Wondering

shortbread

Hi,

I have lived with a friend in a house he rents privately for about a year. Since moving in his HB has been reduced from £220 to £65 per month.

I am grateful to have this place to live as I could not afford the £500/600 per month many landlords are asking for.We have a good landlord as she has not increased the rent sincemy friend moved in years ago, although this is reflected in the actual house as there have been no improvements in years except for CH 3 years ago. However I had expected that the HB office would consider that we would be paying half the rent each.........my friend receives long term IB and lower DLA (mobility) while I work part time and claim both tax credit and Childs tax credit.

I am finding it difficult having to manage the remaining rent by myself, my friend cannot afford to pay more towards the rent and I cannot expect him to have to from his income...........I just wondered if this was right??

Surely the HB should not expect me to have to pay the lions share.........surely as the tenant, my friend should be allowed more HB ??

Yes I am a non dependant but how can they justify reducing my friends HB from 200 to 65 a month? I am not expecting a free ride, but had expected it to be fair in that I would willingly pay half of the rent!!!

Any help greatefully received

Oldernotwiser

Do you think that you may have been assessed as a couple?

julie03

how much is the rent altogther and how much do you pay

shortbread

NO we haven't been assessed as a couple as I am classed as a non dependent!

The rent is 300 per month and I have to pay 235 , ok this isn't a lot compared to what others have to pay, but my question is why does the Council expect me as a non dependent to pay more than half the rent especially if the tenancy is in my friends name??

tattoed_bum

your friend may only get an entitlement for shared housing ,and have you checked to see if you would be entitled to any sort of housing benefit yourself.
you dont say what size of house it is ie 2 or 3 bed as this may also be where the problem lies .
ie if he is only entitled to a 1 bed but is living in a 3 bed then his hb will only cover for a 1 bed iyswim ,therefor you would have to pay the remaining rent .

sorry just noticed if his hb was £220 and the rent was £300 then he would have been making up the £80 difference himself ,is he still able to do this if so that would only leave your rent £155 per month so you would be roughly paying the same

shortbread

He rented the house as 2 bedroom, but since then has decorated the attic and he sleeps in there. My 16 year old son also lives in the house , he is still at school.

He has lived in this house for a long time and has never had problems before with HB.......as I stated it went from £220 a month to 65 after I moved in.

I moved in to help my friend with finances etc, so no he cant really afford to pay the 80 pounds per month extra, the council tax benefit has been reduced also, so don't feel it is fair to put all this pressure on him by asking him to pay out when he has in fact been doing me a favour by letting me live in his home.

I have been told I am not entitled to an HB

tattoed_bum

i can see what you mean by not wanting to ask him to help as he has given up his room for either you or your son .
please double check with your local authority about the rent for him and also for yourself as it is no longer hb but is now paid by your local authority and this may be why the amounts have changed as each individual authority can set the amount of benefit given .
so the amount he may have been awarded by the benefits agency may have been changed by the local housing authority .
and the same also for yourself .
please enquire again as the worst they can do is say no