Housing benefit/rent increase

Nony_2

After 16 months in my rented house, I have been informed that my rent is to go up on March 1st.
I was on a low rent initially while my landlord was on a lower rate mortgage and always knew it would increase after this initial period.
However, I rang the local Council offices and was informed that I would not get the increased benefit until the next rent review in 8 months time (2 years after I came here). This was apparently because they assumed that my rent would be staying the same; I didn't let them know otherwise!!
I didn't KNOW I had to let them know before I knew myself!!

How do I pay the extra rent if they won't increase the Housing Benefit? I am 61 years old and dependent on Retirement Pension and Pension Credit.

CIS

AFAIK the amount can be adjusted at any time, they would soon adjust it if your income changed.

Are you currently under some form of HB rent restriction ?

I would ask them why they wont review the rent and tell them that you are suffering hardship on the grounds of the rent increase.

Nony_2

Thank you for replying - another night owl! I'm not under any restriction as far as I know; the lady I spoke to asked if my rental contract stated when the rent would go up. When I first applied for Housing Benefit I wasn't asked for a contract (I didn't have one at the time anyway) and certainly wasn't advised that the rent was only reviewed strictly annually.
This seems to me that I'm expected to forecast rent increases before they happen! My landlord held off asking for any extra rent as long as possible, but his favour seems to have turned into a burden for me.
Basically, I have informed the Council of the increased rent and they are saying I can't receive increased Housing Benefit until October.
Off now to starve in my garret!!! :rolleyes:

dinkie_2

Hi Nony

Situation doesn't sound right at all! Any time I've had a change in rent, I've needed to apply again for housing benefit and had the amounts adjusted. I'd definitely go to the Citizens Advice Bureau, as you're surely entitled to the right benefit amounts, and they can advise you further.

Good luck, Cat

black-saturn

I think you must be on the registered rent scheme with the local housing office. I dont know the details of it that well but it's something to do with being in line with similar properties in that area and if they go up the HB all goes up on the same day.

These might explain it better:

http://www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1157000

http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/benefits.nsf/a/privatetenants

ClaretGeoff

What's probably happening is relating to the Rent Officers Decision on your property. A Rent Officer Decision is obatained by your local authority to determine what is a 'fair rent' for your property based on size, location and condition and household make-up. These are (with occaisional exceptions) only used in relation to properties which rented privately - i.e not from a Housing Association.
These decision must last a minimum of 12 months, unless there is a contractual rent increase agreed previously, which in your case appears it isn't. Unless there is anything that is wrong with the local authority referral (ask to see their copy of this, or request a copy from the Rent Service), then you're a bit stumped.
To meet the shortfall in your rent, you can approach your local authority for a Discretionary Housing Payment, which would help you meet the shortfall in your rent. These are supposed to be used "in exceptional circumstances", but in most authorities I have worked in they are given out pretty much routinely. Any other queries post a reply and i'll try and find out.