Bedroom Tax

[Troll]

Caught a discussion around this on R4 - seems people are challenging cases where broom cupboards have been included as spare bedrooms and this has now been bought before the courts.
What constitutes a bedroom size wise is now one way to counter any assessment

[original PM]

maybe the idea is to encourage people with spare rooms to take in paying lodgers?

which given a housing shortage seems a good idea...

oh sorry forgot we are talking about lazy doleite proles their houses are generally unsanitary because they are happy living in their own sh!t

[The Spartan]

Are these spare rooms eligible for the rent a room scheme?

[d000hg]

One issue would be that even people on benefits might like to have a spare room. Or they might be trying to start a business from home in the spare room. Or a couple might split up. Or a couple might be expecting/planning a baby and want to get settled in a house rather than move as soon as they have the kid. Or, in extreme cases a couple might lose a child (or one of the couple could die) and suddenly find their benefits cut... nice timing!

In villages around here, it's true the median number of bedrooms is 3, lots of really cheap houses actually have 4.

The idea makes perfect sense, from the angle of the government not wanting to line the pockets of landlords for big expensive houses when people could live in smaller cheaper ones. In principle it's sensible when you're looking to MOVE house that you get one that isn't too big for your needs. But if you're already IN a house, finding you have to move is not great.

There is also the massive gap between "benefits culture" families who are never in work and live off the state, and working families who have to go onto benefits. Telling a respectable middle(ish) class family they have to leave their home of several years if they want benefits is harsh. But the benefits system does not (AFAIK) discriminate on individual circumstances.

[vetran]

Is that true? Are people being forced to vacate larger council house properties without being re-housed?
And when you say more expensive, not at market rates, certainly.

It's this whole entitlement culture that's wrong IMO.

the rent only gets re-assessed when you move or if they are significant events so if you have been in a council house for 20 years you could be paying £200 / month rent and earning £100k. AIUI You could still be eligible because you are on the list.

when you move they charge you a 'market rent' (ish -its lower).


I would link tax returns/ PAYE to Council properties and review those earning too much and up their rent so you gradually move people out.

[amcdonald]

It's not a bedroom tax, it's a reduction in their housing subsidy

[d000hg]

It's not a bedroom tax, it's a reduction in their housing subsidy

It's not a subsidy it's a benefit.


But yes, you're right - however everyone likes calling things "taxes". For instance the Lottery is an "idiot tax".

[vetran]

One issue would be that even people on benefits might like to have a spare room. Or they might be trying to start a business from home in the spare room. Or a couple might split up. Or a couple might be expecting/planning a baby and want to get settled in a house rather than move as soon as they have the kid.

Ask your private landlord for a free room so you can start up a business.

Telling a respectable middle(ish) class family they have to leave their home of several years if they want benefits is harsh.

Its not THEIR HOME its rented and at a rate (normally) below market. Same would happen if they lost their job and couldn't afford a private rent. Getting a council house is akin to winning the pools in rent savings terms. it should be for respite / emergency situations only.

Or, in extreme cases a couple might lose a child (or one of the couple could die) and suddenly find their benefits cut... nice timing!

Yes a bit of compassion in application is required.

[d000hg]

Why are you on about private vs council houses? The vast majority of benefits claimants live in privately rented houses. The council gives them money to pay the rent.

I'd respond to your points but they seem to be predicated on the notion this is about council housing, whereas I'm sure "bedroom tax" applies across the board.

[amcdonald]

Caught a discussion around this on R4 - seems people are challenging cases where broom cupboards have been included as spare bedrooms and this has now been bought before the courts.
What constitutes a bedroom size wise is now one way to counter any assessment

If it's London as you can probably still get a mortgage on a broom cupboard, is it that crazy ?