Council Housing overcrowding classifications

[snugs1235]

Hi,

 

I have a friend who is living in a two bedroomed council flat. It is quite a small flat and the second room is only just big enough for bunk beds to fit in it. She has 2 teenage daughters. The council has just told her that they have brought in new rules which means that she is losing her addition transfer points because they no longer class a single room as overcrowding when 2 kids share it.

 

Does anyone know if the council can do this and/or if there are national regulations for the acceptable size of a room etc?

 

Thanks in advance

[antone]

Let's try this in the lettings forum, as it's not really a benefits issue as such.

[snugs1235]

Hi Antone,

 

sorry, I got it wrong. How do I move my thread.

 

Thanks

[maroondevo52]

Hi Antone,

 

sorry, I got it wrong. How do I move my thread.

 

Thanks

 

Antone's moved it for you

[mariner51]

What are the ages of the 2 teenage daughters?

[snugs1235]

Hi Mariner, they are 13 and 15.

[stu007]

Hi snugs1235

 

Well if the council have stated its due to new rules being implemented then I would advise writing to the council and requesting a copy of those new rules / policy document on this.

 

Remember you have no way of actually confirming this without a copy of that document.

 

Also this may be of use:

 

Valuation Office Agency – Rent Officers Handbook

 

(Note: This is used throughout the UK not just England and Wales)

 

Rent officers Handbook – ROOMS

http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/publications/Manuals/RentOfficerHandbook/Other/Procedures/r-roh-rooms.html

 

Rent Officers Handbook – SIZE CRITERIA

http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/publications/Manuals/RentOfficerHandbook/HousingBenefitReferral/Determination/s-roh-size-criteria.html

Edited November 9, 2013 by stu007

[snugs1235]

Hi Stu007,

 

thank you for that information. I will help my friend draft a letter to the council. She is a lovely person but not so great at dealing with things like this.

[mariner51]

2 same sex children under 16yo - only requires 1 shared bedroom. When 16, the elder dau will be entitled to her own room, so over crowding points should be re-instated from her 16th birthday.

 

Drafing a letter at this stage may have no effect, just better to write and remind them that elde st dau will be 16 on and entitled to her own room subsequently.

[ericsbrother]

The room size also makes a difference but dont forget that only the kitchen doesnt count as bedroom space when calculating overcrowding.

[snugs1235]

Hi thanks all for the info.

 

ericsbrother, do you know of anywhere that I can find the sizing guidelines?