Is anyone watching 'Get a House for Free' on channel 4..

[SleepFreeZone]

right now?

I find myself confused that the Syrian Asylum Seekers are living on the streets abd the single mother doesn't get enough benefits to feed herself. It's really shocking.

At 18 having had next to no experience of how the benefits systems works against you I can totally see how it would look like the dream come true for her.

Thank you Dubious

I only saw the trailer for this and swerved watching it because I was dubious as to the bloke's intentions. I assume he's rich enough to do this without touching the sides of his bank balance, and if that's the case, don't make a fucking programme about it, just give a flat to someone in need. It looked like the worst kind of reality TV glossed up with a bit of worthy head tilting and sad face.

This may be just my cynical side taking over but I can't help thinking there was more to it than "I bought a flat to give away". In the show it said he bought the flat a year ago to give away. Now, I've seen homes under the hammer enough to know that it does not take a year to ready that flat for sale/rent/giving away. It was a pretty new building and the kitchen seemed as if it hadn't been updated with the rest of the flat (old fashioned flowery tiles on the wall) so I am assuming the place was already in pretty good nick when he bought it. My guess is he bought it to let out and for whatever reason is unable to do that. I suspect it has been an albatross around his neck for the year he has had it and he was bursting to get rid.

Well she could always sell the flat & use the money to fund, child care, accommodation & college fees?

I'm a bit surprised no one picked up on the Syrian refugees and them refusing a place

I thought that the guy was maybe using the programme as a way to get on the telly and gain publicity.

I watched and hated myself I must admit for being cynical about the programme and I just kept thinking out of all the homeless people in this country and people in bad circumstances why the hell had he chosen these three.

I felt for the lady going blind although she is currently living in a nice bungalow and earns what I earn (I also live alone). I get she is worried about working when she loses her sight but as posted above how the hell would she pay her mortgage.

Same with the asylum seekers why give them a house when their future is uncertain and they annoyed me for some irrational reason when the Dad tested the mattress, I just had visions of them eyeing it up to sell.

Again with the single parent I just didn't get it what made her different from other single parents. She at least had parental support and only 5 miles away so many have none. Again, as pointed out above her benefits would be affected and how can she pay the bills. She also annoyed me when looking around by saying in one of the bedrooms "this is better".

So many families could have benefited from a 3 bedroom flat why give it to a single person with a baby.

I felt they all came across (apart from the blind lady) as being grabby.

Maybe he would have been better to let people live in his properties rent free for a period of time to give them chance to get back on their feet or even let the single mum live there while she completed university, etc and then passed it onto another person who could it could have helped. How many 18 year olds have their own property with no mortgage.

As you can tell I have overthought this programme and it did not bring out the best in me.

New you articulated what I was thinking.

she wouldn't be able to afford the bills would she anyway?

I think this programme was set up together by channel 4 and him. There were 8,000 applicants but only about 3 were in the running so was the young mum the only single mum that applied I doubt it??? hmmmm. They featured mainly a single mum, asylum seekers and a disabled lady, then they said at the end its got someone off benefits?

NO couples with 2 children who were working were on there, who simply couldn't afford a home. Channel 4 love their benefit programmes after all.

Whatever next who needs a free car??? What about a free holiday home.

Out of 8000 applications i think the 3 he picked were not deserving of the flat. I wasnt impressed and thought it was a pointless programme. Would like to see an update a year or two on to see how she is getting on. Especially with no job and no benefit money to live on because she has an expensive asset.

He did interview a few working families which were simply struggling with rising rent costs so i don't get why they weren't picked

I don't understand why people are saying that the winner won't get benefits. She will lose Housing benefit but can still get Child Tax Credit, Child Benefit, Income Support or JSA, Council tax discount and can apply for the WaterSure scheme etc - owning your home does not affect those. However, I agree that paying bills for a 3 bed place will be more pricey than a 1 bed.

NewI also thought it would be a better idea to "loan" the flat for as long as needed and then pass it on - but that might have different tax implications etc for the owner.

Guidlines have changed people who have a mortgage are allowed assistance but an outright homeowner is not. They simply tell you to sell your house to get by. And Holly isn't allowed to sell that flat because its against the agreement she made with the property developer

Just watched this on catch up TV. It did feel a bit 'poverty porn'. There was something quite cruel about the whole thing, as so many desperate people were allowed in to view that flat with no chance of getting it. And whilst I'm not saying that giving the flat away wasn't a nice gesture, the programme itself says he has a business worth £25 million. He could have given all three of those final applicants a flat of similar value and still have so much money left not to even notice. Maybe I'm just bitter and cynical.

I reckon it was because he couldn't shift the flat any other way. Something wrong with it.

Eleventy thanks I did not know guidelines had changed . My Best friend was left her house outright by her Aunt and lives on benefits. Is it restricted for new/ Universal Credit claimants?

How long does Holly have to keep the flat before she can sell? (missed that bit) I suppose she could rent the spare rooms to make some money.

She only has one spare room and in such a pokey apartment with a baby and all its things and toys she'll probably use it as extra storage. The deal was it is a flat for life and a permanent home so i don't think she can sell it. The show didnt go into any legalities he just showed up at her house and said he'd put it all in her name and then he took her and the baby there and just left it was all a bit

It was a very odd programme. The man ended up helping all 3. So defeating the object.

And I agree with pp, the refugee family could have split up- whilst not ideal, at least they would have been housed.

The single mum and the eyesight lady all needed help, but just not 3 bedroomed houses.

The whole programme was oddly disturbing, but more than that a bit wierd and uncomfortable.

I doubt after all the trauma the refugees wanted to be separated they seemed so tired and terrified for eachother that they'd rather sleep rough than be around all the other homeless people

Mmm I still think being in a house but seperate is better than being homeless and together

Are the Syrian boys adults? Why were they eligible for the hostel but their father not? I'm not sure I could separate from my kids. Safety in numbers.