Would you buy a house right next to a council house?

[nappyrat]

When I say right next door, it's one half of a semi. The other half is the council house. Most in the (small) avenue seem to have been sold off to private ownership, but the one attached to the one I like, has not (I don't think).

It's £400k FFS!

[Moanyoldcow]

I fail to understand how low income equates to different values or not capable of being on your wavelength.

I grew up in a council estate myself. I played the piano, enjoyed classical music (as well as BROS and NKOTB), loved the ballet and opera. I drink like a fish if the occasion allows, got an excellent education and I am an now accountant. I was not a-typical for the area.

You are also, presumably benefitting from the house being cheaper than comparable properties nearby that aren't ex-council.

Don't buy it - save your neighbours from your attitude.

[Gallavich]

Why would someone rent a council house if they could afford to rent a private landlord house?

Lol
Council housing is far far far more secure than private renting. Your question should be why would anyone choose private rental when they could rent a council house. Your ignorance is infuriating.

[TheCrowFromBelow]

But you yourself admit that council housing is - basically - for people who can't afford to rent on their own.
Not really. Rental properties weren't as widely available.
Private rental has been massively fuelled by the perception that property is a sure fire investment with a high return. Right to buy has contributed to this.
Council housing guaranteed long term rents which are not as attractive to private landlords.

[OnHold]

CH has much greater security then private lets.Why would you rent a private let if you could rent a CH?

[EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard]

I think what you need to resolve in your own mind is whether you're going to be happy living in an ugly semi detached house that costs £400,000 and move on from there.

The £400,000 obviously being wholly relevant to the area you want to live in.

You never have any guarantees with neighbours, attached or not, wherever you live.

[FancyPantsDelacroixTheFirst]

"Why would someone rent a council house if they could afford to rent a private landlord house?" Round here it used to mean far more affordable rents and much more secure tenancies. I think this may change.

[soupmaker]

We did. We have a fabulous house and fabulous NDN. Please don't buy the house OP. You're not worthy of it.

[Gallavich]

Galla -
What difference do you think it makes to a person's character that they can/can't afford letting agent's fees?! confused

Genuinely nothing.

So why would you judge the council tenant then? you're making zero sense. Unless you judge and despise all renters?

[LostMyDotBrain]

You really haven't explained this.

Why would someone rent a council house if they could afford to rent a private landlord house?

I actually have explained this, as have others.

Tenancies with HAs and the council are more secure. They are also generally better than private landlords for property maintenance and repairs. Private landlords are a very mixed bag. You don't know if you've got a good one until you're in the property and something doesn't go smoothly. With councils and HA, you know what you're getting.

[mnbvcxzl]

But council house rents are below the market rate so they people with lower incomes can afford them... Aren't they?

[Joinourclub]

I think what I am trying to say is that I would value having a neighbour who is on my wavelength (whatever that is), and I might have far less chance of getting this if I live next to a council house

I DON'T Live in a council house, but you are definitely NOT on my wavelength.

Are you saying that you think you are 'different' (better?) than 'poor people'?

I love how you actually have lived next to a nice council tenant before, and rather than broadening your mind and realising that they are just normal people, you just assume she must be some rare exception !

[ASDismynormality]

My previous house was an ex-council house, our neighbours on one side were council tennants. The first set were not great neighbours, mainly left weeks/months worth of dog mess in the garden - as they were council tenants I could and did complain to the council and the mess was cleared. They moved and next set were lovely and we are still good friends.

The advantage is if you have problem neighbours you are more likely to get help if they are council than private or home owners. I wouldn't dismiss a house just because the one next door is council.

[OneWithTheForce]

We have Dalmatians ffs



My 400k is bloody bloody hard earned.

You earned and saved £400k from your wages?

[gamerchick]

I certainly wouldn't, anyone could end up living there, and they're there because they can't afford their own property to own

I have a finger full of swear words to that but realised it's not worth it

I still can't believe that there is still fucking ignorance about rents and council houses. They're not free.

[HotSince82]

Lots of homeowners couldn't afford a private rental.

I rented a house next to a woman who had paid 31K for it in 1998. (zoopla told me)
Thats less than my annual salary.

When she expected me to be deferential towards her purely because she bought a house whilst I was studying for my GCSEs I reminded her of this fact.

Many homeowners are worse off financially than even council tenants. They were just fortunate to be adults when property was considerably less expensive and therefore able to buy a house which is out of the reach of the generation beneath them.

[LostMyDotBrain]

But council house rents are below the market rate so they people with lower incomes can afford them... Aren't they?

Only in some areas these days. They used to be 'affordable' housing but round here they're on par with the rest of the market. Those areas who still provide them cheaper than the market rate generally still charge 90% of market rate...which is by no means cheap. Country-wide, rent is often more expensive each month than a mortgage, council or not.

[mnbvcxzl]

Thanks Lost, I didn't know that.

[backaftera2yearbreak]

I hope you buy a house with really horrible neighbours. Ones that own. Because they do exist. I can't believe the outright snobbery on here!

[OneWithTheForce]

OP what exactly is it about people with lower income that makes you think they aren't on your wavelength?

[tygr]

Yes. I did. Owned an ex LA flat in London for over a decade with a 90 yo council tenant one side and right to buy former tenants the other and a mixture of owners and tenants all around.

Immediate neighbours no issues at all - there was a family that indulged in some antisocial behaviour further down but generally everyone was very pleasant and there was a good sense of community.

Council tenants tend to be long term so if there are no current issues then likely to stay that way for a while. Can you visit the neighbourhood a few times at different times of day and check it out not a bad idea when buying anyway

[Fluffy24]

I can't think of a better neighbour than local council - they'll be a decent landlord and so make a good neighbour.

[unlimiteddilutingjuice]

"find that people with drastically different outlook / values live next door."

That's what neighbours are like though. Completely random people you may have nothing in common with. You don't do a match.com survey before you move in. Thank god.

[WaitrosePigeon]

I would value having a neighbour who is on my wavelength

I can imagine what wavelength. I'd get banned though.

[CoolCarrie]

Bloody hell OP ! As pp have said council houses give people fairer rents and a hell of a lot more security, as do HA.
Renting privately is expensive, huge deposits are needed first and last months and a lot of landlords won't rent to lone people as you, yourself have found! Get your head out of your arse OP

[gamerchick]

Why would someone rent a council house if they could afford to rent a private landlord house

Hmmm lets see. Secure tenancy, decorate how you want, do more things to the house and garden without having to ask. No getting kicked out with 2 months notice (yanno secure tenancy), 100 quid cheaper a month (round here), quick repairs and secure tenancy.

Hmm why would anyone want a council house I wonder?