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?

She is entitled atm to stay there for life as long as she makes up the excess in rent so yes she would be doing the council a favour.

oh i believe in social housing alright, but how much money will be taken from those in need paying folks like the OP to move? like i said she hasnt actually got a price of how much it would cost her only heresay and another poster said it had cost them 70 quid to move. or has she even asked family friends to help or is she straight away expecting the council to pay? at what point do you say i think you can afford this yourself or is it because she has a council house everything should be covered?

I think you're massively over-estimating the costs of moving and if you have to start paying extra money for your 'spare' room you'll make that back very quickly. I think a pp said she'd have to find an extra £30 per week for her 'spare' room - that's £240 over 2 months and you'll be able to hire a man with a van, phone all your suppliers etc for that, easily.

The flooring - I do sympathise but that's part of having a home, you usually have to leave flooring etc behind.

I don't think I have a jealous bone in my body secondcoming. I'm certainly not jealous of those who live in social housing. Actually DH and I have worked tirelessley with a level of self discipline most people couldn't manage and have also taken huge risks in relation to property that others in more fortunate positions than we were in 20 odd years ago wouldn't have dared do.

Don't think it's me that jealous dude - everything we have, we have worked exceptionally hard for and have sensible life choices along the way so as not to be derailed.

What vitriol; I respect the hard work of others always. I respect entitlement never.

Are you sure that rule effects you op?

I thought it was just for private tenancies?

Do you have a life time tenancy?

Could you take in a lodger?

you cant if you are a council tennant unless you declare it and if the op is on benefit would much up her HB (i think)

Our council offers 2 weeks free rent and a decorating allowance when people move , I guess all you need is to hire a van the decorate when you are in the house, I havnt been a council tenant for years but you just had to get on with it, but 2 weeks free is better than a slap in the face

Blimey, some people want money for everything. U r already getting money. Quite a lot of it. Not masses maybe but don't act like u r getting nothing and being turfed out. U would still be housed and presumably accepting any other benefit u r entitled to.

Why with any suggestion is the first bleat "baa u have to give me money to do that...baa baa"?

I have worked tirelessley with a level of self discipline most people couldn't manage and have also taken huge risks in relation to property that others in more fortunate positions than we were in 20 odd years ago wouldn't have dared do You do often post as if you think good fortune is a personal triumph. Other people work just as hard as you (say you do) but for a variety of reasons their work and risk taking doesn't pay off. Sneering is not a good trait.

OP if I downsize, no one will help me pay and I'll probably Diy it. I'll also move somewhere that is a heap (like my current house was when I moved in) and it's taken me since 2005 to get it straight. I think you need to accept that most people struggle. No one read my meters or sorted my address changes. That's part of a normal activity that the householder does.....

Not worked - I wish. I worked from 21 - 36 12-14 hours a day in the bond market, had 8 years off, went back when youngest was settled at school, retrained, took prof quals with two children and now work full-time in the public sector to try to give something back. Cooking shepherd's pie for 40 tomorrow for a local shelter for the homeless.

And no council housing shouldn't b life. It should be to help u out for a finite time, ie improving ur situation. Years in some cases maybe but not expected for life.

I don't believe I have ever sneered. I am sympathetic to those who find themselves in real difficulties - I have no time for the feckless. I don't care what people have providing they are nice and they are kind. You haven't read many of my posts if you think otherwise.

Anyway off out now for the annual neighbours Xmas drinks. I'll catch up with the vitriol tomorrow.

oh dear the old council house argument why is it anybodies business who gets a LA house and how long they stay in it, I was in a LA house for years paid full rent council tax blah blah I couldnt afford a mortgage I sure as hell wasn't going to go private rent where landlords can sell your house, social housing is not temp housing even if the tories want them to be ,

Bloody hell the misinformation being thrown around on threads like this is fucked up.

The bedroom tax/ under occupying rule only effects social housing tenants who receive housing benefit, not private rented even if they have hb

One extra bedroom costs 14% of your weekly rent, most people in 3 beds with one extra room will have about £13.72 deducted from the housing benefit award.

Council houses are not subsidised by tax payers unless the tax payer is a tenant

But oh noes we can't have the council house people having something you lot haven't got ,can we.

get summit for now those council tenants eh

tis a bloody disgrace !

and back gardens GARDEN it isn't fair

And inside loo's god no round them up and let them live on the streets, but not near our streets oh no not in our streets. What would the neighbours think

Bastards there all feckless because they are poor

maybe in a complex on an island is the best place for them away from decent people somebody QUICK SOMEBODY TELL DAVECAM he could maybe organise it