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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

flat snobs and bedroom tax!

209 replies

limetictacs · 17/04/2013 19:13

I thought that with the housing benefit cap people would actually want to do a mutual exchange but I've been shocked at the amount of people who immediately go "no flats"- (we live in a 2 bed and are after a 3 bed house). One person even said that they needed a house as they had a dog (er- we have a young child and a baby on the way. Besides there are many other people who have dogs in the block!).

AIBU being pissed off that so many people are so snobbish about living in a flat? I'd like to add that these same people want to complain about having to pay for an extra room- some have actually complained to me and expect me to sympathise. It also pisses me off when people say they would move but there are no 2 bed properties available when there are way more people with 2 beds in my area than 3 beds. Aaaargh!

OP posts:

Bogeyface · 17/04/2013 20:20

Wasnt there talk of social tenancies being reviewed every so many years so that if someone was under occupying then they could be forced to move to a more appropriate sized property? Or did I dream that?

Bogeyface · 17/04/2013 20:22

It was ideal but now we are having another baby it isn't suitable.

Big mistake putting that down OP! Now you will get flamed for not having suitable housing before you dared to have a baby, and will get accused of expecting the state to fund your lifestyle choices.

Good luck!

ALittleBitOfMagic · 17/04/2013 20:22

lime I honestly could have wrote your op . Every single word . Except I have an 8yo dd and 6mo old ds . In a gorgeous ground floor 2 bed flat that I would never have wanted to leave only ds came along . I totally and completely understand where you are coming from . I have had loads of people interested in a 2 bed in my area (it's quite a coveted area) but won't take it because it's a flat . I really hope you find something

Are you on homeswapper?

WTFisABooyhoo · 17/04/2013 20:23

faster OP would actually only need to increase her income if she does move to a 3 bed as she would then be under occupying. if she stays put in her 2 bed she wont have to pay teh bedroom tax so no need to increase income.

expatinscotland · 17/04/2013 20:24

'I live upstairs and so it will not only be difficult managing the stairs with a buggy and small child but is also dangerous. We have a communal garden which would be ideal for taking a dog out but we can't put any play equipment or anything out for our little one to play on. I have also had health problems this pregnancy meaning that I have been housebound for the last few months which hasn't helped my mood much

I would move to a 2 or 3 bedroom maisonette/bungalow if someone would be willing to swap so I am not being a snob at all.'

And? How is it dangerous? We did it for years, as we lived in an expensive city (Edinburgh) where flats in good areas for market rent HA were gold dust - not because of the rent, which was high, but the security of tenancy.

You have one in a sling and the other in the buggy that you sling over your back after you fold it down or you bump it up backwards.

Believe me, I've done it. For years.

And here's a big issue: many, many HAs and councils are not approving swaps for which you will be responsible for bedroom tax.

With two children under 10 you are entitled to a two-bedroom property.

crashdoll · 17/04/2013 20:25

You are being as much of a snob as they are except you are disguising it by saying a flat is not suitable for your needs (whatever that means!).

ubik · 17/04/2013 20:25

I live in a lovely four bed tenement. Huge sash windows, high ceilings efc etc.

It's fine. Sometimes I wish I had a private garden but we are 2mins from loads of parks/ river walkway.

People all over the world live in flats look at Paris andNew York.

But flat dwelling does mean that it matters so much more who your neighbours are, there are entire blocks of beautiful flats blighted by HMO,s owned by uncaring landlords, housing loutish students.

ubik · 17/04/2013 20:26

And yy to expat - I raised three young children, two floors up, many people do

Original poster

limetictacs · 17/04/2013 20:27

FasterStronger we do not get help with rent hence why we are looking at moving to a 3 bed as it makes more sense that someone would downsize than swap with another 2 bed property.

expatinscotland if people can afford to pay for an extra room then fair enough be picky if you want to downsize. My rant is aimed at people who supposedly can't afford the extra room and yet are in a position to be picky about moving to a flat.

I think the worst offenders are the people who are 61+ and occupying family homes. I've heard of a few people living in 4 bed properties on their own. I don't understand why this government chose to leave these people out of the housing benefit cuts and yet penalise families.

OP posts:

Kendodd · 17/04/2013 20:28

Good idea if they do but again, pensioners would be exempt. I don't have anything against pensioners and I do realise that it must be hard to leave a house that you've lived in for 40 years, but I have more sympathy for a family of five in a one bed top floor flat, or a B & B. Although you could argue that the family should have addressed their housing situation before having more children.

Bogeyface · 17/04/2013 20:28

The OP would prefer a house but wouldnt turn down another property more suitable than what they have.

The other people are turning hers down out of hand just because it is a flat. There is a difference.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 17/04/2013 20:29

People who post about "being paid for by the taxpayer" are often twats

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 17/04/2013 20:30

As for the.OP..it doesn't sound like a snobbery thing..just a preference

FasterStronger · 17/04/2013 20:30

Wtf, yes - I was making a different point: if the op can increase household income, they may be able to look at other options eg renting the house they want or at some point buying.

Bogeyface · 17/04/2013 20:30

Ken It was a pensioner who blocked the three bed house I mentioned earlier. It makes no sense! Why not penalise the very people who (in the main) are causing the problem?

expatinscotland · 17/04/2013 20:30

We have no communal garden and have never been in a flat with one.

Diddums. Break out the violins.

If it really bothered us so much, we'd go back to private renting. Erm, no, thanks. Happy with here. When the weather's bad we dress up and go out.

I've gone with a huge baby in a sling, a buggy on my back and toddler and a child who didn't alternate her feet on stairs until she was about 7.

CecilyP · 17/04/2013 20:32

I realise I am lucky to have a council property at all. I live in a rural area so my flat is not in a massive block. It's actually quite nice, lovely quiet road with private properties as well as council, no horrible neighbours etc.

Perhaps if you emphasise how nice it is and how good the area, eventually someone might want to swap. It could, however, take time. Would you be happy to take a house in a far less desirable area or perhaps a ground floor flat.

If you do move to 3 bedroom accommodation, I hope you realise that if you fall on hard times, your family will be subject to the 'bedroom tax' until your DS is 10.

expatinscotland · 17/04/2013 20:32

'The OP would prefer a house but wouldnt turn down another property more suitable than what they have.'

She doesn't want the stairs.

PLENTY of folks here rattling around in houses but they are 61+. Why get bitter? Nowt I can do about it.

FasterStronger · 17/04/2013 20:32

Op, why not rent privately and someone who really needs social housing can have yours?

WTFisABooyhoo · 17/04/2013 20:32

apologies faster! i thought you meant WRT the bedroom tax. i see what you mean now.

Kendodd · 17/04/2013 20:32

If people viewing your flat don't want a flat, why are they coming to see it in the first place?

Original poster

limetictacs · 17/04/2013 20:33

crashdoll I never said I wouldn't move to a 3 bedroom flat. If it was a ground floor flat that would be ideal as the biggest issue is the stairs. Which are concrete, hence why they are dangerous.

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 17/04/2013 20:34

And again, be careful! Some HAs and council are not approving swaps in which the new tenant will be subject to reduction in housing benefit (again, this doesn't apply if you are not claiming housing benefit).

There was a very recent thread on here in which a swap was scuppered due to this.

In a 3-bed you will need to top up the rent until the elder child is 10, yes.

expatinscotland · 17/04/2013 20:36

'Which are concrete, hence why they are dangerous.'

Why are they more dangerous for your children than they are or were for mine or anyone else's in this setting?

usualsuspect · 17/04/2013 20:38

Even if pensioners were made to give up their houses, flats with concrete steps are hardly suitable accommodation for them.

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