[Kizzy]

This bedroom tax as far as I am aware is applicable only to social housing stock, the private renters have a benefits cap to reduce housing benefits payments.
This has caused its own problems such as the fragmetation of whole communities and family units.
It seems that social cohesion has been put on a back burner for the time being....

Although that is a different issue, I feel that this will impact on the council housing lists further north as those who due to the cap are forced from their private rented properties in london and surrounding areas.

One point the government could make that would help everyone concerned would be to target underperforming local councils...
Those who do not adequately maintain their housing stock, here in leeds and i'm sure there are in towns and cities up and down the country 1000's of council properties becoming derelict.
Why is this allowed to happen?

At one time this was given media attention and now it all appears to have fizzled out, and who are left to make all the sacrifices?...The tenants and residents of these neglected boroughs.
In my local area the maintainance of council housing and other services has been outsourced, unfortunately they have mismanaged the budget from central government and therefore any improvement works to be done to maintain housing stock are not being carried out.
It is just another example of central government being so out of touch with the rest of the country... i'm not sure they even know if anywhere outside the capital exists!

This is the programme which first made me aware that the problem was not localised, but countrywide.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/t...4-preview.html

[Vicky.]

Unsure how reliable this source is, but just found this while looking about at random stuff

http://www.clockworkcontent.com/blog...-benefit-caps/

Apparently ex-offenders and OAPs are exempt from this new tax. OAPS I can understand, but why give favour to ex-offenders

from that link

'The DWP (Department of Work and Pensions) have approved exemptions for ex-offenders if claimants might present a risk of causing serious harm to the public'.

Surely if they are at risk of harming the public, they should still be locked up, not given priveleges

[Kizzy]

Found another site that explains changes to housing benefit.
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_ad...bi7KX0r7ICFUXK

[joeysteele]

All I can see from all those reports as to this move will be that people will try to ride out the extra payments they need to make,they will likely fail as more and more financial pressures come on them because of other benefits reforms and then rent arrears will occur or rise.

Then repossession orders will be sought and people will likely end up being evicted.Every Lib Dem councillor I have spoken to is against this move,even some Conservative councillors are too.
Labour claim to be totally against the move but secretly must be rubbing their hands in glee at its likely implementation.
However,I can only see really bad news on this measure, by the end of 2013 and well into 2014 onwards.

The Govt needs to think hard again and at least reduce by half the originally planned percentages of cuts to housing benefit, if they are not willing to shelve the policy altogether.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Unsure how reliable this source is, but just found this while looking about at random stuff

http://www.clockworkcontent.com/blog...-benefit-caps/

Apparently ex-offenders and OAPs are exempt from this new tax. OAPS I can understand, but why give favour to ex-offenders

from that link

Surely if they are at risk of harming the public, they should still be locked up, not given priveleges

That is absolutely baffling. Essentially "playing nice" to ensure they don't kick off or something. The legal system is so backwards it's not even funny.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Unsure how reliable this source is, but just found this while looking about at random stuff

http://www.clockworkcontent.com/blog...-benefit-caps/

Apparently ex-offenders and OAPs are exempt from this new tax. OAPS I can understand, but why give favour to ex-offenders

from that link

Surely if they are at risk of harming the public, they should still be locked up, not given priveleges

Omg... Is student accomodation classed as self contained or shared acc?

[Vicky.]

Well well well. I know this isnt about the bedroom tax (though Im looking up about this too) but it seems my local council has a lot of sense

Just been looking on their site for the proposals for the new council tax benefit (that people on benefits might have to pay up to 20% of their council tax bill) and it appears they have found a way to manage despite the government cutting their budget and trying to make them get poor people to pay more.

http://www.durham.gov.uk/Pages/Servi...ServiceId=8964

If the council chooses to apply the reduction, then the rest of the claimants who are of working age would need to pay more to make up the reduction in the council’s income. This would mean they would need to start paying around 20 per cent of their Council Tax. Given that the majority of working age people receiving Council Tax Benefit are not in employment or are in low paid work, they will have to meet this from extremely limited budgets.

On the other hand, if the council choose to remove the discretionary Council Tax discounts currently available to owners of certain categories of empty properties, the council would have an additional source of income which could offset the loss in grant.

Durham County Council is aware of the very difficult economic situation faced by many of our households across the county. If we passed on the reduction in Council Tax support to these working age householders, it could significantly add to the problems they face.

I really hope other councils follow this example instead of going for the easy option of adding the extra cost to the most vulnerable.

[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 Ł20 per fortnight to make up the shortfall, from the Ł140 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?

Let's go the whole way, and just create ghetto's and poor houses over again.

[Vanessa]

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 Ł20 per fortnight to make up the shortfall, from the Ł140 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?

She could get a student to move it. They're usually reliable. A female if she prefers.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

She could get a student to move it. They're usually reliable. A female if she prefers.

...

I wouldnt share my home with a stranger. Even a stranger of the same sex. Saying someone is usually reliable doesnt mean it would be safe to open your home to them. I think advising people to take strangers into their home is really ****ty advice. will the council be there to pick up the pieces if the lodger ups and leaves at 4am with all the stuff from the house? or if the lodger assaults you? I doubt it.

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

...

I wouldnt share my home with a stranger. Even a stranger of the same sex. Saying someone is usually reliable doesnt mean it would be safe to open your home to them. I think advising people to take strangers into their home is really ****ty advice. will the council be there to pick up the pieces if the lodger ups and leaves at 4am with all the stuff from the house? or if the lodger assaults you? I doubt it.

I know it's a risk. It would be better to get a friend to move in.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

I know it's a risk. It would be better to get a friend to move in.

Well I suggested that actually. I'm hoping she manages to find someone she knows who needs a place to live and this sorry mess can all be sorted out. If she cant find someone though, shes knackered.

[Kizzy]

You can't have lodgers in local authority homes...wth is the advisor on about.
I would contact all local MP's for advice, and she could put her name down on the mutual exchange list?
One little bit of good news is that all bus travel will be free for jobseekers from jan so she will save a fair bit of money there?
I really hope she gets something sorted vicky.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Merry Kizzmas

You can't have lodgers in local authority homes...wth is the advisor on about.
I would contact all local MP's for advice, and she could put her name down on the mutual exchange list?
One little bit of good news is that all bus travel will be free for jobseekers from jan so she will save a fair bit of money there?
I really hope she gets something sorted vicky.

You can, but you have to get permission from the council to do so.

I didnt know about the free travel for jobseekers thing, good idea and long overdue IMO.

[Irene Pearson]

Modern day Highway Robbery. If someone is living in a larger house they are paying a larger rent surely? What next for heavens sake ? garden sheds? wendy houses? There is nothing left to tax and this proves it. Since when did having a spare room for visitors become an offence?

[Irene Pearson]

Originally Posted by Jesus.H.Christ

Let's go the whole way, and just create ghetto's and poor houses over again.

For once I agree with you wholeheartedly!

[Irene Pearson]

Originally Posted by Marshmallow

That is absolutely baffling. Essentially "playing nice" to ensure they don't kick off or something. The legal system is so backwards it's not even funny.

Well there is the answer lets all go out and indulge in a bit of law breaking. So glad I am old.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Irene Pearson

Modern day Highway Robbery. If someone is living in a larger house they are paying a larger rent surely? What next for heavens sake ? garden sheds? wendy houses? There is nothing left to tax and this proves it. Since when did having a spare room for visitors become an offence?

Not necessarily with council properties. All the council places round here are pretty much the same.

Its a 'reduction in housing benefit' though, rather than a bedroom tax. Basically more attempts to save a bit from the benefit bill (under the disguise of it being to 'free up housing' for families) with no thought at all put into how it will affect peoples lives...and again not affecting pensioners (more likely to vote ) even though they are more likely than anyone else to be underoccupying. Most of the pensioners where I live live alone or just as a couple and all houses here are 2/3/4 bedroomed...

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

You can, but you have to get permission from the council to do so.

I didnt know about the free travel for jobseekers thing, good idea and long overdue IMO.

Really? It's not on my tenancy agreement, a friend of mine was threatened with eviction a few years ago and there was no question of being able to sublet.
Looks as if they are shifting the goalposts, but in all seriousness I wouldn't entertain the stress of having strangers in my home for the sake of Ł20pw.

[Vicky.]

With the bedroom tax due to hit many vulerable people in the next few weeks...MPs second home allowance RISES

http://money.aol.co.uk/2013/03/14/se...boost-for-mps/

The costs of running and paying for a second home are on the rise. That's why MPs have been given an extra Ł100 to help them cope.

All in this together still though I guess..****ing disgusting

[lostalex]

That's OUTRAGEOUS!

I wouldn't pay it if i were you.

(that's what i say every time i go out to eat with my friends right before i hand them the bill)

[joeysteele]

[QUOTE=Vicky.;5888635]With the bedroom tax due to hit many vulerable people in the next few weeks...MPs second home allowance RISES

http://money.aol.co.uk/2013/03/14/se...boost-for-mps/



All in this together still though I guess..****ing disgusting [/QUOTE]

Note Vicky, they aren't saying that anymore,caught out again with their deceit.
We hear nothing of Cameron's big society plan either now.

This bedroom tax is going to cause chaos, it will I feel sure over the next 12 months become this Coalition Govts. poll tax.
It is unjust and ridiculous.

[Vicky.]

OK, logged onto facebook today tos ee this link/ It needs spread as wide as possible, so if you or anyone you know is about to be hit by the bedroom tax..have a read of this

http://www.speye.wordpress.com/2013/...ion-is-needed/

Basically everyone has grounds to appeal. And everyone should appeal. If even 50% of people hit by this appeal then it will bring the system to its knees and it will very likely be done away with.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

OK, logged onto facebook today tos ee this link/ It needs spread as wide as possible, so if you or anyone you know is about to be hit by the bedroom tax..have a read of this

http://www.speye.wordpress.com/2013/...ion-is-needed/

Basically everyone has grounds to appeal. And everyone should appeal. If even 50% of people hit by this appeal then it will bring the system to its knees and it will very likely be done away with.

Copied vicky will post it on my FB now thanks