You Don't Need A Spare Bedroom, But I've Got Four

phil, i knew where u were going just teasing - i never understood that poll tax thing you had, i have nephew who has a house he rents out, and doesnt get much help for government, here if you buy a house to rent and have a mortgage the interest you pay is a tax deduction, plus everything u spend - council rates , maintannce all are tax deductions - this way it encorages people to buy more houses (provides work for builders and injects money into the economy) and means theres more housing stock for rental, also mean there is little need for council houses, we have some but not many, just a different perspective i guess

I'm afraid that has already happened (people buying houses to rent out) in the uk), without any tax breaks. All that has meant is that the prices of smaller houses has soared so that normal young people can't afford to buy, and the free land available the builders are hoarding to push up the price of land further, so they can make even more profits. Your scenario would work where there is plenty of land to build on, but the uk is a bit (!!) smaller than oz

hi mikegee, yes i see that, I sold a house i had in oxford in 2002, it went up quite quickly just after but since came back quite a bit, i think its not just the land, we do have lots and lots with a small population, but we dont have as much red tape in terms of heratage, lets face it there not much around before 200 yrs ago.

hi all this does not apply to me as i am a pensioner but i was going to pay the difference. up until i finished work i paid my full rent and brought my two kids up and sent them to uni, however after working all those years without any benefits i still have to apply for housing benefit. i have advised some people to go to see a solicitor and say they want a seperation this way they will have to have a bedroom each. i understand one council has re-designated some of their flats in that they are saying they are one bedroomed with two lounges. this could work. i do agree the benefits should be looked at 'cs as we all know and feel it when we are working and paying our taxes and getting nothing in return that some people are living on benefits - not well as the children seem to suffer, but where are the jobs for people to do. for example if you v been working and then lose your job through no fault of your own and living in a council house you have to go on benefits and look for a job, i feel for these people because jsa is not a lot and to have to pay for extra bedrooms is ridiculous.

steph

To be honest Steph I don't know too much about this because honestly I tend not to read up too much on things that do not affect me directly any more because it only raises my BP and thats not good for me. Though you raising the subject of JSA has set me thinking. Is this not a right that you are entitled to for the first so many months of unemployment? Therefore surely this bedroom tax would not be applicable as it is contribution based as indeed sick pay would not be either even if you were in receipt of a rent / rate rebate?

when i first read the post on the bedroom tax subject I thought it funny, bit like the old window tax when they used to brick up windows to save tax, but after reading the last few posts i find it quite scarry, particularly for old folk - i have great sympamty for those that will be affected, we dont have much social housing here but they do have rules simlar, so as to free up larger homes of single people, but i think its more of a please move rather than a must move or tax thing,

tca

The main problem is, that they just don't have the housing stock to move these people into. So it's really a money saving exercise on the part of the government. Many of the older people who's families have grown up and left home no longer want to live in large houses and have been on waiting lists for years to move to one bedroom bungalows or such but all they get offered are two bedroom flats in high rises something like the 15th floor not the sort of place to put a pensioner.

Phil as I have said many times before the people of this country are without a doubt, modern day peasants. Also without a doubt will always be treated as such.