Housing benefit-dependents

Clop28

Hi

I don't know if anybody can help but as of March I will be unemployed (I'm not anticipating that I will have found anything by this point-as there is nothing in my field out there) and I am therefore trying to work out my next steps.

I earn c. £27,000 and have no significant savings to speak of. I currently rent a room in my landlords house, i.e he lives there, in Leicestershire. Ideally I would love to move in with my boyfriend (if nothing but for some emotional support going through redundancy again...)-who rents in exactly the same situation except in Hertfordshire. However, if I live with him (i.e find somewhere new for us to rent exclusively), even though we have absolutely no financial ties, will I become his dependent, meaning 1) he becomes 'officially' responsible financially for me, and 2) I won't be entitled to receive any housing benefit?

Alternatively, plan B (albeit reluctantly), if my lovely landlord agrees, is to stay put in Leics where presumably will be eligible for housing benefit-I currently pay £380pcm plus bills. I have no idea whether he has acknowledged to the local council that he has a lodger-would he need to do so if I claim benefits?

Plan C is to return home to my parents but aged 30 this is something I am desperately desperately trying to avoid at all costs!!!

Due to the nature of my work I would expect to move anywhere in the country for work, if this makes any difference.

I suspect similar questions have been asked before and for that I apologise but I couldn't find them on here. Facing up to unemployment is rather overwhelming and a bit of a minefield. If anybody can think of any other potential pitfalls I'd be very grateful to hear them!

Many thanks in advance.

dmg24

If you move in with your partner you will have to make a joint claim, his income will be taken into account also.

If you stay where you are you will be able to claim the shared room rate of LHA. I'm not sure where you are in Leics but if you come under LCC it is only £60 a week.

Jowo_2

Clop28 wrote: »

... Ideally I would love to move in with my boyfriend (if nothing but for some emotional support going through redundancy again...)-who rents in exactly the same situation except in Hertfordshire. However, if I live with him (i.e find somewhere new for us to rent exclusively), even though we have absolutely no financial ties, will I become his dependent, meaning 1) he becomes 'officially' responsible financially for me, and 2) I won't be entitled to receive any housing benefit?

.

Correct. Your partners income will definately be used to calculate your entitlement to housing benefit though you would have £65 per week JSA (for the first 6 months if you are entitled to contributions based JSA) with which you can use to chip into household bills.

Despite your personal financial preferences to remain independent of each other and preference to depend instead on the public purse, the means tested benefits system is premised on a couple offering mutual support and assistance to each other.

nannytone_2

£380 a month for a room in your landlords house....plus bills?
think he saw you coming!!!

Jowo_2

Clop28 wrote: »

...
Alternatively, plan B (albeit reluctantly), if my lovely landlord agrees, is to stay put in Leics where presumably will be eligible for housing benefit-I currently pay £380pcm plus bills. I have no idea whether he has acknowledged to the local council that he has a lodger-would he need to do so if I claim benefits?

.

The Shelter website will explain to you how Housing Benefit (Local Allowance works). Go to the LHA Direct website to work out what the LHA rate is for a room in a shared property. Bills are generally excluded but the Shelter website will give specific information.

The landlord does not have to have any kind of relationship with the local council for you to claim. He only needs to declare income above £4250 to the HMRC under the Rent a Room scheme. You will receive the LHA directly.

You don't even need to tell him but he would probably appreciate you communicating your intention. Not all landlords like their tenants (or lodgers) in your case to be benefit claimants for various reasons.

Do you have a written lodgers agreement?

dmg24

nannytone wrote: »

£380 a month for a room in your landlords house....plus bills?
think he saw you coming!!!

It does seem very high for the area. I am in Nottinghamshire and when I rented I paid less than that for a self contained flat.

Oldernotwiser

nannytone wrote: »

£380 a month for a room in your landlords house....plus bills?
think he saw you coming!!!

In Leicester!!

AnxiousMum

wow - one of my sons has just signed a tenancy agreement for a room in a house in Reading - at £340 per month plus share of bills.

fluffymovie

Anxiousmum, the reading lha rate is 79.63 so it's about right!!!