Is A Single Person Ellegable To A 2 Bedroom Flat If They Pay The Extra Tax?

[adviceplease24]

Hi, i live in a 1 bedroom council flat and work full time so i pay full rent. I am looking to exchange but was wondering, do i have to stick to exchanging to another 1 bedroom flat because i live alone or would i be able to swap with someone for a 2 bedroom flat if i pay the extra bedroom tax? Thanks

[Daffy6543]

The 'bedroom tax'only applies if you get any financial help (housing benefit) with your rent payment, so in your case it doesn't matter.

[boxtops]

You'd need to ask your local council what their policy is on giving a 2-bed place to a single person.

[factor-fiction]

Yes, if a 2 bedroom flat is available and the council are prepared to let you have it. As others have said the bedroom tax/spare room subsidy isn't relevant when the tenant pays the full rent without housing benefit. You could also try to rent (or buy) in the private sector.

[Peter Pedant]

If you're paying the rent- you an move into whatever you like....
[clearly it has be vacant and to let etc )

[sherrardk]

I don't mean to be rude but I would hope you wouldn't be eligible - nothing to do with money. If you have social housing you shouldn't be allowed a larger property than you need.

[pixie373]

A single person isn't eligible. So unless for some reason they have a surplus of 2 beds and a shortage of 1 bed- it's unlikely.

[factor-fiction]

It may suit the council though as some critics of the bedroom tax argue there aren't enough 1 bedroom places available for those with 2 bedrooms who are hit by the 'tax'

[EDDIE51]

adviceplease24 is asking if they can exchange a one bedroom flat for a 2 bedroom place. The answer is' Yes 'as exchanges are a private arrangement between two tenants the council can not object as long as the tenants are not in arrears with the rent.
There will be a lot of people who get housing benefit and are having to pay 'bedroom tax' on a two bed room house when they only need one room and are looking to downsize to a one bedroom property .
adviceplease24, just go ahead and look for someone who wants to downsize there will be a lot of them. The 'bedroom tax' does not effect you no matter what size house you rent as you earn enough to pay full rent anyway.

[pixie373]

Not necessarily, Eddie. The house has to be the size they would be entitled to. You aren't allowed to under-occupy or overcrowd.

[EDDIE51]

pixie, we are talking about a personally arranged swap between two council tenants not a council allocation of housing. The council will not allocate a 2 bed place to a single person but 2 existing tenants can arrange a mutual exchange. This is often the only way someone who has a spare room and pays 'bedroom tax' can downsize to a one bedroom place .

[pixie373]

I know, eddie- but it isn't private- it still has to be authorised first by the council or Housing Association and their two rules are that you have been in arrears during the last six months and that the house is the right size for you. My sister has done it several times.

[pixie373]

...haven't been in arrears!

[EDDIE51]

^^^ a single occupant would still be able to get a 2 bed house if they were working and paying full rent. My daughter did exactly that last year exchanged her 1 bed flat for a 2 bedroom place. Now she has another offer to exchange her 2 bed bungalow for a 3 bed room house. the council say it is a personal matter and as long as the two tenants are not in arrears and are 'secure tenants' it is up to the tenants themselves. The council are only involved in changing the details on the records . It does not effect the councils housing stock which remains the same.

[hc4361]

This is part of the criteria for a mutual exchange in my council:

the tenancy is unsuitable for the person(s) wishing to move or is significantly larger than they need

http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/housing/council-housing/information-for-tenants-leaseholders/council-tenancies/mutual-exchange/conditions-of-mutual-exchange/

[sherrardk]

I don't think anyone should have social housing that is bigger than they need although I don't advocate chucking people out of their homes after their kids have gone.

[maggiebee]

In my council area, straight "swaps" are allowed - eg person looking for two bedroom flat "swapping" with person who wants a one bedroom flat. Having said that, the rules may have changed following the introduction of the "bedroom tax"

[hc4361]

What area does your daughter live in, Eddie? The council usually has to give permission before an exchange, not simply make a note of the exchange after the event.

[hc4361]

And what council area do you live in, adviceplease24?

[EDDIE51]

hc4361 the key word is 'significant' a single person in a 2 bed house does not constitute a 'significant' under occupation. I would agree they could not move to a 3 , 4 bed house as that would be 'significant under occupation' .
One spare room is ok especially if it helps some one who needs a 1 bed place to avoid 'bedroom tax' it is to the councils advantage as they will get both rents in full one, from benefits and one from a full rent payer .

[EDDIE51]

I am in North Herts, the housing association is ' North Herts Homes' the council sold their entire housing stock to them over 15 years ago.