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Housing Benefit under occupancy Help

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Comments

  • mazza111 wrote: »
    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.

    You don't need a bidding system to find out about local social housing stock.

    And no-one forced anyone to accept a 2 bed when they didn't need it. They signed the tenancy agreement of their own free will.
  • princessdon
    princessdon Posts: 6,902 Forumite
    A neighbouring LA is building a lot of SH 1 bed flats/bungalows for the first time in 35 years (that is how long it has been since they built homes) according to the free paper this week, so perhaps other LA will also do this to help?
  • mazza111 wrote: »
    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 though :/

    As has already been said, DLA is awarded to fund the additional costs of a disability. That may well be partly housing related.
  • A neighbouring LA is building a lot of SH 1 bed flats/bungalows for the first time in 35 years (that is how long it has been since they built homes) according to the free paper this week, so perhaps other LA will also do this to help?

    If the demand is there, they will build them. Housing providers don't go out of their way to build homes that no-one wants.
  • princessdon
    princessdon Posts: 6,902 Forumite
    If the demand is there, they will build them. Housing providers don't go out of their way to build homes that no-one wants.


    Well they hadn't bothered in 35 years, so I'd think this change and the fact they want to help the 2 to 1 bed downsizers is their motivation.

    There are many 1 bed's in that area, but mainly not suitable as high rise for disabilities. I guess they have considered this, or maybe it's luck, who knows.
  • Morlock
    Morlock Posts: 3,265 Forumite
    oldtractor wrote: »
    Why should the tax payer be keeping people in homes which are too big for them when many working people with mortgages are living in cramped conditions?

    It is hardly comparable when only 1.3% of owner-occupiers live in overcrowded conditions, whilst 85% of owner-occupier properties are under-occupied.

    Besides, many of those people claiming housing benefit and under-occupying are working people, taxpayers themselves.
  • mazza111
    mazza111 Posts: 6,327 Forumite
    As has already been said, DLA is awarded to fund the additional costs of a disability. That may well be partly housing related.

    Actually it's to cover the cost of mobility and care needs... as has already been said.
    You don't need a bidding system to find out about local social housing stock.

    And no-one forced anyone to accept a 2 bed when they didn't need it. They signed the tenancy agreement of their own free will.

    I've already stated the housing stock. There is nothing published about empty properties, only properties.

    Yes of course they aren't forced. They get 3 refusals before they are put to bottom of the list. Ofc someone coming from the homeless list is going to turn down a 2 bedroom flat in the chance that they can wait for a 1 bedroom flat that is in short supply.

    again don't get me wrong I do believe in this. But not when a smaller suitable property is not available.

    My OM is in a wee sheltered housing flat in my home town and it's perfect for one person. Unfortunately most of the 1bf are like this and allocated only for people with disabilities. The HA I used to work for knocked down all the 1bf and studios to build 2 bedroom custom built flats (these are the ones the dd is applying for.) She has applied for a modified flat with LA too but has been told there's a very long list for them. OT is coming to see if they can do anything to adapt it, so we'll wait and see.
    4 Stones and 0 pounds or 25.4kg lighter :j
  • Dunroamin
    Dunroamin Posts: 16,908 Forumite
    mazza111 wrote: »
    Actually it's to cover the cost of mobility and care needs... as has already been said.



    I've already stated the housing stock. There is nothing published about empty properties, only properties.

    Yes of course they aren't forced. They get 3 refusals before they are put to bottom of the list. Ofc someone coming from the homeless list is going to turn down a 2 bedroom flat in the chance that they can wait for a 1 bedroom flat that is in short supply.

    again don't get me wrong I do believe in this. But not when a smaller suitable property is not available.

    My OM is in a wee sheltered housing flat in my home town and it's perfect for one person. Unfortunately most of the 1bf are like this and allocated only for people with disabilities. The HA I used to work for knocked down all the 1bf and studios to build 2 bedroom custom built flats (these are the ones the dd is applying for.) She has applied for a modified flat with LA too but has been told there's a very long list for them. OT is coming to see if they can do anything to adapt it, so we'll wait and see.

    Sorry, what's OM?
  • mazza111 wrote: »
    Actually it's to cover the cost of mobility and care needs... as has already been said.

    And you are suggesting that a disability has an impact on mobility from a housing perspective and that the extra bedroom may assist in the provision of care.
    mazza111 wrote: »
    I've already stated the housing stock. There is nothing published about empty properties, only properties.

    Trust me, all you need to know is out there. You just need to know where to look for it.
    mazza111 wrote: »
    Yes of course they aren't forced. They get 3 refusals before they are put to bottom of the list. Ofc someone coming from the homeless list is going to turn down a 2 bedroom flat in the chance that they can wait for a 1 bedroom flat that is in short supply.

    The letter they get as part of the discharge of the homeless duty clearly states that they can appeal against an offer even if they move into the property pending the outcome of that appeal. If successful, they remain a priority and the current accommodation is treated as temporary.
  • mazza111 wrote: »
    Actually it's to cover the cost of mobility and care needs... as has already been said.



    I've already stated the housing stock. There is nothing published about empty properties, only properties.

    Yes of course they aren't forced. They get 3 refusals before they are put to bottom of the list. Ofc someone coming from the homeless list is going to turn down a 2 bedroom flat in the chance that they can wait for a 1 bedroom flat that is in short supply.

    again don't get me wrong I do believe in this. But not when a smaller suitable property is not available.

    My OM is in a wee sheltered housing flat in my home town and it's perfect for one person. Unfortunately most of the 1bf are like this and allocated only for people with disabilities. The HA I used to work for knocked down all the 1bf and studios to build 2 bedroom custom built flats (these are the ones the dd is applying for.) She has applied for a modified flat with LA too but has been told there's a very long list for them. OT is coming to see if they can do anything to adapt it, so we'll wait and see.

    problem is if no one moves then there will never be anything available.

    If every under 25 went shared, more 1 beds etc.
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