Bedroom tax

Morlock

asdf1982 wrote: »

This is ridiculous there are homeless people awaiting homes on 5 year waiting lists.

Yet this policy does nothing to free up under-occupied property, of which the majority is in the private sector.

euanT

Dunroamin wrote: »

I agree that the sums involved are paltry, which is why I fail to see how anyone would want to risk eviction by not paying them!

When it comes to Scottish rent arrears eviction actions in sheriff courts, often the success or failure of a tenant in preventing eviction will turn on a few pounds per week, for example the standard payment for arrears direct is £3.55 per week. Accordingly, the prospect of £12 to £22 per week being deducted from rent payments under the bedroom tax from next April means Scotland's law centres and advice sector will be unable to defend many eviction cases in practice.

euanT

Morlock wrote: »

Yet this policy does nothing to free up under-occupied property, of which the majority is in the private sector.

The DWP’s Impact Assessment accepts there are insufficient smaller properties for tenants to downsize to, and therefore many tenants will have no realistic alternatives other than to accrue rent arrears from the bedroom tax.

cockaleekee

euanT wrote: »

The DWP’s Impact Assessment accepts there are insufficient smaller properties for tenants to downsize to, and therefore many tenants will have no realistic alternatives other than to accrue rent arrears from the bedroom tax.

They do have an option - paying towards their rent.

euanT

Morlock wrote: »

Yet this policy does nothing to free up under-occupied property, of which the majority is in the private sector.

My local HA recently told me that all of their under-occupied properties are allocated to pensioners, who are not affected by this proposal

euanT

cockaleekee wrote: »

They do have an option - paying towards their rent.

To lose £12 or possibly £24 a week from your benefit is a significant cut no matter how you look at it

cockaleekee

euanT wrote: »

To lose £12 or possibly £24 a week from your benefit is a significant cut no matter how you look at it

But lots of other people do it - those in receipt of SMI, those in private rentals - why should those in social housing be treated more favourably?

Morlock

euanT wrote: »

The DWP’s Impact Assessment accepts there are insufficient smaller properties for tenants to downsize to, and therefore many tenants will have no realistic alternatives other than to accrue rent arrears from the bedroom tax.

Absolutely, the entire policy relies on tenants staying put and absorbing the cost to reduce the housing benefit bill, based solely on the fact that there is no alternative housing for those affected, even if they do want to move.

euanT

cockaleekee wrote: »

But lots of other people do it - those in receipt of SMI, those in private rentals - why should those in social housing be treated more favourably?

Why then not move into private rental, like for like, and have the LA pay more in LHA than HB, how will that save money???

cockaleekee

euanT wrote: »

Why then not move into private rental, like for like, and have the LA pay more in LHA than HB, how will that save money???

You have not answered my question - why should social housing tenants be treated more favourably than everyone else?