I need help! Council Homes / Housing Benefit etc

Pumpkin_Pie_5

Hi guys,

OK here's the tale: Lass has recently married chap and they live in a council owned one bed flat. His bro is staying there too and lass is pregnant - Babe due in september. Chap is disabled and does not work, brother doesn't work either and lass is going on Mat leave fairly soon (no enhanced)
They have been told they have "no chance" of getting a 2 bed flat as the council need to see said babe's birth certificate and even then it'll take "years".
My thoughts - That they should consider moving away from that district (London) or possibly look to rent privately.


So... can anyone help with ideas of their options and how I can find out what if any housing benefit they could get? Please?

Many thanks guys
PP x

EagerLearner

Sorry PP not much I can add apart from a bump, someone with info bound to come along soon... maybe call housing benefit or research on Google x

poppysarah

Do they work? Would they live to live elsewhere?
Moving away from the madness of London has got to be a good idea if it's the only way they'll get bigger housing for a sensible price.

I'd say they should go and see their MP but these days they'll just try to rent you their btl portfolio.

EagerLearner

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Pumpkin_Pie_5

poppysarah wrote: »

I'd say they should go and see their MP but these days they'll just try to rent you their btl portfolio.

Snigger!:rotfl:

omen666

First and foremost never give upo a council house, you will take years to get another one.

Have they thought of a flat swap? Upgrade for someone that is prepared to downgrade

This is what the LHA are prepared to pay

https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/Secure/Default.aspx

liz545

DirectGov is always a good place to start with this kind of thing. If he doesn't work because of a disability, he should be on health-related benefits such as Incapacity Benefit or Employment Support Allowance. If they're in a 1 bed at the moment they may just have to stick it out until the baby's born, but they should go and see their housing officer - I'm not 100% on this but if the 4 of them are living in a 1 bed flat that would constitute overcrowding and make them a higher priority for a bigger flat. TBH, if they've got a council tenancy they should try and hold onto it, as the waiting lists are very long, and council rents are usually very favourable compared to private renting, and the tenancies have greater security which is important if they're expecting. HTH!

Pumpkin_Pie_5

Thanks guys that's very useful - I shall trawl direct gov and see what I can find...
PP x

Jowo_2

I don't understand why an adult brother is adding to the overcrowding of the household with his married brother and expectant bride? Perhaps he should just move out? I hope this doesn't come across as glib but it seems an unusual arrangement unless one is acting as carer for another, for example.

Is he also on the tenancy agreement with the council or if not, does the tenant have permission to sublet to others? It will help others to give advice if it is understood who are the named tenants with the council.

The reason I query this is that if he doesn't have any official status there, I imagine he is considered no more than a guest of the household and is ignored when it comes to housing size allocation.

Has the 2nd brother applied to the council and local housing associations for his own accommodation - they award extra points for overcrowded households, I believe.

I don't believe LHA is payable when one relative rents to another who both live in the same property, should one of them be acting in the capacity of landlord and charging their guest rent. Again, apologies if that's not the case, I just don't full understand their tenancy status.

Morglin

Pumpkin_Pie wrote: »

Hi guys,

OK here's the tale: Lass has recently married chap and they live in a council owned one bed flat. His bro is staying there too and lass is pregnant - Babe due in september. Chap is disabled and does not work, brother doesn't work either and lass is going on Mat leave fairly soon (no enhanced)
They have been told they have "no chance" of getting a 2 bed flat as the council need to see said babe's birth certificate and even then it'll take "years".
My thoughts - That they should consider moving away from that district (London) or possibly look to rent privately.


So... can anyone help with ideas of their options and how I can find out what if any housing benefit they could get? Please?

Many thanks guys
PP x

I would have said 'lass' and 'chap' need to help 'brother' find somewhere else to live, and when the baby is born, then apply for a bigger place, although it may take ages before they actually get a bigger flat - but, to be honest, I wouldn't give up the council flat.

At least there, it has got security of tenure.

Lin

maninthestreet

Was getting a pregnant a good idea given their current housing situation?
It must quite cosy in that 1 bed flat with 3 adults living there.