| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Right to Buy...Grrr! | |
| Posted by: | Charlotte Kasner | |
| Date/Time: | 15/04/15 15:42:00 |
| As one of "them" in social housing (and a non-Labour voting socialist): yes of course the policy is wrong. However, I for one am in social housing because I cannot afford to buy property. I was a freelance worker on low (and often no) wages for many years. I have no savings or investments, not because I am not thrifty, but because the industry in which I worked is low paid. I chose to pay the odd small surplus to further my education and professional training. I lived in private rented accommodation helping to pay other peoples' mortgages before I eventually obtained my current (non-secure) tenancy. Although my rent is now lower than comparable private rented accommodation, it was for many years more than double an equivalent council rent and I have probably paid considerably more in total than I would had I been able to afford a deposit to buy. My rent will always increase, unlike mortgages which decrease until they cease. Any improvements which I have made (such as adding flooring, tiling and a shower and all the decoration) will accrue to the landlord. Even with the maximum available discount as mooted, I will not be able to afford to buy the property and I expect there are many tenants, especially in London, in a similar situation. It is likely that this policy will remain an empty-pre election bribe attempt and, even if enacted, would have limited effect. |