Voluntary Repo and Housing Benefit

strawberryblonde

Hi

Is anyone able to advise on whether or not we would be entitled to claim Housing Benefit to rent a private property if we go for voluntary repossession?
My OH and I are unable to meet our mortgage payments and Santander have said tough there is nothing they can do. I just want to know the best course of action. I have read lots of info on Shelter website etc but cant seem to find an answer to this question.

I have been awarded £52 per week tax credit so would hope to be entitled to HB on the grounds of a low income- OH earns about 21000 p a.

I am just asking for advice from anyone else who is/has been in the same situation.

Many thanks

Triggles

I believe if you take voluntary repossession that benefits look at it as voluntarily making yourself homeless and will refuse to house you, if you're looking at council housing. As far as housing benefit, I don't know. Have you asked CAB about it at all?

Hopefully someone will be along shortly with a bit more info. Good luck.

Delree

If you have kids you stand a chance but if not that 21k salary might preclude you from housing benefit.

dmg24

You need to supply more information, £52 tax credits implies children? I am with Delree though, the chances of getting LHA/ HB on a £21,000 salary are low unless your LHA rate is high (i.e. you're in London or have several children).

Triggles

Have you checked the "entitledto" website to see if you might qualify? I think 21K may put you well over the qualifying levels, but then it might be affected by size of family and location as well.

Gothicfairy

Depends on where you are to be honest.
If you have children then you might have a shot at a house but you should get emergency housing (that can be a flat etc though) if you are just adults you have less of a chance.
Being repossessed should give you about 180 points but it all comes down to if the local council has anywhere to put you. Here there is a shortage of anything so although I have the points to be rehomed there is no home for me to go to.
I would strongly suggest sorting something out yourself as Delree has already said, if you have kids you might just get some HB but if you are adults 21 k PA is way to much. We have only 18k coming in and get NOTHING as we have no kids.

We got a really cheap caravan off ebay and are moving onto the site in 2 weeks as that seemed the best option for us but it might not work for you.

Look at renting in your area and take it from there

dmg24

Gothicfairy wrote: »

Depends on where you are to be honest.
If you have children then you might have a shot at a house but you should get emergency housing (that can be a flat etc though) if you are just adults you have less of a chance.
Being repossessed should give you about 180 points but it all comes down to if the local council has anywhere to put you. Here there is a shortage of anything so although I have the points to be rehomed there is no home for me to go to.
I would strongly suggest sorting something out yourself as Delree has already said, if you have kids you might just get some HB but if you are adults 21 k PA is way to much. We have only 18k coming in and get NOTHING as we have no kids.

We got a really cheap caravan off ebay and are moving onto the site in 2 weeks as that seemed the best option for us but it might not work for you.

Look at renting in your area and take it from there

The OP has asked about housing benefit to rent privately. They have not asked about council/ social housing.

Gothicfairy

opps was reading another forum at the same time and kinda got a bit mixed up.....my bad

podperson

The voluntary repossession would not stop you getting Housing Benefit - I had to voluntarily surrender my old house when I lost my job and since I was on JSA could still get Housing Benefit for the house I was then renting privately - it was a drawn out process though as they sent someone to assess the house and make sure I had no equity in it. However the fact that your OH is on 21k a year would take you over the earning limit for HB.