East Londoner hailed ‘hero’ after finding loophole in bedroom tax

[IF]

Up to 40,000 people will receive a refund thanks to an east London “hero” after he discovered that the government have wrongly assessed who is liable for the bedroom tax.

A conservative estimate puts the cost to the government at £26million.

Peter Barker, a freelance benefits specialist, of Hillfoot Avenue, discovered the loophole in December but last week the Department for Work and Pensions confirmed his analysis.

It has also been reported that the suicide of the woman from Solihull who, in a note, blamed her death on the financial strains aggravated by the bedroom tax would have been exempt and, if she was still alive, eligible for a refund.

Mr Barker, 53, spotted the oversight made by the DWP in legislation they drafted in 1996. Housing benefit regulations from 1996 were not updated when the coalition created the bedroom tax.


Read more here —> http://www.london24.com/news/east_lo..._tax_1_3211700

[Scarlet x]

Re: East Londoner hailed ‘hero’ after finding loophole in bedroom tax

I'm wondering if this new legislation will be of any help to me, particularly where it says
''in some cases the exemption can be passed from one person to another''

Let me give you a little background.
My mum moved into this house in the late 70s, and I also lived here, in fact it was me that signed for the tenancy (I still have this tenancy agreement)
I moved out in the early 80s and my mum continued to live here..fast forward to 2010 and my mums health was quite bad and she couldn't really look after herself so I gave my home up and moved back to look after her..I was living on my own anyway and my kids had grown up and left home.

Anyway 5 weeks after I moved in my mum had a stroke and died 3 weeks later. The council wasn't sure if I'd be able to continue living here but as I'd given my home up to care for my mum they agreed to let me inherit the tenancy and also gave me the original tenancy agreement.

So that's it, any ideas on whether I'd be eligible for this exemption, is it worth me trying?

[PlanB]

Re: East Londoner hailed ‘hero’ after finding loophole in bedroom tax

Up to 40,000 people will receive a refund thanks to an east London “hero” after he discovered that the government have wrongly assessed who is liable for the bedroom tax.

I have a bunch of other successful appeals which I intend to post up in this section with summaries when I get a moment to spare In the meantime here is a link to some:

http://nearlylegal.co.uk/blog/bedroo...ftt-decisions/


Appeals can be made through the First Tier Tribunal Service - Property (formerly known as the LVT).

[PlanB]

Re: East Londoner hailed ‘hero’ after finding loophole in bedroom tax

I'm wondering if this new legislation will be of any help to me, particularly where it says
''in some cases the exemption can be passed from one person to another''

Let me give you a little background.
My mum moved into this house in the late 70s, and I also lived here, in fact it was me that signed for the tenancy (I still have this tenancy agreement)
I moved out in the early 80s and my mum continued to live here..fast forward to 2010 and my mums health was quite bad and she couldn't really look after herself so I gave my home up and moved back to look after her..I was living on my own anyway and my kids had grown up and left home.

Anyway 5 weeks after I moved in my mum had a stroke and died 3 weeks later. The council wasn't sure if I'd be able to continue living here but as I'd given my home up to care for my mum they agreed to let me inherit the tenancy and also gave me the original tenancy agreement.

So that's it, any ideas on whether I'd be eligible for this exemption, is it worth me trying?

It's always worth trying. I'll get back to you after the weekend. Feel free to nag me by PM if I don't

[Scarlet x]

Re: East Londoner hailed ‘hero’ after finding loophole in bedroom tax

It's always worth trying. I'll get back to you after the weekend. Feel free to nag me by PM if I don't

Thank you planB

[IF]

Re: East Londoner hailed ‘hero’ after finding loophole in bedroom tax

I have a bunch of other successful appeals which I intend to post up in this section with summaries when I get a moment to spare In the meantime here is a link to some:

http://nearlylegal.co.uk/blog/bedroo...ftt-decisions/


Appeals can be made through the First Tier Tribunal Service - Property (formerly known as the LVT).

Thanks planB, it is interesting isn't it, look forward to reading if Scarlet x is eligible to appeal

[PlanB]

Re: East Londoner hailed ‘hero’ after finding loophole in bedroom tax

Thanks planB, it is interesting isn't it, look forward to reading if Scarlet x is eligible to appeal

Scarlet and I have exchanged PMs and there will be a new thread on bedroom tax starting next week in the housing section.

[IF]

Re: East Londoner hailed ‘hero’ after finding loophole in bedroom tax

Scarlet and I have exchanged PMs and there will be a new thread on bedroom tax starting next week in the housing section.

Brilliant, thanks again planB