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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that if your answer to complaining about Bedroom Tax is "get a smaller house", you are a bit thick?

388 replies

MarmaladeTwatkins · 06/08/2013 10:41

Where IS this glut of smaller properties, just waiting to be filled by people being stung by the bedroom tax?

TWICE today I have heard supposedly intelligent people say "Well if they don't want to pay the bedroom tax, they need to move to a smaller house."

Fucking depressing. I think it earmarks you as being a bit hard of thinking if that is your solution. :(

OP posts:
Hawkmoon269 · 06/08/2013 21:56

fanjo not a great defence of your prejudice.

Lets just not use derogatory names hey?

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 06/08/2013 21:57

Going down the 'deserving and undeserving' poor route is just awful.

But pick at my language, fair enough.

JakeBullet · 06/08/2013 21:58

I am one who is very grateful for the safety net.

It's a long story but after 30 years of employment I found myself unable to continue. This was due to my son's care needs.

The HA I was referred to allocated this house to me and I was overjoyed

But.....the previous tenant who was only 21 was allocated this house and used the place as a drug den virtually. Neighbours tell me the police eere always here.

When I moved in the place had been graffitied and therewas rrubbish everywhere. ..not to mention holes inwalls.

Do I memention that she (or one of her boyfriends) had also hotwired the electricity meter so she had free electric.

At 21 she had NO idea or appreciation of what she had been offered here. Whereas I am grateful beyond all measure.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 06/08/2013 21:59

I am predjudiced against private schools, yes, as I fundamentally don't agree with them.

Hence I do feel need to justify that I didn't pay to go there.

But clearly I don't think people who go there are toffs. Whatever they are, tbh.

I don't really go for judging people from any background.

Was joking.

Hmm
Hawkmoon269 · 06/08/2013 22:00

But it's not "deserving or undeserving"? I'm actually baffled.

Someone is either unable to house and feed themselves or they're not. Surely that's the basis of means testing?

If someone is ill and unable to work they should be helped.

If someone is fit and well and able to work they shouldn't need help.

Surely?

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 06/08/2013 22:02

Yes, there are of course unlimited jobs out there.

Or errr not.

Hawkmoon269 · 06/08/2013 22:03

jake I'm pleased you've got a safe home Smile

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 06/08/2013 22:05

Yes, pleased as carers and sick people deserve the safety net..but others who don't earn much or can't get a job had 'poverty of aspiration' and don't deserve a home?

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 06/08/2013 22:06

It is not as clear cut as that.

Hawkmoon269 · 06/08/2013 22:06

fanjo I'm done. I can't argue with someone who is so prejudiced and defensive.

I repeat, the state is a safety net. If I ever used it as anything other I would be ashamed of myself.

If I'm ever in dire need I will be sincerely and profoundly grateful for help from the state.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 06/08/2013 22:07

And now I am off to bed

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 06/08/2013 22:07

I am prejudiced?

LOL the irony

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 06/08/2013 22:08

Thanks for the good laugh Grin

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 06/08/2013 22:10

Also..not defensive as your arguments don't apply to me, being a home owning person.

Just can't bear the 'deserving and undeserving poor' line of thinking.

Night!

gordyslovesheep · 06/08/2013 22:11

it's only poverty of aspiration if you think aspiration is only about money and material possessions - maybe people have different aspirations

IneedAyoniNickname · 06/08/2013 22:11

cantspell last time I filled in a hb form, I had to say if the ll was a relative. I questioned why it mattered, and was told I couldn't get hb if they were.

gordyslovesheep · 06/08/2013 22:12

and if social housing is a safety net why are the tenancies for LIFE - social housing provides rented accommodation at controlled rents - IE affordable rents

not everyone want to own or can

expatinscotland · 06/08/2013 22:27

'If someone is ill and unable to work they should be helped.

If someone is fit and well and able to work they shouldn't need help.

Surely?'

Because all those in HA/council homes are unemployed. Hmm

And 'ungrateful'. Hmm

SillyBillly · 06/08/2013 22:28

I live in a very high proportioned of social housing area and have seen and know several people that live in house's with far more bedrooms than needed but they feel they have been there long enough to justify not giving it up for a smaller property, I've also seen the other side too with people living in very inappropriately sized properties. Set aside medical needs as this can be justified in genuine cases. These people do not own the property and are tenants, to be moved to a smaller property and letting the over crowed people have appropriate space makes sense. If people want to live in properties with more bedrooms than need then rent privately or better still invest and buy which ever best suits your budget. Why do people that live in social housing feel they have rights to remain there forever.

BeehavingBaby · 06/08/2013 22:30

and if social housing is a safety net why are the tenancies for LIFE - social housing provides rented accommodation at controlled rents - IE affordable rents

Both concepts currently being dismantled within social housing. I agree there needs to be something between private landlords and home ownership and massively more of it.

gordyslovesheep · 06/08/2013 22:32

sillybilly there are not enough 'smaller' properties - Birmingham for example , looking at the link I posted, has 13,557 households are affected by the bedroom tax, but just 368 one and two-bedroom properties are currently unoccupied

so where are the other 13,000 supposed to go?

diaimchlo · 06/08/2013 22:37

I have read this thread and tbh am amazed at alot of the comments posted.

The Bedroom Tax is an unjust rule made by people who have sold their homes near Westminster to someone they know only to rent it back at the taxpayers expense, through their parliamentary expenses. Is that not a form of HB? I am sure they will have spare rooms..... and don't have to pay extra!!!!!

Is it fair that disabled people and their carers are subjected to having to find extra money to pay for a room that contains vital equipment to their independence and well-being? Is it fair that parents have to pay extra for a room their child occupies when they come home from the Armed Forces?

It has been asked many times in the thread where are the properties for people to downsize to. They were sold off by Thatcher's government to their occupants, on the promise that the money gained from the sales would fund new social housing. Oh dear another Government promise broken!!!!!!!!

SillyBillly · 06/08/2013 22:38

These stats are on empty properties, if those in properties that were to small for them went into larger properties there would be more smaller properties available, this is all about shuffling the deck to make it fit, It's irrelevant if its Birmingham or any where else in the country. As I said there is always private rent or even relocation to other cities.

SillyBillly · 06/08/2013 22:42

What is it with people, if people swap sized houses accordingly there will be a limited short fall, Social housing tenants swap houses when it suits so why not to make relevant space for those that need it.

gordyslovesheep · 06/08/2013 22:45

you are right silly billy it's just that simple - why I don't know why councils and HA's haven't done it already ...never mind all the people in hostels and temp accommodation - or maybe, just maybe, it's not that simple!