Bedroom Tax

[pdq1]

Shortly to be introduced in April where spare bedrooms are heavily taxed.
Many couples sleep in separate bedrooms but because they are married they are classed as sleeping together. Gay relationships may also run into a problem.

Is this a well thought out policy or an excellent way of getting families to downsize?

[pdq1]

Details of above:

http://www.itv.com/news/2013-02-01/what-is-the-governments-controversial-bedroom-tax/

[hippyhoppy]

Does this mean my daughters room is called as 'spare' as she's currently abroad.. and we've turned the box room in to a music room/library (Ohh how posh) so technically now not a bedroom...?

[maggiebee]

This only applies to social housing where the tenants are getting rent rebates.

[pdq1]

It does affect more than 600,000 families so not a small problem.

[ChuckFickens]

Why would "gay relationships" run into a problem more than straight relationships?

[bednobs]

Good policy, imo

[askyourgran]

I noticed one of the complainers wanting people with extra bedrooms to move out or pay has 6 children and they live in a two bedroomed house. Why have they got so many children why can't they find a bigger house themselves? Lots of tenants in social housing have lived in them for years brought up their children and grandchildren who maybe come to stay for a weekend or even go back home when marriage breaks down. Lots of elderly people sleep in separate beds, suffering arthritis and other health problems or have relative for live-in help. They pay rent and rates in most cases, why penalise them in their old age. Why do the councils strive to house large immigrant families and leave the rest to 'downsize' Makes my blood boil.

[hippyhoppy]

Phew.. so the Library stays....;-)

[bednobs]

a single person can't stay in a 3 bedroomed house on the offchance a child's marriage might break down!
And the people who can't find a bigger house probably can't because all the people whose families have grown up and moved out refuse to downsize!

[vakayu]

Agree with askyourgran,not well thought out at all,splitting people up rather than family unity they are trying to promote,causing a lot or worry and heartbreak and there aren't even the housing stock to downsize.

[bednobs]

i really don't get it. I would very much like to live in a four bedroomed house, but can't afford it, so we live in a two bedroomed house. Why can't that be the same in social housing?

[bednobs]

i also don't get how it's splitting people up. if they all live together in the right sized house, there wont be any bedroom tax to pay

[pdq1]

Many years ago in the private sector homeowners were redesignating a bedroom into another facility to put themselves I believe into another council tax banding. Maybe a similar thing could be tried out with social housing by the tenant.

[CoffeeLounge]

This bedroom tax is aimed at people who live in social housing. There are two types of people who will see this differently. The people that live in social housing and those that own their own homes.
Lots of couples who own their own homes have downsized when their children have left home and are enjoying the capital that their homes has left them with.
On the other hand the social housing tenants of the same age do not want to leave their homes that could be of use to a family of today's generation.
I do agree with people having a spare room for relatives/careers to use no matter what. But I do think this bill is to free up social housing for families that need it now. But when there are large a families moaning that they need more space it was their choice to have the large family.

[factor-fiction]

The label 'bedroom tax' is clever rhetoric used by or aimed at those who choose to ignore the reality which is that the system is intended to deal with those who are claiming more social housing than they need, the cost of which is being paid by others.

[sherrardk]

The people who are living in houses with extra bedrooms should move to more suitable accommodation so that families that need the bigger houses cqn be housed. These people enjoyed the system when their families were growing up and need to realise that social housing has to be allocated on need, not memories or having family to stay occasionally. Lots of people in the private sector would like a spare room, etc but can't afford it. Why should a family endure temporary accommodation whilst a an older person wo lives alone enjoys living in a three bedroomed house?

[askyourgran]

I'm not really talking of off-chances nor did I mention a three bed house. There are a number of situations that have to be considered, e.g the disabled who need a separate room for a carer for respite. This policy should not be carte blanche. Anyone who has a lot of children should make the effort to find accommodation themselves, or limit their family, not leave it to the Government or local Council as the trend is nowadays. Read the link, the single man who is separated from his wife, he is on benefits living in a two bedroomed flat, his children stay at the weekends, he can't afford the money for the extra rent but he will have to find it or not see his children, I think it is grossly unfair. The housing situation is dire, the councils have not replenished their housing stock. There are hundreds of Council houses and flats boarded up needing renovation, or in need of demoliton and rebuilding. There is the problem. Renovate and fill the empty houses, and then think about grabbing extra rents. The Goverment should allow the Housing Department's money to defray these extra costs, the population is expanding, immigration is said to be getting worst, and the sitting ducks are the tenants minding their own business and trying to make the best of their situations.

[bednobs]

if people with lots of children should make an effort to find their own housing, why not people who's children have moved out? - why can't they make an effort for find their own housing appropriate for their needs?

[chaptazbru]

AYG I agree with you. I saw the two examples you are speaking about on local news tonight and I was very sad for them. These are the real victims of this tax.

[bednobs]

and if people's children want to move back in because their marriages have broken down, they can pay rent which would cover any extra tax charged