Nightmare :(

Red_dog_Sam

As above - check with Smiths Gore \ Highways Agency for potential voluntary rent rebate schemes in place of HB.

Just to underline the validity of the advice given above, this document describes the existence of such schemes (see section 3.200 and 3.211 and Annex and lists Highways Agency as a government department that lets properties which Local Authorities (LAs) might receive HB requests for.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/hbgm-a3-liability-to-make-payments.pdf

Then this one describes how LAs should treat these cases, providing you with a notional assesment (section 4.200 to 4.221)
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/hbgm-a4-eligible-rent.pdf
This also indicates that if a rebate scheme does exist, some agencies will make their own assesment for rebates whilst other will use the notional assesment provided by the LA. Unfortunately it doesn't say which crown landlords operate in which way.

raven83

JoAndRoo wrote: »

I've just Googled around and have managed to answer my own question. We were only entitled to housing benefit when I wasn't working, now I am we're not allowed to claim it - all because of the sodding Crown tenancy agreement. I hate life :'(

Can i ask what is what is crown tenancy agreement?

Red_dog_Sam

From http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/hbgm-a3-liability-to-make-payments.pdf

Whether a property is a Crown tenancy depends on who holds the landlord’s interest rather than to whom rent is paid. The following occupiers are properly Crown tenants even if the tenant pays rent to a third party or agent who manages the property for the landlord - tenants who occupy accommodation under a tenancy or licence where the landlord’s interest
[FONT=Frutiger LT 55 Roman,Frutiger LT 55 Roman][FONT=Frutiger LT 55 Roman,Frutiger LT 55 Roman]• belongs to Her Majesty in right of the Crown, except if the property is managed by the [/FONT][/FONT]Crown Estate Commissioners
[FONT=Frutiger LT 55 Roman,Frutiger LT 55 Roman][FONT=Frutiger LT 55 Roman,Frutiger LT 55 Roman]• belongs to a government department, or
• is held in trust for Her Majesty for the purposes of a government department
[/FONT][/FONT]