social housing in this way.

ickletickle · 08/04/2009 18:12

nope aside from legality dont mix business with family

Cailleachna · 08/04/2009 18:12

YANBU. I wish all people had the same attitude to council properties that you do, then the waiting lists might not be so flippin' long!

JuxaLOTmoreChocolate · 08/04/2009 18:26

I sublet a council flat once, but my landlady - the council tenant - had got permission from them; the permission to sublet extended to me only. I had no rights of tenure or anything, had to sign them away before I was allowed in.

You're not a snob. That's a ridiculous and irrelevant thing to say.

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