Council Housing

[nailit]

Over the years Ive noticed a lot of derogatory comments on here...and elsewhere to be fair...about council house tenants. (sink estates etc)
As a council tenant, I feel myself to be extremely privileged. The majority of council house tenants that I know feel the same. Yes, we all know some go against the grain. Theres a private estate near me thats ALWAYS mentioned in the local rag for its pedos, thieves, pub fights etc. but somehow its always council house tenants that get the flack.

WHY?

[bednobs]

because you see a fair amount of people complaining about where they live or wanting this and that. Or complaining they have to downsize and move. Then you see council tenants in london and you think f you had to privately rent (as a lot of people have to do) you wouldnt be able to live there

[rowanwitch]

I am incredibly lucky as getting my flat gave me the security to turn my life around. It's in a stand alone block 10 floors, all the communal areas have just been recarpeted, it s immaculately kept. I have a balcony with great views and running costs are low. I couldn't afford anything like it in the private sector.

[Baldric]

/// I couldn't afford anything like it in the private sector///

Think that kind of sums it up really, effectively it's subsidised housing,
no one ever subsidised my living space, a lot of people resent that.

[Denton]

Brought up in Council House,loved it,everybody knew each other and respected each other. Now live in a private estate,lived here 22 years and only know about 5 people,others keep themselves to themselves,unfortunately I am too old to move or I would be gone tomorrow.!!

[Mamyalynne]

There does seem to be some who generalise and look down, I'm not sure why either.

I live in private rented and my rent is cheaper than the Council equivalent, I know I am lucky.

[Tilly2]

Anyone got any idea about what is the average council house rent?

[nailit]

//no one ever subsidised my living space, a lot of people resent that//
I don't resent it one bit.
Just wish that I could get a job and support myself.
I hate living like I do!

Say what you want, believe what you want.

[venator]

Council housing, along with free education and medical treatment is the envy of many countries, and we can be justly proud.

It's a shame that there are scroungers who take advantage. I know people who could easily afford to buy a house, but keep on in their subsidised house, parking expensive cars outside and denying the house to someone who needs it.

[Togo]

Born and raised on a huge council estate( For the time. Probably bigger ones now) Delivered papers to private(and council) homes as a lad and knew that I wanted a "home of my own" even as a boy. Worked my knutts off and achieved that whilst all my old school pals stayed put and died early by choosing bad life styles.( not kidding) Now I am a pariah, right wing fascist , greedy bar steward, who is ripping the arris out of the poor people. Meehh.

[Tilly2]

Just found this.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/council-house-tenants-rents-rise-four-times-quicker-than-average-wages-

£85.89 per week. (2016)

[Tilly2]

That's £343.56 per month... and the property is never theirs.

That's a lot of money out of a monthly wage.

[Denton]

My Brother pays £104 per week for a semi detached Bungalow,think this includes Council Tax.

[Tilly2]

I think that most of the derogatory comments are aimed at people on benefits, rather than hard working people, who live in council property.

I concede that people on benefits are more likely to live in council property but not everyone on a council estate is a benefit claimant.

[Old_Geezer]

You find good and bad everywhere. I guess the thought is that those who haven't achieved home ownership but "settle" for cheaper state provided accomodation are more likely to be those who are involved in "pedos, thieves, pub fights" and so there are a greater proportion of such characters there, which taints perception. If one has little direct experience one may not be aware of the community spirit one can also find. I'd not take it personally were I you.

[Peter Pedant]

you get sink areas as well
I live in one - up the oldham rd Manchester
it is quite nice really - very communal

I think people feel better if they can look down on the proles

[Togo]

// I'd not take it personally were I you. //

Not doing that at all Geezer...…..Just pointing out that it is not all one way "traffic".

[Sqad]

Nailit....there are exceptions,I agree, but in a nutshell, Council estates comprise of badly educated, rude, antisocial , badly dressed, unwashed and jack the lad individuals.
Private estates don't.
If one had to walk home alone at night and had two routes, one through a Council Estate and one through a Private Estate, which on would you take?
I would go via the Private Estate.
To me, it is that simple.

[237SJ]

I wasn't aware that council houses still exist. Didn't they get taken over by housing partnerships?

[Mamyalynne]

Yes they still exist , my daughter lives in one - everyday I'm glad she stopped logging in on here.

She's far more outspoken than her Mother.

[Jackdaw33]

In the 20s and 30s up here you had to be recommended by your local councillor to get a council house. It was a sign that you were hard-working and could afford the rent. It was actually a status symbol to be awarded one.