I have lived in private rented housing, council housing and am now an owner occupier. I worked in council housing for almost 28 years across all types of job, and from Housing Officer responsible for 5 estate 'patches' (about 1200 homes) to Director. I have seen it all. It is obviously true that there is a concentration of poverty, mental health problems, substance abuse and chaotic lifestyles in rented housing of all types - but especially in council housing that is the final safety net. There are also examples of chaotic lifestyles and extreme anti social behaviour among owner occupiers.

Many council tenants I have known have been the most responsible and house proud you could imagine - and not just the older 'in work' generations who moved from slum housing to the new estates in the 1950s-70s.

What I really kick back against is the stigmatisation of a whole layer of people who often for reasons beyond their control cannot join the 'property owning democracy' that has been fetishised in this country since Thatcher - unlike most of Europe. It is guilt by association and by stereotype. It is what leads to 'No Dogs, No Irish, No Council Tenants'!!!