Was in a convo last night about the above subject and is it true that people could get a council house when they have no jobs, then afterwards get well paid employment and still live in the house with the council still having too fix everything/upgrading everything free of charge ? Surely this cant be right ?
Council House tenants ?
- Thread starter rayer
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It's right, and there's uproar because the Coalition are bringing forward measures to end the utterly ridiculous practice of people living in subsidised social housing when they have no need to.
You can also currently pass on your council house as an 'inheritence' one time only...
You can also currently pass on your council house as an 'inheritence' one time only...
I understand this new rule is for new tenants, but what about loads of existing tenants ? I know loads of people who are earning a good living, some driving around in flash new cars yet must be getting their new kitchens, windows, repairs at my tax expense, and they also pay cheap rent 
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Our benefits system is not only offensive to the tax payer but a complete insult to young, hard working families who struggle to make ends meet.
My view is not influenced by the press. I have extended family members who are the latter and my parent's job involves dealing with the former.
In an ideal world I would want to see money people capable of working are given for benefits only redeemable for specific necessities such as food, removing the disincentive to work because (of the classic) 'I wouldn't earn anything more.' It's the tax payers money and the tax payers or the Government acting on their behalf should restrict how it is used.
I also don't understand why the Government can't just create compulsory jobs for those on benefits and structure it like EMA - you only receive financial aid once you've completed your task, how about sending people around to clean up towns? (for the record I am absolutely thrilled they're scrapping EMA because I have not once met ANYONE who didn't use it other than on fags/beer/games)
There should be no such thing as free money unless you are literally confined to a wheelchair or have a serious medical condition which prevents you from working, period and even people in wheelchairs are still capable of being invaluable team players and doing a great job.
My view is not influenced by the press. I have extended family members who are the latter and my parent's job involves dealing with the former.
In an ideal world I would want to see money people capable of working are given for benefits only redeemable for specific necessities such as food, removing the disincentive to work because (of the classic) 'I wouldn't earn anything more.' It's the tax payers money and the tax payers or the Government acting on their behalf should restrict how it is used.
I also don't understand why the Government can't just create compulsory jobs for those on benefits and structure it like EMA - you only receive financial aid once you've completed your task, how about sending people around to clean up towns? (for the record I am absolutely thrilled they're scrapping EMA because I have not once met ANYONE who didn't use it other than on fags/beer/games)
There should be no such thing as free money unless you are literally confined to a wheelchair or have a serious medical condition which prevents you from working, period and even people in wheelchairs are still capable of being invaluable team players and doing a great job.
Soldato
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They really should be forced out of social housing and into the speculation driven housing market, so that they are morgages upto their neck just like you. Never mind that they pay the full rate of council tax, income tax, NI, and vat. They really are getting it for free
Soldato
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You can stay a tenant, but must pay rent and are charged for what was previously free.
Aren't all 'council houses' now social housing schemes?
Also working tenants would pay rent, to what extent is the level of rent set meeting the needs for maintenance of the housing stock? Is there any cash left over for building of new homes?
I've no idea what a social housing tenant pays a month, but assuming the property was gifted either by transfer of old council property or by legislative requirements in new build estates (planning requirements) perhaps the rents just don't need to be as high as in the private rental sector to break even.
Also working tenants would pay rent, to what extent is the level of rent set meeting the needs for maintenance of the housing stock? Is there any cash left over for building of new homes?
I've no idea what a social housing tenant pays a month, but assuming the property was gifted either by transfer of old council property or by legislative requirements in new build estates (planning requirements) perhaps the rents just don't need to be as high as in the private rental sector to break even.
Are you? What if you were renting from a private landlord, do you pay the housing benefit back then?
Or is that just what you think should happen?
Soldato
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I'm not a tenant no, but that is what I believe happens. I know someone who was a tenant and made redundant; he was better off on benefits as everything was paid for, rather than earning a wage and having to pay out.
Is it true that people could get a council house when they have no jobs,
Yes it's all dependent on housing need and the social landlords allocations policy. Generally the person with the most need gets the property
then afterwards get well paid employment and still live in the house with the council still having too fix everything/upgrading everything free of charge ? Surely this cant be right ?
The council will repair / upgrade everything like any good landlord should but they should be paying rent. Whether they get it free or not will depend on the tenant's Housing Benefit claim.
Yes it's all dependent on housing need and the social landlords allocations policy. Generally the person with the most need gets the property
then afterwards get well paid employment and still live in the house with the council still having too fix everything/upgrading everything free of charge ? Surely this cant be right ?
The council will repair / upgrade everything like any good landlord should but they should be paying rent. Whether they get it free or not will depend on the tenant's Housing Benefit claim.
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There is one guy at my work who has had a housing association flat for 10+ years. Earns around £24k a year. He got it originally when he was earning a lot less and "kicked out of home" by his parents.
He is 38 now. Just got married and had a child. The wife was earning £17k so he said. I asked if they were going to look for a larger place because it is a 1 bed (pays £80 rent per week), he said that he is going to apply to the housing association for a larger place as there isn't enough room.
He also said he could just about afford to rent privately but what for, he then wouldn't have any spending money for his toys and holidays. On top of that the council will repair everything that goes wrong with his current place.
He has no savings and is a true leech on society even though he earns an OK wage. He said he is entitled to the flat AND more, he wanted to had his first born born before the 1st of August 2010 before the "new evil government" took away some £100 allowance the previous government were handing out. He was also bragging about how his wife got a load of hand me downs for their daughter to wear saving him a load of ££, and a guy from work brought him in a load of clothes too. It's just shocking how tight he is on anyone but himself.
I always hear him moaning about not having any money, yet he still goes out a couplle of times a week to drink, and eats takeaways most days, concerts/gigs once a month too and never shuts up about his ps3.
/rant
He is 38 now. Just got married and had a child. The wife was earning £17k so he said. I asked if they were going to look for a larger place because it is a 1 bed (pays £80 rent per week), he said that he is going to apply to the housing association for a larger place as there isn't enough room.
He also said he could just about afford to rent privately but what for, he then wouldn't have any spending money for his toys and holidays. On top of that the council will repair everything that goes wrong with his current place.
He has no savings and is a true leech on society even though he earns an OK wage. He said he is entitled to the flat AND more, he wanted to had his first born born before the 1st of August 2010 before the "new evil government" took away some £100 allowance the previous government were handing out. He was also bragging about how his wife got a load of hand me downs for their daughter to wear saving him a load of ££, and a guy from work brought him in a load of clothes too. It's just shocking how tight he is on anyone but himself.
I always hear him moaning about not having any money, yet he still goes out a couplle of times a week to drink, and eats takeaways most days, concerts/gigs once a month too and never shuts up about his ps3.
/rant
They really should be forced out of social housing and into the speculation driven housing market, so that they are morgages upto their neck just like you. Never mind that they pay the full rate of council tax, income tax, NI, and vat. They really are getting it for free
Touched a nerve, how much do you pay for your council house
The majority of people "pay the full rate of council tax, income tax, NI, and vat". We also have to pay commerical rates for rent/mortgages.
Meanwhile, there are genuine people in desperate need for proper help and need housing, yet they cant because of a house shortage. ( And then we come full circle to people sponging the system living in the council houses on good pay, living a life of luxury )
I understand this new rule is for new tenants, but what about loads of existing tenants ? I know loads of people who are earning a good living, some driving around in flash new cars yet must be getting their new kitchens, windows, repairs at my tax expense, and they also pay cheap rent
I wouldn't think the rent is that cheap. & also unlike us mortgage payers, it's dead money with nothing at the end. As for repairs etc, Private or council, you're still paying rent & have rights that the owners maintain the property. Also, they are not getting stuff for free, it's never theirs. The council etc are effectively improving their own property. Current working tenants may one day leave. I'd agree tho some improvements that get done are a little extravagant & payed for by us.
No you just buy the council house itself dirt cheap depending on how many years you've been a tenant.
Can see where people are coming from but if you're going to be penalised & lose your "home" for getting off your backside & finding work, then you're not going to want to find work.
True.
If a tenant has a full-time job then, most likely, he or she will have to pay the entire rent.
Now some people say that may argue that this is below market rate. Yes, and? Being able to see the issue from both sides (I have worked in housing and a couple of my mates are quite sucessful landlords), you go in to the housing market understanding that it is like any other market. Somebody is nearly always going to undercut you. Life is tough, deal with it.
However, private landlords will always have a strong position over social housing for a couple of reaons:
- They will take people who cannot get housing from social landlords due to eviction as they have little responsibility for the area.
- They can deal with lettings faster as they do not have an organisational process to follow.
- The nature of the places they buy on speculation allow them to cram many tansient tenants in to a relatively small home. Students, for example.
- It is possible to hold down a full-time job as well as manage a dozen properties. My friends are a good example.
There are many more, but I need to go shopping.
On top of that the council will repair everything that goes wrong with his current place.
/rant
Rant indeed, you do any any private landlord does the same?
I'm not convinced social housing schemes are actually raping my wallet as much as you lot say, their rents should cover maintenance and upgrades and if somebody is on housing benefit I'd much rather the money was going to a social housing scheme than some slum landlord living the life of riley off my taxes.
It probably does but, & I'm shady in this area so might not be fully correct but I was under the impression that local councils/housing associations periodically get awarded/allotted a certain amount of cash to help improve/regenerate the area/housing & have a certain amount of time to use up all the cash awarded. Hence you have every council house in a given area having new kitchens, gas fires with nice mantle pieces, windows, block paved (no less) driveways. All in in the same time period. I know it's happened locally around here. I have to say I also have nothing against those less fortunate having life made a little more comfortable. Altho it's probably going off the original topic sayin that.