Buying Next Door to Social House

Just hoping to get some opinions here as I'm not sure how much of a concern this should be.

My husband and I have been looking at houses for months now and have finally had an offer accepted on a house we love. So far so good.

We have just discovered that the house next door (which we would be attached to) was recently bought by the local council for social housing. It's currently vacant but presumably won't be for too long.

The estate overall is a mature one, built in the 70s, generally pretty quiet.

I know that the vast majority of social housing tenants are decent people who would cause no trouble, so this is absolutely not meant as a bashing thread. However there is surely a risk of getting a really awful neighbour? And if that happens, how seriously would the council deal with complaints?

We love the house and really want to proceed, but I'm wondering if we're taking a bit of a gamble here. Would be great to get some opinions from people who have been in similar situations.

endofrainbow

Even if it wasn't earmarked for social housing, you could get the neighbours from Hell.

thedart

Have you any second choice house?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119571205#Comment_119571205

We did but it went into a bidding war and we've been priced out. That has happened to us a few times.

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119571205#Comment_119571205

Your typical one liner adding nothing.

@Flying Fox There's no reason to automatically assume a social housing tenant will be a bother. It could be rented to somebody who doesn't give a toss about the house or area. Or you could have owner occupiers who are the neighbours from hell.

All in all neighbours get on and the odds are you will have no issues.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119571197#Comment_119571197

That's true, but I think it's less likely with private buyers.

thedart

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119571278#Comment_119571278

Yea I see it with a few buyers I know at the moment. Demand is high. Know your cut off point and run with it.

Iguarantee

I can empathise.

If it's any consolation (it may not be); you can end up with bad next-door neighbours no matter what you buy, unless you buy a detached property with a lot of land (you own) around it.

I believe 10% of new builds are designated as social housing? What your describing is a reality for people buying brand new houses. I'm, shamelessly, one of those people that doesn't want to pay my hard earned money to live next to someone that got their house for next to nothing.

I'd guess that mixing standard and social housing is there to relieve the lack of housing but also to possible diminish the disparity between standard people and those on social welfare. I believe that starts with education; don't bother doing anything beyond your leaving cert....you'll get a free house while all the other saps are working to pay off their six figure mortgages. Why should someone who pays 500k for a house have to live next door (or as good as) to someone who paid nothing?

thedart

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119571279#Comment_119571279

You have swung and missed there, I was asking the op on demand. Sorry to disappoint you.

SNNUS

Walk away from it.

Kurooi

I lived near a social home once, it was managed perfectly well, but even then there is no controlling the kids. They had a little game of going down the road and throwing rocks at every window on the street. They especially liked it if anyone came out "what ya gonna do about it"

Personally, I'll do anything to dodge them. I'm sure there will be many here angry at me for sharing that.

Ginger83

Walk away

naughtyboy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058261899/buying-next-door-to-social-house

I rented a house between 2 council homes

On one side a single mom who was a very nice person and a nice family

The other side a family mom and dad and 3 children, and they were a nightmare. The dad was just out of jail for dealing heroin and was dealing again from the house a very dangerous man who made it his mission to ruin what was a lovely estate. It was fine for me as I was renting and could leave but the homeowners with a mortgage were stuck.

My honest advice is do not buy that house unless you can handle the worst case scenario

sameoldname

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119571465#Comment_119571465

So you wouldn't want to live next door to someone who's parents set up a trust fund to buy their children a house, or someone who inherited their one? You'd prefer to live beside someone like my neighbour, the local drug dealer who spent €400,000 of his "hard earned" cash on a lovely house that now's in complete disrepair, surrounded with dog kennels filled with dogs that bark all night? Raided by the Guards bi-annually but is never arrested and beats the **** out of his girlfriend on a fairly regular basis, but at least he pays his mortgage.

Thanks for the replies. It's a tough one, the house is exactly what we're looking for in a really nice estate. It's the uncertainty that's a killer. Would probably be fine, but if it's not it could be a disaster.

We still can't decide.

MarkR

There are no statistics on if someone in social housing would be a good or a bad neighbour. Nor are there stats on who is likely to buy a house, so any house you buy could have social housing nearby.

It's a coin toss really. I'd go by the area rather than the specific house. If the area is nice, then hopefully the family that moves in will be too.

The Mighty Quinn

We bought a house next door a house the council had a lease on. Quiet housing estate, built 25 years ago in a nice area. It was a family. 2 heroin addict parents and 3 children. They never caused us a moments grief. But it was sad. Kids weren't always fed, or washed.

Sometimes they'd call in to us and my wife would give them a plate of dinner and that, but only now and then as she was afraid it'd encourage their parents to just give up completely on the kids if there were getting fed elsewhere all the time. They've since moved on, and council tenancy finished on the house. Like i said, sad, but never a peep out of them or any trouble.

Meanwhile a house across from ours had rooms rented individually. One guy in that house was dealing. There'd be a string of people in and out all the time any time day or night. Residents came together on a bit of surveillance and involved the gardai, who raided one time based on resident tips, found large sums of cash and drugs and yer man was taken away. And that wasn't a council house.

As I said, nice modest housing estate in a nice part of town. You never know who you're going to get to live beside!

BronsonTB

As long as you go into it with your eyes open.

Do all the checks you can but ultimately you cannot control who your neighbour is.

If the area ticks all your boxes & you can see yourself living there for at least 15 years, go for it.

Don''t buy to sell again in a few years....that could cost you...

Madeoface

As other posters said, eyes open on this. I'd ring the council to do my research as to what families are the priority in the area. Or whether the likes of Focus rented it (defo worrying if its them) on behalf of the council.

Also, is it an older mature council estate where former tenants bought out the property?

Lots of variables. I lived beside an estate that was a 10% development plonked beside mature private homes. Wasn't a good experience at all. But I've had problems with private rentals too. No place is risk free

fliball123

OP my advice is this go up to the estate late on a Saturday night and observe for an hour or so, then I would knock into both sets of neighbors on Sunday morning around 11ish (if they like a drink/drugs you will probably catch them hungover or at their worse) and it will give you an inkling of what you may be dealing with if you buy. Simply knock in and say I am thinking of buying next door what do you think of the estate and you will be able to gauge them. I have always done this before buying.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119573707#Comment_119573707

Thanks, we'll get in touch with the council and get as much info as we can.

It's a private estate built in the 70s, so most of the owners would be elderly people or younger couples/families who have bought more recently. It's generally pretty quiet.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119573860#Comment_119573860

The street seems fine as of now. The issue is that the house next door will have council tenants going in at some point and we have no idea who that might be.

fliball123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119573886#Comment_119573886

Ah sorry I thought there were already in. Well I guess it all depends on your situation. If it were me I would not be buying it as its probably the most expensive decision you will ever make in your life and it could turn out to be really nasty if someone moves in next door who is not very nice.

Scotty #

Don't do it.

I live in a private estate and the council bought the house next door to us about 12 years ago. For the first 6 years there was an African woman and her three kids there and they were a pleasure to live beside for the most part.

Then it lay empty for a year before being completely renovated and young traveller family moved in on a temporary basis. They were fine except the guy was a scrap collector so the front and back gardens would be covered in washing machines, lawn mowers, bikes etc. They were there for 3 months and they were always pleasant and not very noisy.

Then it was empty for about 8 months and renovated again. This time another young traveller family who would stay in the house for a few days and then it'd be vacant for 6-10 days. They always had lots of overnight guests when they did stay. There'd be screaming and roaring all night. One day I turned the corner coming home and was met by 5 squad cars clogging the road and about 15 Garda outside their house, something to do with a shoplifting spree. There was an all merciful row one day on the street between the main couple in the house and they moved out the following day.

The house was empty again for most of Covid before being renovated and leased to a well know charity short term. A middle aged woman and her teenage kids moved in. They were pleasant enough if you met them outside but the killings that used to go on there all night were horrendous. Thankfully they weren't there long but they left the house in an absolute state and it's been sitting vacant now for about 6 months. Weeds up to the windows, blinds hanging off inside, a layer of dead flies lining the window sills. In a row of 8 nice, well maintained houses, it sticks out like a sore thumb.

You could get lucky and get great neighbours from the council. I have friends who are council tenants who I'd love to live beside .You could buy beside private and get terrible neighbours. But in MY experience, I would advise against buying next to council.

Sierra Oscar

No matter where you purchase these days, there is every chance that a Local Authority will end up purchasing a house or apartment beside you or within your vicinity. They are greatly increasing their housing stock in mature development's. Before you really only had to worry about it when purchasing in a new development due to Part V allocations, but that’s all changed now.

Local Authorities have been given a serious amount of funding by Central Government to increase their social or affordable housing stock. Part V allocations in new developments aren't satisfying their requirements, so they are more than happy to shell out serious cash to purchase in older developments. It’s also their policy to pursue diversification of communities.

You're in a good position in that you can do your research and go into the purchase eyes wide open, but people should be aware that having no social or affordable housing in your vicinity at time of purchase is no guarantee that it will remain that way indefinetely.

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/strict-new-rules-for-councils-when-buying-property-on-the-market-for-social-housing-41323141.html

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119574205#Comment_119574205

I don't believe that's the case anymore (see link above), but certainly was up until a few months ago.

Sierra Oscar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119574243#Comment_119574243

Well I'm aware of DCC purchasing a couple of units within my own development within the last three months alone and it would be in breach of that policy. They are either ignoring it, or perhaps it's something to do with closing out sales that were already in motion.

Either way I can't see that policy remaining in force should Sinn Féin enter Government. Purchases outside Part V are the quickest way for Local Authorities to increase their housing stock.

OP, at least five houses have been bought on my road, in my private 80s estate over the last couple of years including the one directly next door to me.

They've all worked out fine. No issues at all.

billyhead

The house next door to me was purchased by the council and refurbished for council tenants. It was a shame to see the house up for sale privately and like ashow house inside but the council ripped up the flooring etc and modified the kitchen. Anyway an African family of about 6 people moved in and they don't cause any problems and generally keep to themselves and mix amongst there own people. It's a lotto who you can get. Best of luck with the decision OP. I hope it works out for you.

spaceHopper

I would want to know why the house you are buying is for sale, did the owners have a bad experience and move. Why is the house next door empty did something happen?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119574690#Comment_119574690

The house we're buying was a family home for years, kids grew up and moved out and the elderly parents passed away recently.

The house next door was only bought by the council late last year. May well have been a similar situation that led to it going up for sale. No indication that there's been any issue in the area up to now, it's the potential future tenants I'm concerned about.

em_cat

Op, I very rarely weigh in on threads like this, but felt compelled too as you asked if you do get a bad egg family as LA neighbors, firstly getting them out would be very difficult. Councils have to prove an extremely high burden of proof to obtain an eviction and it can take years and in the end it will be down to a Judge to grant the order.

For example, I live in an multi unit development that has drug dealers and some very violent persons, all LA tenants and after 13 years they still are housed here.

I think you need to seriously weigh it up as sure you could get a lovely neighbor but if you don’t, can you or your family wait and live next to your worst nightmare?

Suppose the risk is higher that you will have an antisocial tenant housed beside you. Generally they do not look after the houses as they feel its the councils responsibility to do so. Some are good, some are bad.

Another thing to keep in mind is if the house is detached and any shared works need to be completed some councils can move at a glacial pace when it comes to repairs and will often only use companies that have completed the tender process or are the approved vendor list, so costs for works are generally higher if you have to share costs.

wildwillow

No matter where you buy, the council can buy beside you and lease to anyone on their list.

Some rural, one off houses are being bought around the country so no place is exempt.

Most council tenants are fine but some can ruin a whole area. At least, with a leased house you can put serious pressure on the council to evict problem tenants, not easy but possible.

You could move on to another semi house and find the adjoining house for sale soon after, you have no control over who might buy it.

If a lot of the houses are owned by older people you can expect more sales than in a mixed age estate.

I would probably go on the area and take a chance, you could dither forever..

Former Former Former

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119573865#Comment_119573865

There's no point contacting the council. They won't and can't make any promises on who they'll move in there.

Personally, I would walk away.

Supercell

There's a house down the road from us that was bought by the council a few years ago. The people living there now have a dog in their back garden thats never ever walked and barks continuously all day, I'd literally go insane living beside that. In addition, their front garden is a dumping ground, its like an obstacle course to get to the front door given the amount of junk there. They also have a broken down van and car in the driveway/garden that haven't moved in years. I can only imagine what the house inside and back garden is like.

I feel sorry for the people living next door to them, they'll have a hard time selling if they ever decide they've had enough.

hustlenbustle

My advice is leave it_ walk away. You could end up with nice people but theres a high risk of someone awful. I lived beside a rented house , rented to council , with what I can only describe as the filthiest person living there. Rubbish everywhere. Thankfully they .moved on but living and paying a mortgage to be beside them was heartbreaking.

penny piper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119573170#Comment_119573170

My advice would be not to buy the house at all...........when buying a house you should always think about whether you would ever want to sell the property ..........you won't get the true market value if you have social housing next door......

ElitesTeam

walk away

Mr. Grinder

Hate to say it... And this is only from personal experience (and the particular area I once lived in).

I'd be highly cautious about moving anywhere near social housing. As you pointed out most folks are decent people. But in my case, there were a few rotten families in there too, and they made life for me and my parents a living hell. The Garda could do nothing.

At one point we had an elderly next-door neighbor who passed away. Then we got the family from hell in who were allocated the house.

Apiarist

I think you should buy a mansion in Wicklow. Close to Dublin, yet no pesky neighbours. However, if you are one of the poorer people like me, your choices are rather limited. If you can afford a house to buy on the estate, it's likely the council can justify renting a house in the estate as well. It's risky to buy a house in Dublin. I have great neighbours now, but the family on one side is buying a new house, will they rent out the old house to drug dealers or students? Who knows!

This thread has been done a hundred times.

The bottom line is this. You have no control over who your neighbours are. Whether social tenants, or private owners.

You could reject this house and move on to the next one, and a year from now find a neighbour has sold to the council and be right back with the same worries and concerns as you have now, only you already own the house.

Someone could buy next to you as a private owner, and be the neighbour from hell. Owning your own home doesn't exempt someone from being an asshole.

I personally don't buy into the line that social housing tenants don't take pride in, or look after their homes. Again, its a minority who don't. You'll only hear the negative stories on Boards. You can't tell which are the social houses on my road and which are privately owned.

Social housing is everywhere, and will continue to be everywhere, because no social housing is being built. This is where we are at.

If you've found a house you love, and can afford, and had the offer accepted, and otherwise like the estate but this is the only stumbling block, I say go for it.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119575293#Comment_119575293

There's no need to get snarky, I've already said that the majority in social housing are no different to anyone else. I've lived in poorer areas myself and there's been good and bad, but the bad can be a living hell if you're stuck beside them.

We're nowhere near rich and we've saved for a long time to be in a position to buy. I don't think it's unreasonable that we'd like to live in a peaceful home.

Apiarist

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119575705#Comment_119575705

Snarky? Hardly. You want cast iron guarantees that your future house in a middle income area will be peaceful? You will not get it. The best bet for you is to do an investigation into people who live in the immediate neighbourhood now. Go around, knock on the doors, introduce yourself, ask about neighbours. Hire a private investigator.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119575837#Comment_119575837

Where did I say I was looking for a cast iron guarantee?

I asked for opinions, and experiences, which people have kindly given me.

Former Former Former

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119575620#Comment_119575620

You could reject this house and move on to the next one, and a year from now find a neighbour has sold to the council and be right back with the same worries

But you're comparing something that would definitely happen (the OP situation) with something that has a very low probability of happening (the OP finding himself in the same situation again) and you're saying they're the same. They're not. At all.

The idea that living next door to a local authority rental is the same as living next to an owner occupied house is nonsense. It's one thing to chastise the OP for not being politically correct about it but he's the one who has to put a couple of hundred grand into it.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119576132#Comment_119576132

The idea that living next door to a local authority rental is the same as living next to an owner occupied house is nonsense.

Have you done it?

Because I am an owner occupier who has been living next door to a council tenant for the last six years. Another neighbour two doors away is also a council tenant. Like I said, no issues.

(Unfortunately, i wish I could say the same for the owner occupier who has been living on the other side of me for the last 20 years, but thats another story.)

I had no say when the owner occupier who lived next door to me died and his children sold the house to the council.

I did not "chastise" the OP, and you cannot give them any guarantees that any home they buy, whether it be this house or some other house, will never end up next to or in very close proximity to a social house, unless they buy detatched on a big plot out in the sticks somewhere.

This is the situation we are in now with housing, and there are plenty of posts here attesting to the fact that first time buyers are competing with councils and housing associations who are snatching up houses, especially in Dublin, as quickly as they can, so your "very low probablility" is not so low, at all.

Former Former Former

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119576183#Comment_119576183

Yes, I have lived next to a place that was privately owned but on a long term lease to the council. I wasn't as lucky as you, let's leave it there.

I wouldn't give the OP any guarantees but if he buys a different house, the odds that the house next door will go up for sale AND that it will be bought by the local council are pretty remote.

And of course, if the OP did buy this house and went to sell in a few years, guess what? Having council tenants next door will seriously hamper the resale value. That's just the reality.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119576485#Comment_119576485

And what about a house that goes up for sale a couple of doors away? Or new builds, where a percentage is guaranteed to be social housing?

The truth is, no matter where you buy, you cannot avoid social housing any longer - especially in Dublin.

So if the OP has found a house they absolutely love (as they say they do) at a price they can afford, with an offer accepted, I wouldn't be doing everything I can to talk them out of it under some illusion that they will be avoid all social housing elsewhere.

Bargain_Hound

I hate to say it - Walk away

Council bought two houses attached to us in Meath, travellers moved in to one, the other was a single mother with a child and shortly after her partner moved in with a company van and personal car - none of my business really, they were fine but for the other house.... We sold up less than a year later. Won't go into detail but it was an eye opening experience.

Council have since bought a few houses in our current estate and neighbouring estates. One of which, travellers are in it whom have a hobby of collecting old scrap cars up on blocks, fridges, metal and just about anything they can get their hands on. And it's in a right old sorry state. Feel sorry for the neighbours.

Another down the road from us didn't want to pay for their bins to be collected and their backgarden is just stacked high with black sacks of sh!t.

Appreciate all the comments here. The prevailing opinion seems to be leave it alone.

It really is our favourite of all the houses we've seen so it's hard to walk away. I completely get why people are saying it though. Just wish the tenants were already in so we could get an idea, but they're not so what can you do.

I'm swaying no and my husband is swaying yes.