This so called Bedroom Tax

Pippin12

Morlock wrote: »

You obviously do not claim JSA, so the bedroom tax is a lesser percentage of your weekly income and more easily payable than others who do claim JSA.

You're quite right - I don't claim JSA. If that was all I had coming in I'd be in dire straits financially and simply wouldn't be able to afford to stay here.

ditzyangeluk

When I first heard about this, I applied for the Discretionary Housing Payment. That was approx 2 months ago.
When I phoned a month ago, I was told a decision would be made by 19th April.
I phoned about a week ago and was informed that it "was being looked at".
Just phoned again to find out if there has been a decision made and was told "it is in the tray to be looked at and you are currently 3 weeks in arrears with your rent due to this payment build up"!!!

Morlock

ditzyangeluk wrote: »

Just phoned again to find out if there has been a decision made and was told "it is in the tray to be looked at and you are currently 3 weeks in arrears with your rent due to this payment build up"!!!

Which now puts you in the position where if your DHP application is refused, you will not be rehoused and cannot swap tenancies because you are in arrears, catch 22.

Bryando

Had nothing from the local council on the reduction, I have an extra room.


I intend to pay, but will pay what we can afford.

What will be interesting is when Universal Credit comes into play and the junkies etc have their rent money sitting. Do you really think they will pay the rent or score?

Dunroamin

ditzyangeluk wrote: »

When I first heard about this, I applied for the Discretionary Housing Payment. That was approx 2 months ago.
When I phoned a month ago, I was told a decision would be made by 19th April.
I phoned about a week ago and was informed that it "was being looked at".
Just phoned again to find out if there has been a decision made and was told "it is in the tray to be looked at and you are currently 3 weeks in arrears with your rent due to this payment build up"!!!

As there's no guarantee that you'll be awarded DHP, you really should've paid the new rent (unless you've put the money aside just in case). If you haven't and you don't get it you're already in a difficult position with the new rent amount to pay on top.

clemmatis

Dunroamin wrote: »

Different morality - that's all.;)

Expecting maintenance contracts to be kept, complaining when they aren't, being reluctant to pay *again* as a result, is immoral/amoral? Really?

What about your not repaying your student loan because you got a job below the repayment threshold?

And had it occurred to you that you could try, anyway, when posting here, to be just a little bit Christian?

lighting_up_the_chalice

kafkathecat wrote: »

People need jobs and secure homes without that you have a restless rootless underclass. Instead of all this divide and rule hurt them not me stuff people need to look at the bigger picture. Making life worse for those at the bottom makes life worse for everyone in the long run. For example the less people receive in benefits the less you are willing to work for. Nobody benefits in the end except those at the very top.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/longterm-renting-is-damaging-childrens-lives-8598584.html

Freeing up under occupied secure Social Housing for the benefit of your "restless rootless underclass" is hardly making life worse for those at the bottom. It's giving them a better opportunity for the security you rightly praise.

nannytone_2

Dunroamin wrote: »

Different morality - that's all.;)

explain then.
because when i paid full rent to the council for the property i lived in..
i was immoral because i expected them to keep the terms of the contract byt maintaining the structure of the building instead of paying for it myselit had to have a new roof as well, because i had water running down the bedroom wall. another 'pocket money job' that i should have paid for too presumably?

lighting_up_the_chalice

ditzyangeluk wrote: »

When I first heard about this, I applied for the Discretionary Housing Payment. That was approx 2 months ago.
When I phoned a month ago, I was told a decision would be made by 19th April.
I phoned about a week ago and was informed that it "was being looked at".
Just phoned again to find out if there has been a decision made and was told "it is in the tray to be looked at and you are currently 3 weeks in arrears with your rent due to this payment build up"!!!

How can your rent account be 3 weeks in arrears because of the bedroom tax? It was only introduced 4 weeks ago and the maximum reduction from the total rent is 25%. ???

lighting_up_the_chalice

Morlock wrote: »

Which now puts you in the position where if your DHP application is refused, you will not be rehoused and cannot swap tenancies because you are in arrears, catch 22.

Same as a mortgage holder can't get another mortgage with arrears and a private renter won't get a good reference with arrears. Both may prevent a move. Welcome to the real world!