[Kizzy]

Hmmm, some MP's getting jittery at the intervention by EU officials?

''Fury as UN meddlers send in human rights team over 'bedroom tax': Officials sent to check houses 'provide adequate standard of living'
The visit of Brazilian Raquel Rolnik been criticised by MPs

She will carry out inspection of housing conditions to check they provide 'an adequate standard of living'

MPs dismissed UN official as 'over-mighty and unaccountable''

You would think that in 2013 nobody would be living in conditions considered inadequate, but why are some so against this... Something to hide?


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz2e11tcsHf

[arista]

Its a Spare Room Tax


EU or UN
can feck off - its nothing to do with them.

[michael21]

Originally Posted by arista

Its a Spare Room Tax


EU or UN
can feck off - its nothing to do with them.

yes but what is next tv tax for all tv in house you would not like that would you

the bbc would like this to happen

[joeysteele]

I really do think this Govt will eventually come to some strong condemnation as to this discriminatory and unfair policy.

It isn't a spare room tax, it is a discrimination against those on benefits only,if it was a spare room charge or tax, then all tenants would be subject to extra costs as to it.
However, someone working with a good wage,not claiming housing benefit,living alone in a 3 or 4 bedroomed house has no more to pay each week despite this being brought in.

It is a benefit cut,of too high an amount in a discriminatory way against those who are poorest and the weakest,even those genuinely sick and disabled.

A shameful act by any Govt. I hope any EU consideration of it does condemn the Govt for ever bringing such a revolting act in.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by joeysteele

I really do think this Govt will eventually come to some strong condemnation as to this discrimatory and unfair policy.

It isn't a spare room tax, it is a discrimiantion against those on benefits only,if it was a spare room charge or tax, then all tenants would be subject to extra costs as to it.
However, someone working with a good wage,not claiming housing benefit,living alone in a 3 or 4 bedroomed house has no more to pay each week despite this being brought in.

It is a benefit cut,of too high an amount in a discrimatory way against those who are poorest and the weakest,even those genuinely sick and disabled.

A shameful act by any Govt. I hope any EU consideration of it does condemn the Govt for ever bringing such a revolting act in.

Excellent points Joey, it is simply that. There could and should be ways to identify those who for whatever reason are over occupying in properties, and aid them in finding suitable accommodation if they wish to downsize. These sanctions on this socio economic group are discriminatory, as they have lifetime tenancy agreements on said property I feel there is a breach by this government.
I hope the involvement by Europe is enough to force a U turn and people begin to question why this was ever implemented in the first place with no forward thinking into the possible implications for this section of society.

[Vicky.]

I wouldn't be against this so much if it was more fair. Someone in the bedroom tax facebook group has been doing FOI requests about housing with different councils and one I saw was there were about 50 one bed places spare, 5000 people needing to downsize, but 13k people already on the waiting list

People can't find money from nowhere, nor can they move. Its unfair, simple as.

[Vicky.]

Heres 2 I can find

CARDIFF COUNCIL
1. How many one bedroom general needs properties do you have available to let this week? 71.
2. How many tenants are deemed to be under-occupying, and needing one bed accommodation? 350.
3. How many people are already on the waiting list for one bedroom properties? 4,844.


SOUTHWARK
1. How many 1 beds available? 21
2. How many under-occupying and needing 1 beds? 234
3. How many already on waiting list for one bed? 11,436

[Ellen]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

I wouldn't be against this so much if it was more fair. Someone in the bedroom tax facebook group has been doing FOI requests about housing with different councils and one I saw was there were about 50 one bed places spare, 5000 people needing to downsize, but 13k people already on the waiting list

People can't find money from nowhere, nor can they move. Its unfair, simple as.

This is my problem with it as well Vicky, if there is no houses/flats for people to downsize too then what are they supposed to do? The government are taking money off people who cant go anywhere.
It is wrong & unfair.

[Kizzy]

The strange thing is nobody knows the reasoning behind it as far as I can see, as you say Vicky there's nowhere suitable to move to and the government were not losing an extortionate amount of money as the difference in rent between a 2 and 3 bed is negligible.

[Ellen]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

The strange thing is nobody knows the reasoning behind it as far as I can see, as you say Vicky there's nowhere suitable to move to and the government were not losing an extortionate amount of money as the difference in rent between a 2 and 3 bed is negligible.

I think the reasoning is that those who have a spare room do not need that size of house so if they downsize it will free up housing for those who are overcrowded.
So if someone is living in a 3 bed house & has one or two bedrooms not been used then they should downsize & let the property go to say a family with 2,3 or more children living in a one or two bed flat.

If you dont downsize you will be made to pay a bedroom tax.

[smudgie]

If the government want people to downsize to smaller properties, perhaps they should try building some first.
I have nothing against someone living on their own in a three bed roomed house and claimng benefit being told they need to move providing there is somewhere for them to move to.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Ellen

I think the reasoning is that those who have a spare room do not need that size of house so if they downsize it will free up housing for those who are overcrowded.
So if someone is living in a 3 bed house & has one or two bedrooms not been used then they should downsize & let the property go to say a family with 2,3 or more children living in a one or two bed flat.

If you dont downsize you will be made to pay a bedroom tax.

I understand that Ellen but in the research prior to this would the shortfall in suitable accommodation not have been highlighted?

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by smudgie

If the government want people to downsize to smaller properties, perhaps they should try building some first.
I have nothing against someone living on their own in a three bed roomed house and claimng benefit being told they need to move providing there is somewhere for them to move to.

A very sensible suggestion, but the government don't seem to be preoccupied with solutions. There seems to be little or no forward panning, which is why they U turn on so many issues.

[Ellen]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

I understand that Ellen but in the research prior to this would the shortfall in suitable accommodation not have been highlighted?

I dont know if there was any research done tbh, i doesnt look like it does it? As you say, if it had been researched they would have found that there was a lack of housing for people to downsize to. Which suggests it was a benefit cut but wrapped up in the disguise of helping people to get the right accommodation for their needs.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Ellen

I think the reasoning is that those who have a spare room do not need that size of house so if they downsize it will free up housing for those who are overcrowded.
So if someone is living in a 3 bed house & has one or two bedrooms not been used then they should downsize & let the property go to say a family with 2,3 or more children living in a one or two bed flat.

If you dont downsize you will be made to pay a bedroom tax.

The problem with this though is..that there are already larger properties and a shortage of small?

At least this was the case like 3 years ago when I moved here. Were told the waiting list was ridiculous for 1/2 bed places, but if we wanted a 3 (we were 'entitled' to one because Gavs kids stay on a weekend) then we could have it by the next week. So clearly there were loads more larger properties back then than small ones :S

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

The problem with this though is..that there are already larger properties and a shortage of small?

At least this was the case like 3 years ago when I moved here. Were told the waiting list was ridiculous for 1/2 bed places, but if we wanted a 3 (we were 'entitled' to one because Gavs kids stay on a weekend) then we could have it by the next week. So clearly there were loads more larger properties back then than small ones :S

Yes Vicky totally of course there will be, social housing was constructed for families wasn't it so it stands to reason there will be a larger percentage of family houses. On my road out of 40 properties only 8 are 2 bed.
The only 1 begs are high rise or the miscellaneous properties, ex mill cottages and 99% have been snapped up in the right to buy scheme.