Just received 'Housing Benefit changes' letter, not sure of the implications.

LouLou

princessdon wrote: »

Those entitled to HB live in nicer areas with higher rent.

Unless things have changed drastically, if you're young, single, on benefits and want to get a council flat, you get put in the worst area/accomodation available. You're literally at the bottom of the list.

The nicer areas/higher rent assumption might be true for some in receipt of Housing Benefit and in private lets (and the Daily Mail propaganda encourages this thinking), but not for young singletons looking for local authority accomodation, at all.

MissMoneypenny, try to put yourself in these people's shoes...how would you feel having to move from somewhere where you're (possibly) settled and content, to not knowing where you'll end up in a few month's time, or make ends meet. You sound quite heartless, actually.

Sometimes I agree with "tough love" but why should single over-35s not have the same rule? It's bizarre.

Dunroamin

LouLou wrote: »

Suitable alternative accomodation boils down to finances for these under-35s. Which likely means very undesirable places.

It could mean the skankiest of flats, filled with the cheapest rubbish to make them habitable, in the wildest areas. Whereas some of these people could currently have a good support network of friends, family, and be happy in the homes they've made for themselves. It's not something anyone should have to go through.

.

So, do you think that it should it only be the people who work and pay their own rent who live in tatty flats and rough areas?

LouLou

If I thought that, I'd have said it. I know plenty of working people who live in gorgeous houses, and some not-so-gorgeous.

As I said earlier, I was working and lived in a hellhole, or did you conveniently miss that part? I paid every penny of that rent. Grudgingly.

It's a shame you have to put words in my mouth to fit in with your tunnel-vision view of the world. You can't generalise about anyone. Walk a mile in their shoes before judging.

(Though I get the feeling it all falls on deaf ears).

MissMoneypenny

LouLou wrote: »

MissMoneypenny, try to put yourself in these people's shoes...how would you feel having to move from somewhere where you're (possibly) settled and content, to not knowing where you'll end up in a few month's time, or make ends meet. You sound quite heartless, actually.

I was resisiting from saying that you seem like a quitter with your excuses about not asking if the landlord will take a rent reduction. I told you what the landlords fears and cost are with a new tenant. Trying to get a rent reduction is not that hard to do and doesn't take that much of an effort.

As I said above, someone in a private rental can be put out of their home at anytime if the landlord or lender wants the property back and many tenants' are then in a position of "not knowing where you'll end up in a few month's time": it's one of the "joys" of private renting.

I'm still interested in knowing what this "or worse" is that you mentiioned might happen if you ask the landlord for a rent reduction.

whitelabel

Dunroamin wrote: »

So, do you think that it should it only be the people who work and pay their own rent who live in tatty flats and rough areas?

generally those working, would be in a better position to change those circumstances if they wanted, if they are not happy with them then they should change - they have that choice

i believe the reference to "tatty flats" and "rough areas" are where the majority of council properties would be ie high rises buildings and estates that would be offered to single people looking for one, rather than a luxury or nice apartment somewhere, which would obviously have a high demand
if you want a council property and are a low priority and are offered one, you may have no choice but to accept to live in one or risk being removed from the list

I have to say there are a few people who on are this thread that i am glad are not my neighbours or friends that id have to turn to in times of need (of any sort) they come across as some of type of people who turn and ignore you as soon as the times werent good

LouLou

...and I'm still interested to know how many landlords you know who will "haggle" for rent, because I don't.

As for being a "quitter"...there goes the wild assumptions again. I don't seem to have made any about you, apart from mentioning the judgemental, haughty tone you seem to adopt.

I speak from experience, whereas you just speak from...who knows where, but I doubt you've ever lived on your own in local authority housing/private lets.

I KNOW people can be evicted by their landlord; a friend of a friend of mine is going through just that at the moment..the property is going up for sale.

Think we should agree to disagree on this one...it's like talking to a brick wall.

Yep, I'm glad she's not my friend either. Everyone for themselves in her world view, it seems!

MissMoneypenny

LouLou wrote: »

As I said earlier, I was working and lived in a hellhole, or did you conveniently miss that part? I paid every penny of that rent. Grudgingly.

Then why didn't you rent in a house share? I did when I first moved out of home and both my children do now.

princessdon

So are people in council houses part of this new downsizing rule?

Or does this only apply to private rents and therefore unlikely to be in an area that is predominently local authority homes?

PS I grew up in a council house and I can personally say it was far from tatty and my garden was twice if not thrice the size of the one attached to my house now. I'd happly live on my old estate but the council would never house me as I work.

LouLou

MissMoneypenny wrote: »

Then why didn't you rent in a house share? I did when I first moved out of home and both my children do now.

Because, I'm a quitter, and you know all the answers, it seems I would explain why not but I doubt you'd care, or understand.

whitelabel

princessdon wrote: »

So are people in council houses part of this new downsizing rule?

Or does this only apply to private rents and therefore unlikely to be in an area that is predominently local authority homes?

PS I grew up in a council house and I can personally say it was far from tatty and my garden was twice if not thrice the size of the one attached to my house now. I'd happly live on my old estate but the council would never house me as I work.

only private rents

if you are single in a 2 or 3 bed property under 35 that perhaps you have inherited the lease on, they will pay your full rent if needs be

but if you are in private 1 bed they will only pay enough (not even enough in some cases) to rent a room in a shared property so if you cant afford to make up the difference (up to a 50% drop in housing benefit) you have to move... or "ask your landlord if they will take a 50% cut :rotfl:"

the rates are based on the lower 30th percentile of rent in the area so not even the average which would have been fairer


council houses are some of the best built with great space generally

however those council house are not are what on offer to single people on the housing list, moving from 1 beds flats... it will be maisonnetes and highrise buildings, not all the space you had and while the insides may be fine, areas may not be particularly for those who may be vulnerable