rent service are visiting me-advice please

squiggle37

Hiya got letter this morning from The Rent Service they comming to visit me next week
Says in the letter they need to see my home so they can decide how much rent can be considered in working out housing benefit.
I have rented this house for over a year, been claiming HB they paid all my rent, nothing changed.
Was wondering if anyone else had a visit if so what do they want to know so i can be ready for them, i mean do they want proof of my benefit or do they just come and look at house.
thanks in advance
Ange

poppysarah

Just to chck you live there really. Oh and maybe to check you don't live with anyone else that you've not declared and that you're not dripping with diamonds and 52" plasma screens either.

squiggle37

poppysarah wrote: »

Just to chck you live there really. Oh and maybe to check you don't live with anyone else that you've not declared and that you're not dripping with diamonds and 52" plasma screens either.

thanks, non of the above im all legit..well apart from a couple of 32" tv's, 52" wouldnt fit into this living room lol

poppysarah

several large TVs might indicate you've had other income which might trigger benefits investigations etc. Don't want to worry you but if you've been on benefits a long time then it might look odd (Unless you've got very generous parents)

socrates

squiggle37 wrote: »

Hiya got letter this morning from The Rent Service they comming to visit me next week
Says in the letter they need to see my home so they can decide how much rent can be considered in working out housing benefit.
I have rented this house for over a year, been claiming HB they paid all my rent, nothing changed.
Was wondering if anyone else had a visit if so what do they want to know so i can be ready for them, i mean do they want proof of my benefit or do they just come and look at house.
thanks in advance
Ange

LHA - Local Housing Allowance has replaced HB - so why would they be visiting you - unless this is an old claim pre April 2008 or in Scotland.

A bit more info please - is this a private let?

squiggle37

Sorry i should have said its private rented

socrates

Ok - bit more background before I answer whats the post code not the full postcode just the first part e.g SE15 and how many bedrooms.

What is your current rent pcm or per week which ever you prefer

Also does the rent go straight to the LL and do you pay any top up.

After you answer these questions I can tell you what to do next

poppysarah

https://lha-direct.therentservice.gov.uk/Secure/Calc.aspx

How many rooms are you entitled to if you're being moved to LHA rules?

Kazzajr

If it is the Rent officer who is coming, it might be to do with he actual amount of applicable HB should be paid for your property (not your circumstances).

This is usually when the rent officer hasn't seen your property before so needs to assess what a fair rent is for that property. I was told when I first applied for HB that my proprerty or similar had already been viewed by rent officer and a fair rent had been determined, this fair rent is lower than my rent so be aware your HB may reduce.

poppysarah

https://lha-direct.therentservice.gov.uk/Secure/LHARateSearch.aspx?SearchType=PostCode

Thats how much you'll get by postcode
You need to know how many rooms you'll be entitled to too

socrates

poppysarah wrote: »

https://lha-direct.therentservice.gov.uk/Secure/Calc.aspx

How many rooms are you entitled to if you're being moved to LHA rules?

You cannot be moved to LHA - I will answer in full when I get the answers to my questions