“Specialist Housing Committees have been consulted over the legal implications of re-classifying thousands of properties to maximise savings in the unpopular, soon to be implemented, bedroom tax.

Given the go-ahead, it's estimated 1 in 3 occupants in social housing – thought safe from the sanctions – upon re-evaluation will be deemed to have extra living space and forced either to find smaller properties or survive on lesser housing benefit.

Under new rules, a single bedroom having more than 180 sq ft floor space will be redefined as two rooms. The Government are calling to amend the 1985 Housing Act which will make these changes enforceable. The cost of dividing up living space should these measures be introduced will fall on the claimant, with the tenant facing eviction or heavy fines if failing to carry out work within strict time limits.”