Been offered a housing association home...

thebaileys

Hello,

My private landlord recently decided he wanted to move back to our rented property.

Bit gutted, as nice house on a nice estate, pretty low rent at £450.00 per month, but nevermind.

Myself, Partner and son have moved in with my Dad, as he lives by himself in a 3 bedroomed house, works away during the week.

We are not rushed to move, my Dad likes having us here.

We have been offered a housing association property, its a 3 bed, and is about 8 years old.

The rent is cheap £68.00 per week, however we drove down to the area last night and it is rough round the edges.

It was half eight , and there were kids hanging around, a young chav girl with a toddler carrying bags of cans... you get the idea.

My son is approaching 5, and will probably in a few years want to play out.

So my head is in bits do I take the house because its cheap, more security than with a private landlord, or do I private rent again this time making sure it is an investor, rather than someone renting there 'own' home out.

I know I would pay about £550 for a decent area (Im in the North East)

Can anyone help?

Thanks

theartfullodger

So my head is in bits do I take the house because its cheap, more security than with a private landlord, or do I private rent again this time making sure it is an investor, rather than someone renting there 'own' home out.

More security eh?? Housing Associations these days may grant secure, starter , AST or AT
. see
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/renting_and_leasehold/housing_association_tenancies

Not all housing association tenants have the same protection from eviction. The type of tenancy agreement you have will affect many of your rights, including how and when the housing association can evict you, whether you can pass your tenancy on, and whether you have the right to buy.
Housing associations normally provide secure, assured, assured shorthold, and starter tenancies.

- and if AST then that has the same security of tenure as a private landlord. Not all HA's are wonderful landlords (nor are all private landlords..).

What sort of response did you get when you chatted to other people with young families??

Hope it works out...

Artful

"Investor rather than "own" home..". Hmmmnn - not necessarily... The rights of the landlord to turf you out are the same, pretty much. So with any AST you don't have to leave when a notice2quit expires (many are invalid anyway) but can wait until court possession order and bailiff if need be, to both "investor" & "amateur". Indeed, "investor" is likely to know the rules & procedures better & will get you out quicker..

thebaileys

Hi,

Thanks for your reply, we are going to have to rent either way, as we have no savings to get a mortgage.


I spoke to a girl who I know lives in the street, and she said best to keep yourself to yourself and that she had problems with her little girl playing out, other kids rough and nasty.

Thanks

Mum_of_3_3

Seeing as you are in no hurry to move out and you have the house to yourselves most of the week, is it a possibility to continue living at your Dad's for a few years? That way you could save the £550 each month and save up to buy a place of your own?

M_o_3

thebaileys

Hi

I don't know If I could stay that long, I've been moved out for over 10 years and its hard coming back when you have a family.

I think we will need our own place and space eventually.

Mum_of_3_3

I completely understand, I know I would go mad if I had to move back home. I just thought as you had the house to yourselves most of the time it may be easier to handle.

Personally leaving aside all the security of tenancy I would choose somewhere I feel comfortable bring my children up in, but I can't imagine how frustrating it must be having to move once you're settled and how a council/HA house would appeal.

Good luck with whatever decision you make

M_o_3

mrcol1000

thebaileys wrote: »

Hi,

Thanks for your reply, we are going to have to rent either way, as we have no savings to get a mortgage.


I spoke to a girl who I know lives in the street, and she said best to keep yourself to yourself and that she had problems with her little girl playing out, other kids rough and nasty.

Thanks

To be honest any "rough" areas you could find cheaper places to rent privately owned or HA owned than better areas. If the area is better, its more attractive to people hence they will be willing to pay higher rents. You have to decide if your rather than a cheap house in a rubbish area or an affordable house in a better area which most likely won't be that nice for the price. Surely if you got a HA house offered so quick your entitled to HB anyway so the rent cost is all largely irrevelant?

ka7e

I think you need to look beyond the housing situation. If your son is going to want to play outside now, think where he'll be in 10 years time! Will he be one of the "kids hanging around" the estate, because there is nothing else to do? Are there parks and play areas nearby? Look at the school catchment areas, both primary and secondary.

Will you get a second chance at HA housing if you turn this down? Though if it's pretty rough it may have a high turnover of tenants, so subsequent offers are likely to be in the same area!

thebaileys

mrcol1000 wrote: »

To be honest any "rough" areas you could find cheaper places to rent privately owned or HA owned than better areas. If the area is better, its more attractive to people hence they will be willing to pay higher rents. You have to decide if your rather than a cheap house in a rubbish area or an affordable house in a better area which most likely won't be that nice for the price. Surely if you got a HA house offered so quick your entitled to HB anyway so the rent cost is all largely irrevelant?

No the housing cost is not irrelevant, we are not entitled to housing benefit, we both work!

We have been on the waiting list for 6 years, so have not been offered a house quickly!

thebaileys

Thanks for everyone's comments

We have decided not to take the property, the area itself is very rundown, a lot of crime, poverty, and drugs issues.

The local schools are not great either. Its been a hard choice, but I would rather pay an extra £250-£300 to be in a nicer area.

bitsandpieces

Depending where you are in the North East, it might be worth looking at shared ownership - prices of some have fallen rather a lot. It might be worth saving for the deposit on a 25% share in a property, in order to get a decent place to live with good security of tenure for a reasonable monthly amount (though you'll also have to budget for repair costs). Even if these prove to be no good as an investment, it could be worth looking at as a way to get security of tenure - if the price falls for the property shares are enough to make the figures add up.