Housing Benefit cut confusion..."Valuation Office Agency"?

MEsteve

I just received a letter from Camden about my housing benefit saying they were reducing it from £80 per week (which left me with a £35 shortfall) to £67 per week (£48 weekly shortfall)...I am on incapacity benefit and thus my £110 weekly income means they take around £9 off the maximum housing benefit available.

I live in a shared accommodation 3 bedroom flat in North London and the total rent is £1560 per month. Weekly rent for my room is £115. This is regarded as a very cheap flat (and looks it) and I very rarely see anything cheaper in the surrounding areas. In fact a 3 bed flat in the identical adjacent building next door recently went for £153 per week. I have researched this thoroughly because there was a possibility I might have to move out because of damp.

However according to "Valuation Office Agency" the rent charged here is more than similar properties in the area. The Rent Service has decided the maximum they can use to work out my Housing Benefit is £77.14 per week. However there is no reasoning behind this number. I looked at the LHA page - it should be £96.96 for shared accomodation North London...am I understanding this LHA info correctly?

http://www.voa.gov.uk/LHADirect/BRMA_June_2011.htm

I have emailed them to ask why as they could not explain on the phone...can anybody suggest anything I can do? Does this sound normal?

MEsteve

anybody today can offer thoughts? thanks

Gingerbiscuit_2

No advice but talk to shelter they will have more information on rates per area, does sound like its to cheap. Like you say its only a room rate but thats what private room in shared house go for.

Gingerbiscuit_2

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/paying_for_a_home/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/local_housing_allowance

dmg24

Has your BRMA changed (the area that your rent is averaged out over)? Are you on LHA or HB?

Caz3121

there is also an Outer North London which is £80 per week

this site here allows you to check by postcode https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/search.aspx

MEsteve

dmg24 wrote: »

Has your BRMA changed (the area that your rent is averaged out over)? Are you on LHA or HB?

hi there - thanks all for the replies

I think I am on housing benefit because I applied before 2008...not 100% sure tho as I understand if you make a change they flip you over? Cant think of any change Ive made tho - and my letter says "Housing Benefit" all over it...

I just cant understand why this valuation office agency has come up with this figure...and the rent service has told me the highest rent is £77 per week. That is unheard of in London...still no response from my email to them...

thanks for any thoughts