ePetition details

We call on City of York council not to evict any tenant who cannot pay as a result of the Bedroom Tax or reduction in council tax discount

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We the undersigned petition the council to 1. Make a commitment not to evict any tenant who falls into arrears as a direct result of the bedroom tax or reduction in council tax discount. 2. Look at reclassifying council owned properties as smaller homes, to ensure rooms not used as bedrooms are not classified as such, and to encourage housing associations in the York area to do the same. For example, an extra room used to store equipment related to a disability should not be classed as a bedroom, or a bedroom that is smaller than the government's minimum space standards.

It is estimated 2,143 households will be hit by the bedroom tax in the York Central/York Outer constituencies. There are few properties available for tenants to "downsize" to, so they are going to have this benefit cut forced upon them. Households will lose and average of £556 /year if they have one spare bedroom and £992/year if they have two spare bedrooms. The tenants being hit are often low paid, unemployed, sick or disabled and cannot afford to lose this income. On top of the bedroom tax many vulnerable tenants are losing further income because of cuts to council tax benefit.

For information:
1. Council: no tenant to be evicted over bedroom tax - http://www.24dash.com/news/housing/2013-03-15-Council-no-tenant-to-be-evicted-over-bedroom-tax
2. Tenants avoid bedroom tax after Knowsley reclassifies homes - http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/tenancies/tenants-avoid-bedroom-tax-after-knowsley-reclassifies-homes/6525752.article
3. Advice for landlords on 'Bedroom Tax' - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2013/03/advice-for-landlords-on-bedroom-tax18032013

This ePetition ran from 25/03/2013 to 30/09/2013 and has now finished.

129 people signed this ePetition.