[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

I just think that the LHA system is a disaster in general and shouldn't be held up as being somehow better or with less issues than the current social housing issues. No, there's no meddling of lifetime tenancies... because there are no lifetime tenancies. Usually short agreements between 6 months and 2 years, at the end of which the owner can arbitrarily ask the tenants - often families - to leave, or sell the house out from under them, with there sometimes being no suitable other properties nearby available to rent, meaning children being pulled out of school and all sorts.

Also, LHA rates aren't universal. You can't just take your London rate and move north for a nice big house - your applicable rate up north will be for the average property in that area. i.e. if there are lots of cheap 2-bed rentals, and you are entitled to a 2-bed house, then you won't get much in the way of rent allowance. You'll get the amount for a 2 bed house. If you want a 3 bed house, you'll almost certainly have to pay the extra out of your own pocket. Probably somewhere in the region of £50 to £100 a month more... or in other words, a similar amount to what people have to pay in "bedroom tax".

Now... I'm not ADVOCATING bedroom tax. Far from it. I think it's far too arbitrary. I don't think it should apply to 2-bedroom properties at all, and above 2 bedrooms, there should be far more consideration for circumstances. Also, there should be a no-questions-asked grace period of at least 2 years when circumstances change (e.g. kids leaving home and ESPECIALLY deaths).

I just also know that there is a huge lack of social housing available and, frankly, that being in private rentals is not an enviable situation. We don't get benefits - we're the poor saps who are stuck square in the middle. Not poor enough to get any housing help, but also not in the position to buy property. We've been in private rentals since our first was born - 4 different homes in 6 years and have now been told that our current landlord is selling up in 6 months, so that'll be move number 5. Away from all of my daughter's friends that she's spent two years making. It's not an enviable situation. I'd pay full rent plus double bedroom tax for a secure, guaranteed home while my kids are young tbqfh... but there isn't housing available for people who aren't on low income.

I don't understand this part, are you on the waiting list for social housing? You don't have to be on a low income or on welfare to qualify it's not means tested.
Out of interest why don't you buy? If you have a decent income it's dead money renting.