Can a council tenant on housing benefit rent another property privately?

stars2012

Hello, can I as a council tenant (claiming housing benefit and council tax credit) rent another property elsewhere privately? Would that affect my secure council tenancy and/or housing benefit/council tax credit to live on TWO addresses?
I intend to use the other address for business, but I'm not sure whether that matters to the council or not.
Thank you.

Pixie5740

If you are looking for business premises that is different to renting another residential property.

stars2012

Hi and thnaks. The private property I'd be renting (for a very small, affordable amount) would be a music studio where I could sleep as well. Do you think the council would mind that I have two addresses..?

Pixie5740

You'll have a business address and a home address. The business address will have business rates rather than council tax. You won't get any assistance from the council to pay the rent on your business address.

ellie27

I do not know much about how benefits work but I would have thought that you are receiving benefits because you cannot afford to rent privately? You can afford to rent privately so why do you get housing benefit?

Pixie5740

Private renters can also claim housing benefit and not all council tenants receive housing benefit.

The OP is not looking for another home but business premises although living in the business premises confuses things a bit.

stars2012

ellie27 wrote: »

I do not know much about how benefits work but I would have thought that you are receiving benefits because you cannot afford to rent privately? You can afford to rent privately so why do you get housing benefit?

Hi, I cannot afford to rent privately. This second address would be owed by my friend who would let me use it almost for free. The answer I am looking for is whether as a council tenant I am allowed to live in two addresses. The housing benefit factor is not important in this question. I just would like to know if my secure council tenancy could be jeopardised by having two addresses. Thanks!

alibean121

Why do you keep talking about living at 2 addresses? I'd imagine you're not allowed to do that while keeping your council property...

That has nothing to do with you renting business premises. Why wouldn't you stay living at your existing property and use the new place for your business?

tfa

Surely living in your business property would be living without paying CTax, Are you looking to live in the business address and rent out your council property in order to keep it. If so I would assume you cant do so.

Pixie5740

lucinka77 wrote: »

Hi, I cannot afford to rent privately. This second address would be owed by my friend who would let me use it almost for free. The answer I am looking for is whether as a council tenant I am allowed to live in two addresses. The housing benefit factor is not important in this question. I just would like to know if my secure council tenancy could be jeopardised by having two addresses. Thanks!

Be clearer about what it is you want to achieve then!

Do you want to have 2 residential properties or do you want a home and somewhere else as business premises?

45002

Council housing is for those on low income, those in need so on

OP could loose council house if living else where !

Pixie5740 wrote: »

Be clearer about what it is you want to achieve then!

Do you want to have 2 residential properties or do you want a home and somewhere else as business premises?

If OP wanted 2nd address for business premises, that would have to be declared to HB/CT departments .