Domestic violence victim may lose home after panic room is classed as spare bedroom.

[Darkesteyes]

How bloody low are this Gov. going to sink? What on earth do they expect this woman to do FFS.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/bedroom-tax-domestic-violence-victim-1870391

Sorry I should have put domestic violence survivor. I was quoting straight from the article.

She's got a good case to ask her local authority for special dispensation and I'm surprised her MP hasn't motivated for that. Rather like when someone with a disability has a room in their home specially converted there are exemptions available.. Presumably this panic room was installed by her housing authority or social services?

Yes, it's curious that the MP is mouthing off rather than doing his job. OK It's not his Westminster responsibility, but he could help by signposting his constituent to the correct part of the Council for exemptions.

It would be interesting to know why the Labour-controlled council decided this wasn't an appropriate case for exemption.

Why should she and her son have a three bed house! Why can't one of them sleep in the third bed room they have called a panic room?

"Why can't one of them sleep in the third bed room they have called a panic room?"

Because that would leave another room spare. It's fairly simple arithmetic: two people, three rooms.

Actually I have read and re-read your post because I think there must be something I'm missing here. I know you are actually quite clever and therefore you can't really think that one person moving from one bedroom to another will solve the problem. But I don't understand what you are trying to say, so you'll have to explain it a bit more clearly.

I read Xenias post as asking why they can't have a two bed house with one of them sleeping in the panic room.

Couldn't they have given her a 2 bed making her bedroom a panic room?why a 3 bed for 2 people?anyway now they are living there and the panic room can't be replaced is unreasonable to make her move.

Or of coure the violent ex could be put in prison as he's obviously a danger to others!why should she need a panic room,she didn't do nothing wrong

or she could pay for the third room? I am sure it wouldnt be that much? this bedroom tax is kind of bothering me a bit, last week i was talking to someone and they said..'oh yes Mrs single so- and so has just been given a two bedroom place by the council, housing benefit will pay for it, but it is terrible she will have to pay seven pounds herslef to pay the bedroom tax' - and i was like ok, seven pounds for a two bedroom house with a secure tenancy and no need to go to work? boohoo.

There aren't exemptions available Cogito, disabled people living in specially converted houses aren't exempt either. There is a limited discretionary fund that people may apply for, with no guarantees they will get it.

Am I missing something in this article? Has the tenant been refused special dispensation? If she had been refused then that would have been a news story.

Xenia - do you really think the council will move her to a 2 bedroom house and install another panic room?
Most people affected by the bedroom tax can't move - there is nowhere to go.

cloverer x post sorry

Agree with burberry it isn't that expensive

As her council, Notyingham, has already reclassified about 1000 2 bed properties as 1 bedroom according to The Guardian it seems that she might be able to explore both exemption and assisted payment routes.

The MP might be better using his time advising her on how to do this effectively rather than speaking to the press when it is unclear whether all options have been exhausted. And working on a solution might help others in this situation - something which then would merit publicity.

Three bedroomed house for two people equals spare room. She will just have to find the money like the rest of us have to find the money when bills increase.

Individual, piecemeal solutions like discretionary payments for those who understand the system does not tackle the problem.

What about all the vulnerable people affected who are struggling enough to cope with day to day life, who are now expected to come up with council tax and bedroom tax? Not everyone is in a position to find out what discretionary payments are available, identify the right person to contact about it, fill in long forms, and then repeat again in a few months.

Many people with spare rooms didn't choose to live in those properties, they were assigned them by the council/HA. Most of those people can't now move somewhere smaller. All of this is out of their control.

Many people with spare rooms didn't choose to live in those properties, they were assigned them by the council/HA. Most of those people can't now move somewhere smaller. All of this is out of their control
but they are already living way below market rent and could easily go out to work to pay the rent, IME an awful lot of people with this kind of 'property' then think the government also owes them a living and claim benefits to cover what is actually a miniscule rent. I am not referring to disabled people btw.

7 pounds a week out of about 55 is a large proportion of income.

burberry - most people affected by the bedroom tax are disabled, or caring for a disabled child.

if someone is on 55 a week that means they don't have young children and are not disabled. ergo they could get a job, non?

I think a lot of people are hardening their hearts against this constant stream of sob stories. They should think themselves incredibly lucky they have secure tenancies and are asked to make a tiny tiny contribution.

There is a shortage of jobs..ergo it's not that easy, non?

exactly viviennemary

I think a lot of people are suckered in by the media and made to feel bitter and jealous of a mythical luxury.lifestyle on benefits.