Email your MP - Social Housing for Ex Servicemen

[lisab]

I'm sick of hearing all this wingin!
Admittedly alot of pups on here are not loaded, but with a cpl earning 30k+ how can you all go on bleeting that you cant afford to buy?
Civvies seem to manage it with no wories?

So everyone that is on here is either the rank of a Cpl or higher and all those that leave the services are the rank of a Cpl or higher! Mmmm ok then!! you misinformed @rse!!! Oh and another thing not all civvies manage it in fact there is a he11 of alot of civvies that have been priced out of the housing market so have to go to social housing.

 

[CodeMonkey]

Hate to say it but even earning 30K or just below(also taking account of previous commitments) won't get you sh1t unless you are going to mortgage yourself to the hilt in most places around the country. So the person who stated that we were whining/whinging needs to take their mouth for a sh1t. Courtesy of Gbroon and co the country on the surface seems prosperous, unfortunately house price rises are out-stripping the rate of inflation and pay. As this growth is unsustainable there are going to be a lot of people streched to the hilt that are going to lose out when the inevitable happens. Oh and before you say i'm a nay sayer even the IMF(International Monetary Fund) are saying the same. I would love to buy i just can't take the risk that going on the next bad bit of news that i will loose the home i worked so hard to buy.

(1.2.3.4 i declare a flame war - just kidding)

 

[vim_fuego]

How much does a techy cpl get paid a month net? I need this info to finish off a post please!

 

[vim_fuego]

I've just spent a year doing a financial planning and counselling course (in own time using own money) so I speak with a least a minimum of knowledge...

£30k for round figures...

Lets take the Skipton building society...I know this establishment and trust it...I don't agree with some of it's policies but it's a money making firm with it's own bills to pay...

They will loan you four times your pay...This IMO is too much but a bull housing market means anything less just comes no-where near you achieving bricks and mortar...

4 x 30,000 = £120000.
Lets say you've managed to save £6000 which nicely works out at 5% deposit on a £126,000 house/flat...You'll pay stamp duty of £1260 due to being just above the min threshold and you'll probably incur a loan to value (LTV) penalty due to your small deposit of around £2500 or you can go for a mortgage with less competitive intrest rate (they'll get it back off you in one way or another!)...this can be added to your mortgage along with probably £500-700 of arrangement fees...you'll have to find the £3-400 search fee's and the £500-700 legal fees...

Lets see how this stacks up then

mortgage size = 120000+2500+700 =£123200
initial outlay = 6000+400+700+1260 = £8360

A repayment mortgage based on a rate of 5.5% over 25 years will be £756 a month (figures used will and can change but this is a generalisation based on median values)

Add on a grade 'B' council tax charge of £100 per month
Water and sewage of £25 per month
Electric of £25 per month
Gas of £35 per month
telephone of £20 per month
Biuldings and contents £30 per month

756 + 100 + 25 + 25 + 35 + 20 + 30 = £991

I'm going to say that a Cpl techie clears £1650 a month (readjust this figure for your selves or if its totally out)

1650 - 991 = £659

Thats just the basics for just shy of a grand...There's no beer, food (notice my priorities there DT_Xtremez_15: ), broadband, car running costs, treats for the kids, clothes, school trips, Christmas pressies and costs etc etc etc...

SO...The very long winded point I am making to the 'person' who I think was drinking and typing is that a person on 30 k could afford a house if he was single and had the ability to save £8360 or was married and his wife worked or if not then they intend to live the life of a monk...

HOWEVER...Where the fook are you going to find a house (outside of perhaps Lincoln) for £126,000 in the UK that you would actually want to live in?????


Keep it up Hitback...

 

[Hitback]

Vim_Fuego, thank you for that information. Maybe those out there living in a dream world can now see how important this issue is. The fact this legislation has been in place for nearly 30 years and the politician have got away with discriminating against serving personnel and their families, is the reason they don't wish to change it. Vim_Fuego, can I take your example to other sites?

The following was posted on another site, but I believe it gives a good outline of what we give back to local councils in taxes.

Those that have military camps in their areas would soon complain if those camps moved location, I'm sure you can see the Benefits local councils get by having military camps in their area, but they don't wish to have any of the Burden. It's time for us to ensure they change this disgracful legislation, or allow our taxes to go back to our Local Connection.

Regards
Hitback


http://www.colchester.gov.uk/doclib/COMPLETE_STATEMENT.pdf

Contributions in lieu for Ministry of Defence Properties 841 Band D Council Tax
The basic Band D Council Tax, including parishes, for this Council is as follows:

Colchester £1,242.46

So 841 X £1,242.46 = £1,044,908.80 for FY 05/06

[there is an explanation in the document about why it is all based on Band D properties]

Bear in mind that under 18s do not pay council tax and Catterick probably has a large population of youngsters.

Others may like to ask the councils in their area to identify income from CILOCT.

 

[vim_fuego]

Hitback...You can now I've added the stamp duty...DT_Xtremez_28:

 

[Hitback]

Thats gone down well with a lot of users on other sites. The petition requires a lot more names and, I here MP's are complaining because they aren't getting anymore request to sign EDM 288. I'm sure we can sort that out for them. Go to the links and send them a request to support our troops and their families, then sign the Petition.

Royal British Legion Letter to MP
http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/content/Problems-with-Social-Housing-513998.shtml

Petition Form
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/forceshousing/


Regards

Hitback

 

[Boarderlyne]

I've signed up to the petition as well. Love the fact that a lot of people have signed with their rank as part of their name! DT_Xtremez_30: Aww bwess dere widdle cotton socks!

However, back to the case in hand. Not a techie Cpl so £300 less in my pay at the end of the month. So that would leave me about £350 a month and I have kids. Just to add to the fun of this topic, I am on WFTC so HMG already think that I am not getting paid enough considering the amount of kids (3) that I have. So I have even less chance of getting onto the housing ladder. So far, the only posting that I have had where I could have afforded to get on the property ladder was Buchan! Everywhere else, I have needed 5 times my salary as a minimum and that was even in the scumhole areas where nobody wants to buy housing!

 

[holedweller]

I'm sick of hearing all this wingin!
Admittedly alot of pups on here are not loaded, but with a cpl earning 30k+ how can you all go on bleeting that you cant afford to buy?
Civvies seem to manage it with no wories?

I dont know where you got your figures from, but I'm a Cpl (sitting on Level 7 as well) and my wage last year came in 4K short of 30K.

Fortunately I do have a house already, bought a number of years ago.

At the moment houses have now reached levels that certainly JNCO and below have very little access to the funds available. (SNCOs are also very close to being priced out at the moment.)

 

[airframe doctor]

Here you go......

Here you go......

I dont know where you got your figures from, but I'm a Cpl (sitting on Level 7 as well) and my wage last year came in 4K short of 30K.

Fortunately I do have a house already, bought a number of years ago.

At the moment houses have now reached levels that certainly JNCO and below have very little access to the funds available. (SNCOs are also very close to being priced out at the moment.)

Here's the pay ranges 1st link is 06/07 ranges.
2nd link 07/08 ranges.
http://www.rafcom.co.uk/pay_allowances/pay/2006/raf_air_06.cfm

Looking at the pay ranges you may well be on the lower pay band if your pulling in around 26k.

http://www.rafcom.co.uk/pay_allowances/pay/2007/raf_air_07.cfm

 

[TrenchardsLoveSock]

At the moment houses have now reached levels that certainly JNCO and below have very little access to the funds available. (SNCOs are also very close to being priced out at the moment.)

No close about it. With two kids and only a part-time second income, getting on the housing market is not an option as I need to get a 3 bed gaff.

I was hoping that being posted away from the Reading/London (at a push) commuter belt would mean we could buy, but not a chanceDT_Xtremez_09:

All we can do is keep saving and wait for something to happen to the market or my gratuity to come through.

 

[scaleywife]

TLS... Completely agree I am a full-time wkg wife! One of the problems long-service RAF have is that we are not traditional 'Starter home' buyers. We need space for growing/grown families.

We looked at buying in Norfolk whilst we were there and would have needed £180k for a 3 bed Semi fixer-upper.... and that was 4 years ago! Like many colleagues we have decided that the only way to avoid this is to take Mr SWs gratuity and pension and run to the other side of the world, how much is that costing the government?

I am appalled at some of the attitudes on here though. People make decisions in thier youth which can wreck thier and thier families futures. I don't consider it my 'fault' that we can't get on the housing ladder because we didn't buy when we first got married. I don't know many civilians that did. As my brand new husband was in a good job and I was happy to work and raise children I, niavely as it turned out, assumed that we would be able to afford a reasonable house with his gratuity and any savings. I don't think that the newly time-served JNCO/SNCO/Junior Officer etc etc can be blamed for a 70% rise in the housing market.

If you did buy, by all means sit there looking smug, but don't insult those of us who didn't, we had perfectly valid reasons at the time!

I have signed the petition and if I could think up any more names (blonde and lazy) I would sign for all the addresses we have had!!

I wouldn't really, I am aware of the ramifications

 

[Hitback]

It's great to see so many people discussing this issue. The power we hold is the fact we all serve together and understand the needs of our comrades. The petition is a great way to gauge the support for this issue and the EDM is there to make MP's discuss it, and hopefully remove the discriminiation it allows.


Hitback

 

[low manlies]

Peasants!

Peasants!

I agree in essence with this thread and fully support those that have a GENUINE need for council assistance in finding accommodation upon leaving the Service. I am undoubtedly going to be controversial and incense those people who use the flaccid excuse of having served Queen and Country to hide the fact that they have been unable to plan effectively for the stability of their families.
I entered the CIO some considerable time ago with very little, and after prolonged planning shall leave the Service quite comfortable “Thank you very much!” I shall not be a burden or expect any preferential treatment from anyone. Anyway enough about me!
Quite often personnel who throw themselves at the mercy of local councils have served a long time in the Services and after perhaps running a section or trade desk where they could, apparently find their own ar5e with both hands at the same time, they subsequently fail the needs and requirements of their own families due to p155 poor planning. I have little or no sympathy for you!
When an SAC on my last section can get a mortgage and purchase a house in his own right when he, his wife and child reside in SFA, I admire his foresight. Not being able to buy fast cars, motorbikes or go out on the lash and blow ‘loads a money’ is his penance but his family’s future is secure. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, careful planning and foresight is better! For those of you who haven’t planned may I suggest a ‘Wattle and daub’ resettlement course? Alternatively PM me and I may rent you one of my properties.

 

[Hitback]

How long ago did you get on the property ladder? Could you get on it now as a first time buyer? What about the repossessions that are currently going on in this country, I believe they have gone by 50% average 15,000 a year.

The thread is not about being given preferential treatment, it's about being given the same rights as others. Many Social Housing tenents have good jobs but wish to rent from their local council's. I have come accross some people with the same ding ding attitude as you, it's a shame really, considering we are taught to be comrades! They say combat stress can take upto 10 years to show its self and it will be then that this legislation will hurt serving members more than ever.

I would say to anyone thats on the property ladder, "Well done for your foresight" but not everyone can get the mortgage on their earnings as well as their other commitments.

The EDM has had another MP sign up today and the petition is going well. The Labour Party has been very slow to act on this issue, however their quick enough to send our soldiers to war! If you have a Labour MP as your constitunecy Minister then please email them via the Royal British Legion link on this thread. once they send you a reply please place it on here for others to read and act upon.


Dont forget about the Petition, which you can sign to show your support.

Regards

Hitback

 

[Hitback]

This will take you to the EDM site on the Royal British Legion site; http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/content/Problems-with-Social-Housing-513998.shtml

This is the link to the Petition as shown on the poster; http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/forceshousing/


Hitback

 

[low manlies]

Hitback,

I read your post with interest. I first got on the property ladder some 13 years after joining. In answer to your question “Yes I could most certainly get on it now as a first time buyer!” Probably not in my desired area of residence but a home nonetheless.
Your point about repossessions I missed totally.
My ‘ding ding’ attitude as you so eloquently put it has been derived over a great deal of time with hard graft and planning. Try as I might to locate my face of concern I appear to have mislaid it. I do not like freeloaders who expect something for nothing all neatly laid out on a silver salver to boot.
The Service provides stability, housing and medical needs, a half decent wage, a pension, gratuity and various other benefits not afforded by many other professions. This places us in a ‘comfort zone’ and with a distinct advantage over our civilian populous. What one decides to do whilst in that ‘comfort zone’ is entirely up to the individual. It took me 13 years to realise!
Affordability and ‘other commitments’ when it comes to house purchase do come hand in hand. Nevertheless if the ‘other commitments’ fall under hire purchase one has to prioritise and cut one’s cloth accordingly. Surely top priority must be somewhere to live? Not the latest plasma screen telly or new car!
Everyone is entitled to an opinion and I make no apologies if mine offends. Should an ex serviceman need social housing through unforeseen unfortunate circumstances I agree he should then be assessed along with others on an equal footing. Just by leaving the Services he should not, as dependant on time served he has had many opportunities to plan and provide for his future whilst languishing in the aforementioned ‘comfort zone!’

 

[firestorm]

Fair point,


Given the choice of providing for my family or letting the state provide for my family I'd go for option 1 everytime.
How about planning for yourself as well? You know you are going to have to leave sooner or later, plan.
Get a buy to let mortgage, then have some other mug pay it for you. When you leave you have the choice of selling it or living in it.DT_Xtremez_28:
A helping hand for those disabled? YES! I have no problem with that.

 

[low manlies]

Nice One!

Nice One!

Fair point,


Given the choice of providing for my family or letting the state provide for my family I'd go for option 1 everytime.
How about planning for yourself as well? You know you are going to have to leave sooner or later, plan.
Get a buy to let mortgage, then have some other mug pay it for you. When you leave you have the choice of selling it or living in it.DT_Xtremez_28:
A helping hand for those disabled? YES! I have no problem with that.

Firestorm,

An individual cut from the same stone. Well put!
Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. I like you!

 

[firestorm]

Firestorm,

An individual cut from the same stone. Well put!
Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. I like you!

Its just advice from being on the outside for a while.DT_Xtremez_31: