Renting and Housing Benefit

gw515

Hi. Just wondering if anyone could offer me some advice.

I was due to start a new job this month and had to look to move. After admin fees were paid for a 3 bedroom house (£525 rent per month) and furniture accrued, I was given the bad news that the position would need to be rescinded due to council cuts. As such, I am unemployed at present.

Although this is not an ideal situation, myself and my partner wish to proceed with the move given that our own parents' homes are full to the brim with the furniture we have bought.

I am wondering if i would be eligible for housing benefit and if so, what this may equate to?

My boyfriend earns just over £800 a month after taxes. I was until 4 months ago earning around £1500 a month after taxes (unsure if this would come into account).

Would appreciate any advice . Thankyou

Dunroamin

Even if you are eligible for LHA, it'll only be for 1 bedroom accommodation, so you need to expect to pay a large part of the rent yourselves.

Caz3121

You can find the LHA rate for the area you are looking at here http://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/search.aspx
As has been said, if you are a couple with no children, the one-bedroom rate is the maximum that can be paid irrespective of the size of property you live in, and these figures are based on the lowest 30% rents so it would not be unusual to have difficulty finding property around this amount
They will use this rate and then it will be reduced by the household income...you can run an example through one of the benefits calculators such as turn2us. I imagine it is going to be really tight on a household income of £800 per month

BigAunty

You may find that your landlord will consent to cancelling the tenancy agreement if you flag up your changed financial circumstances.

A sensible landlord would want to protect against the strong risk of arrears. That said, the landlord doesn't have to consent and if they do, may want to mitigate their losses by charging rent until a replacement tenant is found and any advertising fees for it. You would also lose your admin fees.

You could then put your stuff into storage or seek permission with your parents to continue storing it there.

See the Shelter website to understand how a fixed term tenancy agreement can be ended. Have you actually signed the agreement yet?

Jobseeeker

Your boyfriend is on a low income so you may be entitled to some HB but it won't be much, use one of the online calculators to check.

Is bf over 25? Look into working tax credits as well.