2/3 bed confused help

catmandu_2

long story short 18 months ago we were in financial difficulties and only way out was to sell our property through a mortgage rescue scheme which we did it also meant that we could stay put went ahead but the housing asso. that purchased house purchased it as a 2 bed property as the 3rd bed could not be classified as a bedroom under eu legislation as it was deemed too small bit miffed but had no choice but to go ahead with sale. fast forward to 2weeks ago when our local council wrote saying that our hb would be stopped and giving house details as 3 bed iwrote to them to amend their records and told them that as it was purchased as a 2 bed then as far as we were concerned it was a 2bed. had a reply from and they said that the h assoc. had told them it was a3 bed. question can housing assoc do this if so were we misled when purchase went through if so is there anything we can do now. any advice would be great.

lighting_up_the_chalice

The mortgage rescue relied on a valuation of the property to which you agreed. No-one forced you into this option. Had you felt the valuation was low, you were free to sell on the open market for the price you felt you could achieve. You didn't do this, so I assume you agreed with that valuation.

The retail market may well have seen the property as a 2 bed. But, as you have said, it has 3 bedrooms and is subject to the "bedroom tax".

You could always apply to the HA for a move to a more suitable property, freeing up the property you currently rent for a larger family.

silvercar

I'm surprised your HB has been stopped, more likely it has been restricted to that of a 2 bedroom property and you are expected to supplement this with an amount because you have more room than you are assessed as needing.

auntymabel

http://http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/home_safety/overcrowding#what_is_overcrowding%3F

According to the attached link social housing rules say that rooms less than 50 square feet are ignored.

If you measure you bedroom you will be able to tell if you have a small bedroom or a large cupboard.

Interestingly, it also states a room between 50 - 69 square feet can only sleep 0.5 people.

ihatemyhouse

the people that bought, it will class it as a 3 bed to get more money for it and value, but buy it of you as a 2 bed so it was cheaper

ask the council if they can assess your property to decided how many rooms does it have, as think the council will have the final word on how many bedrooms it has

catmandu_2

thanks to all who replied to my question very interesting lots to think about there.

lyndorset

Housing Associations will always do what they want and change the rules to suit them.

poppysarah

What does your rent book/tenancy agreement say about how many bedrooms your property has?