Housing Benefit in London

Big_Poppa_2

Anyone else find the Housing Benefit rates totally unfair in London?

Just been quoted 91 pounds a week maximum for a single room in a house in Southwark. The minimum I can find any properties in this area are around the 105-125pw mark.

Any suggestions?

I'm really new to this whole renting thing. But to me 91 pounds a week in London seems far too low as a maximum. If the JSA was high I'd understand, but JSA is 60 pounds a week or 45ish if you're under 25. So I don't personally think it's fair. Just need a bit of help while i find a job, finding it very hard going to get a job and now i anticipate it will be difficult to afford a Room aswell.

pie81

Where are you living at the moment? Can you not stay there until you find a job in London?

BitterAndTwisted

I thought they'd got rid of HB and it's Local Housing Allowance these days? Any way, I believe it varies from borough to borough and possibly area to area as well. No-one NEEDS to live in Southwark, especially if they don't work there so why don't you investigate other boroughs and see what the LHA might be there?

ETA: I suspect you might not be looking hard enough, I've just found a double room available in Southwark for £90 a week in 30 seconds by doing a quick Google.

Fair? It's free tax-payers money and no-one ever said it had to be fair. I suspect your sense of entitlement might be affecting your point of view. Anyway, there are no jobs here, so it might be best to just stay put where you are

ILW

Alternatively, get hold of about 6 kids from somewhere, stop looking for work and they should sort you out with a million pound plus place. others seem to do it

Jowo_2

Look at Spareroom.co.uk and Gumtree for cheap rooms in shared digs. You don't say where you are looking in Southwark - if you are looking at London Bridge/Borough areas, it will be tougher to get a room in Zone 1 central areas compared to parts of Bermondsey and Camberwell/Peckham/Nunhead where there will be loads in that price band.

adg1

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

I thought they'd got rid of HB and it's Local Housing Allowance these days?

LHA is the new name for HB. It seems that you just qualify for the room rate at £91. Its all based on your circumstances I'm afraid, which I believe includes your age.

They base the rates on average rental values for that particular borough so there must be rooms available at or below that price somewhere - just need to look hard to find one.

Big_Poppa_2

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

I thought they'd got rid of HB and it's Local Housing Allowance these days? Any way, I believe it varies from borough to borough and possibly area to area as well. No-one NEEDS to live in Southwark, especially if they don't work there so why don't you investigate other boroughs and see what the LHA might be there?

ETA: I suspect you might not be looking hard enough, I've just found a double room available in Southwark for £90 a week in 30 seconds by doing a quick Google

Yeah but mate I can't seem to really find any though? Looking at 105ish pw from all the sites i've been on.

And tbh I do really need to live somewhere like this or similar. I'm basically an asylum seeker within my own country. (I'm mid twenties, born here worked here my whole life all that), but due to the City I live in the racism is so bad here that I pretty much do need to live in London. Won't say which city, but the north west. Got another interview in 2 weeks hopefully I get it this time, just missed out last time.

lynzpower

In time, when you have a job though, wont you be able to pay the rent anyway??

Big_Poppa_2

Jowo wrote: »

Look at Spareroom.co.uk and Gumtree for cheap rooms in shared digs. You don't say where you are looking in Southwark - if you are looking at London Bridge/Borough areas, it will be tougher to get a room in Zone 1 central areas compared to parts of Bermondsey and Camberwell/Peckham/Nunhead where there will be loads in that price band.

Camberwell, type way. Room in a house. Nothing special, I'm not deluded or arrogant like. Just think the rate should stretch another 15 quid a week because I'm not finding anything for 91 pounds.

Up here the HB easily covers people's rent each week. So I don't think it's fair. If it was the same rules for everywhere I wouldn't complain. I live with my parents now before anyone moans lol. I've never claimed.

Big_Poppa_2

lynzpower wrote: »

In time, when you have a job though, wont you be able to pay the rent anyway??

It'll be far easier to get a Job once I'm down there with my own permanent base though. Only so much I can get done kipping at my mates flat with no spare key etc.

adg1

Big_Poppa wrote: »

Camberwell, type way. Room in a house. Nothing special, I'm not deluded or arrogant like. Just think the rate should stretch another 15 quid a week because I'm not finding anything for 91 pounds.

Remember that you are not teh only person claiming LHA. If everyone's allowance went up another £15 then where would the money come from?

LHA is based entirely on market rates, thus there must be property available in that bracket in that ward - it'd be pointless to just come up with a figure from thin air -

"oh a 3 bed sir? That's be £1200pcm we'll give you."
"But mr housing adviser, the market rate for a 3 bed is £2000!"
"I know, but thats what we want to give out! Sod what the local rental market says".

No one would get anywhere!