Housing benefit + CTB and houseshares

redbicycle

I'm looking at a couple of houseshares in my area.

I left employment due to illness last year and currently on income based ESA (likely transfer to JSA once DWP get round to scheduling another work-capability assessment for me).

I'm currently living with parents, but finding that a bit limiting given I'm late 20's and have lived away at uni both undergrad and postgraduate

One is a student house at present, I'd be sharing with 3 students, but I'm not a student now, so that would create a council tax liability equal to 75% of the full rate for the property.

The other is a similar shared house but with employed people, where the offered rental includes council tax and utilities. (I presume that means I'd be a lodger rather than joint tenant)

I'm really not sure how housing benefit is worked out where you are sharing a houseshare with people who are not eligible for HB (fulltime students, or employed and earning above income threshold).

Since these properties are houseshares, rather than "Houses in Multiple Occupation", how does the financial position of housemates affect a potential housing benefit claim.

I am under 35 so only eligible for £66/week LHA, but able to top up thanks to savings in the bank, and the benefit income.

redbicycle

Basically what I think I'm asking is does whether I rent as a lodger, subtenant, or joint tenant affect how the houseshare situation is seen for housing and council tax benefit purposes.

p00hsticks

redbicycle wrote: »

The other is a similar shared house but with employed people, where the offered rental includes council tax and utilities. (I presume that means I'd be a lodger rather than joint tenant)

I can't help with your question, I'm afraid, but my understanding is that the definition of a lodger is someone residing in the same house as the landlord. If the landlord is elsewhere, then you are a tenant, regardless of whether the rent includes the utilities or you pay them separately.

pmlindyloo

When applying for Housing Benefit the council will look to see what kind of tenancy agreement you have and what amount is your liability.

If you house share and have a landlord who does not live in the property then you could have either a joint tenancy agreement with the other tenants (not a good idea as you are each liable for the whole rent if one or more defaults) or a separate tenancy.

If your tenancy includes council tax and utilities then the council have a formula for working out what your rent and council tax liability is.

Sharing a house with students would make you liable for 75% of the council tax. Not sure how this would be seen with regards to a claim for CTB.

Why don't you go to your local council offices and find out exactly what they require so that you are 'armed' with the correct information.

There is a poster on here who is claiming JSA and the council have been very 'awkward' as regards his HB claim, asking for a lot of paperwork from him and his LL.

Best to know exactly what the housing office will require and how they work out the rent when utilities and council tax are included and how the claim for CTB would be seen if you were responsible for 75% CT of a house with students.

Also if you have all this information then you will be in a better position to budget (savings won't last for ever!)

redbicycle

pmlindyloo wrote: »

When applying for Housing Benefit the council will look to see what kind of tenancy agreement you have and what amount is your liability.

If you house share and have a landlord who does not live in the property then you could have either a joint tenancy agreement with the other tenants (not a good idea as you are each liable for the whole rent if one or more defaults) or a separate tenancy.

If your tenancy includes council tax and utilities then the council have a formula for working out what your rent and council tax liability is.

Sharing a house with students would make you liable for 75% of the council tax. Not sure how this would be seen with regards to a claim for CTB.

Why don't you go to your local council offices and find out exactly what they require so that you are 'armed' with the correct information.

There is a poster on here who is claiming JSA and the council have been very 'awkward' as regards his HB claim, asking for a lot of paperwork from him and his LL.

Best to know exactly what the housing office will require and how they work out the rent when utilities and council tax are included and how the claim for CTB would be seen if you were responsible for 75% CT of a house with students.

Also if you have all this information then you will be in a better position to budget (savings won't last for ever!)

I've seen a copy of the form my council uses online but I'll try to get down to the council office and ask these queries if I can.