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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Hatred towards social housing tenants on here getting worse.

192 replies

JenniferBooth · 17/12/2023 13:51

And really nasty and out of control Here is one example but there have been many

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4964096-to-still-feel-slightly-bitter-about-this-inheriting-social-housing?page=1

There have been a few threads in the last week alone. Its like this is a nice safe little prejudice that the social housing haters can enjoy with no comebacks.

To still feel slightly bitter about this? (Inheriting social housing) | Mumsnet

I grew up in a two bed council house with my mother (single parent) and my sister in what could now be considered a highly gentrified area within walk...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4964096-to-still-feel-slightly-bitter-about-this-inheriting-social-housing?page=1

OP posts:
JenniferBooth · 19/12/2023 15:47

@Comedycook Mmm TOTALLY Have you got a link to the petition you will definately have started. The petition for more bungalows to be built so the elderly can downsize

Because you obviously arent expecting them to move to a tower block!

OP posts:
GotMooMilk · 19/12/2023 16:04

I do see vitriol towards people in SH which seems very unfair. I do agree however with the housing crisis that lifetime tenancies and inheriting tenancies should be completely scrapped. Tenancies should be given on a short term Basis (5 years or so) and then people reassessed for need. More movement between houses to allow families in bigger places and empty nesters to downsize.

VeronicaSawyer89 · 19/12/2023 16:37

MidnightMeltdown · 19/12/2023 12:24

I think it's the opposite. I think it's the tenants who are NOT on benefits who cause resentment - because they are inhabiting properties which should go to those in need.

Can you only be in need if you're on benefits? Most people who claim benefits are working!

Candycurrantbun · 19/12/2023 16:40

People in low paying jobs are in need of affordable housing. Where did the idea come from that SH is only for the non working?

Dontcallmescarface · 19/12/2023 17:02

KnittedCardi · 19/12/2023 14:55

I haven't read the whole thread, sorry. But I think that council tenants should have, say, five yearly reviews of affordability. Tenancies should not be for life, nor be bequeathed, and if you pass a certain salary you should be given notice to quit. I'm not talking about low earners, or those in receipt of other benefits, but people who are clearly well above a "need" threshold. Peoples circumstances do improve, and they should make way for those more in need.

Do you know what would happen if people were told that once they pass a certain income they'll lose their homes? What would you do if a promotion meant you would be forced out of your home? Well on the plus side everyone can then bitch about how those of us in SH lack motivation and ambition, so that'll be another stick to beat us with.

Hubblebubble · 19/12/2023 17:08

On another thread where i mentioned i had no problems in my area (mix of social housing and ex council) I was pretty much told I should be quaking in my boots, because once the lovely old lady who lives next door (council) pops her clogs, a feckless family of antisocial yobs will be moved in

Giggorata · 19/12/2023 17:10

Thinking of the carrot versus stick, I would prefer lone tenants in properties that are now very large for them to be offered incentives to move/swap to smaller properties, rather than be chucked out.
Those that take the offer wouldn’t feel resentment at being moved out against their will and there wouldn't be the precariousness of time limited tenancies, which lessens investment in properties and neighbourhoods, thereby reducing social cohesion.

A certain amount of family sized housing would be released through this, which would justify the cost by the improvement in living standards for families, thereby lessening the need for other social service input.

Those that are so emotionally invested in their family homes could stay - but for these, the offer of voluntary, well-financed and well supervised and contracted lodgings schemes, to house some of the singles, single parents, elderly etc, that opt in.
It might be successful socially too, creating alternative family groups.

BTW, how did that multigenerational council house in Margate work out? It sounded like a good alternative scheme, to house three generations of the same family, who would otherwise have had three separate council properties, in one large house. (I think they all had their own spaces as well as some communal space) Again, a voluntary similar scheme might be run… built in babysitters and support for aged rellies.

Building more social housing (on brown sites) should run along side this, as should conversion of a proportion of empty High Street and office properties into living and public spaces.
And no more RTB.

JenniferBooth · 19/12/2023 17:10

@Hubblebubble oh how predictable One minute they are families in need of a home. Next they are yobs. Its almost as if the social housing haters are using these families as a stick to beat SH tenants with when they coulddnt give a shit about them the rest of the time.

OP posts:
Maverickess · 19/12/2023 17:34

@MidnightMeltdown

You said that the cause of the resentment is people not on benefits being in SH, I was pointing out that people on low incomes but who aren't on benefits are on a similar income and not being entitled to benefits doesn't automatically mean you can afford private rent or a mortgage.

If I've misunderstood your post then I apologise but the way it was worded indicated that only those on benefits should be in SH because they're the most in need and those on a similarly low income shouldn't be entitled to SH because it's earned income. But apparently I'm not the only one who read it that way.

It would seem we agree that people other than benefits claimants could be in need of social housing, but your post certainly didn't come across that way.

On the different subject of passed down tenancies or staying in a property once it is exceeding your needs - I actually agree that neither of those things should be a given, and I'm not sure apart from legacy tenancies, they are any more.
I don't think my DD should automatically get the place we're in now in the event that I die, but, if she qualifies for SH and is already in place, can pay the rent etc then I don't think it should be an automatic no.

As for moving when the house is too big for you, elderly people living in large family homes alone etc, well people with owned homes downsize, so I don't think it should be dismissed out of hand as an option, the issue is that at least around here, there are 1 bed flats that are supported living and (interestingly considering the discussion at the top of this post) you had to be in receipt of certain benefits and help to qualify because they're pretty much assisted/warden living. And then there's bungalows for the over 65's and then there's 3 bed houses. The one or two bed places are in the very popular areas that people don't want to move from because it's where the schools and work is, where the amenities are. I would happily move to one and give up the 3 bed place even now, as there's two of us, but they're not available.
The bungalows are like hens teeth to get, and then you've got your 3 beds. So if there's no bungalows available and people don't meet the qualification for the flats and the 1/2 bed places are unavailable- where are they going to downsize to? Even if they don't object, which I don't, I have nowhere (except another 3 bed) to go to.

moosmama123 · 19/12/2023 17:37

@Giggorata I live in that area and I am not sure it got off the ground (although happy to be disproved)

In that area losing a bedroom and moving to a smaller property (providing they are both council properties) you get £1k a bedroom.

Leah5678 · 19/12/2023 17:59

JenniferBooth · 17/12/2023 14:58

@Leah5678 DH and i live in a one bedroom flat DH is disabled and we really need a bungalow But i dont blame the tenants already living in bungalows.

Why is the hatred not aimed at the developers. Do i really have to post the Elephant and Castle example AGAIN

Yeah I kinda expected y'all to start implying I'm a snob looking down on people for my comment.
If you must know I live in a very small one bedroom with my partner and our kids and I STILL pay way more than my friends who have three bedroom council houses.
Did I say I hated council tenants though? No I just said most private renters are understandingly jealous. Why would they not be? Honestly what's the point in this thread get out and enjoy spending the left over money from having cheaper rent instead of complaining on Mumsnet that people are jealous.
I mean that nicely btw enjoy life and don't worry about the opinions of randoms online

Leah5678 · 19/12/2023 18:05

JenniferBooth · 18/12/2023 21:24

Nobody said that This is just pure obfuscation. Because private tenants dont get the hate that SH tenants get

Ah thank god. I'm paying more than twice as much for a one bed flat than my council housed friend pays for a three bed house but knowing I get less hate on Mumsnet makes it worth it

LonelynSad · 19/12/2023 18:13

I think people forget that social housing is not just for the so-called ne'er do wells as some people call them, it's also disabled people and people escaping domestic violence; You know, like all the poor women who post on MN for help leaving their abusive marriage. Who get loads of support & encouragement to do so and to get their "name on the local social housing list" by the very same posters who give social housing tenants grief

OP posts:
Leah5678 · 19/12/2023 18:20

LonelynSad · 19/12/2023 18:13

I think people forget that social housing is not just for the so-called ne'er do wells as some people call them, it's also disabled people and people escaping domestic violence; You know, like all the poor women who post on MN for help leaving their abusive marriage. Who get loads of support & encouragement to do so and to get their "name on the local social housing list" by the very same posters who give social housing tenants grief

No one has actually said they hate council tenants. They have just explained why people paying twice as much in rent privately feel jealous (not to be confused with hatred)
I've been through some shit lived in homeless hostels and stuff the waiting list is over five years for the highest band. Someone leaving their marriage is highly unlikely to just get a council home

JenniferBooth · 19/12/2023 18:27

Well ive always thought LTB was never that easy and flung around by posters who have no idea of the housing issues.

OP posts:
LonelynSad · 19/12/2023 18:29

JenniferBooth · 18/12/2023 18:39

@roarrfeckingroar If someone with four kids wants my little one bedroom flat they can have it Do you think thats likely? DH is 73 so retired. And being child free by choice i havent used any maternity services. I also pay for my own Mini Pill Hana from Boots. So i think it evens out.

I don't mean to pry but I'm genuinely curious why you take the mini pill if you're on your 70s? Is there a side benefit to it? I don't mean to derail the thread, I'm just curious for my own health reasons

Leah5678 · 19/12/2023 18:30

LonelynSad · 19/12/2023 18:29

I don't mean to pry but I'm genuinely curious why you take the mini pill if you're on your 70s? Is there a side benefit to it? I don't mean to derail the thread, I'm just curious for my own health reasons

Husband is 73 I don't think she has said her own age.

JenniferBooth · 19/12/2023 18:31

@LonelynSad its a bit complicated DH is 73 and im 50 and im not on it because of DH I have no idea whether my periods have stopped due to the mini pill or the menopause though

OP posts:
LonelynSad · 19/12/2023 18:42

Wassupppp · 18/12/2023 21:30

I'm bitter about some HA tenants, particularly my neighbours who are long standing tenants, in a lovely 3 bed semi (just the two of them) and who spend a month each spring and a month each September in their property in Spain..... How lovely that they have limited maintenance costs on their property, pay below market rate rents, are in a secure tenancy and presumably those savings have afforded them the abilty to buy a property abroad.

They're committing fraud. If you own any property in any country then you have to give up the tenancy. My neighbour had to give up her HA house because she inherited a small forest! She didn't manage to sell it within the 12 months the HA gave her and so now, she lost her home. She's no desire to give up her home for the sake of a forest she's not even allowed to camp in.. Her and her son are now homeless.
When my HA tenancy began in 2019 I had a very in depth, very thorough means testing by the HA in order to prove I had no assets/property or savings and that means testing is due again next November. Every 5 years for life.

JenniferBooth · 19/12/2023 18:44

My neighbour had to give up her HA house because she inherited a small forest! She didn't manage to sell it within the 12 months the HA gave her and so now, she lost her home. She's no desire to give up her home for the sake of a forest she's not even allowed to camp in.. Her and her son are now homeless

Kind of ridiculous situation the press would be interested in.

OP posts:
LorlieS · 19/12/2023 19:02

I wish we qualified for any help at all as it's so hard with 3 kids and private rent. Hubby earns around £19,200 pa and myself £17,100. A joint yearly income of just over £36k really doesn't go far when your rent alone is £1,200 per month and rising 😞

paulaparticles · 19/12/2023 19:44

I recently bought my house through rtb and am shocked at the comments on threads on here recently about it. I thought it was a good thing. Rtb was ending in my area and was last chance to buy. The way I see it im not going anywhere wether I own it or not. Very settled here. However I've a family member in a 3 bed house which was passed to them when parent died and has been trying to downsize and no luck for a few years now even though lots of social housing 2 beds being built locally. Thought it would be easy for them to downsize as giving up a 3 bed I dont understand it.

usernother · 19/12/2023 22:03

paulaparticles · 19/12/2023 19:44

I recently bought my house through rtb and am shocked at the comments on threads on here recently about it. I thought it was a good thing. Rtb was ending in my area and was last chance to buy. The way I see it im not going anywhere wether I own it or not. Very settled here. However I've a family member in a 3 bed house which was passed to them when parent died and has been trying to downsize and no luck for a few years now even though lots of social housing 2 beds being built locally. Thought it would be easy for them to downsize as giving up a 3 bed I dont understand it.

You might not be going anywhere atm, but if you hadn't bought it the house would be going to someone on the waiting list when you die. That's the difference. Not having a go at you for buying it btw. I'd do the same.

PTSDBarbiegirl · 19/12/2023 22:13

The Tory propaganda has worked then. It's either snobbery or envy but I hope people realise this is a norm in many countries. UK has a ridiculous problem with what it perceives as class, working class or middle class etc. The sooner one of our up and coming generations are able to expect that if they choose the public sector one of the perks may be a high quality affordable home.