Siblings Sharing Bedrooms?

[mind the gap]

I noticed on another thread that a family of one parent, two daughters (15 and 16 years) and a son (10) qualify for a four bedroomed house.

I make no comment about this family in particular, but if LHA payments are to be reined in - as just about every other area of public spending is - would it not be a sensible move to recalculate how many rooms a family needs based on children of same sex sharing up to the age of 18 (when presumably they are classed as adults and are factored out of the equation?)? I fail to see why the a 15 year old girl and her 16 year old sister cannot reasonably be expected to share a bedroom. Plenty of siblings do, whose parents do not receive LHA. This family could then manage with a three-bedroomed house, which seems reasonable enough to me.

Views?

[tom999]

...would it not be a sensible move to recalculate how many rooms a family needs based on children of same sex sharing up to the age of 18 Yes, I agree, but DWP make the LHA rules, and currently size criteria is based on allowing one bedroom for:
"1. every adult couple (married or unmarried)
2. any other adult aged 16 or over
3. any two children of the same sex
4. any two children regardless of sex under age 10
5. any other child"


...(when presumably they are classed as adults and are factored out of the equation?)?Occupants aged 16 or over are currently classed as adults.

Also, the June 2010 budget proposals are likely to mean that in areas of the UK where capping of LHA for (larger, i.e. 4+ beds (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmselect/cmworpen/235/23510.htm)) properties is more prevalent:
1) HB tenants will need to find: (a) smaller properties; or (b) properties in areas where rent is less; as their LHA may not cover the rent.
2) Landlords will serve notice on tenants (http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=29473&page=3).

Of course, if you feel strongly about the issue, you may contact your MP, who can then make representations to DWP. :)

[mind the gap]

I understand how the system works (although I assumed an adult was defined as an 18 year old or older), but I still think it's unnecessary in principle to allow one bedroom for virtually every one in the family. The average family of five with two adults and three children, including teenagers, in a non-LHA situation would be unlikely to have as much living space as this smaller, LHA-funded family.

I'm not normally this right wing but I just don't see the rationale behind it. Children/teenagers who are still dependant on their parents should not have an automatic right to a bedroom of their own, in my view - especially if their parents are dependant on state handouts to pay for it.

I feel a letter to Dave coming on.

[Snorkerz]

I feel a letter to Dave coming on.You can write to me - but I don't think I'll be able to do much :(

[Rodent1]

A 2 bed flat with mother on sofa bed bed is perfectly adequate IMHO.
Especially as at 16 kids are entitled to EMA to assist in household finances.

[mind the gap]

A 2 bed flat with mother on sofa bed bed is perfectly adequate IMHO.
Especially as at 16 kids are entitled to EMA to assist in household finances.

Well, EMA even at the full rate of £30 pw will not be enough to pay for an extra bedroom, I wouldn't think. It's supposed to help with things like school trips, books and the expenses connected with keeping your kid in the 6th form rather than sending them out to work. And I'm not advocating people having to sleep on sofa beds. We obviously draw the line in different places - but it seems we agree the line is not in the right place at the moment.

[mind the gap]

You can write to me - but I don't think I'll be able to do much :(
Aaaaawww. You just shattered my faith in your mountain-moving ability, Snorkerz.