HB and sharing a house

skintyc

hi i'd really appreciate some advice on my HB situation.

i am on income based JSA and have to move from the place where I've been renting privately by myself. I'd like to share with someone but haven't got someone for definite yet. However I have found a 2 bedroom place that is a bargain, though the HB I'm eligible for alone won't quite cover it. But I have a small amount of savings that could cover the shortfall for a month or two.

However, I can't quite figure out if I then found someone to share with, to make up the shortfall, if it would be deducted from my benefits - which would seem unfair as the money would be going straight to my landlord, not into my income.

Thanks!

Oldernotwiser

You should try to rent the place jointly with the other person with separate rental agreements etc. That way you can claim LHA at the shared accommodation rate for your portion of the rent.

SkyWatcher_3

OP - your age may be a determining factor too.

If you are under 25 you are only entitled to a "shared room rate". This changes to under 35s from April but it't a little more complex than that. Check your local Council website for details of the changes if you fall within these age ranges.

Oldernotwiser

SkyWatcher wrote: »

OP - your age may be a determining factor too.

If you are under 25 you are only entitled to a "shared room rate". This changes to under 35s from April but it't a little more complex than that. Check your local Council website for details of the changes if you fall within these age ranges.

Sorry but I do wish people would get this bit right - t isn't "shared room rate" it's "shared accommodation rate", which is completely different!

If the OP has another person on the tenancy then the shared accommodation rate will cover him/her as s/he will actually be renting a room in a shared flat.

SkyWatcher_3

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Sorry but I do wish people would get this bit right - t isn't "shared room rate" it's "shared accommodation rate", which is completely different!

If the OP has another person on the tenancy then the shared accommodation rate will cover him/her as s/he will actually be renting a room in a shared flat.

No need to be sorry, just stop being so picky. :rotfl:

[Deleted User]

SkyWatcher wrote: »

No need to be sorry, just stop being so picky. :rotfl:

to give correct advice on these matters its important that posters use the correct terminology:rotfl:

SkyWatcher_3

woodbine wrote: »

to give correct advice on these matters its important that posters use the correct terminology:rotfl:

Slight tweak in name but both terms are still commonly in use and current.

I'd rather argue about something more interesting than obscure technical terms but, either way, I hope the OP has got some ideas and has now gone to get formal advice!

paddedjohn

Shared room rate implies that the OP would have to share a room with someone whereas the shared accomodation rate implies sharing the whole house/flat.

Oldernotwiser

SkyWatcher wrote: »

No need to be sorry, just stop being so picky. :rotfl:

It's not being picky - we've had posters on here who actually thought that they had to share a room!