Latest news with #councilhouse
The Sun
3 days ago
- 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
The Sun
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I'm a teen mum on UC and pregnant with my second child – now I'm desperate for strangers to help fund my caravan holiday
A TEEN mother who is pregnant with her second child has shared her hopes for strangers to help fund her next holiday. Loula Wood, who is from the UK and recently transformed her council house using B&Q bargains, is now on a mission to get support from people online so that she can take her family away on a caravan trip. 2 2 The 18-year-old mum, who has a one-year-old daughter and is currently 20 weeks pregnant with a baby boy, acknowledged that while she is on Universal Credit, she also earns money through TikTok's Creator Fund. According to TikTok's official website, the Creator Fund "gives TikTok's best and brightest the opportunity to earn money with their creative talent." While it is not a grant or ad revenue program, the Creator Fund provides payment to qualified TikTokers based on a "variety of factors" across their content. "We want all creators to have the opportunity to earn money doing what they love and turn their passion into a livelihood," the website continues. With no limit on the number of qualified TikTokers who can join the fund, payments may increase or decrease at different times throughout one's run on the platform. Some factors affecting the funds a qualified TikToker may earn include number of authentic views per video, the amount of engagement and whether or not the work falls within the Community Guidelines. But this young mother stressed that generating an income through the platform can at times be 'really deflating.' Eager to boost her earnings and raise cash to stay in a caravan, Loula uploaded a clip of her cleaning her council property, as she said: 'I really need every single one of you to stay for five seconds - I'm not asking for money, I am literally asking for five seconds of your time.' She then explained: 'I am trying extremely hard to make some sort of income off TikTok so that I can take my family on holiday - nowhere expensive, not asking to go to Spain or anything like that, we literally just want a simple caravan holiday.' Eager to inform viewers about the Creator Fund, Loula added: 'Anyone who doesn't do TikTok - it can be extremely hard to make even £1 off a video and if you think about it, we are putting hours and hours of our time [into] planning videos and making sure that everything's edited nicely. I'm a mum-of-5 on £1.5K Universal Credit per month - people think I'm popping kids out to get 'lots of money' but I still have to use food banks - its embarrassing 'To some it might sound easy, but it is really, really difficult sometimes, especially when you have to be consistent with this content as well. 'And after all of our effort has been put into a video, more often than not, it only ends up getting a few thousand views and to some this might sound amazing, but for us creators who have just spent so many hours and so much of our time and energy, we have just earned around about 20p.' As a result, Loula urged viewers to comment, like, share and re-post her clip, to give her video 'a boost.' How much Universal Credit can you get? TRYING to work out how much Universal Credit you can get can be overwhelming. There are so many different elements that can affect your claim and it makes the whole process even more complicated. There are several free calculators that you can use to help you get an estimate, such as Citizen's Advice, MoneySavingExpert, StepChange and Turn2Us. You will need: Details of all your income, such as existing benefits, tax credits, earnings from employment and your pensions, Details of your partner's income if you're married, in a civil partnership or living with someone as a couple. You will be assessed as a couple Information on any savings you have, How much you pay in council tax per year, and whether you get any discounts, reductions or exemptions, Details of your rent or mortgage payments, Employment and income information about anyone else living with you, such as grown-up children, Details about your carer's allowance if you receive it. You'll need to make sure that the information provided is as accurate as possible to get the truest estimate. Social media users react And luckily for Loula, her TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ loulawood, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly amassed over 2,200 likes and 282 comments. Social media users eagerly raced to the comments, desperate to share their support and boost Loula's clip. One person said: 'Here to support!' Another added: 'Fill this jar with love.' A third commented: 'Hope you make the target and get on holiday.' Meanwhile, someone else beamed: 'Commenting so she gets paid.' At the same time, another user gushed: 'Good luck to your family. I hope you get your holiday.'
The Sun
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
My council house garden was a former drug den with hidden dangers – I transformed it with £1.7k gifts from strangers
A MUM has transformed her council estate garden with the help of £1k from strangers and gifts worth over £700. When Ste f anie Lockyer first posted a video showing off her 'POS garden ', she never expected it to blow up. 2 She was just a 36-year-old mum from a council house in the West Country, furious at the council, frustrated with the mess she'd inherited and feeling totally defeated. But fast forward just a few weeks and her TikTok account, started with fewer than 1,000 followers, has racked up over 24,000 fans, hundreds in donations, and more love from strangers than she ever imagined. She claimed her garden was a dangerous dumping ground littered with drug baggies and broken glass. Stefanie has now transformed it into a safe, colourful haven full of life, laughter, and Lego. 'Honestly,' she told her followers, 'if someone had told me that one video would get 200,000 views, I'd have thought you were cuckoo bananas.' It all started when Stefanie, who originally joined TikTok to help pay off some debt, decided to vent her frustration after moving into a new council home. The house came with a huge back garden that her 10-year-old son dreamed of using for a birthday party. But the dream was quickly shattered when they discovered the garden was far from safe. She said: 'It was basically an old drug den. 'There were baggies, broken glass, even dodgy old smug bits buried in the ground. Not what you want when your kid's asking for a party and a paddling pool.' After a particularly maddening encounter with a council worker who allegedly laughed in her face, Stephanie was determined to take matters into her own hands. Kids will have hours of fun in the garden with The Range's bargain buy - it also lights up, plays music & is on sale She posted her now-viral video, calling out the state of the garden and something incredible happened. Her TikTok blew up, strangers rallied behind her, and before long, a JustGiving page was set up. In just under a month, her supporters had donated over £1,000, with even more pouring in through her Amazon wishlist and PayPal. In total, kind-hearted strangers sent over £700 worth of gifts to help turn the ex-drug den into a dream play space. And it's not just your basic gardening gear, we're talking everything from toys and lights to a rainbow windmill. Among the donated goodies were a children's play sand set (£18.99), a helium canister for balloons (£29.99) and a pet hammock (£17.99). There was also a bundle of Lego sets, chalk, fidget toys and even a night vision toy. Plus cute garden decorations like a bamboo wind chime, a red telephone box bird feeder, and outdoor string lights to wrap around her now-iconic big trees One follower told her: 'Those trees are incredible – get some fairy lights up on them, babe.' And that's exactly what she did. She still has £161 worth of goods ready to be purchased. Stefanie's account, a raw mix of chaos, cheeky humour and real-life parenting, has struck a chord with thousands. She admitted she was "c***" at social media and did it to "p*** the council off". What started as a rant has now turned into a community project and a journey of unexpected pride. Stefanie now plans to carry on documenting her family's adventures, and is already setting her sights on the next big mission, which is giving her husband a blowout 40th birthday bash. But for now, she's basking in the joy of seeing her son finally enjoying a back garden of his own. She shared her son now has a paddling pool, toys to play with and a safe space to be a kid, saying it's all she ever wanted And thanks to the kindness of strangers, that dream has finally come true. 8 must-have plants to brighten up your garden Nick Hamilton owner of Barnsdale Gardens has shared his favourite plants and flowers you should consider adding to your garden, borders and pots. Tricyrtis A spectacular plant that gives a real exotic feel to any garden with its orchid-like, spotted flowers giving the impression that this plant should be tender but it is 'as tough as old boots!'. Penstemon I love this plants genus of because most will flower all summer and autumn. They'll grow in sun or semi-shade in a well drained soil and produce a non-stop display of tubular flowers in an array of colours and colour combination to suit all tastes. Luzula sylvatica 'Marginata' With the evergreen leaves edged with yellow it's great asset is that it will grow in sun or shade in any type of soil and is great as groundcover in the hardest spot to fill - dry shade. Eryngium x zabelii 'Big Blue' A stunning, nectar-rich plant that will feed the beneficial insects in your garden. Leave the flowerheads once they have turned brown because they look stunning with winter frost and snow, extending the plant's interest period. Sarcococca hookeriana 'Winter Gem' If you need winter scent then look no further than this compact, evergreen shrub. The scent is stunning and the evergreen leaves create an excellent backdrop for the summer flowers. Cornus sanguinea 'Anny's Winter Orange' A dwarf version of 'Midwinter Fire' the very colourful stems create a stunning winter display, particularly on sunny days. Rosa 'Noisette Carnee' A very well-behaved climbing rose that is perfect for training over an arch, pergola or gazebo. The small, 'noisette' flowers are blush-pink and produce the most amazing clove scent constantly from June to November. Sanguisorba hakusanensis 'Lilac Squirrel' I've never seen a squirrel with a drooping, shaggy lilac tail, but this variety will give your garden an unusual and different look throughout summer. It does need a moisture retentive soil but will grow in sun or semi-shade.
