Quote:
Originally Posted by Vicky.
Just got rid of my mate who is in absolute pieces over this, been here for ages.
She got a letter this morning saying she overoccupies by 1 bedroom so will be expected to find an extra £20 per fortnight to make up the shortfall, from the £140 per fornight she gets as she was made unemployed a few months back. She does not have anyway of finding an extra 20 quid a fortnight as everything she gets goes immediately on bills, a little bit of food, and she needs a bit left over for busfares and such to interviews or for regular jobsearching.
The council chose to put her in a 2 bed house when she only asked for a 1 bed flat/bedsit as they had no 1 bed places available at the time and had loads of 2 bed propeties. Now she is being penalised for it. Yeah, her house could go to someone who needs the extra room, however here is the catch...
She is willing to move. But on ringing the council this morning she has been told that the waiting list for a new property currently is around 2-3 years. This new bedroom tax is from April next year. So this means that she will have no choice but to pay money she does not have for 1.5 years at least. The council woman advised her to take in a lodger...what sort of ****ing advice is that? Take in a random person who could rob you or harm you?! She has no family who could take her in either. Her parents are dead and she has no siblings. Of course there is the option of moving to somewhere private rented, but where is she going to find the (often over 1k) bond/rent in advance/admin fees involved with private renting? Its hard enough to find a landlord willing to accept housing benefit in the first place, then finding that much money from nowhere when on JSA? No chance. So basically..she is ****ed. Totally ****ed. Cant move, unwilling to take in a lodger (I do not blame her, its a disataer waiting to happen IMO) has not got the money to pay this extra, so will be evicted no doubt before she can find another suitable property. Unless she turns to crime I guess, until she finds employment again.
Great new scheme eh?
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She could get a student to move it. They're usually reliable. A female if she prefers.