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Housing benefit when you know the landlord

A girl I used to work with had to leave the town she was living in due to being attacked, cant really go into detail.

I live with my husband and 2 children. We own our house.

She is 19, out of work and claiming jsa, while she finds work in the new town.

She applied for housing benefit as she is renting a room.

We have just had a letter asking loads of questions, one is asking if we socalise . we do a bit, but we are in our 30s so its not like we are out together all the time or anything.

Will this mean she cant claim? Just we cant really afford to house her as we dont have much money ourselfes and its getting really hard, but I dont want to see her out on the streets, but in no way do I want to claim wrong then have to pay it back.

Comments

  • fluffymovie
    fluffymovie Posts: 1,417 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    It sounds like they want to know if you are acting as a commercial landlord. This means would you evict if they didn't pay the rent, are yo utreating them as you would any other tenant.
    I currently manage a Housing Benefit service and have been working in Housing / council tax benefit (as was) since 2001.

    All views expressed in my posts are my own opinions and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer.
  • Cate1976
    Cate1976 Posts: 406 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 13 February 2014 at 3:17PM
    Are your renting her a room using the Rent a Room scheme? Maximum rent you can charge is £81 week. Details here: https://www.gov.uk/rent-room-in-your-home/the-rent-a-room-scheme Might be worth you checking the shared accommodation rate of LHA for your area as well to see how the 2 compare. How much rent are you actually charging per week? Some socialising should be ok as you're friends.
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