Claiming Housing Benefit After Moving?

audiopineapple

Hello,

I was kicked out of university a couple of weeks ago due to lacking confidence (teacher training course) and was trying to fill in the form to claim JSA but I'm a bit stuck.

It asks if I want to claim housing benefit but I can't because the landlord doesn't accept it. My tenancy runs out at the end of the month so I'm desperately trying to find a landlord who will but this will mean moving to a different borough (I haven't found any properties where I am. I don't even know where to look. I'm single and under 35 so I would get around 70-80 a week and everywhere I've found is 150 a week plus.)

Therefore, if I claim JSA and say I don't want housing benefit and then move in a couple of weeks would they refuse it at the new property? Do I just not claim anything until I find somewhere else? I already submitted my postcode before it asked the question

GwylimT

Claim JSA and then put in a HB claim when you find a suitable property.

tom717

If the tenancy has already started then I can't see why the landlord would know (unless housing benefit is paid direct to him).

Even if he did know, it won't be that simple to kick you out because of it.

edit:it might be worth posting in the housing forum to check you understand what your rights are wrt tenancy "running out"

kirkbyinfurnesslad_2

tom717 wrote: »

If the tenancy has already started then I can't see why the landlord would know (unless housing benefit is paid direct to him).

Even if he did know, it won't be that simple to kick you out because of it.

It really doesnt matter at this stage if the landlord accepts it or not, still apply for it, send them all your documents and the HB is paid directly to you, you then pay your LL

tom717

solbert wrote: »

Of course it is, a section 21 notice can be issued in the OP's case.


https://www.gov.uk/gaining-possession-of-a-privately-rented-property-let-on-an-assured-shorthold-tenancy

I know that, it will still take months though.

GwylimT

tom717 wrote: »

If the tenancy has already started then I can't see why the landlord would know (unless housing benefit is paid direct to him).

Even if he did know, it won't be that simple to kick you out because of it.

edit:it might be worth posting in the housing forum to check you understand what your rights are wrt tenancy "running out"

The landlord could issue a section 21, if my tenant was lying and receiving housing benefit I would issue a section 21 straight away as they would be causing me to break both the terms of my mortgage and my buildings and contents insurance.

audiopineapple

GwylimT wrote: »

they would be causing me to break both the terms of my mortgage and my buildings and contents insurance.

This is why I don't want to claim for here (don't want to cause anyone grief) plus it's £110 a week for my room so I wouldn't be able to afford it if he did accept benefits.

I wouldn't be kicked out at the end of the month, it becomes a rolling monthly contract so I could pay it from my savings (about £1500 left from my student loan) but I need this to pay a deposit and first month rent somewhere else or possibly pay the SLC back with it, though they said it should only be a small amount to pay back.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

If you are liable for rent in your current address then claim it - your landlord doesn't need to know you are claiming HB.

When_the_going_gets_tough

OP I hate to add to your problems but I think you will need to claim Council tax reduction as well, now you are no longer a student. If you are in a house share with everyone else a student that can be a problem. I think you need to seek advice from your Local Authority at the same time as you apply for housing benefit.

audiopineapple

At the moment all bills and council tax are included in the rent. I have no idea if the people here are students, some of them only live here a week or two before they move out.

I've found somewhere at £90 a week to look at tomorrow but I have no idea if it will be in a liveable condition or not (no pictures) so hopefully if it is okay I can just worry about paying the extra for this place out of my savings and claim there.