Notifying Landlord of housing benefit?

Geenie

tbs624 wrote: »

musingsofnikki - if you have sufficient funding to cover rent during any benefit delays then my suggestion would be to not discuss the matter with the LL until *after* you have actually sorted your claim out.

If you are continuing to pay your rent on time, and you are still within your fixed term then it is irrelevant. The LL may have a mortgage under the terms of which she is not supposed to let to tenants in receipt of benefits but they can't kick you out during a fixed term.

If you have a copy of your tenancy agreement that is all that is needed by the LHA officers: ask them to note on your file that at this stage that you do not want your LL to be aware of your claim for benefit. Then reconsider what you want to do: one stage at a time

tbs 624, I find this sort of posting very puzzling, not least because if it was a LL pulling the wool over a tenants eyes, ie in arrears and about to get possessed, there would be out cry on here about the scummy LL not being fair to the tenant and letting them know!

What you are proposing to the OP could put the LL in a difficult position with their mortgage provider and possibly insurance! You have no idea what the LL has had to do, sacrifice or spent years grafting to obtain this property, but assume they can take a financial hit, after no indication by the OP they have been bad LL's and not been totally fair during the tenancy.

I hope OP you choose the honest option. It has always worked for me and countless LL's I know. Any decent LL values good tenants who pay on time and are up front, whatever their change in circumstances. As already stated, I was contacted by HB people, so it would have been difficult for the tenant to avoid me knowing. The fact she made me aware of her changing circumstances beforehand, and that they would want a letter from me, only made me value her more, for being honest and fair, as I aim to be with them.

Good luck OP.

fili2009

I NEVER KNEW OF THE OUNCIL CONTACTING THE LANDLORD SO NO OU DO NOT NED TO TELL HIM UNLESS YOU WANT TO:j

Tigsteroonie

Just to answer the OP's question - or rather not - it perhaps depends on the local Council?

I only say this because our Council (Manchester) actually asked on the application form whether we were happy for the LL to be contacted or not.

I would have expected all councils to be the same, but reading the other responses to this thread, perhaps not?

tbs624

Geenie wrote: »

tbs 624, I find this sort of posting very puzzling, not least because if it was a LL pulling the wool over a tenants eyes, ie in arrears and about to get possessed, there would be out cry on here about the scummy LL not being fair to the tenant and letting them know!

What you are proposing to the OP could put the LL in a difficult position with their mortgage provider and possibly insurance! You have no idea what the LL has had to do, sacrifice or spent years grafting to obtain this property, but assume they can take a financial hit, after no indication by the OP they have been bad LL's and not been totally fair during the tenancy.

Whoa, Geenie! What's there to puzzle about? Read my post again.

tbs624 wrote: »

musingsofnikki - if you have sufficient funding to cover rent during any benefit delays then my suggestion would be to not discuss the matter with the LL until *after* you have actually sorted your claim out.

Does this say that I am suggesting that the LL should go without their rent? Nope, it doesn't.

tbs624 wrote: »

If you are continuing to pay your rent on time, and you are still within your fixed term then it is irrelevant. The LL may have a mortgage under the terms of which she is not supposed to let to tenants in receipt of benefits but they can't kick you out during a fixed term.

Clearly acknowledge there that there may be specific mortgage terms, but the point is that there is nothing the lender or the LL can do if the T is still within their Fixed Term.

tbs624 wrote: »

If you have a copy of your tenancy agreement that is all that is needed by the LHA officers: ask them to note on your file that at this stage that you do not want your LL to be aware of your claim for benefit. Then reconsider what you want to do: one stage at a time

The T has been under stress: s/he does not need the extra potential burden of a LL getting in a hissy fit before s/he (the T) knows where s/he stands vis a vis her claim for LHA.

The key point is that not once, but twice, I have commented on the rent being paid. If the situation were such that the LL may be waiting around for their rent then of course a T would be better discussing the matter with the LL at the earliest opportunity.

Geenie wrote: »

I hope OP you choose the honest option.

:rolleyes: What I suggested is not dishonest - so long as the LL gets his/her rent on time there really is no issue.

Geenie wrote: »

It has always worked for me and countless LL's I know.

And others see things differently, and have different experiences, which are every bit as valid

Geenie wrote: »

I....Any decent LL values good tenants who pay on time and are up front, whatever their change in circumstances.

I repeat, no one has said that the T should not pay on time but as things stand with LHA the LL does not have an absolute right to know that the T is claiming. The T may indeed inform the LL of the change in circumstances but within their own time frame.

I'm not sure if there is not a bit of an unpleasant message coming across in your post. LHA claimants do not *all* fall behind with the rent, run off leaving a trail of debts and a trashed property etc

Your comments equating a T making a claim for LHA , but not informing the LL straight away, with a LL who hasn't told his T that he has failed to meet his mortgage payments & is about to have the property repossessed by the Lender is a nonsense.

In the first scenario, there is (at the moment) no evidence that the T will not meet their contractual obligations. Unfortunately, in the second it is pretty evident that the LL will definitely not be meeting his/hers.

Geenie

tbs624 wrote: »

Whoa, Geenie! What's there to puzzle about? Read my post again.
Does this say that I am suggesting that the LL should go without their rent? Nope, it doesn't.
Clearly acknowledge there that there may be specific mortgage terms, but the point is that there is nothing the lender or the LL can do if the T is still within their Fixed Term.

The T has been under stress: s/he does not need the extra potential burden of a LL getting in a hissy fit before s/he (the T) knows where s/he stands vis a vis her claim for LHA.

The key point is that not once, but twice, I have commented on the rent being paid. If the situation were such that the LL may be waiting around for their rent then of course a T would be better discussing the matter with the LL at the earliest opportunity.

:rolleyes: What I suggested is not dishonest - so long as the LL gets his/her rent on time there really is no issue.
And others see things differently, and have different experiences, which are every bit as valid
I repeat, no one has said that the T should not pay on time but as things stand with LHA the LL does not have an absolute right to know that the T is claiming. The T may indeed inform the LL of the change in circumstances but within their own time frame.

I'm not sure if there is not a bit of an unpleasant message coming across in your post. LHA claimants do not *all* fall behind with the rent, run off leaving a trail of debts and a trashed property etc

Your comments equating a T making a claim for LHA , but not informing the LL straight away, with a LL who hasn't told his T that he has failed to meet his mortgage payments & is about to have the property repossessed by the Lender is a nonsense.

In the first scenario, there is (at the moment) no evidence that the T will not meet their contractual obligations. Unfortunately, in the second it is pretty evident that the LL will definitely not be meeting his/hers.

Where did I state the following that you quote about me in your reply tds624? Read my post again with glasses on. You state I implied........

I'm not sure if there is not a bit of an unpleasant message coming across in your post. LHA claimants do not *all* fall behind with the rent, run off leaving a trail of debts and a trashed property etc

Where have I stated LHA, fall behind rent or trashing in my post?!!!


Get your facts straight and your morals.There are many of us who abide by the rules at all times and are decent.

It is people like you who do no justice to either side from lack of knowledge and skills, yet post on public forums supposedly knowing it all!!!

tbs624

Geenie wrote: »

Where did I state the following that you quote about me in your reply tds624? Read my post again with glasses on.

That's quite funny, as you misread the content of my original post and now you've got my user name wrong. It wasn't a quote (which is a repeat of someone's own words)

Geenie wrote: »

You state I implied........

I'm not sure if there is not a bit of an unpleasant message coming across in your post. LHA claimants do not *all* fall behind with the rent, run off leaving a trail of debts and a trashed property etc

Where have I stated LHA, fall behind rent or trashing in my post?!!!

Make your mind up - did I post that you stated or that you implied?Either way, try here:

Geenie wrote: »

...... if it was a LL pulling the wool over a tenants eyes, ie in arrears.

Geenie wrote: »

You have no idea what the LL has had to do, sacrifice or spent years grafting to obtain this property, but assume they can take a financial hit, after no indication by the OP they have been bad LL's and not been totally fair during the tenancy.

Geenie wrote: »

Any decent LL values good tenants who pay on time and are up front, whatever their change in circumstances.

Geenie wrote: »

Get your facts straight and your morals.There are many of us who abide by the rules at all times and are decent...

Yes, Geenie people should "get their facts straight".
"Abide by the rules" , you say? Please do show us the *rule* which says "thou shalt notify the LL immediately you stop working, regardless of whether you are able to continue to meet your contractual obligations"

Geenie wrote: »

It is people like you who do no justice to either side from lack of knowledge and skills, yet post on public forums supposedly knowing it all!!!

:rotfl::rotfl:
If you can't bear people disagreeing with you then perhaps you should stay off public fora.

May I suggest that if you'd like to continue your angry rant, clearly engendered because my view in response to the OP's query differed from your own, that you do so by PM so as not to bore everyone else.

tbs624

musingsofnikki wrote: »

left my job a month ago, for the sake of my mental health and whilst I am applying for things, and have some savings, I'm looking at what benefits I am entitled to. Looking at it, it looks like I can get housing benefit which will pretty much cover my share of the rent, which would be a huge help. It does ask for my landlord's contact details though - will he find out? I don't think it would be a problem, as the lady below us doesn't work, I'm just thinking that if he does get notified by the Council, it might be best for me to give him a quick call first.

As several posters in the thread have pointed out, the LHA officers do *not* have to tell the LL that you are making a claim. Your scenario is different from that of someone starting a new tenancy, who should let the LL know if they intend claiming from the very start.

As you are already a tenant at the property, you are not being "dishonest" by not volunteering this information immediately. However, should you have difficulty meeting your rent payments until your claim is finalised you *should* discuss the matter, as indicated previously

theartfullodger

From Bendix:

Oh, that's a huge relief.

I'm absolutely delighted that you gave up your job (for your mental health) in the toughest recessions since the 1930s, and that those who can be bothered to go to work in the morning happily know we are paying your rent for you. I was worried you might be penniless you see, but now I will be able to sleep soundly tonight.

Now, if you'll excuse me for a moment, I need to go and create some wealth so that that roof will stay over your head tonight.

Stone me, it's one thing to be a complete smug a***ole of a ***, entirely another to decide you're happy to be seen as one. Amazing!

Cheers!

Lodger

stclair

musingsofnikki wrote: »

left my job a month ago, for the sake of my mental health and whilst I am applying for things, and have some savings, I'm looking at what benefits I am entitled to. Looking at it, it looks like I can get housing benefit which will pretty much cover my share of the rent, which would be a huge help. It does ask for my landlord's contact details though - will he find out? I don't think it would be a problem, as the lady below us doesn't work, I'm just thinking that if he does get notified by the Council, it might be best for me to give him a quick call first.

Thank you!

I used to process housing benefit claims and you dont have to tell the LL that your claiming benefits.

Theres now a box on the form which asks if you want the money to come direct to you or to the landlord.

If you tick the box for the money to come to you the LL will never know.

However you still do have to provide your LL detials and you will be required to send them proof of rent and tenancy etc.

But the LL will not be contacted.

PS That was a policy was for birmingham city council and im sure the same policy exsists for other councils

kissjenn

stclair wrote: »

I used to process housing benefit claims and you dont have to tell the LL that your claiming benefits.

Theres now a box on the form which asks if you want the money to come direct to you or to the landlord.

If you tick the box for the money to come to you the LL will never know.

However you still do have to provide your LL detials and you will be required to send them proof of rent and tenancy etc.

But the LL will not be contacted.

PS That was a policy was for birmingham city council and im sure the same policy exsists for other councils

Hi,

Under LHA as many others have said your landlord will not be contacted and there is no longer an option to have the rent paid direct to your LL except in some very specific circumstances. Rent is determined on locally agreed bandings and not through rent determinations any more.

Telling your LL is completely up to you and if a LL makes a speculative call to their council under the Data Protection ACt the council should offer absolutely no information about whether or not you even have a claim unless you have elected that your LL can be kept informed.

That's the process in Scotland and we've been told by the council and MPs that that's the process in the entire UK, regardless of the council. It's national not local policy.

By the way: LL's are having big problems with LHA - hence some of the difficulties you are experiencing here - and the arrears you see on my sig. If you just keep paying the rent, everyone will be happy. Some folk however get LHA and think ca-ching, I'll spend this and that's when it all goes to hell in a handcart and LLs oddly enough start to get a bit twitchy. Nothing personal.