Bedroom tax and single pensioners?

[Lighttouch]

Well I'm one of those naughty people who 'under occupies' my home. And it is my home as I've lived here twenty years!

However, I do see it as being morally wrong to have so much space unoccupied when people need somewhere they can call home.

So as I'm in a position where I could do with some spare cash and ease the housing situation I'm letting out a room to a lodger. In fact he's moving in tomorrow!

You may ask - won't this count as income and affect my benefits. Well it isn't taxable income under the governments 'rent a room' scheme where a person who owns or rents their home takes in no more that £4250 per year. It won't affect my benefits because I'm not on any other than the single person's Council Tax benefit ie 25% discount. I'll declare this after a month then my new lodger can pay the 25% discount I lose.

You may ask won't I lose my privacy - well yes as it'll be shared access to the kitchen, bathroom and dining areas. But don't worry the extra cash means I can go out more - everyone wins.

I'm not sure if an RSL will allow 'sub-letting' an extra room and how that affects your benefits but at least it's one solution that helps both the home owner and people wanting to move quickly.

I used a website to advertise my room to let but also found people looking for rooms in my area. I had six enquiries and the first person to view it and me took it. I did say I was disabled in the ad and if that's a problem don't get in touch.

I'll let you know how it goes.

[Jen66]

Well I'm one of those naughty people who 'under occupies' my home. And it is my home as I've lived here twenty years!
.

Nothing naughty about it, you've made a home and you entered that home with full understanding and agreement of the landlord and government of the day. Enjoy your home and I hope all goes well with your new house mate.

[Stepheninleeds]

I agree with Jen.

LT, I need more info. People have advised me to take in someone who can help, if my mother passes on. Someone to help me, who can live here, & get reduced board for it. I have said I could not do this as it would affect my HB,. CTB, IS, etc. I do not see how you can do what you are, even after what you have said. Reason being that any money you get is classed as income.

[Lighttouch]

I agree with Jen.

LT, I need more info. People have advised me to take in someone who can help, if my mother passes on. Someone to help me, who can live here, & get reduced board for it. I have said I could not do this as it would affect my HB,. CTB, IS, etc. I do not see how you can do what you are, even after what you have said. Reason being that any money you get is classed as income.

Engaging a lodger isn't like engaging a carer. A lodger basically gives you extra tax free cash. There are no rules that say he must help me. However, I'll probably find that he will offer to do things I can't like replace failed ceiling light bulbs. Carry trash outside - it's not because he has to but because it's just being helpful.

I've spoken to four people who he gave as references and it seems he's not a mass murderer - just someone who has recently moved to this area having got a job and needs somewhere to stay local to town. I give him a roof he gives me rental - it's not rocket science. I'm not territorial and I'm pretty laid back so I find it interesting.

He doesn't pay reduced rent - he's paying top whack for the privilege! Don't forget private landlords want to cram as many tenants into one house to maximise rental - I don't want that. It's two sharing one home as a business arrangement - the fewer the people sharing the more they pay for the 'exclusivity'.

As I said I'm not entitled to any benefits as I have a small private pension and savings. I'm not even registered with Jobcentreplus - I'm a shadow - a non-statistic and it's legal.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011...11-rent-a-room

[Stepheninleeds]

Ah, that is why then, yes. I cannot do it at all, which is a shame.

It is assumed I would charge room & board, so that effects my benefits.

Yes, I am not the sort who would not fully check either, as you never know who you can get.

There are a lot of people who do not exist, they use this to prove their figures are good.

[foxie]

I live alone in a 2 bedroom bungalow, I had to move here from a house due to several medical problems that made it too dangerous to live in a house...social services and my GP sorted it out with the council and after 2 assessments I was put on the urgent needs list....I have the second bedroom for when someone needs to stay to look after me, would I have to pay the tax?..it would be a real struggle to pay it but I cant realy move away from my family..

[Lighttouch]

I live alone in a 2 bedroom bungalow, I had to move here from a house due to several medical problems that made it too dangerous to live in a house...social services and my GP sorted it out with the council and after 2 assessments I was put on the urgent needs list....I have the second bedroom for when someone needs to stay to look after me, would I have to pay the tax?..it would be a real struggle to pay it but I cant realy move away from my family..

if a disabled person has a two bedroom home and the second room is reserved for a carer then providing the disabled person is in receipt of DLA or eventually PIP they will be exempt from paying extra or having to move to a smaller home.

[foxie]

if a disabled person has a two bedroom home and the second room is reserved for a carer then providing the disabled person is in receipt of DLA or eventually PIP they will be exempt from paying extra or having to move to a smaller home.

Thanks for the reply Light touch, at the moment I am the middle rate of DLA for care, who knows what will happen after the new PIP comes into force (