Giving up a council house

[LOVELYDOVEY05]

We want to relocate but it looks like it is very hard to get a swap these days. We can buy somewhere in the place we wish to relocate to but people tell us we are mad to give up a Council place. Advice please from our learned ladies here

I gave up a council tenancy many years ago. I wanted a bigger place, and after doing a lot of training my income had changed significantly. It was the right decision for me and I was happy that the council house became available again for someone who really needed it. I had really appreciated having the place (I was fleeing DV and homeless with a pre-schooler when I moved in) and having a secure, cheap home had enabled me to retrain and get a much better job than the one I'd previously had. It felt right to me to make the place available again for someone else.

Whether it is right for you depends a lot on your personal circumstances and the reasons you want to move. You need to factor in maintenance costs as well when moving to an owned house and that can add quite a bit to monthly costs.

If you can afford to buy somewhere I think morally it's the right thing to do. Council housing is supposed to be for those who can't afford to rent elsewhere. Not that I'm bashing you for thinking of staying there because it's your home and who wants to pay more than they have to! If I was in your situation I would seriously consider my finances, and if I could afford to buy in the area I wanted I would definitely go for it. However, if it's going to put you in financial hardship I don't think it's your best choice

Buying your own home is a huge investment which could come in very handy in future - an enormous asset instead of just throwing away rent money each month. It's fantastic that you've used social housing to give yourself this opportunity/advantage. I don't blame anyone at all for wanting to stay in the system though, especially if you were considering private renting as the alternative.

Buy the council house for cheap. And also buy or rent a cheap property in your desired location. You’re silly if you give up the opportunity to buy a discounted house.

Council housing is supposed to be for those who can't afford to rent elsewhere

No it isn't!

OP if you can afford to buy then just buy. Don't buy your council house as you'll have to live in it for years before being able to sell. Can't remember how long though.

I wouldn't give up a secure tenancy to rent - but I would to buy. You'll own your home at the end of it, have more choice in where you live now, and when you retire your income will go further as you won't still be paying rent.

Why would you want to stay in council housing when you can afford to buy your own house?

I'd buy as soon as could afford to do so. Renting is for life. A mortgage gets paid off.
We've not had a mortgage to pay from our early 40s as have never rented and always bought. All paid off now.