First time renting help

Chris1988

Hey im 24 and from Scotland, currently living with my mother. I am looking to move out and get my own place.

I am employed part time at the moment and have been accepted into college in August.

I have been looking at propertys that accept DSS, and found some close to my work and college, im just not sure what to do now. Am i eligible for DSS? And how do i go about getting it who do i contact.

The proppertys i have been looking at are all around £400 / £500 pcm. How much of this will DSS cover?

Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. As this is my first time im kind of lost as to what the whole proccess intials.

Thanks Chris.

MX5huggy

I doubt you would get Housing benefit and if you did it would only be for a bed sit or 1 room.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018926

Beckyy

One important question is how much do you earn, and will this change once you start college?

I'm not certain of the specifics without checking, but LHA will not cover anywhere near £500pcm if you were entitled. Are these 1 or 2 beds, and what council do you come under?

Chris1988

Right now i earn £291 a month, and when i start college i will recive a bursary ( im not sure how much tho ). I have only been lookng at 1 bedrooms, i am under Glasgow city council.

The lowest let i have seen is £350 pcm.

perthperson

Hi Chris, if you're a full time student unfortunately then you probably won't be eligible for housing benefit/local housing allowance. There are a few exceptions to this rule so definitely double check with your local Council or with Citizens Advice Bureau or student support services at the college.

Most students can only afford to share flats (if they can afford at all)

rentergirl

No, you won't able to claim HB. And also: watch for the Council Tax, as many people won't share with full time students, who are exempt from Council tax, meaning they must pay it all. Oh - and you will have to share, as anyone under 35 only gets single room rate.

Beckyy

If you include rent, bills, utilities and living costs I don't think you'd be able to afford it. Maybe a room in a house share, but even then you would be struggling to afford living costs without more money.

Is your Mum happy for you to live at home for a while longer? If so, I think it would be good to stay there and save up some more money until you've finished college and work more hours.

Best of luck with the future

Caz3121

Chris1988 wrote: »

Right now i earn £291 a month, and when i start college i will recive a bursary ( im not sure how much tho ). I have only been lookng at 1 bedrooms, i am under Glasgow city council.

The lowest let i have seen is £350 pcm.

The housing benefit will be based on the LHA of £65 per week, the payment will also be reduced as you have income.
Students, unless single parents or disabled, don't get housing benefit.
Do you have savings to pay the deposit, months rent in advance and the excess rent each month in addition to bills, and all the rent when you become a student?