Housing Benefit do I have to tell Landlord??

baybeebug

I've just looked and found that I maybe entiltled to a small amount of Housing benefit (£30 p/w) do I have to let my landlord know that I'm claiming it?
I pay him by d/d every month and not in arrears or anything like that but this little bit extra would come in useful.

Cheers

Indie_Kid

I've heard it may causes issues with insurance.

Jowo_2

No, I am not aware of any obligation by a tenant to inform the landlord that they are claiming LHA. LHA is now paid directly to tenants.

I'm aware that apparently some lenders or insurers for landlords effectively bar them from housing benefit claimants but this is really an issue for the landlord. I'm also aware that some landlords prefer to serve notice rather than accept a tenant that has LHA but that's their prerogative.

Benefits_Bod

As already stated by others, there is no legal requirement for you to notify your LL of a claim made for HB. I have occasionally seen agreements containing a term "forbidding" tenants to claim HB. It is not a legally enforceable term.

HOWEVER.... there is always the *possibility* (no more, no less), that circumstances may arise where the LL could become aware of the claim. In theory, the Council *could* contact your LL if it has doubts about the integrity of the agreement you have. But, if all is above board, I can't see any GOOD reason why the Council would pro-actively seek to contact the LL.

In my experience, LLs tend to be wary of HB claimants because of the horror stories that appear on the front pages of the red-tops about the "type" of tenant that claims HB (because, obviously, no HB claimant is honest, decent and responsible... :eek: - quite!). Further, particularly in years gone by, LL's receiving HB directly often found themselves the target of attempts to recover overpayments that were caused entirely by tenants.

Based on both professional and personal experiences, I have found the majority of private landlords are fine so long as the rent is paid and the property is looked after.

baybeebug

well I've been paying the rent (£650) out of my wage for over the last year and now the tax credits are messing me around I thought I'd look and see what else I was entitled to and hence the HB but don't really need the landlord knowing everything considering its for such a small amount.

Thanks to all for the help I shall see how I claim now.

Benefits_Bod

baybeebug wrote: »

Thanks to all for the help I shall see how I claim now.

Contact your local Council's benefits section and ask for a claim form. Make a note of the date / time / person you speak to. If you submit the claim within one month of asking for it, any entitlement *should* run from the first Monday of your initial request.

You could ask for backdating. However, you need to ask for it (most claim forms will ask the question; otherwise a separate letter is good enough). Backdating is limited to a maximum of 6 months AND you must show "good cause" for not making an earlier claim. Good cause must be continuous right up to the date of your request for backdating. If you show continuous good cause, which *should* be judged on the balance of probabilities, backdating is mandatory.

baybeebug

what do they class as a good cause??

Benefits_Bod

baybeebug wrote: »

what do they class as a good cause??

In plain English, think of it in terms of whether you had good reason(s) for not claiming earlier. If the only reason for not claiming was the concern about the landlord knowing, why did you have that concern? If other reasons, did you make enquiries to find out? If not, why was that? No need to answer on the board - it's just to show the kind of thought process(es) that *might* be relevant.