19 year old - housing, etc

[Deleted User]

Son done 1 year at university and doesn't want to go back. However,he is financially committed to a house with 4 others who are going back to university. He can't find anyone to take his place in the house.

He will therefore have to live in the house and get a job to pay the rent, council tax and his share of the utilities until the lease is up. That was ok because he had a part-time job. However, on Friday, they told him he was being laid off. He's pretty desperate because his rent is due on 15th August.

Can he claim JSA and housing benefit until he gets a job? How long do these benefits last for and how does he go about getting information.

Any other suggestions for dealing with this gratefully received.

Caz3121

JSA will depend on what status the Uni have for him. Has be officially withdrawn from his course or has he suspended his studies?
HB will depend on similar and if qualifies this is paid in arrears and can take some time for the first payment so he should not expect to get payment by 15th August (or probably September) Council Tax support will need to be claimed separately
It sounds like this is an HMO so probably need to check up on council tax support in HMO as I think the landlord and not the tenants has the responsibility to pay

JSA will be phone call for initial claim then will get appointment
Local Council will be for housing benefit

how long till the lease is up?

[Deleted User]

Hi

Thank you.

He has withdrawn from the uni officially now.

What does HMO mean please?

irishjohn

HMO - House Multiple Occupation

silvercar

Once A level results are announced next week and more university places are sorted, he should be able to find someone to take his place.

It really is difficult to live with a group of students when you are working. Also they will all be exempt from council tax, leaving him as the only one needing to pay. He would get a 25% discount as the only eligible person living there, but 75% of the total for a 4 bed house will not be cheap. Even if the landlord is liable to ensure it is paid, the money will still be owed.