Latest news with #councilhouse
The Sun
05-08-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
I was thrilled to get a council house after 6 months of waiting – but trolls hated me for calling it my ‘forever home'
GETTING the keys to a new home is a moment of pure joy, especially for a single mother looking to build a stable future for her kids. But for Mari, a recent move-in quickly turned sour when her happiness was attacked by online trolls. After waiting just six months on the council house list, Marika, who goes by @ marikikix on TikTok, was over the moon to get a house with a huge garden. In a viral video posted on May 18, she called it a "dream come true" and her "forever home." The video quickly gained over 150,000 views, but not all the comments were positive. The backlash focused on her use of the term "forever home," with many believing a council property shouldn't be considered one. One user wrote: "When people call council houses their 'forever home', what aspiration." Another added: "A council house should never be a 'forever home'," suggesting that the term should be reserved for owned properties. The criticism highlights a common misconception about council housing. homes are "free," which is far from the truth. As one TikTok user pointed out: "I live in a council house that I pay £600 a month for. "I've never claimed benefits in my life. I work two jobs! They are not free, believe me." Trolls say council houses can't look nice but my stunning hallway will prove them wrong Amidst the negativity, other users rushed to Marika's defense. "Why's everyone being so awful in the comments?? They're happy, and that's all that counts!" one person commented. Others, however, focused on the practical side of council housing, with one user asking for advice on how Marika got a place so quickly. A helpful reply noted that "everyone's circumstances are different" and advised speaking directly with a council caseworker. Major council home rule A significant policy shift is on the horizon for council house residents, as the Labour party plans to introduce stringent new restrictions on the Right to Buy scheme. The new rules would exempt newly built council houses from the Right to Buy for a period of 35 years. 2 This marks a major change to the long-standing government initiative. However, the proposed changes have already drawn criticism. Kevin Hollinrake, the shadow housing secretary, has labelled Deputy Labour Leader Angela Rayner a "hypocrite" for advocating the new restrictions. This is because Rayner herself previously benefited from the Right to Buy scheme. According to The Telegraph, Rayner purchased her former council house in Stockport for £79,000 in 2017, securing a 25% discount. She later sold the property for £48,500 more than her purchase price.
The Sun
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I transformed my council house bathroom for £30 – I ‘absolutely hated' it and now it's my favourite room
ONE woman showed off an impressive DIY project she carried out in her council house. Using just £30 worth of materials, she was able to completely transform bathroom. 2 In her viral video, TikTok user Natasha Lawson (@natashalawson20) showed 1.3 million viewers how she elevated the half bath in her home. On a mission to turn her "council house into a home," the TikToker is carrying out a series of DIY projects throughout the space. This included doing up the guest bathroom on a penny-pinching budget. New floor She spent the bulk of her budget on vinyl to transform the floor, opting for a rustic wooden pattern. "This job has been long coming for a while now because I absolutely hate my bathroom," Natasha told her followers. After ripping up the old vinyl, which was splattered with paint, she got to work. The TikToker carefully cut and laid out the new vinyl flooring, before trimming the edges and applying a sealant to protect it from trapped moisture. "I thought it would look so nice with the green and then obviously the marble as well," Natasha said, adding that it is now her "favourite room in the house". While she was intially hesitant if the vinyl would work as "the main flooring", the mum revealed that it "actually held really well". Finishing touches She also carried out other finishing touches including using the £2 Crowne Matchpot Breath Easy from Wicke's to create neater lines after her paint job. My council flat is so stylish thanks to second-hand finds - plus the treasure chest place you need to look for bargains Natasha also used her steady hand to paint the wooden block "under the toilet". And she applied a layer of gloss to the skirting boards in the bathroom. She also added some decor throughout the space, including a clock on the wall, a candle holder on the window sill, and a wax burner she picked up for just 99p from Aldi. Then Natasha stood back and admired "how much nicer" the room looked. She shared a side by side comparison of the transformation for her audience to see. How to do your council house up on the cheap Take inspiration from pricier shops and head to B&M, Home Bargains for interior decorations. Head to YouTube for easy to follow tutorials on how to decorate rather than paying for professionals. For a quick glow-up for your floors or anywhere with tiles, opt for stick-on vinyl to save on costs. A lick of paint does wonders to make a room feel brand-new. Switch out kitchen cupboard knobs for modern ones instead of buying brand-new cupboards. The bathroom was origingally painted in a "washed out" grey, which she explained was the reason why she hated it. Natasha shared her plans to add a black matte shelf with hanging plants at some point. Her followers shared their thoughts on the transformation in the comments section. "I love it, I'm going to do it now you've done it," wrote one impressed viewer. "Love the bathroom," agreed another follower. "You've done amazing," commented a third person. And the bathroom makeover isn't the only DIY work Natasha has carried out in her home, she used an Ikea mirror trick to give the space a luxury finish. More on council houses And another woman revealed that she is nowhere near finished her council house renovation despite already spending £15,000. One TikToker did up the hallway of her council house using all B&Q buys. Another woman used buys from B&M and Shein to decorate her council house. A 21-year-old mum bagged her dream home after rejecting every council house on offer.
The Sun
27-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Trolls call me a ‘lazy scrounger' & tell me to ‘get a job' – I'm not ‘dirty' & don't think my council house is ‘messy'
A MOTHER has revealed that she has been cruelly accused by trolls of being a 'lazy scrounger.' Not only this, but Jaz, who is from the UK, has been told to 'get a job ' and has even been slammed for having a 'dirty' home. 2 2 But the mum-of-two, who lives in a council house, was eager to clap back to the haters and set the record straight on her situation. In a recent cleaning video posted on social media, Jaz, who has two kids under four, gave her followers a close-up look at her council property, which she moved into four weeks ago. But despite hoovering ''almost daily'' and mopping ''every few days',' Jaz explained: 'I've had so much hate in my comments calling me 'dirty', 'lazy', 'a scrounger ', telling me they 'wouldn't bring their dogs up in this mess'.' Eager to hit back at the keyboard warriors, Jaz said: 'Well to me, this isn't messy, I mean, except the carpets and the handprints on the walls, but the toys? To me that's completely normal." She claimed that having toys all over the floor is expected when you have two young kids who are "constantly looking for ways to stimulate themselves" and are "constantly playing.' Jaz then told those who don't like her or her content to 'move on,' as she insisted she is 'not going anywhere.' She acknowledged that haters are 'wasting their time', as she snapped: 'And to the people calling me lazy - you're literally calling me lazy on a video of me cleaning, so you probably need to give your head a wobble, because you are literally judging me based off an hour of my life, you do not see what happens behind the scenes and you do not know how my body is feeling.' The content creator then confirmed: 'And there's some people saying 'just get a job', 'stop scrounging off the government' - my dream was to become a tattoo artist, I was so close to getting an apprenticeship with someone in my home town, but then my carpal tunnel symptoms started flaring up really badly.' The mother revealed that she was 'so upset' when she had to 'turn' the potential apprentice 'down.' She then continued: 'So until my pain stops flaring up and my children grow up a bit, I probably won't be getting a job anytime soon.' I scrub my council house walls but they're COVERED in mould & crumbling away - I have two disabled kids, it's disgusting The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ typicalgeminix, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 71,400 views, 3,642 likes and 822 comments. Despite the hate Jaz often receives, this time round, social media users were overwhelmingly positive and were eager to share messages of love and support for the mother. You're literally calling me lazy on a video of me cleaning, so you probably need to give your head a wobble Jaz One person said: 'Keep going darling, your kids know how much you love them and that's all that matters.' Another added: 'Ignore the trolls - you're doing amazing.' The reality of living in a council house LEANNE Hall, Digital Writer at Fabulous, has discussed what it was like growing up in a council house, and why those living in such properties are often judged... When I was a child I grew up in a council house, and was blissfully unaware of the discrimination that came with that, until I became an adult. My younger years were spent running up and down the stairs of my flat, meeting with other friends who lived there and making the most of the communal garden. But now, it seems no matter your circumstance, everyone has something to say about why you shouldn't be there. Living just outside of London like I did, rent prices are still high, and as my mum was at home raising three kids at the time, it wasn't easy to find a job that fit around that. People in council houses are often labelled as 'scroungers' or 'lazy' but it's nothing of the sort. Most families in council homes experience overcrowding, and let's not even mention the horrendous amount of damp and mould that comes from living in old social housing that hasn't had work done to them in 50 or so years. It's not ideal for many, but it does provide a secure home without the fear your rent will shoot up every single year, which I would argue is vital to children growing up on the poverty line. A third commented: 'I'd expect your house to be messy with two children and it's hardly dirty, that's a normal house to me.' Meanwhile, someone else chimed in: 'It's not that bad. You can't live in a show home with young kids.' At the same time, another attempted to reassure Jaz and wrote: ' Keyboard warriors have plenty to say. But none of it is worth taking any notice of.'
The Sun
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I'm branded a ‘benefit scrounger' for having a big council house at 25 – but anyone would've done the same if they could
A MUM has clapped back at trolls who slammed her for living in a three-bed council house, telling them to "get over it" after being labelled the 'problem with Britain today'. Ashlan Hindle, 25, took to TikTok to hit back at critics who accuse her of sponging off the state, having a 'spare room' she doesn't deserve, and living a lifestyle she hasn't earned. But the young mum insists she's done nothing wrong and says she's simply trying to raise her son in a stable home like anyone else. In a fiery video that's since gone viral, Ashlan sarcastically joked: 'Don't you worry, I'll get my bank details sent straight over to you and you can pay this month's rent.' She then quipped about booking a 'five-star holiday in the Maldives' with her 'leftover benefits' before getting real about her life as a full-time parent. Ashlan revealed she lives with her partner and toddler in a three-bedroom council property and one of those rooms is used as a gaming space and office. 'Get over it,' she said. 'I have two bathrooms as well – do you wanna take one of them off me?' The TikTok mum has faced a flood of negative comments online from people accusing her of freeloading, with some saying she's exactly 'what's wrong with Britain today'. She doesn't shy away from the criticism, mocking it in her post before setting the record straight. 'You're right, you're absolutely right,' she said. But the reality is very different. Ashlan is a full-time mum to a toddler with autism and spends her days managing his needs, including setting up a sensory room in their back garden to support him. And while some trolls were quick to assume she got it all for free, she made clear: 'Before you all jump to conclusions – no, it wasn't free. Yes, paid for it out of my own money.' She ended the post by reintroducing herself, saying she's just 'a normal 25-year-old girl living to survive in a council house'. The TikTok has racked up thousands of views, with many supporters rallying behind her in the comments. One fan wrote: 'You don't need to explain yourself to anyone. You're doing amazing.' Another added: 'Your house, your rules. People love to judge when they don't have a clue.' The 24-year-old was forced to speak out after being bombarded with nasty comments from people who claimed she didn't deserve the home she lives in. Ashlan's house is a modern three-bedroom council house with a white kitchen, spacious garden and stylish interiors. In another video Ashlan explained exactly how she came to live in the property and why she's got nothing to be ashamed of. 'I get this question so often,' she said. 'So I'm just gonna explain the situation and how I got the house.' Ashlan explained she was served with a Section 21 eviction notice after her previous landlord decided to sell up, leaving her with just eight weeks to find somewhere else to live. At the time her son was a baby. Ashlan said: 'It was during the Christmas period, and between there being genuinely nothing on the market and the estate agents being shut, I reached out to my local council.' The council reviewed her documents and placed her on the highest priority bidding list but before she could even bid, they offered her the home directly. She hadn't seen any pictures but came to view the property and immediately decided she wanted to move in. She says she "never took it out of greed" and that it was simply "just pure desperation". Despite the online backlash, Ashlan insists she followed all the rules and was simply trying to do the best for her family and just wanted her son to have a home. Within less than a week from the viewing, Ashlan and her partner had signed the tenancy and moved in a week later. Ashlan admits she doesn't know why she was offered a three-bed, but says many houses on the estate are three or four bedrooms anyway. But that hasn't stopped judgmental strangers from targeting her online. She previously responded to someone telling her: 'You should be ashamed.' Ashlan fired back: 'This is the stigma that we're dealing with, that we should be ashamed because we live in council housing. "You're quick to judge me because you assume I'm on benefits, that I have no aspirations, that everything I've got has been handed to me. 'But that isn't the case. We work hard. So what if it's a council house?' Ashlan pointed out that many new-build estates include homes set aside for council or housing association tenants but you wouldn't know just by looking. Despite the hate, Ashlan has been flooded with support from kind-hearted viewers who praised her honesty and defended her choice. One commented: 'Why should you be ashamed? A house is a house.' Another wrote: 'Well said.' While a third added: 'Your house is gorgeous, by the way.' And Ashlan agrees. 'Much love,' she signed off. How can I get a council house? To apply for a council home, you need to fill out and hand in an application to your local authority. To find your local authority, simply use the Government's council locator tool on its website. Once you have access to your local council's website, it should offer you guidelines on how to complete your application. After applying, you'll most likely have to join a waiting list. Bear in mind, even if you are put on a waiting list, this doesn't guarantee you a council house offer. Your council should also offer you advice on how to stay in your current home and solve any issues you might have, such as problems with a private landlord or mortgage. You are eligible to apply for council housing if you are a British citizen living in the UK providing have not lived abroad recently. Each council has its own local rules about who qualifies to go on the housing register in its area, but it is based on "points" or a "banding" system. For example, you're likely to be offered housing first if you: are homeless live in cramped conditions have a medical condition made worse by your current home are seeking to escape domestic violence Once you are high enough on a council's waiting list, it will contact you when a property is available. Some councils let people apply at the age of 18, while others let you apply even sooner at 16-year-olds. EU workers and their families and refugees may also be eligible. A council house is reached through a points system, so depending on your housing needs, you may be considered low priority. The council will contact you about any available property once you are high enough on the waiting list. There is no limit on how long you can expect to be on the waiting list.
The Sun
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
People say council houses can't look nice but my hallway proves them wrong – EVERYTHING is from B&Q & it ‘gives luxury'
A SAVVY mum who lives in a council house has shared how she gave her plain hallway a stunning glow up whilst on a budget. So if you're desperate to add style to your home but don't know where to start, you've come to the right place and won't want to miss this. 5 5 5 Crystal Jewell, a 32-year-old mum-of-two from the UK, was eager to prove that ' council houses can be nice too,' and on her mission to do so, was able to transform her hallway and turn it from drab to fab in barely any time at all. The savvy DIY enthusiast nabbed cheap buys from B&Q for the makeover and took to social media to give her followers a before, during and after look at the overhaul, leaving many totally stunned. Alongside a short clip shared online, the brunette beauty beamed: 'Panel my hallway with me!' Crystal then said: 'Who said council houses can't be nice too? Let's panel my hallway.' Showing off her home prior to the transformation, she added: 'So this was what it was looking like when I first moved in - not the worst, but not the best. 'I really wanted my entrance way to be warm, cosy and homely. 'I got everything I needed for this project from B&Q - I'm pretty sure they get sick of the sight of me in that store.' To stick the panels to the wall, Crystal used a grab adhesive which cost her just £2.50. She then used a few nails to keep it secure while the glue was drying. Prior to painting, Crystal shared: 'I'm in love already.' And despite "absolutely hating painting,' the DIY fan got stuck in and used the 'cheapest tub of white paint from the Good Home range,' which cost her just £19. Moments later, Crystal, who previously shared how she made her dream dressing table for just £21, showed off the finished hallway, as she beamed: 'I am absolutely in love. Rules on transforming your council house According to Gov, the kind of improvements you can make to your council property depends on the type of tenancy you have. Introductory tenants are usually limited to minor improvements like redecorating inside. If you're a secure tenant, you have the right to carry out improvements to your property. These include: installing a new bathroom or kitchen building an extension putting up a garden shed or greenhouse installing a new gas fire or fireplace cavity wall insulation redecorating the outside of a house fitting an aerial or satellite dish You might need your council's written permission for work you do. Contact your council if you're not sure. 'Now if this isn't giving you cosy, warm, homely vibes, then I don't know what is.' To finish off the hallway, Crystal used wallpaper samples which she framed, to further add glamour to the space without spending any extra cash. She also accessorised the hallway with a vase and foliage from B&M and a storage box from Amazon. DIY enthusiasts gush We think Crystal's DIY panelling is gorgeous and it's clear that many others do too, as the TikTok clip which was posted under the username @ has quickly racked up 55,700 views in less than 24 hours. It's also amassed 2,333 likes and 106 comments, as many eagerly praised the 'fabulous' DIY project. One person said: 'You've done an amazing job. Doesn't matter if it's a council house, it's YOUR home & your castle.' Another added: "It's giving luxury. It looks amazing.' A third commented: 'You've done an absolutely fantastic job, well done you. I love it!' Meanwhile, someone else gushed: 'Looks fabulous.' Not only this, but another user begged: 'Come do mine.' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club 5
