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Housing benifits 3 bed house - any thoughts?

22 replies

DavidTennantsMistress · 12/11/2007 19:05

not sure if anyone knows we're only enttitled to a 2 bed but they're so tiny here (pte renting) that I can't have a table at all and there's no where to sit in the kitchen to eat (even a small fold down one isn't possible. anyhow i've found a 3 bed which is cheaper than the 2 beds to rent and obv has a bigger living area.

my bro seems to think the council won't pay the full rent on a 3 bed even thought it's cheaper than a 2 bed.

does anyone have any words of wisdom at all on this one?

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ScoobyDoo · 12/11/2007 19:07

All you have to do before you commit is phone the council & ask for a pre tenancy determination, fill the forms in & they will write to you to let you know what they will pay for it.

HTH

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ScoobyDoo · 12/11/2007 19:09

Back when we had just had ds & dp lost his job we had to claim for a couple of months, we lived in a 3 bedroom house but only had ds, they paid the max amount because the 3 bed house was fair rent, we were not penalised.

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DavidTennantsMistress · 12/11/2007 19:09

thanks, I know my council will only pay what they think it's worth but i'm worried about them saying no as I can't afford the rent alone. and tbh it's about the only house in the area I want with good schools. the others as I say are far too small - I can do without a dinning room but must have at least a fold up table iycwim.

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ScoobyDoo · 12/11/2007 19:10

What council are you under have you looked on the website?

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DavidTennantsMistress · 12/11/2007 19:10

ah that sounds good then - hopefully it will stand in my favour the rent's ÂŁ30-50 PM cheaper than the 2 beds in the area.

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fawkeoff · 12/11/2007 19:10

i think you should be ok if you have a child,and if you tell them its fully furnished they will probably pay the full amount

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DavidTennantsMistress · 12/11/2007 19:11

fareham is the one - haven;t looked was going to go in there tomorrow and see what they say. so far i'm going on here say from my aunty - she has a 1 bed bungalow at ÂŁ650 PCM and they would only pay her ÂŁ500.

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DavidTennantsMistress · 12/11/2007 19:12

ooh didn't know that mattered! lol. I have my own stuff. i'm seeing a 2 bed which is dearer and in a worse area - don't make sence to me! lol.

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ScoobyDoo · 12/11/2007 19:13

I think you will be fine, i know the rent on our 3 bed at the time was in the same price bracket as the 2 bed & we were not penalised, i know each council work to there own guidlines but just get the pre tenancy determination done, the rent officer will write to you & then you can make a decision from there.

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DavidTennantsMistress · 12/11/2007 19:14

just hope they keep the house that long for me as it's private renting fingers crossed. lol. houses in M&D's town don't come up often and I want to live there as it's good then for babysitters/minders when I work.

will get down there tomorrow am and get this form sorted out.

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ScoobyDoo · 12/11/2007 19:15

Also another thing you can do is phone them & ask what the max amount of rent they will pay on a 3 bedroom & a 2 bedroom, whatever the max is on the 2 bedroom i would go by this, so if the 3 bedroom house you are after is within the 2 bedroom house max amount you should be fine, does that make sense?

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DavidTennantsMistress · 12/11/2007 19:16

yes - tbh my council aren't v forward in comeing forward if that makes sence with money matters - they won't give me any firm answers as it's all means testwed. a tthe mo I have IS ÂŁ23 CB ÂŁ17 TC ÂŁ46 plus maint. so will obv need to get a job PT as well but am hoping to get a pte house. the council housing list so far is all sheltered over 60's accomodation

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DavidTennantsMistress · 12/11/2007 19:17

anyhow must go. H is watching DS for me and don't want him to moan. thanks for all of your help - will let you know tomorrow how I go

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ScoobyDoo · 12/11/2007 19:18

Do you have a printer the pre tenancy form is here you can download it

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ScoobyDoo · 12/11/2007 19:23

Also there is a web benefits calculator on this page which you can try, here

Goodluck tomorrow

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DavidTennantsMistress · 13/11/2007 19:37

thanks scooby.

well now I have a real dilema on my hands I ahve the following choices:

house 1) 3 beds adequate for our needs can keep dogs have garage no where really for dogs to be in the kitchen food wise thou, but is ok for us - has 80's old people decore and carpets and a mustard bathroom [puke emotion] but is in a good area and good catchment for DS.

house 2) only 2 beds but is just as big as the 3, smaller garden, on a slight slope. 2 big bedrooms- master v big, all in pastle colours lamanate flooring etc downstairs. off road parking on the front lawn. area not quite as good. (for those in the know mil housing in paulsgrove) schooling i'd just about manage to get DS into my chosen school if they have space as confirmed by the head.

option 3) wait it out and see what turns up as I don't have to move till jan.

UARGGHHH!! what should I do?? space V location!!!

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allgonebellyup · 15/11/2007 14:43

house 1

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foley · 15/11/2007 16:28

hello

dont no if this the right place to post this but i'll try.

is there a time limit to how long the council can keep you overcrowded? im in a one bedroom flat. my wee girls in my room, shes nearly 18 months.

ta

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Tinkerbel5 · 15/11/2007 19:30

foley have you put in for a transfer ?

I dont think there is a time limit as I know a couple who live in a 1 bedroom flat with their 7 year old and its been like that since the boy's birth !

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stripeymama · 15/11/2007 19:35

Foley - suspect you are not technically overcrowded. Sorry and I know thats crap, but two adults and two children can share a one bed flat (mum and dd in one room, dad and ds in other) according to some councils.

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foley · 15/11/2007 19:48

im on the transfer overcrowding list, last year at this time i was 2nd in line for a house, now im 4th!

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DavidTennantsMistress · 17/11/2007 14:59

put it this way apparently on our council list some have been on there for 2 + years. don't know the full reasons why thou but I would imagine over crowding - also I know of a lady who has a 3 bed house and literally there's 5 adults and a baby in it and the council said it was fine.

this is why i'm not going to accept a 1 bed house if I can really help it as I don't want to be in that position we have loads coming up but of course every one wants the 2/3's.

ally - have gone for neither am going to keep looking as I wasn't 100% happy with either. also it's the rent aspect and HB as they pay that a months in arrears and I can't afford to pay out the rent ah well such as life I guess. have expressed intrest in a 2 bed thou on the council list (is HA so fingers crossed)

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