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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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 20:38

Why are you so down on the OP Expat?

Just because you were ok with that doesnt mean that she should be. Her issue is with flat snobbery, not other peoples safety issues.

Bogeyface · 17/04/2013 20:39

Expat she isnt claiming HB so not an issue.

Bogeyface · 17/04/2013 20:40

Usual as I mentioned above, there was a huge complex of purpose built accomodation for the elderly and the vast majority stood empty as people refused to move!

WTFisABooyhoo · 17/04/2013 20:40

ok expat i think you've more than made your point. several times. concrete stairs are an issue for the OP. she has made no judgement on whether they would or wouldn't be for anyone else and if she is happy to pay more for a 3 bed property then why shouldn't she? she doesn't get HB.

FasterStronger · 17/04/2013 20:41

I dont think the op is wrong in wanting somewhere larger and perhaps nicer to live, it what more people want.

But it is just a want.

WTFisABooyhoo · 17/04/2013 20:42

xposts with bogey

Original poster
limetictacs · 17/04/2013 20:42

expatinscotland Yes I know this but we don't qualify for HB (just over the threshold) but don't have a high enough income to privately rent.

Also my original issue is about people who are not willing to consider a flat. I have explained my reasons for wanting to move which I think are justifiable. I would feel the same if it were another family living in a flat and wanting to move. I think that it just makes more sense for a family to live in a family home if they are available rather than a single person and I don't get why these people who are occupying family homes and are looking to move as they can't afford it won't consider a flat.

OP posts:
FasterStronger · 17/04/2013 20:42

Its what most people want...

expatinscotland · 17/04/2013 20:43

Down on her? Get real! We don't know all the people she's been in contact with, who knows what their stories are, at any rate, they are under 61 if they are dealing with reduction in bedroom tax.

It's not a safety issue unless you have a disability, it's a preference issue.

All the council/HA flats have been much safer than the private ones we had.

I get that it sucks. But there's always private renting since she doesn't claim HB because these people obviously don't have to move so obviously prefer not to.

Down on the OP? Hey, who doesn't want a ground floor flat or house with young kids? But if you can't get it by swap you go private or suck it up.

usualsuspect · 17/04/2013 20:44

They would only qualify for a one bed flat anyway.

expatinscotland · 17/04/2013 20:45

'Yes I know this but we don't qualify for HB (just over the threshold) but don't have a high enough income to privately rent.'

Not for a council/HA home but then you need to look at LHA caps for your area. They are higher and you can top up what you can pay with LHA.

usualsuspect · 17/04/2013 20:46

I don't think a single person would be allowed to move into a 2 bed flat.

expatinscotland · 17/04/2013 20:48

My DD1 had diagnosed dyspraxia, DD2 has had to have OT for gross motor skill deficiencies. DS, well, he's only 4 and they don't like to label here till the age of 7 or older but it's looking like ADHD and/or ADHD/AS but obviously concrete stairs are/were beyond all their needs Hmm.

There are stairs to get to the front door of this flat, too.

Mrsdavidcaruso · 17/04/2013 20:48

*The people I have asked to mutually exchange with are all well bodied single people occupying 3 bedroom houses, not disabled people or people with children.

My feelings are aimed at people who are single, perhaps with a grown up child living with them yet occupying a family home. I would like to think that if I were in that position I would not be such a snob about moving to a flat. After all if you are wanting to move because you are affected by the bedroom tax then why be so snobby about the type of property? *

Do you not think that people who have grown up children are getting on a bit? and they KNOW there will come a time when they will themselves be 'disabled' due to old age.

What is the difference between an elderly person disabled due to mobility problems, hearing and sight problems, heart conditions etc and a younger person who is disabled - answer is a big fat nothing.

Why on earth would a person move to a flat when they are fully aware that in 5 - 10 years time they may not be able to manage the stairs etc.

Bogeyface oh how clever you have managed to use a new derogatory
term for older people - I suppose the term Baby Boomer has become too commonplace.

My 82 year old dad is what you would rudely call a housing hoarder lives in three bed HA house - only he still works and still pays tax on his wages and pension but most importantly of all he DOES NOT GET HB therefore he pays full rent, so why should he move from the house he has lived in for 30 years.

WorraLiberty · 17/04/2013 20:49

I'm still not getting where 'snobbery' comes into this?

Most people living in a council house will have started off in a flat...well lots of them anyway.

It's not about snobbery, it's about preference.

If someone living in a 3 bed house would rather downsize to a 2 bed house instead of a flat, that's their preference....it's not snobbery.

GirlOutNumbered · 17/04/2013 20:49

I used to live in a flat, I hated it. Constantly hearing noise from above and below.

expatinscotland · 17/04/2013 20:50

'I don't think a single person would be allowed to move into a 2 bed flat.'

The swap would likely be declined, yes, if the person relies on HB to pay their rent in its entirety.

Look, I get it! It is not ideal that pensioners are rattling around in big houses. You really see it in these rural areas.

But them's the rules.

expatinscotland · 17/04/2013 20:50

'It's not about snobbery, it's about preference.'

This.

WTFisABooyhoo · 17/04/2013 20:52

great that your dcs were able to manage that expat. op would rather not. she's not demanding to be rehomed. she's just trying to move to something that would be easier to manage. if she can move then it would be a bit silly for her to stay where she is just because someone, somewhere else is coping with worse.

i really dont like the competitive hardship crap on here.

Original poster
limetictacs · 17/04/2013 20:52

The snobbery part is the fact that these people supposedly can't afford to pay for an extra room. Ever heard of the phrase "beggars can't be choosers". These people still want to turn their nose up at a flat without viewing it, literally just because it is a flat. That is being a snob IMO.

OP posts:
Maisiemoo13 · 17/04/2013 20:54

I don't agree that people should be expected to move out of there home when they are under occupying , my father has found himself have to pay the bedroom tax he has worked most of his days and is now disabled he only has one extra bedroom he has a little garden he can go out into when he's feeling up to it he knows his neighbours very well and I would hate for him to have to go through the stress of moving to a flat somewhere where the turnover is constant and you never know who might be living next door to , and I speak from experience living in a flat with children and have all sorts living above and next door , I now rent privately and pay a fortune in rent but would still rather do that than see him move to make the house available for someone in my position he has done his time in my situation it's not like he is occupying a four bedroom house somewhere , maybe the the council should start building some new houses in areas for our older generation to move onto some nice little bungalows with one bedrooms but at the moment there is no suitable housing available to them

usualsuspect · 17/04/2013 20:54

Beggers cant be chosers?

Did you really just type that?

Jeez.

usualsuspect · 17/04/2013 20:54

choosers*

expatinscotland · 17/04/2013 20:55

I feel the same, usual (schleps bags of Lidl shopping up the external and internal stairs).

WTFisABooyhoo · 17/04/2013 20:55

OP i dont honestly think you can say that it's snobbery unless you know these people really well and know what their circumstances are.