Should mum buy or stay in council house

[numnum]

My mum has a dilema.

She has the money to buy a small house with a spare room that would do visitors, grandkids etc

or she can stay in the 1 bedroomed council house she's in, doesn't own, and the rent is always going up.

Would she be better to buy the house or stay in the council house??? What would you do

[ELVIS68]

Depends what the areas like, is she happy where she is?

[numnum]

its all the same area and its good.

the house has bigger gardens and storage.

if she was to stay in her council house what would happened with her once she gets to retirement age? would that then go towards the council house or would her rent get paid the other pensioners in the street?

[bednobs]

whether or not she gets help with rent depends on her income and savings in retirement. If she has enough to buy a house, she probably wont qualify for housing benefits

[bednobs]

ps, not to sound vitriolic, but aren't council houses for people that have no other choice but to live in social housing?

[dotty.]

no people with no choice pay exhorbitant rent to private landlords

[numnum]

she moved to this area after her partner hung himself and that was the only house available.she was staying with my uncle for 6 months but that wasn't suitable for them both. she's been looking to buy but where we say out in the country its mainly 4 or 5 bedroom houses that aren't suitable for her.

she's moved into the council house and there is one of the same size been sittin gempty since january so the best way to look at it is she's occupying a house and paying for it and its not sitting there and the council is getting money for it.

i think she's more thinking, whats the point in staying in a council house then her money she made from her house sale is then going to get put towards the small house she's in. when she could put it into a house that she can invite family and grandchildren up to stay and then have something to leave

[numnum]

i dont think council houses are for people that have no where else to stay

[thenry]

Goddam !

[sherrardk]

Social housing is designed for people who cannot afford to rent privately or buy their own house. In my heart of hearts, I think she should buy something if she can afford to (and therefore free up a house for someone who has no other options, BUT if she is happy and doesn't want to move I think she should stay).

[woofgang]

buying a house would give her security, as you say, somewhere for visitors, and a good investment. Cons are she would be responsible for all the upkeep. Does she pay maintenance at the moment and how much is it?

[bednobs]

of course council houses are for people with no-where else to stay!
I'm not going to turn this into a rant, because it's not fair on your OP where you want advice.

[Old_Geezer]

My attitude is always to buy if possoible but you need to go in open eyed. There is always maintenance that needs paying for. The spare room sounds nice though. And not regularly paying rent is worthwhile.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

I say she should stay where she is and enjoy the money.If she needs money later on in life it will all be tied into the house.If she needs care later on in life the house may be sold anyway. Ask any old person who owns their home....with moderate savings and I bet they will agree

[dollie65]

ive just joined and came across your question i am in a similar postion to your mum...i would suggest she stays where she is especially if she has a secure tenancy and perhaps try a mutual exchange....she has to think long term about the cost of the upkeep of a new home whereas being in council she hasnt that added worry....im in a similar position and decided buying is not an option as it means all monies are tied up in property and you never know when you will need that money as the years go buy...im on the council exchange list and have been for 3yrs!!!! there are no smaller properties in my area available and with the new housing benifits coming into force in april its going to make downsizing a lot more problamatic!!!!