Should I take this house?

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Casperron

Casperron

Currently have a 2 bed new build on the coast (social Housing)

I need to move for education &I need a bigger house as I run a business from home and need a spare room

someone wants to do house exchange
they have a 3 bed 40 miles away in uni town
Have a summer house / annexe in the garden which could be used for business or rented out
House is old and needs updating, it would probably be a temporary place to live
Rent is only £118 a week
I could get an au pair and they could live in the annexe and that would sort childcare
Or rent out the annexe and bedroom 3 and bring in approx £800 a month extra. or use one room to run my business
It’s on a rough council estate, think sofas and washing machines in the front garden (I’m not joking I looked at the road on google street view and there was both of them) my house at the moment couldn’t be further from this
If I stayed there long everything would need updating from a new kitchen and bathroom to new carpet and wallpaper as all haven’t been decorated since early 00s
What would u do?
 
D

Drea1984

Stay put. Think what the neighbours might be like?
Also, 9/10 exchanges happen I think because people cannot get on with neighbours....(I work in social housing)
 
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Casperron

Casperron

Suzesnooze said:
The rough council estate would put me off (I grew up on one!)
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So did I, I couldn’t say how it affected me, I guess I made friends with people there, but some of the adults were very weird and police car down there at least twice a week

Drea1984 said:
Stay put. Think what the neighbours might be like?
Also, 9/10 exchanges happen I think because people cannot get on with neighbours....(I work in social housing)
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It’s an old man who’s wife’s died and they want to move near to their daughter who lives a few doors down from me, and the house is too big for him now kids have moved out. He seems very genuine unlike others I’ve spoke to about exchanging

I’ve been 50/50 about it so far. I coulduse the spare space to get an Au pair which would help with childcare issues
Maybe I’ll stay out here and just get a pull out sofa bed for myself

I sort of live in a rural area at the moment which isn’t great for my work
 
D

Drea1984

Be mindful as you’ll most likely have to take it “as seen”. But I think you know that. The council will do essential repairs but won’t put in new kitchen or bathroom until the property comes up for one. Ask the council when they are to be replaced I think? Then you’ll have an idea. Same for the roof, windows and boiler. Check when they are due to be done
 
Notfazed

Notfazed

Can you rent out a room if it's social housing? Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
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Casperron

Casperron

Notfazed said:
Can you rent out a room if it's social housing? Good luck with whatever you decide.
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Yes it’s encouraged, actually. There’s a “rent a room” scheme for people with a spare room. This is because single men under 35 are only entitled to rooms in a shared house and there’s a lack of them in the UK

Drea1984 said:
Think if you aren’t claiming you can
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Wouldn’t affect benefits under the rent a room scheme up to £7500 a year

Drea1984 said:
Be mindful as you’ll most likely have to take it “as seen”. But I think you know that. The council will do essential repairs but won’t put in new kitchen or bathroom until the property comes up for one. Ask the council when they are to be replaced I think? Then you’ll have an idea. Same for the roof, windows and boiler. Check when they are due to be done
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The kitchens not too bad it’s the bathroom which is very outdated. I’m not sure how it would work I think they do them every 10 years. But for me it would be a temporary house for up to 1 year so I don’t think I’d worry about redecorating
But if I want to swap again it would be difficult to move
I work and will get student maintenance but can’t afford any private rents as I’m a single parent
 
Casperron

Casperron

I’ve suggested to go view it on Monday as I’m working all week & weekend (self employed) and they’ve said no its too far away as he has loads of houses lined up and it’s not fair to keep them waiting 😑 so going to pass
Might just stay here for a while
 
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S

Suzesnooze

Casperron said:
I’ve suggested to go view it on Monday as I’m working all week & weekend (self employed) and they’ve said no its too far away as he has loads of houses lined up and it’s not fair to keep them waiting 😑 so going to pass
Might just stay here for a while
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That's a bit fishy! Probably know you'll say no once you see the state of it!
 
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J

JD-Morgan

Drea1984 said:
Stay put. Think what the neighbours might be like?
Also, 9/10 exchanges happen I think because people cannot get on with neighbours....(I work in social housing)
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Agreed, I did a mutual exchange due to issues with both my neighbours who funnily enough owned their houses, the stigma about social housing tenants needs to change

Drea1984 said:
10 years is good! We do them every 20! Bathrooms even longer
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My bathroom hasn't been upgraded since the house was built 40 years ago :ROFLMAO:
 
HankMcPrank

HankMcPrank

Casperron said:
I’ve suggested to go view it on Monday as I’m working all week & weekend (self employed) and they’ve said no its too far away as he has loads of houses lined up and it’s not fair to keep them waiting 😑 so going to pass
Might just stay here for a while
Click to expand...
Someone upstairs has decided for you. That’s my theory anyway xx
 
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