Affordable Housing

amizaki

Hi all,

I am going to view affordable housing next week for the first time. I have no idea what to expect from the housing association to provide as their tenant ? I believe they provide unfurnished housing. But, will they provide Kitchen Appliances as like as standard landlord i.e. Fridge Freezer, Washing Machine, Cooker, Oven etc ?

And, also what kind of information I should get them at viewing along any particular things need to view closely.

Only 15 mins but big decision... and have no experience at all. Will be very grateful if you share your expertises.

Thank You in advance !

comeandgo

If you are a tenant you get absolutely nothing. Not even floor covering.

amizaki

Yea... Starter Lifetime Tenant.

Absolutely nothing ?

So, need to buy everything... 😮

HampshireH

Yup. In very very rare occasions carpets may be left if the previous tenant left them in exceptional condition.

Social housing is unlikely to even come decorated unless done by a previous tenant or been left in such a bad condition it wasnt a choice for the landlord. For example heavy nicotine staining. Even then thry may just put a white wash of sealer on the walls for you to paint over.

HampshireH

At the viewing you will need to take ID.

Worth noting the type of meters. I.e. pre pay or quarterly billing.

Make sure you manage your expectations. Social housing isn't the same as market rental.

elsien

You don't have to buy everything from new, or all at once.

If you turn this one down, will you be offered other properties in future - different social landlords have different policies.
Have you already checked out the area - for me that would be equally as important.
I'd also be checking for repairs, any mould/condensation issues etc. How its heated, that sort of thing. Is it a house or a flat. If it's a flat, what is the block like?

But if it's take it or stay in private rental, that's the judgement you need to make.

amizaki

Thanks again for more details reply.

Its a new build flat near Aldgate. So, location base very busy noisy as close to city. So far looks okey for us. But rest will depend on how viewing will go.

And, as we will move from furnished private rented flat.. i think we need to many necessary appliances along furnitures.

Anyway, Thanks again for help

PasturesNew

The main thing would be what to put up at the windows and how. Brand new properties don't even have a curtain pole.

If you've got the windows covered you can sit inside on the floor with a £6 kettle and two £1 mugs making coffee.

amizaki

😂 😂

Curtain already visible from outside... so, now ☕️

Mrsn

Very possibly there will be flooring in the bathroom and kitchen but other than that I wouldn’t expect anything else.

There will be a bath but usually no shower unless a previous tenant has installed one but I think you indicated this is a new build so that will answer that.

Some housing associations provide a decoration voucher to help but it’s only a token sum and depending on the internal decoration in place so again this might be unlikely.

I’ve seen a few threads on here in the past where people have been surprised that councils/housing associations don’t provide white goods. I’m always surprised by this to be honest. Please speak to them if there’s any schemes in place that they can suggest to help with the cost etc but remember not everything has to be brand new when you do move.

Our oven was 2nd hand from eBay, sofas were very kindly donated from friends as was our washing machine. We also slept on an air bed for 6 months to start with. We were moving in our HA home after becoming homeless from a fully furnished rental with a 6 week old baby and 3 year and the priority was ensuring they had everything ready to go.

gwynlas

Much will depend on HA agreement with developer.
Ask what is included prior to viewing you might have integrated appliances floor coverings and window treatments.
Affordble housing is a much higher proportion of market rent than social housing