What are your views on the bedroom tax?

[Cheekychops84]

the new tax for hb claimants where u loose some hb for bedrooms u don't need? we work so at the moment won't b affected but if workers later on down the line are affected I think is a bit unfair as we are paying all rent and bills ourself at the same price as Private Rent?

Sabriel I dont think anyone is saying that they should. I think what people are saying is that people are choosing to live in a 3 bed council or HA property because that is cheaper than living in a 2 bed private rental or I might have got that wrong. That is what the problem is. Because if you cant afford to move to private, and there are no other smaller council houses you can move into then you are fucked basically. Thats what im saying in any rate

Magic think we are going to have a big homeless issue ! Also think those from EU shudnt have been automatically as soon as they come here be eligible for SH as I know a lot have I think u should have at least resided/worked her for 2/3 yrs before becoming eligible as we are so short now:(

Yes I think that private renting needs to change, longer tenancies would help for a start.

This will do nothing to ease the housing situation.It's just to satisfy all the people who believe all they read think that social housing tenants are living the life of riley.

No usual you are right they don't.

I do however think that the council/housing association does have some sort of incentive thing going on though already which is far fairer.

They offer removal costs and a sum of money to redecorate if you vacate a property that is too large and put you high up on the choice list (if you know what I mean).

Lol we are struggling and both work ft well Im on maternity leave at the mo so even more worse off but we work hard I worked 50 hours a week whilst heavily preg and we still cudnt afford £1200 a month for a PR !

The trouble is you see only a few all people on benefits and claiming HB are living in mansions, trashing them, are lazy scroungers, and get everything handed to them on a plate, whereas the poor hardworking people who get no benefits are funding this lifestyle for them, and its not fair. Why should they get something for nothing when the hardworking general public do not!

I don't know what council tenants are supposed to do if there are no smaller properties to move into?

You get a redecorating grant regardless of wether you downsize or not in our area. It is only able to be used for paint, wallpaper and toold for redecorating. No flooring or carpets. There is a list given with it for what you are allowed to buy.

Yes miss which is I think enough but they don't really publicise that enough! Especially decorating costs which if I've just paid £1000 for new carpets us b pretty peeved that u now have to move and do it again!

I do think it is really wrong that you pay less tax on an empty property, I do think there should be an extra tax for owning a home and keeping it empty for more than a couple of months unless you can show you are genuinely trying to sell or rent it at a reasonable amount.

People like to conveniently forget that many social housing tenants are hard working folks as well.

OTOH my sisters neighbour has a large 5 bed house that has been adapted at the cost of the taxpayer to accomodate 1 or 2 children with disabilities. This was because she was long term fostering and had her own grown up daughter living there.

Now through various circumstances the daughter has moved out and the lady is no longer fostering. So there she is a single person living in a purpose adapted 5 bedroom property - is that right? So what incentive does she have to move?

Yea wasn't there some family in London in a huge 6 bed flat screen tv's every room and rent was like 4000 a month all paid by HB think that is what this rule is targeting?

Well we all know someone...

Yes, and being honest cheeky I think it is ridiculous that a family can be housed on HB in a luxury pent house apartment, or a large 6 bed town house valued at over 1 million. That the problem, because the majority of people get riled about that, and so joe bloggs in the street whos got an extra bedroom because there was no smaller houses available, or because 1 child has just moved out, gets caught up in the backlash.

Lol true usual! Down here tho there are a lot of 1/2 bed properties with 3/4 kids squished in them so shunt b hard for ppl to downsize here

Yes but what i'd like to know is what happens if 17 yr old johnny moves out count afford it after a year of trying and wants to move back in ? Do u join the transfer list again to b offered bigger place then he moves out again u downsize again etc ridiculous I think 1 extra room then u need is fair as life changes

are people genuinely not understanding that alot of two bedroomed places in the private market cost alot more than 3 bedroomed depending on the area. so moving to a smaller place is not always possible or financially viable

I agree cheeky,because he wont be able to get HB if hes under 25 to get his own place. So if you have been forced to downsize when he left home what the fuck happens then?

No I don't think people do understand that. They just see the council house tenants in bigger houses than them ,so spout off.

This is only for HA and council properties and doesn't apply to private rented accommodation.

www.housing.org.uk/policy/welfare_reform/bedroom_tax.aspx

The Government?s impact assessment shows that those affected will lose an average of £14 a week. Housing association tenants are expected to lose £16 a week on average

Big deal. £14 a week for a bedroom you don't need isn't a lot of money really.

I think it's crazy that we subsidise housing for the wealthy. There is no upper earnings limit on having a council property which can cost less than a quarter of average rents.

£50 a month ! If iur in PR it applied already they only pay HBfor rooms u need

I think sort PR out to b same as SH abd 1 spare room allowed for life changes

Anyone who thinks that £14 a week to some people is not a big deal is a bit out of touch really.