rent service are visiting me-advice please

Kazzajr

socrates wrote: »

Rent Officers are being made redundant because of LHA and are of the opinion that it is too high - no way they are going to value it higher - they will only go lower. Then its top up time. Which the OP will not want.

What about the fact that by cancelling HB and claiming LHA could lead to investigations and benefit will be held up, don't think the LL would be pleased about that.

They would have to value it £25 less per month for the OP to be out of pocket, is this what is happening now they are valuing the rent much less than they would have previously?

socrates

squiggle37 wrote: »

do they go on how old the house is this house is only 5 years old and i thought £450 was fair amount of rent for new build. There a house over the accross from me thats for rent for £550 thats with an estate agent.

Its based on rooms not age, condition or anything else.

Your LL will feel that £25 extra per week is a lot fairer believe me

squiggle37

i will ring LL on monday ask if she can call round, see what she says.

thanks again.

socrates

Kazzajr wrote: »

What about the fact that by cancelling HB and claiming LHA could lead to investigations and benefit will be held up, don't think the LL would be pleased about that.

They would have to value it £25 less per month for the OP to be out of pocket, is this what is happening now they are valuing the rent much less than they would have previously?

Have you understood this thread?

The OP's LL is getting paid £450 pcm.

If the Rent Officers value it lower then she will be out of pocket.

There are no delays or investigations its a valid claim - not like the old HB days where rent took 10-13 weeks to come through.

The LA's have targets now and are fully computerised and cross linked with other departments

Kazzajr

socrates wrote: »

Have you understood this thread?

The OP's LL is getting paid £450 pcm.

If the Rent Officers value it lower then she will be out of pocket.

There are no delays or investigations its a valid claim - not like the old HB days where rent took 10-13 weeks to come through.

The LA's have targets now and are fully computerised and cross linked with other departments

Yes and the OP is on HB and you are advising she move to LHA by cancelling HB claim then reclaiming LHA (with a new contract from LL).

I was told that if I cancelled my HB and claimed LHA soon afterwards I may be investigated for depriving myself for financial gain, there would be a delay in processing the claim and I may be transfered back to earlier HB claim. I know councils vary but this is what I was informed. Surely there will be a delay until the claim for LHA is sorted?

squiggle37

just a thought as she got lots of properties with single parents in, she will have prob come accross this before with the rent service so she should know if they have cut down other people's rent for this area.

socrates

Kazzajr wrote: »

Yes and the OP is on HB and you are advising she move to LHA by cancelling HB claim then reclaiming LHA (with a new contract from LL).

I was told that if I cancelled my HB and claimed LHA soon afterwards I may be investigated for depriving myself for financial gain, there would be a delay in processing the claim and I may be transfered back to earlier HB claim. I know councils vary but this is what I was informed. Surely there will be a delay until the claim for LHA is sorted?

This is scaremongering - LHA is sorted vary quickly as said above and long before the month in arrears that LL's get paid already with HB

socrates

squiggle37 wrote: »

just a thought as she got lots of properties with single parents in, she will have prob come accross this before with the rent service so she should know if they have cut down other people's rent for this area.

She may know nothing about this at all - but I am sure it WILL interest her

Kazzajr

Socrates I am interested in this as I currently claim HB but LHA for myself would be higher than my HB.

I was going to cancel my HB claim and reapply for LHA (after 1 week break in claim) but was told that this would not be seen as a genuine reason to have stopped benefit. I would have no change in my contract so don't know if that would be different. Is this advice totally wrong then?

socrates

Kazzajr wrote: »

Socrates I am interested in this as I currently claim HB but LHA for myself would be higher than my HB.

I was going to cancel my HB claim and reapply for LHA (after 1 week break in claim) but was told that this would not be seen as a genuine reason to have stopped benefit. I would have no change in my contract so don't know if that would be different. Is this advice totally wrong then?

The genuine reason is the LL is increasing the rent and you cannot afford the top up.

LHA was introduced so that tenants had a budget to go and shop around for properties and could in theory get up to £15 per week personally without affecting their benefits. The BIG drawback is LHA goes to the tenant not the LL. Most LL's are not happy with this - understandably.