Forum Topic

Bedroom Tax Good or Bad!!!

Our Government should re-think this ridiculous law, it is causing a great deal of worry and fear from households who really do not need Social Benefit deducted just because they have a spare bedroom. If the government want to curtail benefit fraudsters then they should look at the habitual benefit users.When you have a 53 year old ill woman commit suicide because of concern that monies deducted from her benefit would mean that she would not be able to afford to live in this house, I'm not making this up the poor woman left a note,whilst I should think maybe other things contributed to her untimely end.It would still appear to be that if you know the system then these new laws will not affect you and you can merrily live the life of Riley, whilst people in genuine need are not receiving it.Benefit Offices need only to look at perpetual files to know who is on the take and who are genuine, be constructive with your decisions and help those in need of it, do not think that all users are fraudulent.

Dawn Hardy ● 4650d53 Comments

I will leave my opinions there as clearly they are being misconstrued as accusations... I thank you :)

Kathy Riley ● 4621d

It does seem an attractive idea given the extreme urgency of the situation.

Phil Andrews ● 4623d

Picked up my regular copy this morning and there is a brilliant article on pages 22/23 regarding the shipping containers that are going to be used as homes in Brighton soon. These containers are regularly used across Europe for student accomodation and affordable housing, this idea was conceived by an Amsterdam based developer TempoHousing. I recommend that you read this a.s.a.p. I'm sending it to Cllr. Steve Curran - surely to God Hounslow can get on board with something like this???????

Vanessa Smith ● 4623d

I know this is a bit of a digression Simon but if you are ever in a position to take a Sun holiday I really can't recommend them enough.  Excellent value for money.

Phil Andrews ● 4626d

Firstly i don't ave Luxuries 2 give up so read what i said, U brought up u were working in both your Previous postings i said i didn't know u that's all. I NEVER said people who work could afford Luxuries so stop stating ive said stuff ive not its obvious u r not reading what ive wrote. I did NOT say i could only take Holidays when they r threw the sun, i stated ive not been on Holiday in 4yrs (2 a family's house in Devon) ive NEVER took a Holiday threw the Sun EVER, i said i went to the Movies some yrs ago with free tickets from the sun and collect the theme Park Tickets so my sister can take my son and u accuse me of not reading whats been said.A computer is a lifeline to People who have going out issues (weather its Mental Health or they are Sick or disabled) its a way for them to keep in touch with the outside so 2 say what you have said is wrong!!Lastly i am not going 2 Waste my time on this no more as i am going to save the others that use this forum a argument between u and I. Hope you have a Lovely future...

Simon Anderson ● 4626d

Simon, I have not said YOU should give up luxuries, I said that people that complain about paying the bedroom tax and have those kind of items then THEY should stop!! Re-read what I said!! I have not been brainwashed by any government, I have a mind of my own, and have worked since I left school in 1986, and have only been off to have my children, which was not covered with benefits.... I told you that I was working, so why you bring that up I have no clue??You have sat there and sad basically bully for me that I work etc, you make the incorrect assumption that ALL PEOPLE that work can afford luxuries like holidays etc, well I sure as hell can't and that is what I was responding to!! I still stand by MY OPINION that if you do not have residency then you pay the bedroom tax. That room is empty for 26 weeks of the year.... so in a fair compromise I believe you should pay half of the tax, and if your ex is in the same position they she should pay it too.... YOU mentioned about being only able to take holidays when they are through the Sun (which I hasten to add aren't free) well its the same for me, and millions of other people, not everyone who works can afford things and more so than people on benefits....Yes I believe that a computer is a luxury and I will stick to that as every library has free access to computers so there is no need for someone to pay for a computer, nor the internet line.. Again another saving.Finally as for saying that you have said something that you haven't if you could take the time to re-read my post I have replied to remarks you and others have made as I don not see the point in posting 10 times when I can address everything in one post.

Kathy Riley ● 4627d

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on that one - but the house building famine started long before the 1997 election.

Vanessa Smith ● 4631d

Immigrants applying for public housing is more than 'a very small part' of the problem Vanessa.It is a substantial part of it.It would be less of a problem if there were more dwellings but their aren't.There are more people applying for them however.Successive govn.,but mostly the Blair govn.,have encouraged more arrivals but have not addressed the infrastructure issues that this presents.A sort of 'close your eyes and think of multi-culturalism' approach without thinking about the need for more services and accomodation.

Keith Iddon ● 4631d

There - I absolutely agree with much of what you say, I think though that immigration is only a very small part of the problems we have, as there hasn't been any major public housing built for donkey's years. We should -as I have said umpteen times, have rent controls and a cap on rent in the private sector, the housing benefit scam is much the same as tax credits. The taxpayer lands up subsidising landlords or employers, why can't politicians see that glaring fact? I'm not sure you're right about not seeing any major house building again, if the political will is there it can be done. And if like Brighton they use some really innovative methods and use every empty property there is - of which there must be thousand upon thousand then we might actually make a dent in the problem. But why government is in thrall to big, rapacious developers who only build high-end gated estates nothing will change. A realisation that on an average wage much of renting and certainly thinking about buying is way, way out of most people's reach is what is needed.

Vanessa Smith ● 4632d

I did use plain language.If there were fewer people chasing a finite amount of public housing we would not have a problem of the scale that we find ourselves in.There are many factors,one of which is immigration.Try working for a while on an emergency housing line in London and you will find that many people asking for help are immigrants and have a poor idea of what legally needs to be provided.Another being the lack of legislation regarding fair rents,as they have in New York,and the seeming greed of some private landlords when housing people, on housing benefit in particular, as they know the state has cavernous pockets and can claim the absolute maximum.There will never again be a substantial amount of new public housing stock built by any govn. of any colour imo. so the private sector needs to be more regulated.

Keith Iddon ● 4632d

Oh! Keith don't be so sniffy - if you don't want to have people drawing their own conclusions say what you mean in plain language.

Vanessa Smith ● 4632d

Assume what you will Vanessa, you usually do.

Keith Iddon ● 4632d

The "market", which is supposed to be a self-regulating mechanism, is simulataneously driving wages down and house prices up.  Rocket science it isn't.

Phil Andrews ● 4632d

I do agree, although my own experience teaches me that substandard accommodation can often be down to contractors taking naive and inexperienced social landlords with an aversion to listening to their own tenants for a ride.

Phil Andrews ● 4632d

Sorry, such as who? Even if you took all the immigrants out (I assume that's who you are referring to?) we'd still have a huge problem of providing housing that real people earning real salaries could afford.

Vanessa Smith ● 4632d

It might help if we did not have as many people to house as we now have.

Keith Iddon ● 4632d

This would not be the first time that containers have been used for accomodation. Once they have been properly lined and insulated they are more than suitable. There is a hotel actually made of them - it only requires some imagination, and if it's cheap and provides quick easily maintained housing where is the problem? The pre-fabs built during the war went on for far longer than their estimated life and many people lived in them successfully and happily, the crisis in housing now is quite probably as bad as way back - so we need quick, cheaper solutions, rather than the interminable and expensive planning process that only provides sub standard accomodation as I am sure you will testify?

Vanessa Smith ● 4632d

Sorry 2 Post again!! Just on Computers are Luxuries!! Sometimes a computer can be a Lifeline to people with Health Issues.

Simon Anderson ● 4632d

Just wanted 2 say the reason i complain alot about having Joint custody but the Mum gets all the Benefits and i get Nothing is because as i said she can afford to go out drinking every week, Smoke, buy the better Foods and Keep 2 Dogs, a cat and now a Rabbit but cant give me half off his Benefits but it would NEVER stop me having my son stay here as its a Honor and a Pleasure and anyone who knows me knows that my son comes first in my Life and i would rather starve then not have Joint Custody.

Simon Anderson ● 4632d

Firstly i came on here to share the fact i had 2 pay the bedroom tax whilst having joint custody of my Son, you then started Expressing that i should stop buying Luxuries then i could pay the Tax. So i replied (as this is a Discussion forum) by saying i cant afford Luxuries but my Ex Wife could.I was not moaning i was just replying back to what you stated, because there are many people out there who have been Brainwashed by this Government to Jump on those on Benefits backs and i was just making a point that not Everyone on Benefits are Scroungers or can Buy Luxuries or go on Holidays that's all. I never accused u off anything i just answered your Post. I never made any comment about you not being on Benefits how could I as i don't know you or your Financial Status weather u work or not.I have NOT slated you for what you have done and Achieved either so please stop accusing me off saying stuff ive not.I never said the Benefit problem was your Fault either as to  addressing it in my court Order it doesn't work like that its a Government ruling nothing a court can do, i only discussed my situation on here because the Topic was about the Hateful and wrong Bedroom tax and i was sharing the fact that people who have Joint Custody should be Exempt but i agreed with it in other areas as this is a Discussion forum to hear all sides weather you agree or disagree with the comments made everyone has a right to their opinion so ive not said you shouldn't.I don't get where you are coming from about People working and Free Tickets etc etc, I never Beat you with a stick..Anyone can collect Token for Free Tickets it don't matter if u work or Not i Brought up the Free Ticket thing to show i cant afford to do things like that otherwise i don't see how that is beating you up with a stick.U seem 2 b saying i dont like u because u work...I have never said that and i know people who work can be worse off and struggle so i don't knock anyone who work hard, for instance ive stated manytimes that Nurses should be paid more because they work so hard and long Hours and they should be respected back, Our Armed forces should be paid more because they are the Best, and they protect our country so we an live our Lives. The only ones i slate who work (well if u call it work) is MP's. Yes i have a Computer and yes i agree its a Luxury, but so is a TV...I don't ave issues with people with computers because they are a good thing.So please stop saying ive said stuff which ive not!!

Simon Anderson ● 4632d

As usual my comments are taken out of context.... I said that your ex made stipulations and you have chosen not to take them into account, good for you. I did not at any point say that you had to do anything... I said you chose to do that, and never made any derogatory comment about it.I AM NOT labelling all people on benefits as the same, I am being slated now for having an opinion which in this day and agae, I thought was my right, but clearly not... You make out that because I am not on benefits that I can afford all the things you list in your post but I can't, I'm not going to go into the self pity of I can't do this, I can't have that, my kids cant do this and that because I as an adult have made these choices, no one has made them for me. The same as your ex wife, if she was going on forums moaning that she has no money etc then I sure as hell would comment to her as well, but she hasn't. You put the post up and then don't appreciate or allow any one elses opinions!! I'm not here to gain self pity from anyone, I am merely commenting on my personal experience as you have.I like to cause contreversy as you have in the past and I am more than happy to take the criticism but dont tar me with a brush you have no right to hold!!I work hard to give my children what I didn't have, and you are slating me for doing that, comical really because I'm doing the same as you but with my own hands...As for the benefits, I havent made this ruling, goverment has, nothing I can do or say will change that, so there is little point in bringing that into the argument... If there was a problem this is something that you should've ironed out in court with an order, not gripe about it now...There are plenty of people out there who are on benefits, and who are working who rely on things like free tickets, reduced priced holidays, just so that they can get to do these things so dont use that as a stick to beat me with because it doesn't work...Just because I work, doesn't mean I have luxuries, not by any means... put I am sure you have a computer/smart phone on which to post all of these comments so you do have one luxury :)

Kathy Riley ● 4633d

When I worked in the freight industry back in the early 1980s I heard numerous tales of shipping containers being stolen, particularly in Nigeria, and used as residential accommodation.  I often used to wonder how their occupants managed to cope with the heat, bearing in mind they were made of metal.Respect to Brighton Housing Trust for using their imagination in trying to find a solution to a desperate crisis, but has it really all come to this?

Phil Andrews ● 4633d

Today's "Mirror":86,000 - Number of families forced to look for one-bed homes by the Bedroom Tax in 107 local authority areas.33,000 - Number of one-bed homes available.53,000 - Number of people who must now find Bedroom Tax or face debt and potential eviction.In today's "i":Brighton Housing Trust are to turn a former scrap metal yard into a housing development for homeless people using 36 shipping containers. "Shipping containers are realtively cheap to provide and maintain says the housing trust's Chief Exec. They are built to withstand ocean waves so they will last a long time" The development will have walkways and balconies  Please, please, please more thinking and action like this by councils, we have a housing crisis, all it needs is for people to start thinking outside their boxes, this could be a brilliant solution.

Vanessa Smith ● 4633d

Vanessa you are so right and its what ive said for years, But unless he Agrees to move they cant just kick him out (unless he was in Arrears which he isn't as Benefits get paid 4 him in full)But my Mum has just got back From Cornwall and Devon and saw him and he is Moving out now because off the bedroom tax so at least some family can have the house.He never inherited the House, basically after his Marriage collapsed he moved back home (30yrs ago) to the Family home with his Mum, Dad and Sister (his other 2 brothers had grow up, Married and left the home) But his Mum died in 2001 and his sister left and his dad went into Nursing care so he remained in the House alone (the house was given to his Mum in the 60's or early 70's not sure the date but we moved around the corner from their house in 78 and they were there then) so for this Reason i do agree with the Tax if it means getting out those that dont need the Extra rooms but with parents with Joint Custody i do feel its different.

Simon Anderson ● 4640d

Almost correct, except the tenancy can be passed down once as long as the person it is being passed to is already legally resident at the property and it happens, obviously, whilst the original tenant is still alive.It isn't entirely clear to me from Simon's post whether or not this is applies in this case.

Phil Andrews ● 4640d

Simon there is no right to 'inherit' a council tenancy nowadays, once the tenant dies or moves that's it, the council may offer any grown up children remaining a smaller place but I don't think there is any duty on them to do so. Personally I'd be tempted to let the council know about this selfish individual, if they weren't notified that the tenant was no longer there all he has to do is keep paying the rent in their name, it's dishonest and unacceptable.

Vanessa Smith ● 4640d

An absolute bl***y disgrace, how on earth are we expected to appreciate this kind of payout to anyone let alone people who do not do their jobs correctly.Especially our economic climate being what it is.As far as MP's getting a pay rise they do not deserve it,146 days a year attending Parliament,only passing 15% of our Laws,expenses etc,they live a life of Riley wouldn't you say.

Dawn Hardy ● 4640d

Vanessa you are so correct. This Government says we are in it together and we all face difficult times..Urrm The Poor, Disabled/sick, Pensioners, armed forces, Front line services, NHS Staff all Face Difficult times but The Rich and MP's Don't.The Mps are now going to get a Massive payrise off £10,000 which they don't deserve (some have asked for £100,000 a year). Most of them are Millionaires they could be doing the Job for Free. Then there is the Greedy Speaker of the House who take take takes. Then u ave Tory Mp Stephen Phillips who has earned £922,380 in less than 2yrs as a Barrister but still takes £65,738 a Year MP Salary but has the cheek to say he is proud of claiming some of the lowest expenses of any MP. People knock people on Benefits but the real culprits off Greed is MP's. I agree with the Bedroom tax to a point as i know people in Larger property's they don't need like a cousin off mine who for 15yrs has lived in a 3 bed Council house on his own, is hardly there, gets Full benefits, is only midd Aged and fit enough to work. A few years ago a Neighbor of his (who he has known all his Life) offered him cash to exchange with her daughter who was living around the corner in a nice newly built 2 bed Council property but was overcrowded because of her Kids, he refused by saying "its my mums house and i aint giving it up" his mum has been gone 15yrs and it belongs 2 the Council.

Simon Anderson ● 4640d

Quite right Simon - in your case your ex is getting too much benefit but it is probably impossible to legislate to avoid the problem.I wonder realistically how much the excess room charge is likely to raise. I would imagine that once the costs of administering it are taken into account it is pretty negligible and really only designed to appease the readers of the Daily Mail.

Chris Broadbent ● 4640d

Kathy..Firstly its a Joy, Pleasure and Honor to have my son so that's not the issue. My issue is the Fact the mum gets Benefits 2 look after him for 7 days but only has him half of that each week so u could say she is over paid. I also feel if you have Joint Custody (with Court order) then the Benefit should be shared. You said "i have to" no i said I had 2 pay the TAX not have my Son. You said my  X Wife placed Stipulations no that's not in my Court order. I just asked her a couple times about giving me some of our Son's benefit and she said NO..But hey she smoke and drinks, can afford to go pubs and Nightclubs every week and trips up 2 London 4 the day with mates whilst on Benefits but that's Ok aint it?Secondly you say give up the Luxuries - I like to know what Luxury's you want me to give up as i don't get any.I don't Smoke, Drink or Drive. I don't eat sweets or chocolate. Not been on Holiday in 3yrs (and that was a wkend in Plymouth with a Relative) My wife and i whom have been together/Married for 4yrs has never had a Honeymoon or a Night out. The last time we went to the movies was 3yrs ago with Free tickets from the Sun. Last Year my Mum, sister, Niece and my Son went Legoland (with Free tickets from the sun) i couldn't go because of my Health and i had no money. Come to my house i have no carpet in my Living room or hallway, My sofa cover is ripped and 1 of the seat areas Springs have gone (been like it for a year now), My walls need Repainting. My Mobility scooter needs a New Battery. So Luxury's i do not have because i cant afford them. So don't label everyone on Benefits as the same as we are NOT!! Ohh not to mention that every week i go out on My scooter picking up dirty, Smelly Beer cans to Recycle over at Tesco so i can get Points on My clubcard to help us out, I also buy the Very cheep Foods (Tesco Value) so please Dont knock all off us as the same.

Simon Anderson ● 4640d

Here's a further thought for those who go in for benefit bashing. G4S boss Nick Buckles - he of the Olympic security balls-up - quits his job and waltzes off with approximately £16 million.NHS Chief Sir David Nicholson who presided over the Mid Staffs crisis joins Mr Buckles and takes a powder with a pension pot of £2 million plus, until he goes next year he will keep a salary of £211,000. Can we now have howls of outrage about this too. The sickening thing is you can bet your boots that both of these failed numpties will fall into equally overpaid positions with some other employer.

Vanessa Smith ● 4640d

Well, good for you, however I think your response typifies the attitude that this government has encouraged which is that anyone in need is also guilty of greed. Not everyone is in your position, it is to your credit that you have done what you have but have some sympathy for others who may not have had the wherewithal, for various reasons, to do the same. The job market is appalling at the moment and has been for a long, long time, a lot of working families have to claim benefits to enable them to live  - basically the taxpayer is subsidising crap employers who pay the minimum wage and treat people like so much dirt on their shoes. The government has brought in these various new rules which discriminate aginst people already finding it difficult to live and this bedroom tax is just another dreadful example. If there were thousands of properties to move around in that might be O.K. But there aren't and the average cost of a house in London is now half a million pounds! To rent you need to be earning - it is reckoned  -over £60.000. What we lost in this country when Thatcher was in her element was compassion and care for our fellow citizens, this shower have simply re-enforced that attitude. Yes, there are people who exploit the system, but what Cameron and co. have done is constantly played on this to tar everyone on a benefit with the same brush.

Vanessa Smith ● 4640d

I'm going to cause a storm again but hey it always spices things up.... Simon you say joint custody, but who has residency? I assume your ex wife does... If she has put such stipulations about 'you wanna see him, you pay' then that of course is your choice, one which I know you have made willingly, but you still state 'I have to' which is not true. I have been a single Mum for 11 years, raising 4 children on my own, and working the whole time, I never received any benefits because I didn't want to be held accountable to anyone. But if I had claimed benefits I would've been entitled to £9 a week thats it, so not worth the bother. I pay £60 a week to travel to work in central london because there is no work locally that pays the money I need to earn to keep my home. So I bend over and take it up the perverbial so that I am able to look after me and my own, thats the things that we do... I don't go out, don't drink, gave up smoking all so I can make sure my children have what they need/want. i dont ask for any help, or expect any and it gets a bit tiring when people constantly moan that they can't live on the little benefits that they get... If someone on benefits has luxuries, neigh non necessities, like computers, mobile phones, cars, holidays then I'm sorry I have no sympathy ehatsoever for any one of them regards the bedroom tax.... Give up the luxuries then I'm sure you will find the money for for the bedroom tax...

Kathy Riley ● 4641d

Some myth busting here, though quite a few regular posters posters here appear to prefer opinion over fact..... http://www.redpepper.org.uk/mythbuster-home-truths-about-housing/

Iain Muir ● 4647d

Like i said NOTHING i can do as the rules were set by Government.

Simon Anderson ● 4647d

Many thanks Vanessa,Law was never my forte.

Dawn Hardy ● 4647d

Don't be so stupid Dawn - it would come under Family Court business or CSA, might be worth speaking to them as all the rules and regulations have changed.

Vanessa Smith ● 4647d

Take her to the small claims court then Simon, I'm sure you will at least get an unbiased hearing.

Dawn Hardy ● 4647d

Chris i have asked his mum a couple times and her words was "You want to see your child then you pay" Even Between 2003 and 5 i had my 2 ex stepdaughters ever week i got nothing from his mum and that's the sad thing she gets benefits 2 look after our son every week but only has him half of each week so she gets extra money for nothing and there is not a single thing i can do.

Simon Anderson ● 4648d

Simon - that does seem a crazy situation that makes no sense to anyone. I guess the logical answer would be that the parent who gets the benefits makes a contribution of some of the benefits to the other parent to take account of other's costs but the chances of that ever happening are zero.

Chris Broadbent ● 4648d

Vanessa,The server went down, perhaps I told too many truths about how it really is at the moment on the Continent, I shall do so on Twitter.

Dawn Hardy ● 4649d

Though its partly a good idea as i have a family member who has been occupying a 3 bed Council house who gets full Housing benefits and is hardly there and in my opinion he shouldn't have it but has done for over 15yrs but it is targeting some of the wrong people.In 2011 i was helped by Mary McLeod to get my 2 bed flat, i have a court order for Joint Custody of my son whom spends half of every week with me, because his Mum gets his benefits i am entitled to nothing so not only do i have to pay to feed him etc whilst he is here i have now got to pay nearly £14 a wk bedroom tax i feel this is totally incorrect.I wrote to David Cameron and got NO reply!!

Simon Anderson ● 4649d

Dawn, the austerity measures in certain EU countries are a fairly recent thing, so I would take issue with your view of their rented sector. Also food banks are flourishing here as well. As for migrants being allowed to buy their council houses - complete tripe, I am afraid your adoration of the recently deceased old cow is blinding you to the fact that she would not allow councils to use the capital receipts to build and replace the houses sold under the RTB legusation. Hence the shortages we have now. Yes housing is more plentiful and cheaper in the north - but where are the jobs to go with it? Perhaps a high speed rail ink  and more investment in their airports such as Leeds/Bradford would bring prosperity, but that would need a massive change in the way big business and government think. As they are all obsessing over Europe, UKIP and referendums at the moment it sort of tells you where their priorities lie doesn't it?

Vanessa Smith ● 4649d

Vanessa,I agree with quite a lot of your response, except(starting with the old bat)Unfortunately there is no longer a vibrant and plentiful rented sector within the EU purely because of the austerity measures imposed by the troika, jobs are at an all time low, people are committing suicide because they are being evicted,why because they can either no longer afford to pay the rent or their mortgage repayments.Families have no choice but to live out of their cars unfortunately they no longer have jobs and compared to our benefit theirs is negligible.Soup Kitchens are an every day thing over there fortunately at least they get to eat sometimes,food banks also, it is a very sad state of affairs, where once these countries maybe were not the richest in the world at least when they had their own currency there appeared to be lots of work about and poverty was not a common word.Then they joined the EU a wonderful club where life would be even better under one currency???I often wonder why we in the South have to pay so very much more than our Northern compatriots,go up there and you can buy a house for approx £40-£60k and yet here a 1 bedroom flat costs in excess of £150k, 2 bedroom across from us went for £243k how are youngsters who are just starting out expected to be able to afford this even if they are lucky enough to obtain a mortgage.One premise that I have is that Labour permitted migrants to buy their council property within 3 years and then went back to their own country rich! thus a shortage of council homes. The majority of ex-council-home owners bought their properties purely because they wanted to live where they were and improve their lifestyle or try to.

Dawn Hardy ● 4649d

I hear that David Cameron has just sent an official letter to the Thatcher residence.It begins: “I regret to inform you that due to recent events, you are now subject to the Bedroom Tax.” JL

Jim Linwood ● 4649d

I think - with respect - this is not about 'poverty' it is about the over inflated cost of housing in London and most of the south of the country. When we are advised that you need to be earning over £65,000 a year just to be able to rent it doesn't require a mathematical genius to work out that there won't be many people in social housing - be it council or housing assn. - that will not earn that with all their household income put together. As for even thinking of getting a mortgage, it's pie in the sky for the majority of ordinary working people now. The government seem to think that people can go off to Uni and incur debt, then get a well paid job - some hopes, any job would be nice, then marry, raise a family, pay into a pension, live and manage to save for a massive deposit and then if remotely possible carry a huge mortgage. So talk of 'poverty' is misplaced and deceiving, most young people are in property poverty, what successive governments have failed to do, starting with the old bat, is to build housing for rent. It is generally acknowledged that council housing is the best, it is built better and certainly managed better for all its faults, and that is what we need, plus a rent cap in the private sector. We are totally obsessed in this country with property, what is wrong with a vibrant and plentiful rented sector as they have virtually in every country in Europe?

Vanessa Smith ● 4649d

Anthony, I have no idea about the 50% discount on garages therefore I cannot debate it. However this thread would appear to be going the wrong way, mature people who have lived in a council property all of their married lives are entitled to continue to live their, they now have a family who have a family if their homes are anything like mine.Our grandchildren stay over any night of the week,therefore because in essence it is only my husband and I who actually live here if we were council tenants we should be moved or downsized whatever it is called. Unfair very unfair to be moved out of your environment to a new neighbourhood that you do not know.Yet because of the EU we do not have control of migrants who come into our country and are housed straight away, could this perhaps be the reason for lack of council properties and parking. Unless you have brought a family up in a council property none of you can have any idea of how difficult it is, so if families do manage to own a car well good for them. Surely the onus is upon builders to ensure sufficient parking spaces. Plus an empty bedroom does not mean that it is not used on a regular basis, it is just another way to take tax off of the populace.

Dawn Hardy ● 4649d

A large proportion of Council homes in Brentford have off street parking. A far higher ratio than in the private home stock.So far fewer council tenants will ever have to pay for permits.But what is the difference between a council tenant and a private resident or tenant renting a council garage?Why should a council tenant get a 50% discount?The assumption that everyone living in a council house is below the poverty line is far from the truth.My parents live in a council house. My father was a teacher my mother a GP.But with 3 kids and no assets, never qualified for a mortgage.They are long retired but they still live in their council house and they still get automatic discounts for things like the garage. But they foster and still use the house fully. But soon they might have to call that a day and then what?Their neighbour was a factory worker also retired he does OK too. A good pension and low rent.  But the income gap is not even comparable.So the housing was there for those who could not afford otherwise. Whilst opportunity beckoned for many for a  couple of decades, we are now in a crazy situation of a  huge raft of people who theoreticaly are on good incomes but will never be able to afford to buy a home in their home district .We have planning permission and recommendations for way too many overpriced luxury developments which are being bought by foreign investors and by parents using the huge values of their properties as collatteral.But most are caught in a void.There are too many who are living in council properties who are getting them too cheap.But those who are not in that bracket and have genuine low incomes need to be protected properly. Those over 65 should be safe as those who have lived over 15 years.The human factor of a place being home must be considered.But when it comes to extras, like garages the rent should be the same.

Anthony Waller ● 4649d

If you do not understand your pamphlet then please get someone  to explain it to you, I'm afraid our society is such these days, that ignorance of facts(no slight intended)is no longer acceptable.I feel sure that if you made an appointment with the relevant department someone would explain it to you.

Dawn Hardy ● 4649d

That is grossly unfair,just because a council tenant can afford to run a car does this mean that they should be penalised also an assumption such as yours that council tenants have it cheap is wrong, not every council tenant is on the "dole" the majority work hard and pay their dues.Also show me how many council garages there are in just Brentford, I bet that there are less then 500 and I am really being kind with my assumption. So many new builds have occurred here however their is never enough parking spaces for residents. Of course builders are not going to waste building space on a parking space far less profit. Contraception nowadays is at a premium and free so in a sense unwanted pregnancies should not occur, there is even a morning after pill now. In my day girls just did not get pregnant,they went away to the country with their mum and mum came back with a new baby who was her responsibility and the girl had a new brother or sister.Benefits were not around then, consequently it was just another mouth to feed,no help or flats in those days,young girls get pregnant now, a flat is made available and the benefit life begins at our cost. You want to save money make parents be responsible for their children and keep them within their family group just like the old days.

Dawn Hardy ● 4649d

This woman was living in a 3 bedroom house all she had to do was move to a 1 bedroom which is what she is entitled to . Of course committing suicide is completely devastating but I think there is more to this story

Gill Hutchison ● 4649d

Personally I think it's a good idea badly thought-out even though, at the moment, I'm one of the people who does have an extra room in a council rented property and am, at present, claiming benefits but the little bit of rent I now have to pay each week is manageable.  But too little; too late.  There are under-occupied four bedroomed properties near where I live, mine's a two-bed-roomed flat, but as the people living in the four bedroomed places are a couple of years older than me and are now classed as pensioners they do not contribute to this system and there is nothing in place to move them on - the four bed-roomed town-houses round here are on three levels and very difficult to manage.And there we hit another crux - the managing of someone else's property - and Hounslow Homes are very remiss in what is and is not acceptable in properties rented from them and charging a fiver out of someone's benefit doesn't cover the damage some tenants like to inflict on the property rented to them.  Only today I've witnessed a newcomer round here pumping concrete all over his little garden.Then we come to the council tax demands - I've had to read through mine a few times as I thought I'd have to be finding an extra twenty pounds a week - and it starts thus: 'you do not have the right to appeal against the fact that you now have to pay something or an increased amount, towards your Council Tax simply because of the Council's local scheme' - take up the grammatical errors with Hounslow Council - and I'm still not sure if I have to find an extra twenty odd pounds a week to pay for this or that is the amount awarded to me but I do find it amiss they mention and seem to use my DLA (disability living allowance) amounts as income.  I need to read through it a few more times to really get the gist of what they're on about.

Xanthe West ● 4649d

They could raise money in an easier way.For example, Why do council tenants get a 50% discount when renting a council garage compared to a non council tenant who lives in the same borough and pays council tax?A lot of council tenants earn equal and in many cases more than a lot of people in non council housing.Many priority occupations for social housing have salaries that way exceed the salaries of many occupations not under the state umbrella. Very different perhaps from how it was 30 or 40 years ago.Quite a few relatives of both mine and my wifes have lived in council housing.Several of them have really good incomes in fact way beyond ours, they drive Range Rovers and Mercedes and have nice holidays every year and in many ways are a lot happier and content.But even in the family many ask if that's right. But no-one would suggest making them leave what is after all their lifelong homes and  happy ones at .that.But should they be paying a very low rent when others are not so fortunate?Should they get 50% discounts? After all according to the council car ownership is a luxury that they wish to curb... unless you are a council tenant!! It's still not right but sorting out the disparity is needed.

Raymond Havelock ● 4650d