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Housing Benefit under occupancy Help
Comments
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Is it right that a singleton with 1 or no child at home still has a 4 bed home when families are on waiting lists paying 30% of their benefits to private landlords?
Do you know how many people in the uk are in this position?
I don't think anyone is denying these people should downsize. But it's the ones in 2 bedroom properties when there is no one bedroom properties that are going to be hit hardest. In this area (I'm sure it's the same in others) it's pensioners that are more likely to be under occupying the bigger houses after bringing their families up in them. But pensioners aren't affected by the changes. Fair?
In this area, there isn't the amount of stock of 1 bedroom properties available........Hence, singletons are allocated 2 bedroom places by the council, we've got loads of them.4 Stones and 0 pounds or 25.4kg lighter :j0 -
In this area, there isn't the amount of stock of 1 bedroom properties available........Hence, singletons are allocated 2 bedroom places by the council, we've got loads of them.
In areas where I've lived there's been an enormous take up of 2 bed homes for lone parents and couples with 1 child or 2 young children. I can't see how this can be so different from where you live. (Not saying you're wrong, I'm just puzzled.)0 -
In areas where I've lived there's been an enormous take up of 2 bed homes for lone parents and couples with 1 child or 2 young children. I can't see how this can be so different from where you live. (Not saying you're wrong, I'm just puzzled.)
It's what they like to call a recovering area... although I don't see it myself, just 5 miles on the other side of the valley is a thriving area and they have very few SH openings. And yes, I've lived in many areas, from the south coast of England to North of Scotland. And I've never seen an area like this for housing in all honesty. I don't know if the council are keeping these 2 bedroom houses back because they are about to upgrade the bathrooms/kitchens in them or they just don't have people waiting. I just know they've been empty for a few weeks now. Whereas, when my neighbour died, his 3 bedroom property was let within 2 weeks of him dying.
I do know there's a shortage of one bedroom flats, even looking at the private rentals will show you that. Most of the 2 bedroom flats are taken up by single people, purely because there isn't enough 1 bedroom places. There are no plans atm to build more 1 bedroom places. The council are concentrating on 3/4 bedroom places.
8 1 bedroom places to private rent. That wouldn't cover one block of flats of singletons lol. (one came on market since I last looked)4 Stones and 0 pounds or 25.4kg lighter :j0 -
Yes, I have argued this many times when proponents of the bedroom tax argue, "Well, private tenants have always been subject to bedroom tax."
Actually, no they have not, private tenants can have a spare room with full housing benefit covered, or pay very little top up for a spare room, compared to 14% of overall rent for social tenants. It is a common scenario, particularly outside of the south-east.
Not sure I'd go as far as "common", but it does happen, particularly with those northern back-to-back, 2 up, 2 down terraces. Modern families aspire to more, which is probably a good thing.0 -
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oldtractor wrote: »and a good thing too. Why should the tax payer be keeping people in homes which are too big for them when [STRIKE]many[/STRIKE] VERY FEW working people with mortgages are living in cramped conditions?
Corrected that for you. No need for thanks.0 -
I don't think anyone is denying these people should downsize. But it's the ones in 2 bedroom properties when there is no one bedroom properties that are going to be hit hardest. In this area (I'm sure it's the same in others) it's pensioners that are more likely to be under occupying the bigger houses after bringing their families up in them. But pensioners aren't affected by the changes. Fair?
In this area, there isn't the amount of stock of 1 bedroom properties available........Hence, singletons are allocated 2 bedroom places by the council, we've got loads of them.
Out of curiosity, how many 1 beds are available in your area this week?0 -
It's what they like to call a recovering area... although I don't see it myself, just 5 miles on the other side of the valley is a thriving area and they have very few SH openings. And yes, I've lived in many areas, from the south coast of England to North of Scotland. And I've never seen an area like this for housing in all honesty. I don't know if the council are keeping these 2 bedroom houses back because they are about to upgrade the bathrooms/kitchens in them or they just don't have people waiting. I just know they've been empty for a few weeks now. Whereas, when my neighbour died, his 3 bedroom property was let within 2 weeks of him dying.
I do know there's a shortage of one bedroom flats, even looking at the private rentals will show you that. Most of the 2 bedroom flats are taken up by single people, purely because there isn't enough 1 bedroom places. There are no plans atm to build more 1 bedroom places. The council are concentrating on 3/4 bedroom places.
8 1 bedroom places to private rent. That wouldn't cover one block of flats of singletons lol. (one came on market since I last looked)
If they are not building them, it's because there is no demand for them, not because there aren't enough of them. Maybe this change will increase the demand and justify more being built. A good thing all round.0 -
lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »Out of curiosity, how many 1 beds are available in your area this week?
eight. one extra from last week. (private)
I can't comment on social housing because we do not have a bidding system. So can't see the availability of properties.
I don't know about demand, but there are a bang load of people in the 2 bedroom flats, those we have a load of, and if there are no 1 bedroom places available, then they get a 2. There just isn't enough 1 bedroom places for the singletons. I know of several single people being allocated 2 bedroom properties just because the 1's aren't available.4 Stones and 0 pounds or 25.4kg lighter :j0 -
lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »If they are not building them, it's because there is no demand for them, not because there aren't enough of them. Maybe this change will increase the demand and justify more being built. A good thing all round.
No plans to build them. Our council is happy for singletons to get 2 bedroom flats, especially in high rise buildings, or the 4 high flats. Oh god the memories of carrying all the shopping up all those stairs!!!! :rotfl:
The biggest shortage is the 3/4 bedroom houses, where people are waiting for years ( i did too). Or waiting for oldies to die.
We're in the position where we're waiting for a 2 bedroom place for the dd (HA not LA), not because it's a 2 bedroom but because it's specially adapted, basically waiting for someone to die, which she's heading for. Her wee flat would be ideal if they could knock down the inside and rebuild it to suit :rotfl: Narrow hallways and tight corners.
Obviously adapted flats are a totally different kettle of fish, but if/when she gets one, we'll need to find the extra rent from somewhere. Doesn't mean we're happy about it though4 Stones and 0 pounds or 25.4kg lighter :j0
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