Living near Affordable Housing - Whats it really like?

MrParsons

Hi All,

I've been looking for a new build house and we have found a very nice one form Taylor Wimpey homes. we've negotiated a good price however the only thing which bothers me is that its right opposie some "Affordable Housing".

Firstly, what is this exactly? Is it shared ownership houses or is it a dumping ground for council tennants?

Secondly, does anyone have any experience of what living near these housing types? Does it devalue the houses in the area? does it affect re-saleability?

The house I'm going for is listed at £285000 and I've been given 5% off without even asking so I'm not trying to judge what the actual price of the house will be. The area is a very reputable area in general and I would hate to make this investment only to find that were surrounded by chavs and crap house families who are antisocial.

Any advice appreciated.

go_cat

Drive round at varying times of the day and at weekend. We went to look at some new builds and were greeted by people sAt on their front garden drinking lager at 10am...HOWEVER I am sure this is not always the case.

Also check police uk. Website which lists per street the amount of incidents to give you an idea

MrParsons

I forgot to add, the house is off plan to be completed before September so we won't be able to do this.

martinsurrey

Unfortunately affordable can be a lottery.

I lived in a flat next to affordable (years ago) and they were a lovely hard working couple with a young baby, they took my parcels when I was out and were amog some of the best neighbours I’ve ever had.

But I’ve also been to a development (on work) where an affordable flat was allocated to a drug dealer, and his windows overlooked the gardens of a £600k 4 bed townhouse, and the owners of that soon got annoyed by the regular parties and police raids.

Really it comes down to the housing association, they can give the flats to the best people on their lists, or move in the trouble makers from their other sites, and until they are in, you won’t know.

And that’s the reason I would not buy a new build near affordable off plan.

Tainted_love

I have a shared ownership property on an estate which is a mix of shared ownership and privately owned. I am a nurse and my husband a professional, we have 2 children so are not "chavs" or antisocial!! Our estate is madeup of professionals and families and is very quiet.

newsgroup_monkey

to me, "Affordable" and "Social" housing is very different surely?

They still have to save a deposit and so on.

bodmil

My flat is in a listed building so I thought I would be ok but a housing association manages the building and allocates 1/3 of the properties on the street to council tennants and you can really tell. There is constant litter, rubbish left out on the street, when the bags split they don't care, they'll happily step over smelly rubbish to get to their front door without clearing it up. The housing association is equally rubbish and very slow to carry out any repairs in commual areas yet swift to (over) bill me.

I'd steer clear as far as possible from any schemes, housing associations and council properties etc. The less people are required to take ownership of their properties the less they care about their surroundings and it will quickly impact yours.

pimento

I wonder if the council tenants can spell tenant?

haras_nosirrah

There is a world of difference between shared ownership housing and council housing

I work with a lot of shared ownership clients and most are hard working professionals (one of my clients was a detective for the met)

Council can be very different

find out what is meant by affordable. I would have no issue living near shared ownership clients.

MrParsons

Thanks guys,

Half my problem is I don't understand what is meant by affordable. Like I said earlier, is it council house people or is it shared equity? How could I find this out?

ILW

I would not buy until the place is built and you can see what it is going to be like. That is unless you are the gambling type.