Renting a flat and claiming dss. Do i still need to pay a months rent in advance?

00ec25

if you are renting from a private LL (not the "council" or other social LL eg HA) you claim Local Housing Allowance or LHA, it is all explained here

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018928

puddy

fruityfairy wrote: »

I always thought that too.
At the begining Last year my OH was out of work for 3 months and so he signed on JSA. We privately rent and the LL had stated when we took the tenancy that she would not accept DSS. I wondered at the time if if was possible for us to claim something towards to rent without the LL knowing (I believe she is claiming to be living in the house whilst living abroad but that is another story, however I think thats why she does not want DSS). Would it have been possible to claim?

yes, and you are absolutely entitled to claim

puddy

lil_miss_sunshine wrote: »

For some reason i thought that the HB was paid directly to the landlord..

it was never automatically paid to the landlord at any time. it was paid where the tenant requested it, for private lets, UNLESS the tenant became more than 8 weeks in arrears and the landlord requested it paid to them (with proof of the arrears)

the thing that changed initially was that if the tenant was later found not be entitled to that benefit, where it had been paid to the landlord, it was the landlord who was chased for the overpayment.

now, where that happens, the tenant is chased for the overpayment

but it has always been that the tenant can request where it was paid

BitterAndTwisted

fruityfairy wrote: »

I always thought that too.
At the begining Last year my OH was out of work for 3 months and so he signed on JSA. We privately rent and the LL had stated when we took the tenancy that she would not accept DSS. I wondered at the time if if was possible for us to claim something towards to rent without the LL knowing (I believe she is claiming to be living in the house whilst living abroad but that is another story, however I think thats why she does not want DSS). Would it have been possible to claim?

You may have been entitled to some LHA but it would have been dependent on what your own income was.

puddy

i think he was asking was it possible to claim despite his ll saying that she doesnt accept 'dss'.

yes it is possible to claim in those circumstances, he is absolutely entitled to claim. whether there is any actual entitlement to LHA is another matter but no landlord can say you cant claim. they can chuck you out on renewal but again, thats another matter

lil_miss_sunshine

Im 24 and hoping to move to London. Will i only be able to claim for shared housing? Where can i check this?

Thanks for all of your help!

lil_miss_sunshine

I'd be moving with my partner if that makes a difference..

puddy

with a partner you will be entitled to claim for a 1 bed flat (others will confirm if this is correct or not as it changed recently)

but you need to check what the LHA rate is for the area that you want to move to. if the LHA rate is lower than the rent on your flat, you will need to top it up from your jsa which will be difficult as you will also have bills to pay

i would look for a large room let in a shared house if i were you, bills will be considerably less

you will need a deposit which will be hefty for a flat, less so for a room

HappyMJ

lil_miss_sunshine wrote: »

Im 24 and hoping to move to London. Will i only be able to claim for shared housing? Where can i check this?

Thanks for all of your help!

lil_miss_sunshine wrote: »

I'd be moving with my partner if that makes a difference..

Yes both of you will be assesed together and can claim the allowance for a 1 bedroom property. Your partners earnings will reduce the amount that the council will pay. London is very expensive you will need to pay the first months rent upfront as well as a deposit which might be 6 weeks rent. As you are reliant on the council to pay your rent the landlord might request another 2 to 5 months rent up front to allow you to take on the tenancy. At a minimum this will cost you at least £1,000. The council will not help you pay this amount. LHA is paid in arrears so you will get it after you have paid the rent.

lil_miss_sunshine

Ok thanks! Does anyone know how much you are allowed to earn before it effects your LHA?