Bedroom Tax

[citizenB]

Does the door open onto the box or the left hand wall ?

 

 

Is there a window?

[Speedy75]

Does the door open onto the box or the left hand wall ?

 

 

Is there a window?

 

The door opens to the left, and yes there is a window. The space on the left from the wall to the door is 84cm.

 

Thanks

[caro]

What size is the box?

 

Is there a radiator, and where is it?

 

Are the measurements wall to wall or skirting board to skirting board?

 

As your son was 9 the room MIGHT have been big enough as under 10's are classed as half a person, so it might have been reasonable for him, but now he's classed as a full person it would be too small, so that's a start to your argument.

 

Can you do a more detailed plan showing window, radiator, plugs and the size of the box please. Also room height, especially where the ceiling slopes.

 

Not sure if this has been mentioned but you can apply for a discretionary housing payment towards the rent. It may help in the short term but you need to get the room reclassified for HB purposes.

[Speedy75]

What size is the box?

 

Is there a radiator, and where is it?

 

Are the measurements wall to wall or skirting board to skirting board?

 

As your son was 9 the room MIGHT have been big enough as under 10's are classed as half a person, so it might have been reasonable for him, but now he's classed as a full person it would be too small, so that's a start to your argument.

 

Can you do a more detailed plan showing window, radiator, plugs and the size of the box please. Also room height, especially where the ceiling slopes.

 

Not sure if this has been mentioned but you can apply for a discretionary housing payment towards the rent. It may help in the short term but you need to get the room reclassified for HB purposes.

 

I will try and do a more detailed plan. My son no longer uses the room it's just used for storage now. The ceiling slope is below the box, the box is covering the sloped ceiling in the hallway.

[caro]

I will try and do a more detailed plan. My son no longer uses the room it's just used for storage now. The ceiling slope is below the box, the box is covering the sloped ceiling in the hallway.

 

Thanks. Usage alone is unlikely to help but if you can show it has less that 50 sq ft useable floor space for example, or there's no space for a bed unless it's next to a radiator, you may have a shot. Putting in the work on a plan now will be useful if you appeal the BT.

[Speedy75]

What size is the box?

 

Is there a radiator, and where is it?

 

Are the measurements wall to wall or skirting board to skirting board?

 

As your son was 9 the room MIGHT have been big enough as under 10's are classed as half a person, so it might have been reasonable for him, but now he's classed as a full person it would be too small, so that's a start to your argument.

 

Can you do a more detailed plan showing window, radiator, plugs and the size of the box please. Also room height, especially where the ceiling slopes.

 

Not sure if this has been mentioned but you can apply for a discretionary housing payment towards the rent. It may help in the short term but you need to get the room reclassified for HB purposes.

 

Hope this is ok. It was measured skirting board to skirting board.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

 

bedrom size.pdf

Edited February 22, 2016 by Speedy75

[caro]

Can a single bed fit along the longer side wall or does that block the door from opening and closing so it has to go by the radiator?

[Speedy75]

No definitely not, the bed would stick out way too much and the door wouldn't open. When we did have a bed in there it had to go below the window and the bed up to the radiator.

[caro]

Was space taken off for the radiator when the room was measured? There have been cases of people getting burns when in bed next to radiators that have got too hot, so there are regs about having beds too close.

 

I would strongly suggest that you start an appeal using form GL24 on the grounds that the room is not a bedroom and should not be counted as one for HB purposes. Read the Nelson case linked above as it is binding at first tier tribunals. Also read the Elephant in the Room article in Nearly Legal and the comments.

 

The appeal will take time so apply for dhp which would help in the meantime if you can get it.

 

Be prepared for a fight but it can be done. Come back for any help you need.

[caro]

Any update speedy?