How do you get rates relief?

babss

Hello !

I,m hoping that somebody could help me. My parents applied for a oil burner replacement grant through the housing executive and were turned down. The reason they were turned down was because they were getting housing benefit, but for last 10 years or more they thought they were getting rates relief.
How do you get rates relief?
They are both in their 70's, they own their own home and have very little savings.
Would really appreciate a little bit of advice.
Thanks
Brenda

merlin68

What's rates relief?

Geko

Years ago we all paid 'rates' (now called Council tax) so your parents may be thinking of that. I'm guessing that they get council tax benefit which, again I'm guessing was formerly called 'rates relief'. I hope that helps.

Richard1075

If they are getting Housing Benefit they must be renting the home they live in - each financial year they will get an award letter for Housing Benefit. The weekly/monthly rent is either paid to them or paid direct to their landlord.

If they are receiving Hosuing Benefit, which is means-tested, they would have had to supply income details to their local council each year.

In the past every house had a "rateable value" and this was how General Rates [a tax on your home levied and collected by your local council. This form of taxation was changed to in the early 1990's when Margaret Thatcher brought in Community Charge [which was given the name "Poll Tax"] There were a number of riots by people protesting that this tax was unfair as there was no rebate and everybody had to pay a 20% figure even if on welfare benefits.

This system ended in 1992 and a return to a system similar to General Rate was introduced - Council Tax - this system meant that people could get a rebate called Council Tax Benefit, which again was means tested.

If you are getting Housing Benefit due to the level of your income it could be that you are entitled to Council Tax Benefit as well.

merlin68

You normally claim housing benefit and council tax benifit together, they are on the same form.

HappyMJ

merlin68 wrote: »

You normally claim housing benefit and council tax benifit together, they are on the same form.

It's northern ireland where rates and rates relief still exist.

suelees1

http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/money-tax-and-benefits/benefits-and-financial-support/on-a-low-income-1/housing-benefit-rate-relief.htm

babss

Thanks for all your advice.

We live in Northern Ireland,so we still pay rates here, but what I dont understand is how they would be getting housing benefit if they own their own home? Dad says they are getting rates relief but houing Executive says no they getting housing benefit.

My husband who services oil burners has said that he has been talking to a number of pensioners who are in the same situation that they have applied for the grant only to be told that they are in reciept of housing benefit yet they own their own homes.
Any advice?
Brenda

HappyMJ

babss wrote: »

Thanks for all your advice.

We live in Northern Ireland,so we still pay rates here, but what I dont understand is how they would be getting housing benefit if they own their own home? Dad says they are getting rates relief but houing Executive says no they getting housing benefit.

My husband who services oil burners has said that he has been talking to a number of pensioners who are in the same situation that they have applied for the grant only to be told that they are in reciept of housing benefit yet they own their own homes.
Any advice?
Brenda

You can get housing benefit for the service charges and/or ground rent if it's a leasehold property rather than freehold.