Cons Mistake On Bedroom Tax - Not Enough Small Houses Anyway

olly300

N1AK wrote: »

When we pay someone benefits I don't want it to encourage a kind of dependence that makes it more difficult for people to move to supporting themselves in future. I have nothing against giving people who don't want paying directly support (of some form) nor do I mind giving people less freedom to spend if they show they aren't currently capable of doing so responsibly; I have a much larger issue with taking a nannying position towards everyone when the majority can handle their finances perfectly well.

The government can only deal with one size fits all policies for benefits.

ukcarper

grizzly1911 wrote: »

If there was any uncertainty that I would get paid I wouldn't offer the service.

Presumably clogging up the courts, with eviction requests and even more homeless requiring emergency housing, in an ever dwindling openly available stock, is worth it. No doubt the LLs cost will passed onto the tenant making their position even more tenuous. A few more CCJ s will help their cause no end.

I think as it stands now LHA paid to people in private housing is paid to to the tenant, while housing benefit paid to people in social housing is paid direct to housing association.

Thrugelmir

grizzly1911 wrote: »

If there was any uncertainty that I would get paid I wouldn't offer the service.

Then work for somebody else rather than run a business.

That's why the majority do.

chem1st

ukcarper wrote: »

That would be true if all private rental was occupied by people on housing benefit where in reality the minority is. Where I am the typical rent is higher than LHA I'm sure if housing benefit was removed rents would fall to some extent but not to the level required to be affordable for the majority people on housing benefit.

It increasingly is. Many working tenants in private rentals now receive LHA. 2 years ago 93% of new claims for housing benefit/LHA were from workers. Workers in social housing are now being forced onto housing benefit a rent rises exceed avg. and NMW wage rises.

In some parts of the UK social rents have now overtaken private rents and are the biggest factor in driving up private rents.

chem1st

grizzly1911 wrote: »

How do the government set the rent of private landlords?

If LLs are not paid directly many of those receiving the benefit simply won't provide for their rent for a whole variety of reasons. The ensuing mess will be expensive to police and resolve and the bill will increase.

In the SE many earn less than £200 per week but many more earn a lot more. Who do you think wins the battle? In an impoverished part of the NE it may work.

LHA for private rentals are based upon local private and social rents.

Thus social rents ensure a price floor for the PRS. The price floor then increase the prices of all housing, as substandard housing rents are equal to the price floor, and anything better command a premium (which is often part paid with LHA).

Most earning less than £200pw are ON BENEFITS, in particular housing benefit/LHA.