One woman said that she used to live in private rented accommodation 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 trolls are wondering why Beth hasn’t returned to private renting.
With her social media posts, Beth wanted to stand up to the haters who criticized her lifestyle.
Beth responded to a troll’s comment that read, “Why didn’t you just go back to private renting if you’re renting privately anyway?”
Beth shared her clip with the caption, “Private rental properties are not always available and not always affordable.”
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Beth, who receives Universal Credit, then explained: “Last year we received an eviction notice from our privately rented house – we had been renting it privately for over three years until we received a two-month eviction notice.
“The day we received our eviction notice, I immediately went to the local council to update my application there and then we were connected to the homeless department.
“During those two months we looked to see if there were any other houses in the area for private rent, but there were none – towards the end there was one that cost £1,500 and was unaffordable.”
Beth explained that she had been calling real estate agents in the evenings and signing up for email lists to see if there were any new properties available. However, after nothing came of it, her family moved into temporary housing and were eventually offered a subsidized apartment.
She explained that she does not feel guilty about living in social housing because not only is it cheaper and saves her money, but it also offers more stability to her family.
The mother continued: “I see absolutely no problem with this – I have rented four houses privately in the past and each one has been more expensive than the other over the years.
“Personally, I think that social housing offers you more stability and you are not as threatened with eviction as a private rental apartment.”
The TikTok clip, posted under the username @bethowen22, has clearly left many people open-mouthed, as it quickly garnered 148,300 views.
How do I get social housing?
To apply for social housing, you must complete an application and submit it to your local authority.
To find your local authority, simply use the community locator tool on the government website.
Once you have access to your local council’s website, you should see guidelines on how to complete your application.
After applying, you will most likely have to be placed on a waiting list.
Remember: Even if you are placed on a waiting list, this does not guarantee you the right to receive social housing.
Your local council should also give you advice on how to stay in your current home and resolve any problems you may have, such as problems with a private landlord or mortgage.
You are eligible to apply for social housing if you are a British citizen living in the UK, provided you have not recently lived abroad.
Each council has its own local rules about who qualifies for inclusion on their area’s housing register, but these are based on a ‘points’ or ‘banding’ system.
For example, you will probably be offered accommodation first if you:
- are homeless
- living in a confined space
- If your health is deteriorating due to your current home
- trying to escape domestic violence
If you are high on a community’s waiting list, you will be contacted when a property becomes available.
In some councils, applications can be submitted from the age of 18, in others this is possible from the age of 16.
EU workers and their families as well as refugees may also be eligible.
Social housing is allocated using a points system, which means that depending on your housing needs, you may be given a low priority.
Once you are high on the waiting list, the council will contact you about available properties.
There is no limit to how long you are expected to be on the waiting list.
In the social media comments, Beth was joined by many users who sharply criticized the rising cost of private rentals.
One said: “Private rents are getting out of control.”
Private rentals are ridiculously expensive, I’m glad you and your family have found a forever home
TikTok users
Another added: “I agree it is safer to be a tenant with the council. I always say private rentals are safer as the owner may have to sell.”
A third commented: “I completely agree. And with private renting you have no security.”
Meanwhile, one woman wrote: “Private rentals are ridiculously expensive, I’m glad you and your family have found a permanent home.”
While someone else claimed: “The rent for the house next “The price from my door to me is £800 more a month than my MORTGAGE. Literally not affordable at all.”
