Will The Bedroom Tax Affect Me?

xsunnysuex

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum. I live in a 2 bedroom council flat with my 23yr old daughter. I am on ESA and my daughter is on JSA.
In March my daughter is going to spend time with her cousin in Australia. She could be gone for as long as a year. We do not know really how long she will be there.
As her bedroom will be unused while she's in Australia, will I have to pay bedroom tax on her room? I am really worried about this as I am on ESA, money is tight.
I appreciate any help.

iluvmarmite

Well it affects those who have children in the forces who serve in Afghanistan so there's a good chance it will affect you also as its not like she is going for just a weeks holiday.

I think you will find that there are thousands of people in the same boat, on ESA, JSA and other benefits who also find money very tight and are very worried as the HB reduction will make Money even tighter for all those affected.

Dunroamin

If your daughter's expecting you to keep her room available for her on her return, it would be reasonable for her to pay the small additional charge that will be required to do this.

Mojisola

Does your rental agreement allow you to take in a lodger?

xsunnysuex

Mojisola wrote: »

Does your rental agreement allow you to take in a lodger?

I have no idea. But, I wouldn't want to rent out my daughters room.
Apart from not liking strangers living in my home, my daughter might decide at any time she would like to come home.

Mojisola

xsunnysuex wrote: »

I have no idea. But, I wouldn't want to rent out my daughters room.

Apart from not liking strangers living in my home, my daughter might decide at any time she would like to come home.

In that case, you'll have to find the extra money to pay for the empty room. I can't see any other way round it.

meerustar

As she will be away from the home, you will have to pay the costs, as there will be no proof she lives with you. You could ask her to pay them whilst she is away to help you out.

duchy

If you got a lodger it could be short term so if it didn't work out/your daughter came home early (although Australia is better both for work and such a great place you may be better assuming it'll be a year-is she on the working holiday visa ?) it wouldn't be a massive issue. Really though if your daughter can't give you a timeframe and knows it is going to cost you to keep her room I can't see she'd have a problem if she ends up on the sofa for a couple of weeks if she chooses to come back early.

xsunnysuex

duchy wrote: »

(although Australia is better both for work and such a great place you may be better assuming it'll be a year-is she on the working holiday visa ?)

Yes, she has a working holiday visa. Her cousin is letting her stay with him and is giving her a couple of days work a week in his company to earn some spending money.
She would not be able to pay me anything as she will only be earning a small amount.

notanewuser

Wow. Lucky her. Rent paid, cash in her pocket each week and managed to afford an £800 plane ticket.

Caz3121

xsunnysuex wrote: »

Yes, she has a working holiday visa. Her cousin is letting her stay with him and is giving her a couple of days work a week in his company to earn some spending money.
She would not be able to pay me anything as she will only be earning a small amount.

Then it will be down to whether you want to use your ESA to replace the 14% reduction or move to a one-bedroom property