Council Mutual Exchange , Bedroom Tax & what is allowed??

[Deleted User]

This is not about being ''allocated'' a home

I already have my home which I am willing and happy to give up for a larger family but under the home swap scheme they will be getting a larger property to suit their needs and I will be getting a smaller property even with a box room , would make all the difference!

I am not looking for the council to move me , just want to of course be possibly approved for a home swap so that I can downsize and still have my Grandson stay over

I feel like I am asking too much when I actually feel a room for him if I am willing to pay for it is not asking too much surely???

But thanks anyway .... Am not too scared to ring round any more as it may actually be likely that I get a better response than I did on here! LOL

I wish myself and my family a happy move anyway and my Grandson may not live with me but he is very much family which is what a happy society is all about

I didn't actually think I was doing anything WRONG - I am paying my bedroom tax as required and I still think I NEED a room for him , no matter what others opinions are and all I can say is boy has societies views changed over the years , no one cares any more and love is construed as greed!

midnight_express

Alter_ego wrote: »

From what I read she pays her own rent.

Is she was paying her rent she wouldn't be talking about "bedroom tax". This only effects benefit claimants.

bloolagoon

I don't see it being an issue as long as you don't apply for extra payments, very few will want a box room as a 2nd bedroom.

Choosing a specific area you want may be your biggest challenge as I'm sure they are in higher demand.

You may also find you have your grandchild less when they start school. I know I fight my parents for weekends as I miss them so much when they are at school so I'm not as prepared to give them over as much as pre-school days.

fluffymovie

Hi there

I am sorry that you have found yourself in this situation but would explain that there is a difference between 'need' and 'desire'.

As you are not the primary carer for that child, you are not considered responsible for him under the law and so the rules regarding allocation of property may not enable you to move into the property that you desire, a 2 bed.

Your reasons for wanting a 2 bed place are understandable and commendable but in reality, you are asking that the council allocate you a property that is too big for your needs for periods in the summer and other times, when your daughter needs a break.

With the considerable shortage of appropriately sized property in the social sector, there are hundreds and thousands of families who have the children with them full time who need this property too and so the line has to be drawn somewhere.

If you rented in the private sector, you would have the choice but if you are seeking a property in the social sector, you have to abide by the rules which are in general, for the benefit of the many against the benefit of the few.

Alter_ego

midnight_express wrote: »

Is she was paying her rent she wouldn't be talking about "bedroom tax". This only effects benefit claimants.

No such thing-see post 7

PS it's affects

Shelldean

I dont know if the rules for our borough have changed in view of recent benefit changes, but our council rules was always as follows..
If mutual exhanging so done via homeswapper or similar you was allowed one extra bedroon.
If going via the council own scheme and bidding on available properties then you was only allowed the rooms you needed.

So Nan had three bedroom, but wanted to downsize. She wanted to move to a 2 bed as her grandchildren stayed. She could only achieve this via mutual exchange, not by the points and bidding system used by the council.
But this was a few yrs ago, so no idea if the rulings have changed.

You really need to call the council and ask them to clarify their T & C's

[Deleted User]

pmlindyloo wrote: »

I actually find your reasoning astonishing in view of a thread you started not that long ago.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4515239=

From a quick google of mutual council house exchange for a couple of councils they can indeed deny your mutual exchange if it exceeds your bedroom entitlement.

I would be looking at renting privately if you feel that strongly about it and forgo your council house security.

What on EARTH has that thread and my enquiry about my move got to do with each other????

I am not doing anything ILLEGAL , the guys I referred to in my post WERE ... I am WILLING to free up my council property in return for a simple mutual exchange which MANY people do , the only difference being I will be asking for a spare room for my Autistic Grandson and will be paying the bedroom tax for it as I am now already

So what is so shocking / similar in reference to the post on fraud as I am not and will not be doing anything fraudulently and I am doing everything kosher including happily handing over my keys to a larger family so that they can enjoy my current property together

I know its ''how dare she refuse to move from a 3 bedroom to a 1 bedroom'' and ''she should take what she is given'' but under the CIRCUMSTANCES it actually does make a difference as 1/ I will be giving up a ( fortunately ) gorgeous property to another family and 2/ If it was just for me and not for my Grandson to stay over in then yes , I would take a very nice 1 bedroom place and how DARE I say ''very nice'' but fair is fair and like I said I am fortunate enough to have a stunning place and would like to swap it for another lovely home ( but how dare I eh??? )

Sorry am getting in wind up mode now because seems I am not allowed to have ANYTHING , well not anything NICE anyway!!!

All I know is this time next year I will be sipping a Pimms in my garden :beer:

And good luck to those who don't wish that for me , but I will battle and strive to get there , but those in council properties aren't allowed to have dreams!!!

How come there are some beautiful council ( even 2 bedroom homes ) that some are very fortunate and very grateful to be living in , but sounds like we are all 'the undeserved'!

allen35

I totally understand your predicament, have you spoken to your local council, I take it they are your landlord.

Are there enough 1 bed properties in your area, if not, then surely it's feasible for them to help you downsize to a more suitable home which maybe a 2 bedroom and in doing so free up your home for a larger family.(seems sense to me)

You may want to consider as an alternative renting a 2 bed property in the private sector to suit your needs, you will receive the 1 bed' rate and have to put the rest to it.

letthemeatcake

If you can afford the rent why not stay where you are especially as your Grandson is familiar with it? If however you find the rent too much of a burden then see if you could find a nice 2 bed to rent privately.

It seems a bit strange to me that the council would prefer to leave a family in a house too small and somebody who wants to downsize in their respective properties when they could happily swap.

[Deleted User]

fluffymovie wrote: »

Hi there

I am sorry that you have found yourself in this situation but would explain that there is a difference between 'need' and 'desire'.

As you are not the primary carer for that child, you are not considered responsible for him under the law and so the rules regarding allocation of property may not enable you to move into the property that you desire, a 2 bed.

Your reasons for wanting a 2 bed place are understandable and commendable but in reality, you are asking that the council allocate you a property that is too big for your needs for periods in the summer and other times, when your daughter needs a break.

With the considerable shortage of appropriately sized property in the social sector, there are hundreds and thousands of families who have the children with them full time who need this property too and so the line has to be drawn somewhere.

If you rented in the private sector, you would have the choice but if you are seeking a property in the social sector, you have to abide by the rules which are in general, for the benefit of the many against the benefit of the few.

I am not asking the council to 'allocate' me anything - I would just like approval for a mutual exchange to a 2 bedroom property and was and still am hoping this is possible x

And yes I don't pay my rent while I am in the process of becoming a childminder for children with special needs so a suitable home is even more important for the future

I use the word need because I feel he needs a bedroom , and this is what I am going for and it is a nice feeling to be happy in your home!