Council houses for fixed terms only!

Bob_the_Saver

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-10855996

CPJames19

Bravo David Cameron!

mufi

Near where I live is a row of four semi-detached well-built 3 bedroom, 2 reception, huge garden, large kitchen, council properties, each containing one lone female. Offspring long gone, husbands died or scarpered. The sooner new council tenants have to agree to vacate once they no longer need such a large property, the better for everyone.

Mum_of_3_3

I agree with you Mufi, council tenants should be made to move out once the property is too big for them. After all they should think about the next generation that needs the help that they received.

Also, I feel there should be a upper earnings limit for each household as round here I know there are lots of people still living in council housing when they could easily afford private rental (there's actually someone with a Merc and a Bentley parked outside of their rented council house :eek: ).

And before someone starts off saying people deserve to stay in their family homes, the point s it's not their house, it's the council's house and in very short supply so like the rest of the council's assets they should be put to best use.

M_o_3

Joyful

Council Housing although in short supply should be put to the best use. There are too many people still in large homes where the children have left. Although this would have to be actioned sensitively there should be a 1 bedroom place for these people to move to in a good area if they have kept their homes in good conditions.

diable

There also should be no automatic right to an "upgrade" if you have more children, the same as if you are a homeowner and can't afford to buy something larger.

pingu2209

The problem is that if you have a little girl and a little boy, up to a certain age, they can both sleep in the same room. However, what happens when the girl and boy grow up and become, say, 13 and 15. If you have a 2 bed council property you will need a 3 bed property. However, if there are no 3 beds available (because they are full of retired couples or elderly singles), you are expected to sleep on a lilo on the lounge floor.

Wee_Willy_Harris

pingu2209 wrote: »

The problem is that if you have a little girl and a little boy, up to a certain age, they can both sleep in the same room. However, what happens when the girl and boy grow up and become, say, 13 and 15. If you have a 2 bed council property you will need a 3 bed property. However, if there are no 3 beds available (because they are full of retired couples or elderly singles), you are expected to sleep on a lilo on the lounge floor.

That just reflects the current demand for social housing, following decades of right to buy etc. Hardly the fault of the existing tenant, is it? And, of course, it's likely that those on the waiting list and in housing need will be allocated properties ahead of mere "transfers".

marmalize

pingu2209 wrote: »

The problem is that if you have a little girl and a little boy, up to a certain age, they can both sleep in the same room. However, what happens when the girl and boy grow up and become, say, 13 and 15. If you have a 2 bed council property you will need a 3 bed property. However, if there are no 3 beds available (because they are full of retired couples or elderly singles), you are expected to sleep on a lilo on the lounge floor.

so are you really saying that just because someone chooses to have kids when they are unable to provide sufficient accommodation for them ...that an elderly couple who have worked all their lives and paid into the 'system' and are happily living among their friends and support system in a 3 bed property should be turfed out to make way for the 'breeders'????......

if you can afford the kids you should be able to afford to rent a bigger house council or private...it's called responsibility....:eek:

diable

pingu2209 wrote: »

The problem is that if you have a little girl and a little boy, up to a certain age, they can both sleep in the same room. However, what happens when the girl and boy grow up and become, say, 13 and 15. If you have a 2 bed council property you will need a 3 bed property. However, if there are no 3 beds available (because they are full of retired couples or elderly singles), you are expected to sleep on a lilo on the lounge floor.

but if you have bought your own property then you are stuffed........

Mum_of_3_3

pingu2209 wrote: »

The problem is that if you have a little girl and a little boy, up to a certain age, they can both sleep in the same room. However, what happens when the girl and boy grow up and become, say, 13 and 15. If you have a 2 bed council property you will need a 3 bed property. However, if there are no 3 beds available (because they are full of retired couples or elderly singles), you are expected to sleep on a lilo on the lounge floor.

I think this children of a certain age can't share is ridiculous. Why should council renters children be any different to children of private renters or owner occupiers?

Pingu - why would the parents of the above family sleep in the lounge on a lilo? Why wouldn't (& shouldn't) they do the same as all of us owner occupiers that can't afford to give our children a bedroom of their own and make the 13 & 15 year olds sleep in the same room?

The thing is, some people tend to think that council housing is a right, it's not. It's also not the tenants house, so the owners (the council) should be able to take the house back when they see fit whether that's for anti-social behaviour, under occupancy or imho if you earn enough to either rent privately or buy your own house.

M_o_3