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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be angry with my friend for pretending her dp has left to get a housing assoc house??

58 replies

superv1xen · 17/05/2010 18:29

she was given her notice by her landlord a few weeks ago and her and her dp have pretended he has left her so she can get a housing association house.

he is renting a room off his mate in a shared house (but obviously doesnt actually stay there), so that "on paper" he offically has moved out. and they are intending to give it a few weeks once she and the kids have moved in the house and then "move him in" officially.

and she has just found out she has been offered a 3 bed HA house today.

i know all this because she actually told me about what they were doing quite boastfully, saying she wanted to "do the best for her family" and that they couldn't afford some private rented house for £700 a month that can just be taken off them at any time. she wants the security and cheapness of having a housing assoc or council property.

i just feel a bit about them playing the system when there are people in genuine need out there.

btw, he works, she doesn't. but he has a reasonably good job, he is a shop manager so i am sure he earns a decent wage.

OP posts:

Tortington · 17/05/2010 18:33

if her landlord had made her homeless, then she would have had to be re-housed anyway.

RunawayWife · 17/05/2010 18:33

If you feel that strongly about it report them.

Alouiseg · 17/05/2010 18:35

This sort of thing makes me very angry. She is effectively preventing someone in real need accessing a property.

Might you report her?

OTTMummA · 17/05/2010 18:36

Well, it is annoying, and wrong, but TBH if i were in her position i would consider doing just that.
I don't know if i would actually do it, maybe as a short term thing until i could work again etc.
How many kids does she have?
She is playing the system, its not fair, but hardly anyone whos on there does.

Missus84 · 17/05/2010 18:39

If they got offered a house that quickly, then there can't be that much of a shortage in your area?

SalFresco · 17/05/2010 18:40

SHe probably didn't need to do that, they would have been rehoused anyway, and if they genuinely can't afford to rent privately (shop managers don't earn much) then I can see why they did it, although I don't agree with it.

I wouldn't report her, mainly because they are very, very unlikely to do anything about your complaint, and she will probably just find out you shopped her. SO it really depends how much you want to stay friends with her!

8Ace · 17/05/2010 18:40

Actually I don't think this would make any difference. If they have a Notice to Quit on their current property they would be put at the top of the list as they are getting made homeless. I don't think income actually comes into it. EVERYONE is entitled to apply for social housing. Maybe its different where you live but where I live single parents do not get priority. It is your housing situation that counts.

SalFresco · 17/05/2010 18:41

Yes, Missus84 I thought that where we are you wait about 8 years for a 3 bed house, even if you are made homeless it is a couple of years in temp accomodation....OP, please give us a clue where you are!!

Original poster

superv1xen · 17/05/2010 18:42

no, i wouldn't report her, TBH to a certain extent i can see why she has done it....i went through loads of crap to get my housing association house, and i was genuinely on my own with no hope of getting a private rented place.

just feel a bit bad for the people in genuine need who she might have stepped over.

although i have to say i am glad i have a HA place as it feels like my own and its far cheaper than private renting.

and if they had been made homeless as a couple they would have been told to sod off and get a private rental as she has a dp who works. they would never have got a council or ha place.

OP posts:

GypsyMoth · 17/05/2010 18:42

she was lucky....how long had she been on the list for?

Missus84 · 17/05/2010 18:44

They would have been entitled to apply for an HA/council place though superv1xen, and would have been in a higher band anyway if they were being evicted.

Having the DP move out has maybe got them into a higher band with a shorter wait though.

SalFresco · 17/05/2010 18:45

That's not true though...my BIL and SIL were made homeless as a couple with children, were in a B&B and then a temp house until being offered a HA house...and BIL worked full time...still, I can see why you are annoyed.

Missus84 · 17/05/2010 18:46

"Yes, Missus84 I thought that where we are you wait about 8 years for a 3 bed house, even if you are made homeless it is a couple of years in temp accomodation....OP, please give us a clue where you are!! "

Yes, I have a friend in London who was made homeless with her three children under 5 and got given a room in a hostel - whereas here in Bristol we have a bidding system and there are often only a handful of bids on a property and they end up going to someone in one of the lowest bands.

Morloth · 17/05/2010 18:46

Didn't we already do this?

GypsyMoth · 17/05/2010 18:46

was it bidding system?

SalFresco · 17/05/2010 18:47

JaxTellersOldLady · 17/05/2010 18:48

she would have got a house anyway. If she is lucky, it will be in a decent area and she will live in it happily.

Obviously 'cheating' to get it really isnt on, but if she was given notice to quit she is entitled to it. Either way her and her children have a house.

I dont know anyone who gets a HA 3 bed house without having to wait years for it.

Thediaryofanobody · 17/05/2010 18:48

I imagine she felt desperate she was about to be homeless with children and had admitted she couldn't afford to privately rent.

Missus84 · 17/05/2010 18:49

Some properties get 100+ bids though SalFresco, others in less desirable areas get hardly any. My DP got a HA flat as a single man in his early twenties because it was in a hard to let area.

GypsyMoth · 17/05/2010 18:50

we have alot of houses here too...lots of new builds as we're near MK so still growing!

SalFresco · 17/05/2010 18:54

Maybe I'll move to Milton Keynes instead!!

Some houses where I am get over 300 bids...and all new developments are flats, 2 bedroom flats at that!

Tortington · 17/05/2010 18:57

anectdotal evidence is really not helpful - what your aunties uncles, cousins, sisters, daughter did - makes no mind. it totally depends on where you are in the country. the waiting list in that area, the frequency of availability etc.

the woman was being evicted - therefore about to be homeless anyway.

GypsyMoth · 17/05/2010 19:35

i am usually number 12 on the bidding system,for a 4 bed. thats number 12 out of 22.

Original poster

superv1xen · 17/05/2010 19:37

i am in leicester

OP posts:

Original poster

superv1xen · 18/05/2010 12:03

didn't realise how different it is for different areas of the country - i guess leicester must have more available housing stock.

my friends fb status update today referred to her getting a £700 decorating grant.

i am actually starting to admire her sheer cheek and balls

OP posts:

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