SOCIAL HOUSING
I’m trolled for the glam council house I live in – people are bitter because my benefits meant I got a new kitchen
Her reaction sparked a huge debate
A COUNCIL house tenant has been trolled by people who don’t think she deserves to live in a nice home.
Naomi Louise Wells recently got her kitchen renovated and shared the results on her TikTok page.
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But since sharing the results, the social media user, who goes by the name of, has been targeted by people who think she “doesn’t deserve” a nice home.
The video showed her newly decorated kitchen, which had wooden floor fitted as well as new worktops, cupboards, freshly painted walls and tiles.
But one troll left a comment on her video and said: “I don’t know why I would be saving for a mortgage, I should’ve just put myself in a free council house instead.”
Another comment added: “Well my house doesn’t look as nice as this and I own mine.”
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Narrating the video, Naomi, who lives with her niece and nephew, said: “I’ve actually had a few comments like that on my videos and unfortunately there is still a massive stigma attached to people that live in council houses.”
She believes the negative comments are “almost implying” that those who have bought their houses “deserve nicer homes, and those who haven’t been as fortunate enough to do so.”
Naomi continues: “It’s quite sad how bitter people are to those who live in social housing when they hear of them having home improvements.”
The young woman went on to explain that she believes there “will always be people out there” who believe that people who live in social housing “don’t deserve nice homes.”
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She wanted to hit back at people who think they should be “grateful that” she is in a “free house,” and that it “doesn’t matter if our houses are falling apart.”
The tenant then went on to ask her 13.8k TikTok followers what their thoughts are on the situation.
She asked: “Do you think it’s the council, or housing association’s responsibility to make home improvements, or do you think it should be left down to the tenant.”
The video attracted over 470 comments with many sharing their thoughts.
Well my house doesn’t look as nice as this and I own mine
TikTok user
One sparked a debate by writing: “It’s not that people don’t deserve nice things who live in council houses, it's just that you deserve to just have things given to you is what annoys people.”
Then someone added: “They don’t own it though. The only reason the council upkeeps it is so they can move someone in the next day when the current tenants move on.”
Another added: “I can understand the frustration as I own my flat. But councils are responsible for maintaining their properties and they budget for this.
“Every number of years they will update kitchens and bathrooms.”
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A fourth said: “I think maybe people are frustrated with working so hard to get a mortgage and then work hard to make their own home.”
Naomi replied: “People who live in council houses also work hard to make their homes their own?”
Rules on transforming your council house
According to , 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. if you’re not sure.
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