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Increasing Rent to Tenants on Housing Benefit?
Col.Mastard
Posts: 248 Forumite
How do I increase rent to tenants on Housing Benefit? Would I need to contact the Council? 
Many Thanks
Colin
Many Thanks
Colin
0
Comments
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If you tenancy agreement is with the tenants, you write to them and inform them that the rent will increase from date XX. Normally you need 2 months notice and you can't increase mid tennacy, so wait until the AST finishes and then when you offer to renew tell them the new rent.
They can ask the council to increase HB; if the amount is above the max HB they are entitled to, they will have to either tell you they are not going to stay and move out or find the extra themselves. If they decide they can't afford the increase, the council could tell them to stay put until you evict them and then the council will house them. Problems for you unfortunately.
They may well decide to pay the extra themselves, fine if they can afford it, but I see little value in having a tenant on benefit with a top up too large for them to manage. They will constantly be in arrears.
If they leave and you remarket at the higher level you are limiting your market if the rent is beyond HB tenants means. Fine if you are renting out a luxury pad in a posh-land, risky if it is an ideal HB property.I'm a Forum Ambassador on the housing, mortgages & student money saving boards. I volunteer to help get your forum questions answered and keep the forum running smoothly. Forum Ambassadors are not moderators and don't read every post. If you spot an illegal or inappropriate post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com (it's not part of my role to deal with this). Any views are mine and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.com.0 -
As far as I can remember, I just advised the agent I was increasing the rent from such a date. The agent advised the council accordingly!0
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i receive HB and my housing association sent me a letter a while back to say my rents going up and i needed to inform HB, thnx for this thread coz i just remebered i need to take the letter in!:j Baby boy Number 2, arrived 12th April 2009!:j0
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when you increase the rent on a HB tenancy, it may be that the tenancy needs to be re-determined by the rent assessment board/panel.
As silvercar says, you could be risking overvaluing for HB and putting your tenants in a serious situation, if they cant make up any shortfall. They can find themselves unable to find somewhere else if they cannot meet the rent with you and are in arrears.
Id call therentservice.gov.uk before doing anything.:beer: Well aint funny how its the little things in life that mean the most? Not where you live, the car you drive or the price tag on your clothes.
Theres no dollar sign on piece of mind
This Ive come to know...
So if you agree have a drink with me, raise your glasses for a toast :beer:0
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