Housing benefit on part-buy/part-rent.

orandas

Alleycat, we'd hope to leave her a few bob in the bank in case of emergencies but knowing my niece she'll blow it unless there's some sort of control on how it's spent. I believe though that HB will cover service charges on such properties.
Ladyrider I don't think that the scenario you mentioned is possible. I think with it being a housing association they will insist that it would be my niece that is co-owner as she will be the one living in it. I think I read something about sub-letting not being possible and I suppose this case would come under that. So many grey areas it makes my head spin!

Alleycat

Housing Benefit will only cover eligible service charges so things like communal cleaning etc. However a lot of shared ownership flats service charges include water rates, gas and electricity. Obviously she would be expected to pay those bills anyway as part of living somewhere but they can be quite high compared to the amount you might pay as your normal usage. Sorry, just something to think about as I see a lot of clients who are finding things a real struggle with high service charges.