Is there a right of appeal against LHA?

treasureirealnds

Just after some advice please.

I'm a PT working single Mum to 3 school age kids. In receipt of HB and WTC. Given notice by landlord and found a new place. I checked on my LA website for LHA rates.

Paid dep etc, called HB today to get Change of circs form and enquired to this months LHA rate. I was informed I fall under a different district. This is different to what is stated on their web and lady said I should have called to enquire before paying a dep!
Yes maybe I should but maybe their webpage should be clearer!

LHA for different area is £220 a month lower!!:eek:

Can I appeal once my award for new property comes through?

rogerblack

treasureirealnds wrote: »

Can I appeal once my award for new property comes through?

Appeal what?
The LHA rent - no, it's set at a fixed level for the type of property.
The location of your house - again no - unless you move it.
Unless they've got these wrong, there would seem to be little left.

You should however as I understand it be able to get monies you paid back.

treasureirealnds

Appeal that is not clear on the webpage.

On the map of their rates, every house one side of the river is rate A and every house the other side is rate B.

I assumed I was rate A (higher amount) when I spoke to HB was told that there are 12 postcodes that the map online does not refer to and are counted as rate B (lower amount)

HappyMJ

treasureirealnds wrote: »

Appeal that is not clear on the webpage.

On the map of their rates, every house one side of the river is rate A and every house the other side is rate B.

I assumed I was rate A (higher amount) when I spoke to HB was told that there are 12 postcodes that the map online does not refer to and are counted as rate B (lower amount)

What does the LHADirect website come back with as the BRMA? https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/search.aspx As you are right on a border of a BRMA it is up to you to get the correct rate before signing a new tenancy.

treasureirealnds

Thanks for the link. Its lists both areas as an option!

Thats that then!

Thank you

Transformer

Thing is on such a serious change as in move, alway better to ring prior to making the descision and paying deposit to double check you have understood the website properly, that is where you might falter, they will ask why you did not ring to confirm first where it could have been clarified.

Thing is despite what sites say you need to ring, get name and reference to call to back you up if things then are told different with any benefit or rate to protect yourself. You say you assumed, as understanding as that is assuming anything with benefits can cause you hastle. i never understand the sites

Hope you get sorted.

puddy

seeing as most people would check on the website to get their information,, it would be worth making a serious complaint about the financial position this has put you in

however, i agree with those above that say unless you spoke to someone who gave information about the particular address you wanted to move to, you may have trouble convincing them to pay a discretionary amount for a particular period based on your complaint

in terms of appealing the amount based on hardship or whatever, you need to have 'exceptional' circumstances in order to qualify and even then it will be for a particular period only

it is poor practice though to have misleading information as they are the source that you would go to, to get that information from

fluffymovie

You can't appeal a decision as they haven't made a decision. Your new council has.

You could only complain to the first council,

treasureirealnds

Txs guys.

It is the same LA for both properties.