housing benefit

gra-bags

My 22 year old son intends to move to London to look for work. It seems too good to be true, but if he rents a bed-sit, or a room in shared accomodation, will he really be able to claim housing benefit; or is there a catch somewhere?

HappyMJ

No catch. He needs to find somewhere that will take someone without a job though and that will be difficult unless he has lots of ready cash to pay the deposit and the rent but if he has too much cash he won't get housing benefit.

gra-bags

if he pays the deposit, and the first month's rent in advance, can he claim housing benefit on that first month's rent, even though it has already been paid?

HappyMJ

gra-bags wrote: »

if he pays the deposit, and the first month's rent in advance, can he claim housing benefit on that first month's rent, even though it has already been paid?

That's what everyone else does. Housing benefit is always paid in arrears.

gra-bags

Thanks HappyMJ, you have been very helpful

BigAunty

It's fairly common for landlords to be reluctant to rent to LHA claimants for a variety of reasons. The minority that do often want a guarantor or may request up to 6 months rent upfront.