Social Housing and Bedroom Tax
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My dad lives in a 3 bed house on his own now as we have all moved out years ago my dad wanted to downsize but housing wouldn't help as he was a little behind on his rent because of the bedroom tax hes sorted it all out done the house up and now they want him to downsize I've told him no he's not moving and that's it
What are people's thoughts on this topic?
The rules are the rules with social housing . To be fair there are a multitude of far sadder stories with elderly folks having to move out of a family home they have lived in for a whole lifetime . I'm afraid your advice to him does not reflect reality and is ill judged .
It will sadly only lead to further pain to your father .
Golfforall I don't think so why should he have to move when he wanted help he didn't get it and he's saved up to do the house up no one else has been asked on the street to move when there is 8 of them who live on there own I don't think it's right that anyone should have to lose there house
Leannexxx Perhaps the council or Housing association are just getting round to his area ? Those rules have been in place for a few years I'm afraid . Perhaps it's not fair ? But young families need somewhere to live to .
I would advise you to acquaint yourself with the full facts in order to assist your father in what must be a devastating time .
Golfforall nope I'll move back home if I have to I'm not letting him move out after all he has spent on that house
I have a different take on this as my mother in law took part in a scheme that moved her from a 3 bed maisonette in a rough area of London to a 2 bed bungalow by the sea, near her friend who had moved 5 years previously. She regretted not moving sooner, as she was a Londoner through and & it was only when druggies moved in next store that she moved. But she loved her little bungalow and it had the added bonus that she wasn't scared to go out. Unfortunately she only loved there a couple of years before she passed. But she loved it!
https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/housing-and-land/coun%E2%80%A6
beccatavender that's great she ended up loving it but my dad's wants to stay and he will they can't force him to move because he pays all his rent I've spoken to him and he said that it was a offer to move not that he had to move like I thought
I'm glad they are not forcing him out, where my Mum in law was living we were very worried as she was living alone and had been mugged not far from home so the move was a godsend Leannexxx
If was my dad I would recommend he moved somewhere smaller unless was able to pay for the bedroom tax. But personally I would give it up even if could afford the extra cost to a family needing space. Could he not swap with another person looking for larger house that home could have been done out to a high standard too.
My father in law was in a three bedroom council property and decided to downsize. Best thing he did, rent was less and heating too. Might be worth considering the long term benefits to your father.
thats just typical when wanting to move they reject but as soon as all bills and house is nice they want it, things like this is so unfair, your advice is right but they will probably never see it that way.
wonderingsoul I'm not bothered how people see it to be honest he's all up to date with his bill and happy where he is as he's told me before he's not moving again that's his home
I personally think he should downsize or if he is allowed to rent the other two rooms out or rent them out as storage and make some extra money. I know a family member rented their spare room out as a storage room to a friend for £10 a month. I know its not much but he saved it up and put it towards bills and food shopping
Chelsea0121 he's not allowed to if he was working then he could but since he's had covid he can't work so he lives on a little private pension and a little benefit
It is a shame we have such high private rents for poor quality housing and so few council houses built. It did not help selling them off for private profit, it must be hard for anybody who relies on them. If I was in his position I would downsize, taking into account heating costs etc. It all depends on what was on offer I guess and if you think it might help others in need. Moving is not cheap if you need to redecorate, buy carpets etc and it has a emotional cost.
Your dad has a tenancy agreement with them,make sure you look through it,sounds like your father may have secure tenancy.Maybe you could phone them on his behalf and make them aware that he will not move.They cannot force him to move out,if Bill's are kept up to date,gl x
nina090976 Maybe a 'secure tenancy', but he would still have to pay bedroom tax.
If we take this to the extreme, you could have a family of 15 living in a council and then 13 of them fly the nest. Do you expect the council to keep the 2 remainders there when it could be given to people who need it more?
Leannexxx To pay the bedroom tax, your Dad will probably be getting housing benefit, or am I wrong? If he his, why doesn't he go private and get the council to pick up the tab?
Sorry if I've missed anything here,but my eyes are poorly and I can't read everything.
TheChimp he only gets a bit of housing benefit and private round here it was to expensive for a 1 bed shared is £650 a month and he's having to pay bedroom tax now he's out of work it's ok tho we as a family make sure all his bills are paid and he's got food in till he retires next year then he wouldn't have to pay bedroom tax
It's a tricky one. Bills could be cheaper should he move, he might like new place more.
Other end of it is if he doesn't want to move then by rights they can't make him.
My mum had a 3 bed, me and my 2 siblings left home, council wanted to move her she refused, she's refused since council bedroom tax was a thing and is still there. Oh and they want to charge her tax on 1 of the rooms which by law is classed as a box room, too small for a bedroom.
To add to it they said either move or take a refugee/asylum seeker (this was about 7 years ago), rightfully she told them to do one as she has grandkids stay over so no way to a stranger living there.
I'd say if he don't want to move they can't make him.
Chelchel So your mother doesn't want to pay her way?
I want a 20 bed mansion, not work and not pay sh*t.
Why does everyone feel that they're entitled?
This is about people in social housing that don't need it.
This is why immigrants want to come to the UK because the government if so soft on people, including our own.
TheChimp Did I say that, don't put words in my mouth. For the record I disowned my mum so I'm not defending her just stating facts.
What I said is by law 1 room is classed as a box room not a bedroom.
She is paying the tax and rent and as far as I know or care never missed a payment.
Also my old bedroom is now for the grandkids so it's not just an empty room gathering dust.
Leannexxx That's a fair bit a month then, if you can afford it though in long run the stress from not moving is probably worth it.
I've just moved and the stress it's caused me has been massive so I can only imagine living somewhere long term and being older wouldn't be good to move home.
jwhitaker537 Are you English?
If you are, don't ever come over the border to Wales I wouldn't give your any government/council/medical assistance.
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