How many bedrooms is adequate?

Graham_Devon

I was just replying to another thread, when I thought about ths difference in opinion between boards.

On here, we say that a single person can do with one bedroom, a couple with two children, 2-3 bedrooms. We use it as a "gauge" to affordability.

So I was a bit shocked to read Fife's housing policy on what is deemed adequate for someone who needs housing help..... (bold number = no. of bedrooms)

Single Person 1 or 2
Single pregnant woman 3
Couple 3 or 2
Family with one child 3
Family, two children of same sex under 13 years old 3
Family, two children of same sex one or more aged over 13 years 4
Family, two children not of same sex (irrespective of childrens age) 4
Family, three or more children 4 or 5

What do people think of this? This is from Fifes council housing policy. You can view this here for anyone who wants to see it in a PDF rather than here!

I think it's absolutely insane and downright disgusting and a right kick in the knackers for anyone else. But, does this have any bearing on the posts on here, in which we say FTB's should start out of a 1 bed flat while a single pregnant women would get allocated a 3 bedroom place?

purch

How many bedrooms is adequate?

One more

System

All those numbers are 1 too high imo, if it's "adequate" we're after.

Graham_Devon

Joeskeppi wrote: »

All those numbers are 1 too high imo, if it's "adequate" we're after.

Well, depends how you define adequate I guess, I just thought that the councils adequate was very much different to our version of adequate on here when it comes to the often talked about "what people should be able to afford".

Really2

Graham_Devon wrote: »

I think it's absolutely insane and downright disgusting and a right kick in the knackers for anyone else. But, does this have any bearing on the posts on here, in which we say FTB's should start out of a 1 bed flat while a single pregnant women would get allocated a 3 bedroom place?

I think they plan or reasearch so it is highly likely the single pregnant person may well have more children in the future.

No one is saying a single FTB should buy a 1 bedroom flat but one bedroom is sufficient for 1 person.
If the single person was planing on getting married and moving his/her partner in and starting a family the 1 bed flat is not the right thing to buy is it.

It is about planing for the foreseeable future. If you think you will be single for X years a 1 bed flat is a very sensible idea.

Just_mommy

I just posted on the home improvements site to ask if anyone knew if there was a grant for adapting a 2bed house into a 3 bed.

Myself and my husband live in a 2 bed house with our 3 girls (11,5 and 2) this is not adequate as we live like sardines. However I would be extreemely happy with a 3 bed and think this would be adequate for me! Having a 'spare room' is something i can only dream about lol.

Graham_Devon

Really2 wrote: »

I think they plan or reasearch so it is highly likely the single pregnant person may well have more children in the future.

Remember this is welfare though. Should we really be planning for a single women to be having more kids?

Really2

Graham_Devon wrote: »

Remember this is welfare though. Should we really be planning for a single women to be having more kids?

Don't get you Graham, they reaserch and allocate based on the most likely scenario. They are not saying get pregnant again they are saying it is more likely than not she will have more children.

Other than saying you can have a 2 bed but we will have to remove your womb!
what can they do, the obviously know the majority of single moms will have another child based on their research if she does they have to stump up the cost of moving them again.

I understand your point it does not seem fair but if you provide housing for people it is best to plan for the long term not just a year or two.

andykn

Reading the Fife brochure, I think those numbers include living/reception rooms.

It is quite poorly written.

Graham_Devon

andykn wrote: »

Reading the Fife brochure, I think those numbers include living/reception rooms.

It is quite poorly written.

That would actually make more sense if it did. But I'm not sure it does to be honest, everything always goes on bedrooms.

Harry_Powell

Perhaps the council have many more 3 bed homes than 2 or 1 bed and so developed their policy accordingly?