plz help housing ben suspension

lisab3664

can someone please help me. went to the bank on tuesday to pay my rent and realised my housing benefit had not gone in? callen my landlord (private rent) straight away and advised there was a prob? called council and they said it had been suspended, i asked why and was told that they had apparantly requested a copy of my tenancy agreement and had not received it? i told them that i had not had anything from them about wanting this? so i took it straight down to the council office and handed it in, the lady on the desk said it would take them a few days to turn it around and that i would get a letter about the outcome!! she said they might not backdate it either as they deem it as my fault for not receiving mail!!!

so now im in arrears with my rent my landlady has called me this AM stating that i need to pay her something demanding to know what other money i get, i told her my inc support is due on tuesday coming but that i need it for other commitments and bills, she then said oh your rent should be your first priority really you need to pay me before your gas and elec etc!!! im really worried and very unsure about what to do, i have 2 kids and she didnt actually threaten me in the words but it was there if you know what i mean??

please help ill with worry x

jojo_2012_2

When did you last give them a new copy of your tenancy agreement? I think whether or not they have a new copy you're still legally liable to be allowed to live there for something like 3 years without an updated copy. Go to the citizens advice they'll give you more info.

wolfehouse

afaik your landlord cannot throw you out righ away even if you get into arrears
but you can ask shelter more about this.
they have been known to advise people to not leave until the entire legal process has been completed
which can take months and you should have an answer well before it comes to that
besides, you have shown very willing to take care of things.

BigAunty

lisab3664 wrote: »

...

so now im in arrears with my rent my landlady has called me this AM stating that i need to pay her something demanding to know what other money i get, i told her my inc support is due on tuesday coming but that i need it for other commitments and bills, she then said oh your rent should be your first priority really you need to pay me before your gas and elec etc!!! im really worried and very unsure about what to do, i have 2 kids and she didnt actually threaten me in the words but it was there if you know what i mean??

I think your landlady was commenting on sensible practice when addressing debts. Debt experts do advise that people prioritise things like rent and council tax above other commitments, such as credit cards, because of the impact they have (eviction for rent arrears, prosecution for council tax arrears). Not sure she's that on the ball, though.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ManagingDebt/PlanYourWayOutOfDebt/DG_10013266

Go to the debt free wanabee board for advice on how to decrease your expenses and increase your income, to head off this potential debt, so you are aware of your options.

Are you able to borrow funds from friends or family to pay your rent arrears until the council's payments continue? Still a risky strategy though, as you can suffer a relationship breakdown if you mix relationships with money and there is a dispute.

See the Shelter website for information about how to address your rent arrears and to understand your housing rights. Is your tenancy within the fixed term or has the fixed term elapsed and you now have a periodic tenancy, one that rolls on month to month?

lisab3664

thanks for ppl's responses

firstly this is the first time ive claimed housing benefit and had moved property so that is why new agreement was asked for.

im in a fixed term for 6 months initially have 3 of that remaining however i love this house but this is not the 1st time ive had a prob with landlady unfortunately so i think when the 6 runs out i'll be moving on cant deal with her stress and her attitude towards me she treats me like an idiot and talks down to me as if she better than me,

ive not been late with any rent so far, im on income support lone parent not working so the chances of my being able to source cash elsewhere to help with this prob are unlikely and i have little to no family to speak of

housing benefit have told me it will get sorted and its likely to carry on as it was just unclear whether or not there will be a shortfall due to backdating or not?? just my landladies !!!!!ing that has me worried

cheers x

[Deleted User]

if they refuse to back date then appeal,as for LL dont let her bully you

stroodes

could you not get a job and pay your own rent????

lisab3664

stroodes wrote: »

could you not get a job and pay your own rent????

if i could i wouldnt be here asking for advice would i??

and for your information my husband threw me and my children out on the street with nothing that is why im in this situation my youngest child is only 2, so if getting a job and not having to rely on the state was that easy i would be doing so dont you think considering i've never been on the dole or anything before till now!!

thanks i'll jump off my soapbox now