[Vicky.]

Also interesting to note...I think LHA (which is what you get if you private rent) is actually higher than housing benefit for council properties. For a long time you have only been entitled to a rate equal to the amount of bedrooms you NEED. However, I had a private rented house about 4 years ago, and the LHA was about £75 per week for one bedroom. £85 for two. And I dont know the rates for a 3. I'm sure the LHA rates vary based on the area you live in too, so if you moved to a different area you would be entitled to much more LHA.

I am entitled to 2 bedrooms once I have my child.

Lets assume that I recieve full housing benefit. That would be around £80. It will still be £80 once I have my child. I could move to a private rented 2 bedroomed property and it would actually cost the government more to house me in a smaller property. So due to this move, the government might actually end up spending much more on benefits...I know they reckon the reason for these changes is to accomodate larger families, but personally I think its more about saving a bit of cash, as with all the other benefit cuts and changes If this is the motivation, I have a feeling it may bite them on the arse.


Edit. Just checked online calculator on jobcentre website

Weekly LHA rate for September 2012
Durham BRMA

Two Bedrooms Rate:
£88.85 per week

for where I live now (if I moved to private rented)

But if I HAD to move into private rented, obviously I would move close to work, which would be newcastle area

Weekly LHA rate for September 2012
Tyneside BRMA

Two Bedrooms Rate:
£103.85 per week

Government would be paying an extra £23 per week on average for me to move from where I am currently, if I couldnt afford the changes.