This so called Bedroom Tax

clemmatis

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

It's very likely. In my area of London, you can't be allocated a council / HA place if it will be under-occupied as a result.

But this also depends on a general match of tenants. In Wales -- according to a leading housing association -- many three-bed properties could lie empty (unless improperly allocated -- they work under similar rules). Meanwhile there's a shortage of one-bedroom properties. Also, nearly a quarter of their affected tenants have houses adapted for their disabilities.

Morlock

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

Nope.

Family living in 3 bed private rental property paying £145* / week move into 3 bed house and pay £87 / week.

So tax payer now paying £106 for the private 2 bed and £87 for hte 3 bed council place, a total of £193 / week. Previously paying £87 and £145 a week for 3 bed council and 3 bed private, total of £232 /week. Taxpayer better off by £39 / week.

* - this is a guess, but the LHA 3 bed rate's going to be higher than the LHA 2 bed.

Good conclusion in theory, but a tenant already living in private rental is extremely unlikely to be offered social housing, having low priority on the waiting list, so the theory is flawed.

365days

clemmatis wrote: »

But this also depends on a general match of tenants. In Wales -- according to a leading housing association -- many three-bed properties could lie empty (unless improperly allocated -- they work under similar rules). Meanwhile there's a shortage of one-bedroom properties. Also, nearly a quarter of their affected tenants have houses adapted for their disabilities.

I doubt they will stay empty for long. There is going to be alot of people leaving London/South East when the benefit cap really begins to bite.

nottslass_2

Another thought...........

What about a family who has lived and worked for many years in a particular area,the kids are doing well at school,good local childcare,extended family support etc,etc are forced to downsize to an area where local transport is scarce,meaning they cannot get to work,cannot find suitable childcare and the schools are failing.

The reality could mean that they have no option but to give up work.

Ok so you may compare it to people in private rentals and this is a problem that they also face,but we have to remember that many signed up on the basis that a "tendency was for life" and have thus based their life and work around a particular area.

We also need to remember that some may only be in receipt of HB because of redundancy or sickness and will face considerable hardship whilst they find another job,whilst someone else who hasn't worked for years will be getting their private rent paid for in full................

The biggest under occupiers are pensioners,and they are exempt from the "bed room tax" There would quite rightly be up roar if sweet little old dears who have lived in thier home for 60 years were forced to move,so why is it ok for move hard working families ?

clemmatis

365days wrote: »

I doubt they will stay empty for long. There is going to be alot of people leaving London/South East when the benefit cap really begins to bite.

To Wales, and to other poor parts of the UK, where unemployment is higher and the infrastructure poorer. Of course.

Dunroamin

nannytone wrote: »

it was an old fashined sash window that blew out because it had been there for 90+ years! rasic repair?
fixinfg the heating and water? basic repair?

i had contents insurance, that doesnt cober replacing windows and frames!

in case you didnt know ... you cant get buildings insurance on a rented property,. regardless, the property belonged to the council, and the signed tenancy agreement stated that these items were the councils responsibility

But many people have posted about how normal it is to spend lots of money on on their council house putting in bathrooms, kitchens and conservatories - that's alright but basic repairs aren't?

Dunroamin

Morlock wrote: »

Good conclusion in theory, but a tenant already living in private rental is extremely unlikely to be offered social housing, having low priority on the waiting list, so the theory is flawed.

So, if they're not living in privately rented accommodation, where exactly are they living?

KxMx

My Mum works for a private estate agency, some of the houses belong to them and they manage other properties on behalf of individual landlords.

She too gets people ringing up to report repairs such as a dripping tap, and abuse when a tenant discovers phone line/ lightbulbs /fencing is their responsibility.

They have people told before signing for a property the landlord will only do the basics, and the next thing they are demanding new windows, or a new boiler and heating system without any good reason.

So, it's not a stick you can beat just social housing tenants with!

365days

clemmatis wrote: »

To Wales, and to other poor parts of the UK, where unemployment is higher and the infrastructure poorer. Of course.

Yes of course!!

If you live in London or in the South East and find that the benefit cap is going to make you 400 maybe 500 maybe 600 a month worse off. Have that much less a month to live on or move somewhere that all your benefit money is yours to spend rather than having to top up your housing costs. I've said it before and was flamed for it but I stand by it. If you have lived in London/South East and been unemployed for 5 years or more, then frankly you don't want to work. Let the people who actually want to work have your house/flat and you can go and live somewhere cheap and save us all a bob or two.

There are plenty of people who want/need to live in central London or any central city for that matter. Why should flats/houses there be taken up by people who have chosen a life on benefits.

Most working people who were born in London have had to move out if they wanted to rent/buy, so why should workless people get to stay there?

365days

I'll put it bluntly...why should I pay someone who doesn't work and never has to live here.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-41435141.html

When they could live here.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-26615661.html