bedroom tax

nannytone_2

yes private tenant HAVE been paid for more rooms than they need.

unbtil they ( unfairly) fropped the LHA rate last year, people could frequently find a 3 bed property at the 2 bed LFA rate.
and if they chose a 3 bed property under the LHA rate, they were allowed to keep the first £15 per week of any excess!

Morlock

BigAunty wrote: »

It's been one of the quirks of social housing that a tenant can have 1, 2, 3, 4 empty rooms without penalty and that if they qualify for full HB and their social housing landlord increases the rent, their HB automatically increases, too.

That is an impressive sound bite, but the majority affected by the bedroom tax do not have 4, 3 or even 2 spare rooms, over 80% have just one spare room, usually in areas where two-bedroom properties would otherwise remain unoccupied. Under-occupancy in social housing is very low compared to other housing sectors, it represents the most efficient use of housing stock.

princessdon

Morlock wrote: »

That is an impressive sound bite, but the majority affected by the bedroom tax do not have 4, 3 or even 2 spare rooms, over 80% have just one spare room, usually in areas where two-bedroom properties would otherwise remain unoccupied. Under-occupancy in social housing is very low compared to other housing sectors, it represents the most efficient use of housing stock.

So change the stock by dividing the houses into small 1 beds. Would that suffice people, or still unfair?

mazza111

princessdon wrote: »

So change the stock by dividing the houses into small 1 beds. Would that suffice people, or still unfair?

Most council flats are small anyway, how would you divide one 2 bedroom property into 2 one bedroom properties?

Take the dd's flat, the 2nd bedroom was designed for a carer, and a single bed is really all you could fit in there. She closes the bedroom door cos she can't get the wheelchair in there to hoover :rotfl: that's how small it is.

Or if you're talking houses? Surely they would need to be bigger than 2 bedroom to split? Which is where most of the waiting lists are anyway, so not a good idea imo

nannytone_2

my flat is quite large, apart from the kitchen,,, but that is fullu fitted with no wasted space and is more than adaquate.
my smaller bedroom is 7 x 13 ... so a bit long and thin, but could take a double bed.

id be quite happy for them to make 8 flats out of the 6 that are here!an iseal solutuion if theyd do it!

princessdon

mazza111 wrote: »

Most council flats are small anyway, how would you divide one 2 bedroom property into 2 one bedroom properties?

Take the dd's flat, the 2nd bedroom was designed for a carer, and a single bed is really all you could fit in there. She closes the bedroom door cos she can't get the wheelchair in there to hoover :rotfl: that's how small it is.

Or if you're talking houses? Surely they would need to be bigger than 2 bedroom to split? Which is where most of the waiting lists are anyway, so not a good idea imo

They can do like they did in London, the bedroom and living room are 1 space, with a small kitchenette. Perfect for singes, many dwellings can be redesigned with a small shower/kitchenette and you sleep and live in the same room.

princessdon

nannytone wrote: »

my flat is quite large, apart from the kitchen,,, but that is fullu fitted with no wasted space and is more than adaquate.
my smaller bedroom is 7 x 13 ... so a bit long and thin, but could take a double bed.

id be quite happy for them to make 8 flats out of the 6 that are here!an iseal solutuion if theyd do it!

That's what I am saying, building more homes when there are plenty of stock makes no sense, adapting current houses is better. The population is going down in numbers, so building yet more housing seems silly to me, if its rooms that are the problem then adapt current properties where they are in surplus.

Making under 35 shared rate, will also allow for scope thus more manoeuvrability for occupancy.

nannytone_2

my flats are only 18 months old ,,,,, and a dew development of almost 59 more is starting in May. again, all are 2 and 4 bed

princessdon

nannytone wrote: »

my flats are only 18 months old ,,,,, and a dew development of almost 59 more is starting in May. again, all are 2 and 4 bed

But no one lives there, no jobs etc, why build any? Why not adapt current ones to reflect the population. Have you asked them why they are doing this.

We are getting houses/flats turned into smaller units, they shelved their plans to adapt, have you asked them?

nannytone_2

before the downturn started, the area was going to be redeveloped.
aware of the plans, the builders came ... hoping to make a killing.
all the plans got changed ... but 500 new homes had already been built, and most were sitting empty.

they sold them off cheap .. mainly to BTL landlords.
we have 1 'biggish' employer here.
we have the headquaters and factory and distribution plant for sports direct not far away. them man that owns it has also bought a lot of these new houses.
the owner has already been taken to court and fined once, for advertising the jobs ONLY in poland.
about 80% of his workforce are polish.
he pays minimum wage and they rent his houses from him!

he has the whole place sewn up!

just before christmas i spoke the the councillor with responsibility for housing.
sje said that 2 bed properties are the most desireable for the council as they can put anyone, from singles to families in them. 2 beds give them the most options