I’m being trolled for buying social housing – yes, I’m saving money and I don’t feel guilty about it
A WOMAN said she used to rent a private home, but now lives in social housing.
Beth Owen, a mother of four, explained that her family of six recently became homeless and moved into social housing.
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But now internet trolls are wondering why Beth hasn’t gone back into private rental.
Beth posted a message on social media responding to haters who criticized her lifestyle.
Beth was responding to a troll comment that said, “Why didn’t you just rent a private home again if you were already renting a private home?”
Beth then shared her clip with the caption: ‘Private rental homes aren’t always available and aren’t always affordable.’
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Beth, who receives Universal Credit, then explains: “Last year we were given an eviction notice to leave our rented home. We had been renting it privately for over three years until we were given a two-month eviction notice.
“The day we received our eviction notice, I immediately went to the city to have my application updated with them and then we were transferred to the homeless department.
“During those two months we looked to see if there were any other private rented houses in the area, but there weren’t any. There was one towards the end of the month which was £1,500 and it was unaffordable.”
Beth explained that she would call estate agents in the evenings and sign up for emails asking for new properties. When nothing came up, her family was put into temporary housing and eventually offered social housing.
She explained that she doesn’t feel guilty about living in social housing. Not only is it cheaper and saves her money, but it also provides her family with more stability.
The mother continued: “I see absolutely no problem with this. I have rented four houses privately in the past and each house has been more expensive than the other over the years.
“Personally, I think that social housing gives you more stability and that you do not run the risk of eviction as you do with private rental housing.”
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @between22has clearly caused quite a stir, as the video has quickly been viewed 148,300 times.
How can I get social housing?
To apply for social housing, you must complete an application form and submit it to your municipality.
To find your municipality, you can simply use the municipality finder on the government website.
Once you have access to your municipality’s website, you will find guidelines there for completing your application.
After you register, you will likely be placed on a waiting list.
Please note that even if you are placed on the waiting list, this does not guarantee an offer of social housing.
Your local authority can also advise you on how to continue living in your current home and resolve any issues, such as problems with a private landlord or mortgage.
You are eligible for application for social housing if you are a British citizen living in the UK, provided you have not recently lived abroad.
Each municipality has its own local rules about who is eligible to be placed on the housing list for its area, but these rules are based on a system of ‘points’ or ‘bands’.
For example, you will probably be the first to be offered a home if you:
- are homeless
- living in cramped conditions
- have a medical condition that is aggravated by your current home
- trying to escape domestic violence
Once you are high enough on the municipality’s waiting list, you will be contacted as soon as a home becomes available.
In some municipalities you can submit an application from the age of 18, in other municipalities you can submit an application from the age of 16.
EU workers and their families and refugees may also be eligible.
You will be allocated social housing through a points system. Depending on your housing needs, you may be given low priority.
Once you are high enough on the waiting list, the municipality will contact you about available housing.
There is no limit to how long you will be on the waiting list.
Social media users responded en masse to the comments, agreeing with Beth, with many criticising the rising cost of private rental housing.
Someone said: “The private rental sector is getting out of control.”
Private rent is ridiculously expensive, I’m glad you and your family got a permanent home
TikTok user
Another added: “I agree that it is safer to be a council tenant. I always say private renting is not, because the owner may have to sell.”
A third responded: “I totally agree. And with private rental you have no certainty.”
Meanwhile, one woman wrote: “Private rent is ridiculously expensive, I’m glad you and your family have a permanent home.”
While someone else claimed: “The rent for the house next door to mine is £800 more per month than my MORTGAGE. Literally not affordable at all.”
