Claiming Housing Benefit in London

justlooking2012

midnight_express wrote: »

I Think the OP Should be looking at a cheaper area such as east London.

I think the OP should try something revolutionary and get a job, or shall we all continue paying while he/she builds up their business

graduate2012

If you've lived in the property for either 12 or 13 months, they will pay your full rent for 13 weeks.

I would suggest looking in Acton, fairly close to Hammersmith and much cheaper. I can't imagine you finding a studio flat in Hammersmith for less than £1000. I had a studio in Acton for £580 all bills included.

BigAunty

Firefox1975 wrote: »

Can someone really get a studio in Hammersmith for between £88.50 and £123.50 per week?

Really?

I don't live in London, but I would be surprised if they can.

...

Those rates that I quoted were for rooms in shared properties in that area because that's all that the OP is due. I had a quick look on Rightmove and there are some bedsits from about £120 per week (not studios as there is often shared bathrooms).

They may desire a self contained property but they don't qualify for the 1 bedroom rate of £220 -£250 per week.

LHA rates are supposed to be set at the lowest third of local market rents, the cheapest third of rental properties in the area. It used to median (average) rents, known as the 50th percentile but it reduced to the 30th percentile meaning only around a third of properties fall within the LHA rate instead of half in the past.

Some critics say the rates have little actual correspondance with the prices of properties to rent in the area and few affordable properties fall within it.