To think that if the council want people to down size then theyre going to have to help out financially in some way?

[TraineeBabyCatcher]

I am under occupying my house (its what I was housed in when I needed a home) as its a 3 bed and its just me and ds. I'm well aware of the changes to benefits because of this, and have looked at down sizing (i would find a swap v.easily) but I physically couldn't afford to do it if I wanted to.
I don't know if its different with other councils but ours off no support, yet to move it will cost you a huge amount- removals, changing of details for everything, bills etc, reflooring (in some cases- many I have seen have no flooring and I've spent ££££ on this house, flooring, repairing and decorating) etc. Surely if they need the houses enough then they're going to have to aid those moving?

[OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos]

If you can afford to spend ££££ on your house, then I'm sure you could save up to fund your own moving costs.

[TraineeBabyCatcher]

It's taken me years to do that, and with savings, it would take me years again to be able to afford to move on.
And I don't just mean myself, I mean for others aswell.

[Anifrangapani]

Several LAs and housing associations are offering moving cost help.

[TakeMyEyesButNotTheMulledWine]

I though the council do offer incentives to move I.e vouchers or something?

That's what I've heard anyway.

Tbh it costs everyone to move. Buying, private renting or council/LA.

[queenofthepirates]

Morally speaking, yes I agree with you although the council might counter argue that a reduction in council tax/heating bills for a smaller property.... would soon balance the costs of moving.

It's shit and my heart goes out to you.

[MummytoKatie]

I thought that you got money for every room you gave up?

Admittedly the source of my knowledge is Jean from Eastenders about 10 years ago so it may not be 100% accurate.

But yes - offering to pay moving costs is an obvious way of freeing up some much needed larger houses.

Re - flooring etc - I think you are on stickier ground - as you say getting a swap would be easy so why not just look for one with flooring?

[Jinsei]

YANBU, many people will be stuck between a rock and a hard place if help is not provided. Can't afford to move, can't afford not to move.

[expatinscotland]

Some councils offer no incentive or assistance to move, no.

[FeistyLass]

YABVU, the Council shouldn't have to pay to move people who have lived in houses that are too large for them.
Also, your estimation on the cost of moving is ott. Yes, it might cost you van rental. However, it costs nothing to change the name and address on your energy bills, bank statements, etc, unless you planned to bill the council for your phone calls or stamps?!
I grew up in a Council house and as my many siblings moved out, we knew we'd have to move house too. I was a little sad to leave but I also remember thinking how happy the next family would be when they moved in, as larger Council properties are few and far between.

[TraineeBabyCatcher]

Ah okay, maybe its just our council then, good to hear it is happening elsewhere. Plus come April I will be paying more out because of the extra bedroom so will take longer to save.

Re flooring yeah I can agree there, was more just trying to make it clear about some of the associated costs of.moving :)

[Shinyshoes1]

My mother downgraded from a 3 bed house to a 1 bed flat . They paid her moving costs and gave her money for decorating , I think they also gave her a monetary incentive , not sure how much

[ariane5]

LA where Iam offers £1000 for each bedroom you lose, priority when bidding for a smaller property and help with moving costs.

[TraineeBabyCatcher]

To be fair feisty I have little idea of the actual cost of moving having never had to move a houseful. I'm just going off what I have seen/been told.
But its hardly my fault they housed me in a 3 bed when all I needed was 2. I've made the most of what I was given at the time. I would be happy to move but I'm a little loathed to start again from scratch when I've had to pay out so much to get this place decent to live in

[marriedandwreathedinholly]

What you spend moving, if you have to; won't you save on heating bills etc., if you go somewhere smaller. Personally I think there should be a moving grant because this is cost effective if it provides a larger or growing family with the space they need. I don't think councils should fund tiny family units to live in accommodation that is too big for them.

Interestingly my grandparents moved to much smaller accommodation as they got older because they could not manage their very large house and wanted the money required to maintain it to pass to my mother and I. Likewise MIL is finding her very large three bed semi too large and too expensive now she is on her own and does not see the sense of spending more of her own money on heating and maintenance than she needs to. Even my parents are thinking of downsizing for the same reasons.

Odd isn't it; people who fund their own lives don't want to spend money unnecessarily; people whose lives are entitled feel a sense of unfairness if others aren't prepared to fund what they no longer need.

[TraineeBabyCatcher]

Married, maybe that is because in many cases because they can afford to.

I don't have the money to move, so how can I move without help? I don't feel entitled, if I felt entitled I would not be considering moving to free up this house for another family.

[tallwivglasses]

ariane's LA sounds like a plan.

married, I think people in social housing generally won't have money to pass on to their children. But they made a home and maybe had a spare box room for storage or when nana comes to stay. We're hardly talking 'very large house' here.

[TakeMyEyesButNotTheMulledWine]

Maybe I'm just tired at the moment but this sticks in my throat tbh.

I was a single parent, no chance of me getting a council house. I saved for a bond and bought furniture as and when I could afford it. I had to private rent.

When I moved I had to do it all over again.

It's my responsibility to look after myself and DD, I would never expect the council to have to pay for me to move. I would have been laughed at anyway because I didn't live in a council house. That wasn't my fault though.

You're not really saying you couldn't afford it as you really haven't looked into the cost of moving, it will be cheaper for you than those in private rent. You just don't want to pay so expect the council tocover the cost.

[gallicgirl]

Could you take in a lodger?

There's going to be shed loads of homeless people around next year.

[TraineeBabyCatcher]

Tall is right, some of the two beds I have looked at (most actually, except new builds) are just about the same size as mine but split into a large bathroom, and two larger rooms, where as mine is small bathroom, box room and two average sized rooms.

Possibly Gallic, would that affect how my income is consider though? For student finance and tax credits etc?

[Sirzy]

My sister has just moved, the actual move cost her £70 to hire a van for the day. So it doesn't need to be expensive.

[wonderstuff]

Bottom line is housing in this country is a joke. I private rent - at any time my landlord could decide he wants his house back, that would mean I had 2 months to find somewhere else to live and the money for a new deposit, removals and all the other stuff. And at any one time there are never more than 2 houses on the market in my area that are a suitable size. I can't afford to buy and I won't be able secure council house. Is crap.

[thekidsrule]

the council imo should have a contract with a removal company so they source and provide removal

and also give a months free rent for redecoration,if on hb a cash payment (months rent)

you will benefit in the long run through cheaper ct,utilities,insurance

other than that it shouldnt really cost you much to move