The bedroom tax: What will it mean?
The bedroom tax comes into effect next month and affects thousands of people across the West Midlands. Political Editor Daniel Wainwright explains:
What is the bedroom tax?
It’s not actually a tax at all. It’s a cut in housing benefit for people with spare bedrooms in council or social rented housing.
David Cameron yesterday called it the removal of a “spare room subsidy”.
People who currently get housing benefit to pay their rent face losing 14 per cent of it if they have one spare room or 25 per cent if they have two spare rooms.
Who is affected?
The bedroom tax only applies to people in council or social rented housing. It does not affect those who rent from private landlords.
It also only applies to people of working age. Pensioners will not see any change.
How many people are affected and how much will they lose?
In our part of the region the national Housing Federation estimates that 20,725 people will lose out.
On average it could be anything from about £45 a month to £88 a month but it depends on how much housing benefit you are receiving.
More than half of those people are expected to be disabled.
If you live in council or social rented housing and have one ‘spare bedroom’, your housing benefit will drop by 14 per cent.
So if your rent is £100 per week, only £86 will count when your housing benefit is assessed. You will have to pay at least £14 to your landlord yourself.
If you have two or more ‘spare bedrooms’, you will lose 25 per cent. So if your rent is £100 per week, only £75 will count when your housing benefit is assessed and you will have to pay at least £25 to your landlord yourself.
How many bedrooms are people allowed?
If you’re in council or social rented housing, you can have housing benefit for a house or flat with one bedroom per adult or couple living there.
Children under 16 are expected to share if they are the same gender.
Under 10s are expected to share regardless of gender.
If there are any unused bedrooms, then the bedroom tax applies.
And you can’t claim an unused bedroom is something else, like a study or living room because the housing benefit is worked out based on the landlord’s tenancy agreement.
Are there any exceptions?
Disabled people are allowed to have a bedroom for a full-time carer.
Students who go away to university are also still classed as living at home as long as they are there for at least two weeks a year. However this is changing from October with the introduction of Universal Credit and they will have to be there for at least six months a year to avoid cuts in benefit.
If one person in a couple is a pensioner, they will not see a reduction.
Also, if people take in a lodger they can keep the first £20 of the rent they get. But the rest of their housing benefit will be cut to take account of any more income from the lodger’s rent.
What are the arguments for this?
Conservative work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith says the move is intended to bring council and social housing waiting lists down by encouraging people to move to smaller properties.
He said: “This is about under-occupancy. We have in social sector housing a very large number of people in houses where they have many more bedrooms than they actually need.
“Something like a million spare bedrooms are sitting around. Meanwhile, there are a quarter of a million people in overcrowding and a million people on the waiting list trying to get into housing.
“What we’re saying to them is you can stay where you are, but if you do you’ll have to pay more. Exactly the same people in the same criteria who rent in the private sector and get housing benefit are not allowed to have extra bedrooms.”
What are the arguments against?
Many councils will not have the smaller homes available.
Wolverhampton North East Labour MP Emma Reynolds said: “It’s incredibly unfair. People want to move house but there are simply not the properties available for them. This bedroom tax will hit the poorest families with children the hardest.”
Shadow work and pensions secretary Liam Byrne added: “The plan is such a shambles that someone who’s been to prison on a short sentence won’t have to pay. How unfair is that? Millionaires and prisoners are looked after but vulnerable people, carers and armed forces families get hit.”
Comments for: "The bedroom tax: What will it mean?"
Dave
100% agree with this, They should move out to a smaller "free" place and let a family that need the bedrooms. If they don't like it get a job simple.
If the rooms are "spare" then i don't see why they need a free house that size, The only people that won't like this is the people who have 2,3 spare bedrooms and living of the workers tax. There is no reason for people to stand in the way of families that need the rooms.
Cameron has got something right for a change
wendy
do a bit of research...there are no smaller places for them to move to
and for you to say "free" housing, I hope you never have the misfortune of losing your job and having to rely on the state....would you still be so quick to judge?
Nigel james
So you think that is a good comment do you. Let me tell you I had a lovely home my own business and was very comfortable .Then out off the blue I had a major stroke and 2 very bad heart attacks and I don't smoke ,drink,and I'm not over weight. I could not contain my business because it took me nearly a year to be able to talk and walk again .In that time the bank pulled the plug on my business and my home I lost everything and will never be able to recover. And I'm great full to my council for helping me .You one day might just be in the same boat. I hope not because you will be in for such a shock
Bryn
This is a Tax on space because as there are not enough suitable properties to move to, a ( 'tax') reduction in benefit is applied. It's another gov't contrick to say they're helping the housing problem. A simple analysis by local authorites would show them that many people are unable to move. Hence, presto benefits docked ! Poor people paying for the failures of the finacial sector, of which housing was one. Bottoms up banker, you win again!!
Rob
Why are you calling it a tax?
Free money recipients will be receiving slightly less free money in the future.
That's not the definition of taxation.
sports giant
Liam Byrne we would not be in this mess now if you had not opened the floodgates
Mr Tommy
Just to inform the public.
A room less than 50 square feet cannot be classed as a bedroom that is 7.7ft x 7.7ft so don't let them tell you otherwise.
Judgeyounot
that makes no sence at all. people who buy a standard 3 bed semi have smaller 3rd bedroom than 7 x 7. research before posting........
David Huband
As you explain during the first paragraph, this benefit reduction is not a tax at all. So why use it in your headline? This is political scaremongering by the Express & Star with its socialist leanings very much on display. This action by the Government is long overdue. There has to be a tightening of this allowance in line with the accommodation they need rather than what they want.
If they don't need the extra room then they have an option to pay for it themselves or move to a smaller abode . This is perfectly fair. Those who disagree should perhaps look towards the USA where none of these benefits are available.
As for Liam ( Good Luck, all the money's gone) Byrne calling this measure a shambles aftter the mess he left behind, Pots and Kettles come to mind surely?
wendy
"socialist leanings" are you for real...this rag couldn't be more right leaning if it tried
jason
This "bedroom tax" just goes to show are out of touch the goverment are with the people but then again every political party are just as bad as each other!
jeffb
No smaller houses available, another hidden tax imposed by government.
andrew jenvey
poll tax again?????
wendy
Suprised express and star even bothered to hilight this. Pity they forgot to mention that parents with shared custody of children and foster parents will also lose out.
This is the most toxic and scandalous of policies that I have ever encountered and I cannot wait for someone to test case this as a contravention of the human right to a family life.
And whilst I'm at it, why, as wolverhamptons local newspaper have you not made headlines of the fact that each resident of wolverhampton is losing £128 per head in the councils annual budget yet in osbourne and camerons constituencys the amounts are £19 and £27 per head respectively.....hello....surely this should be headline news!!
Graham
This is just a reversal of Brown's labour policy which threw cash at labour voters in labour held towns.
Anon
This is just an easy tax on people who don't belong to certain religions which encourage couples to have as many off-spring as possible. These baby-boomers already get priority with housing, and we wouldn't be in this mess if we weren't so soft on immigration or useless politicians. We're only having this problem because these idiots let the world and their son into the country.. they wanted this all along.
Brett
How much is the Queen going to pay, then? David Cameron? MP's with second houses! How about all those old people who went through world wars so they could leave their house to their children? Their own children are being forced out. You look at the typical size of a bedroom these days.. they're tiny. These rooms aren't even fit for shoe cupboards let along humans. We simply wouldn't be in this mess if this government wasn't bending over backwards to immigrants and people who keep having large families for 'cultural' reasons.
snoddy
They would own them wouldn't they so it's got nought to do with it
Stevepats
If a room has an area of less than 63 square feet (Typical 9'x7') it is classed as a box room and exempt from the bedroom tax. This is a very little known and non published fact
judgeyounnot
incorrect. a box room big enough for a bed and cupboard for storgae is still a bedroom. this type of action is long overdue!
Weybourne Wanderer
"Bending over backwards to immigrants" - that's rich, seeing as though it was the previous Labour government that opened the floodgates, allowing an extra 3 million immigrants into the country, and now you blame this government. Get real.
Phil H
Under European law this bedroom tax is deemed illegal on the grounds of age and social discrimination, so how come the government are above these laws, Someone needs to take this to the European court of human rights as this can not carry on, this government is proving they only care about the people with money and not the poorest of this country. None of their policies have been for the people only to protect the assets of the richest in society, Come on people fight this NOW.
GT
Suddenly convenient. You hear a lot of "We don't want to be part of Europe - bailing eveyone out...", then, suddenly, when something like this comes about - "Help, Europe, help!!!" Make your minds up. You can't have it both ways. If you don't want to be in Europe, don't go bleating to them when the government do something you don't like. They were elected. And, if anyone on this blog did not bother to vote at the last General Election, then shut up. You have nothing to say.
judgeyounot
the poorest people in the UK are not those on benifits! they are working people who own their own home! people at food banks etc own houses and simply cannot afford food. dont go preachin about people on benifits! in Europe we offer the best benifits that take extra tax from those of us who work full time and do not rely on state handouts! we are only left with this problem as too many people want to sit on the back side and collect their benifits!
Alan
I am 67 and my wife is 57. We live in a three bedroom council house and our children have now grown up and got married. You state as long as one of us is of pension age we will not have to pay the bedroom tax. The council wrote a letter to us this week saying the same. If you ring the council the first thing you hear is a recorded message saying people over the age of 61 will not have to pay for extra bedrooms. I have checked this up and I am afraid to say this is not true. People who are 61 or are of pension age are only exempt if they are able to claim pension credits. I have a small pension from the County Council as well as my retirement pension, so I cannot claim pension credits. The statement made by you and my local council is therefore inaccurate and misleading. My wife is disabled and currently claims SDA which with my two pensions is counted as income. Add the three sources of income together and they amount to a few pounds over the limit the Government has set for claiming pension credits. Its a complete mess and it needs to be made clear. There must be tens of thousands, maybe more, who believe they are exempt, and are due for a big shock when they find out they are not.
chris
Here's the unfortunate truth:
You are in social housing and have too many rooms. Mark's (comment below) brother in law has a young family in a small flat.
These are the issues that need resolving. It's social housing and you should have to move so young families get the same support that you had as a young family.
they aren't homes for life, surely.
Mrs Whymenotyou!
Aged 21.
No money because you were a full time university student for 3 years.
No roof over your head because of bedroom tax.
No job because of lack of training and no home address to give employer.
No benefits because of being homeless.
and to top it all., social housing aged is rising to 25+.
oldrocker
OK,
Let's get this straight. It's not about what the egregious IDS says it is i.e. freeing up bedrooms, it's about reducing the benefit budget.
But the acid test will come in the courts when possession proceedings are brought for non payment.
If, as I think is likely, judges are asked to rule on whether an eviction for these arrears are 'reasonable' then councils will have to show that they have have made every effort to move the tenant to more 'suitable' accommodation. If they have, and the tenant has refused point blank to move, then possession may well be granted.
However, given the nature of council waiting lists at present, there will not be suitable, smaller properties available and therefore offers of alternative accommodation will be limited.
I'm not currently at the 'cutting edge' of housing but I would think that leading lawyers may well be rubbing their hands at the prospect of defending actions in the courts.
Gary
More than half these people are disabled,how do you work that out.What you actually mean is more than half these people are claiming disability benefit(genuine claimants excluded)most have very little if anything wrong with them.Nice to sit at home all day watching tv while the rest of us go to work to pay for them.The government has now finally at last decided to clampdown on these scrounges.
Next time you go past a block of flats wait outside and see who comes out you wont find many disabled you are a idiot.
John
If people living in social housing are not allowed to have "ONE" spare bedroom, then I feel that "NO BODY" has the the right to go on holiday either in this country or abroad.
Pride of the black country
Sort out the immigration problem cameron and stop treating british citizens a second class everthing going wrong in this country is due to overcrowding of immigrants
Fed up
The government should wake up and smell the coffee. To long has it been sweeping the problem of migrant workers and immigration under the carpet. My husband and myself have lost our jobs and now we will have to give up our home after paying rent and council tax all our lives, or be forced to live on a pittance if we don't. We are not scroungers, we have no choice but to live on benefits as there are no jobs out here. So why allow more people into this country when we who live here cant find work and are having to relinquish our HOME in order to make room for them. Build more social housing for large families then my husband will have a job. Stop immigration and migrant workers and there will be work for others who live here. The government should stop putting out propaganda about the unemployed being scroungers the majority of us are not. We are the unfortunate ones who are paying the price for the Victorian values we are going back to. Its not us you should blame its the government
mark
The people who agree with this must b thick rich idiots.
My wife works and has done for 20yrs.we av 2 young children and been living in our house for 14yrs.we will b forced to downsize or pay this stupid tax when we barely afford to live as it is.lets see the mps live on what we av to live on each week in stead of their comfy 5 figured weekly wage.i wouldnt mind if they gave these houses to english families like my brother in law whos in a tiny flat with 2 children. instead of immagrants.the whole country is a shambles when i can go out and murder sumone and get treated better
John
It's not your house. It's owned by the council.
You are not paying more tax. You are merely receiving less assistance from the government. You don't mention how many rooms are in your council house.
No single MP earns a five figure salary per week. Even at the lowest possible figure that would equate to a salary of £520,000 a year.
If you can't afford to have children, don't have them. Recent figures suggests it costs £218,000 to raise a child to the age of eighteen. Why on earth anyone would commit to that figure when they can't support themselves, I have no idea.
This has nothing to do with immigrants.
You don't get many thick and rich idiots. The two don't go together.
I think, and I might be wrong, that you are the idiot.
Alan
Yes you do get thick rich idiots. Most rich people have never had to struggle in their lives, so they dont understand the poor buggers who have. They say daft things like why dont you try this etc. People have tried many things and got nowhere. Tried getting a job month after month, year after year. I havent seen too much intelligence on here apart from a few good people who are finding it hard to survive and want to downsize but cant get rehoused into a smaller property. You think you know all the answers John but you dont.
Yvonne
You say it won't affect those renting from private landlords but that's not stricly correct - it already affects them and has done for a number of years. I live in a three-bedroom house and already have reduced housing benefit - I have to find £25 per week to stay here, but what is my alternative? Ground floor flats often have two bedrooms, so I'm not entitled to those (I am disabled) some bungalows have one bedroom but according to local social housing group you have to be 60 to be eligible for one - another four years for me then ... AND if I cross the border into the next county the social housing one-bedroom bungalows cost more than the lha rate you're entitled to - looked at one recently and I would have to find £29 per week to live there.
It is completely mad. As usual a 'quick fix', not thought through, divide and conquer the masses cock-up of these ridiculous politicians who have absolutely no clue what it's like in the real world.
Fed up and not sure I want to stay around much longer - if it wasn't for my son and my beautiful grandson and the effect it would have on them I would just quietly disappear.
flexeh
This is not a tax, this is a reduction in housing benefit, which i take my hat off to. to all the above posts who claim its unfair and its not right. there's countries in the world who wont give you "free money" like we do here, ive been on both ends of the scale, I've had housing benefit in the past and i work now,
in my job now i see these so called people who are registered disabled fit as a fiddle, the druggies get more money for their substances, the alcoholics get more money for there beer and to top it all off they even get a free disabled bus pass.
its about time this country started to rectify some of the problems and issues that has been appearing in recent years, and this so called reduction you guys are calling a tax isn't going to do you much harm, you will probably have to downgrade your Sky TV, or miss out on a couple of packets of Ciggys a month to pay for a roof over your heads which should be your priority, while the rest of us have to graft, get no pay rise and get taxed heavily on our wages.
even if i didn't work i wouldn't complain if i had to pay 14£ a week, because thats all a house would be costing you, the travelodge is £39 per night, get a grip and stop complaining.
Mr Tommy
@ Stevepats Please read the sixth schedule of the housing act you will find that it is 50 square feet. I don't post anything without fully checking things first.
Kirsty
Does this not just apply to defining over occupying, not under occupying?
Reality check
Reply to flexeh - talk about the politics of envy. We've all seen the programmes on TV showing the 'so called people' who while claiming disabled benefits run marathons and work as builders etc but this was the failure of the authorities to weed them out. A few years ago it was single Moms, runaway fathers etc for the witchhunt treatment now they've turned on the ill and poor and using a sledghammer to crack a nut have ripped there way through society bringing fear, mistrust and worry to a section of people most of whom are ill equiped to deal with it. Are you blinkered to whats happening? It is there in history down the ages vilify 1 group at at time and pick them off then move on to the next. The majority, believing the propaganda or just being grateful it's not them this time follow like sheep or turn a blind eye right up to the time it's thier go in the wringer and it's too late. Personally I don't smoke or have (ever) Sky TV there is always something more urgent that needs the cash but I'll say this for those who are stuck in a situation where they have very little life due to illness I don't begrudge them the distraction of Sky TV to ease there bordom. As to disabled passes they are given only to people who are so bad that they can only use them occasionally as the effort to use them more is beyond thier capacity (new rules implimented over 1 year ago) you'll be pleased to hear. As to stating that you would not complain if you had to pay £14 per week I hope this doesn't come back to bite you on the a--e, if you take £14 as percentage of a disabled persons benefit income you have just put in writing that you would pay that percentage of your weekly wage towards social housing, remember the disabled person has to cover more of his needs with his/her income by necessity that you do. Remember what I said about who's turn next. The truth is that both this and the previous gov.t caused this and all the other problems to happen. So the easiest way to hide thier culpability is to blame everyone else. I am glad that you have work and any right minded person would want to do the same (another thing is benefit is a constant sum if you work and overtime is available it's icing on the cake) but don't be fooled that the politicos are doind what they are to benefit you they will always make sure it is themselves who come out on top (even if they ruin a country and turn it into a 3rd world banana republic they get golden handshakes and cushy jobs after the crash) remember this is supposed to be a civilised society, not perfect but better than a lot of alternatives and the same rules were there to help you when you needed it. Would you stand and let a person drown in front of you without trying to do something to save them? There but for the grace of God (or luck) go you
Sharon smith
I am saddened by some of the previous comments on here. My husband was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999. We had never had to claim benefits and always worked hard. The ms had all symptoms of a stroke he was only he was only 32 nearly 33. People do not like to be in these situations whereby you have to rely on benefits. I have gone back to work and had to give up three good jobs to look after him because he has got worse over the years. We have a large council house extensively adapted and cost probably 40 k to build. We will now have to pay £25 per week out of our benefits. We spoke to our housing manager and were told no where to move to. Another property would have to be adapted before we could move in and cost the council how much to adapt? Why should we move from a close family network of support we have close by a son and daughter now all grown up with families of their own. Our 11 year old is already having difficulties coping with his dads illness and we are expected to drag him out of his secondary school he's only just stared. Very unfair. We are not scroungers! Oh and as for discretionary housing benefit DLA is taken into account and if you can afford to pay the shortfall you cannot get it fact! And if you did get it you must apply every thirteen weeks! Nice one
Jo
I live in a 3 bed council house, my children are now grown up and have moved out so I have 2 'spare' rooms. I pay full rent every week as I am fortunate enough to be in full time employment. 2yrs ago after i had lived alone for almost 12 month I put in an application for a transfer to a smaller property I'm still waiting to be offered something other than a high rise flat which coincidently has TWO bedrooms. My best option is to now use the right to buy scheme, but after being made redundant many yrs ago and having a need to claim benefit for 4months I worry that it may happen again which is why I am still a council tennany
Jinday Sian
This is really sick and I also feel sorry to who spent their home like paints, carpet and e.t.c by effect bedroom's tax. David Cameron makes people destroy their life, David Cameron is a greedy money and love rich money as I really hate him. He will get out by vote soon and go away! I will never again vote anymore because vote make me effect...
Mr J Smith
Who live in council house been live there for years very happy live there and been lot of work D.I.Y and front and back garden for years now beautiful house and very happy home . I was spend lot of money for improve home for happy life . council house been look round house for check say very please was lovely home and very good improve and council house very proud of me . now bedroom tax effect me oh my god what waste for years for nothing by David Cameron what he sick man.
On march 30th sat at 13.30 pm protest at London government hope win and cancel bedroom tax pray
Linda
You know there are so many of you slamming those that live in council houses, and who aren't in work.. A) There are no jobs and B) council houses were built to house those who couldn't afford a home of their own. I myself have a serious medical condition, and I'm so worried about how I'm going to feed my daughter that I have many sleepless nights. I don't sit around all day watching tv as someone stated, in fact my spine is collapsing so while most of you are asleep I'm usually awake four out of five nights, in fact some weeks I will go three days without sleep, due to the pain I have in my neck, nothing can be done for me other than pain killers which don't always work. I went from a healthy women who worked six and a half days a week managing a restaurant to what I am now. Those nights were I am unable to sleep I now find myself laying there worrying myself sick just how I am going to afford to pay my bills with this new tax. And yes I do have s pare room, a SMALL box room, which my elderly mother sleeps in every other weekend. You see I also look after her. And in the years I have lived here I have also brought my house back to the original 1920, when it was built. Out of my own money I have a home that I MYSELF restored. Why should I give up a house that I was given 15yrs ago, and allow another family to walk into all my efforts so I have to start again. But If I could move to a smaller place I would, because I can't afford to pay this tax as well as pay my bills. BUT THERE AREN'T ANY 2 BEDROOM HOUSES....
A rhinestone
You weren't given a house 15 years ago, what a gone chooses to do to a rented house is in the knowledge that it isn't their house.
Alan
I am with you Lady all the way and I fully understand your situation. I too have a similar condition with my spine. I have spent a lot of money on my house this past 17 years in fact I was two months working on just my hallway when we moved in. Last year I spent £500.00 having my living room and kitchen decorated (thats just labour costs) because I can no longer do these things myself. I also spent £300.00 having somebody mow my lawns and cut my hedges. People might think that isnt a lot, but it is for a pensioner. Thatcher created this problem of councils not having enough social housing. The right to buy your council house should never have been allowed. Social housing was provided by councils for the purpose of helping the low paid who couldnt get a mortgage or couldnt afford one. It was also made available for the disabled and the elderly. Council houses in some areas are virtually all private now thanks to Maggie and her right to buy policy. People are going to get into debt. Get ill through worry, and some will end their lives because of the Governments austerity measures. This uncaring Government, like all previous Tory Governments hits the vulnerable and takes care of the well paid in society. One and two bedroom properties are scarce so many have no choice but stay where they are and get in arrears with their rent. We have to make a stand just as we did over poll tax and show the Government they cant treat us this way.
Linda
Oh and ps.. How come our government and councilors still get their pay rise????? How many work people have had a pay rise in recent years? And WHY are the rich STILL allowed to only pay half council tax on their second and third properties????? IMO, if they can afford two or three houses then they should pay full tax on them.
Andyinstoke
How do all the jobless people on this article afford broadband? Think I may have spotted a luxury that people could do without which would find the loss in handouts (I refuse to call them benefits).
For anyone that says otherwise, there are jobs out there, if you can find a job website that says 'sorry there are no jobs', I'll eat my car.
There's a lot of statements saying that immigrants have caused these problems, can anyone explain this in more detail as I don't understand how a one percent population increase can ruin an entire housing system.
Derri
Well this is a typical response from someone who quite frankly sees anyone who struggles or is on state benefits as a worthless drain on society.
Have you considered that in today's day and age Internet is key in finding a job. We now have a variety of sites dedicated for people to get a job. E-mail is now a top way from potential employers to contact a successful applicant or an existing contact for a job offer. Its therefore almost essential to have some form of internet.
I'd also like to inform you that we do have multiple ways of accessing the internet. Many organisations and establishments offer free wi-fi and many modes of transport do as well. Also things like internet cafe's and library's also provide internet.
I strongly suggest you get off your high horse and look at the bigger picture.
Alan
I am surprised not a single person has brought up the main reason why councils have so few properties to offer people. It was Maggie Thatcher who caused this shortage of social housing by giving council tenents the right to buy their council property. It should never have been allowed social housing was provided for the poor with low incomes, the elderly and the disabled. I have read a lot of your smug replies and I think many of your comments on here are disgusting. Thatcher tried to impose Poll Tax on the people of this county which was grossly unfair and now we have Cameron with another Tory policy that hits the most vulnerable. Why do you stupid idiots vote these people in. Heath another Tory leader took us into Europe, then Major yet another Tory PM gave away many of our rights and our sovereignty. If you are unaffected by this reduction in housing benefit and the abolition of council tax benefit try thinking about those who are, rather than be rude about people who wont be able to pay their way. One day some of you may need to claim benefit. I am a pensioner living with my wife in a three bedroom council house and I have found out I will be affected by the new rules (see my previous post). We are looking to move into a council bungalow and we have been waiting for some considerable time. We both have difficulties with stairs so being on one level is what we want. Many ground floor flats have two bedrooms with a communal car park. We need to be near our car because of my wifes disability and one bedroom flats with parking nearby are just not available. We also dont need the hassle of noise so a bungalow with a drive would be ideal for us. So basically we want to move but until we do we will have to pay the extra that we cannot afford. The council has told me they will be putting pressure on us to move from April but what can we do if a bungalow doesnt become available. We are living in a savage society where Government, local Government and the "Im alright jacks" dont give a jot about vulnerable people. We didnt choose to live in social housing, it was circumstances which I wont go into. Yes we owned our own home once and never realised we would be in this situation. If it could happen to us then it could happen to any of you selfish disgusting people who like to make nasty comments about people on pensions and benefits. Get a job, thats a laugh. My son in law is a well educated man and the only work he has been able to find in the past two years is cleaning the mortar off bricks. Two days one week and nothing the next.
martin
i know how every body feels igo 2 work and live on my own in a3bed house and it was in a real mess when i sat in the liveing room i could see out side through abig hole in the wall under the front window and no fenceing on front and back gardens so i asked council wot they would do and they said it wos fit 2 live in so i had 2write alist of the problems in the house and in total there was 32 things that i had 2 tell them about apart from the major things like windows andoors ihad 2 pay 4 most ov it my self will the council give me money 4 the time and money i have spent if ido have 2 move ? think not so i will take all my fence down that cost me bout a grand then they will bill me 4 damage .how can they do that 4 some thing that wasnt hear in the first place