LHA - Moving from one house to another

A_Couple_In_Love

We are both VERY confused, and feel a little lost at the moment, we could do with some help if you don't mind us asking a few questions please? .

We currently both claim LHA and live in a private rented house in St Helens, we are currently waiting to move to Manchester in a new house but waiting for a house to come up that is suitable.

Question:
We pay our rent on the 29th every month, if we find a house tomorrow, I understand that we have to give a months notice in. Does this mean we basically won't be able to move into the new one until our current month has expired? As I don't feel that the new estate agents would want to wait a month for us to move in as they usually want immediate move it?

AND if I was to move in straight away, half way via my current month, I would be paying rent at both properties so we can't win really?

Also, when would we notify the council regarding our LHA as we would need to change from one house to another?

Thanks in advance, I really hope someone can explain to us.. :).

silvercar

If there is an overlap then you will be paying for two properties at the same time. So it would make financial sense to try and negotiate to move in on the 29th of the following month, allowing you time to give notice on your current place.

If the landlord won't accept this then you have to decide if it is worth it to get the move you want. If you had both properties for a few days, it would give you the opportunity to plan your move over a few days and could keep the moving costs down eg by doing a few car runs rather than hiring a big van or moving at a weekend and so not lose work time. It would also give you time to thoroughly clean the old place and attend to any repairs to ensure you get the full deposit back.

Otherwise it is a question of accepting that moving home has costs.

HappyMJ

A_Couple_In_Love wrote: »

We are both VERY confused, and feel a little lost at the moment, we could do with some help if you don't mind us asking a few questions please? .

We currently both claim LHA and live in a private rented house in St Helens, we are currently waiting to move to Manchester in a new house but waiting for a house to come up that is suitable.

Question:
We pay our rent on the 29th every month, if we find a house tomorrow, I understand that we have to give a months notice in. Does this mean we basically won't be able to move into the new one until our current month has expired? As I don't feel that the new estate agents would want to wait a month for us to move in as they usually want immediate move it?

AND if I was to move in straight away, half way via my current month, I would be paying rent at both properties so we can't win really?

Also, when would we notify the council regarding our LHA as we would need to change from one house to another?

Thanks in advance, I really hope someone can explain to us.. :).

You can claim LHA for two properties at once but you've got to do everything possible to reduce the overlapping period as possible.

A_Couple_In_Love

silvercar wrote: »

So it would make financial sense to try and negotiate to move in on the 29th of the following month.

So if I went to view a house tomorrow, and put down a deposit the same day. What are the chances for the landlord to wait 7.5 Weeks for us to move in and start paying the rent?

Is this common for tenants to do this? I feel that they will have other applicants willing to move in ASAP and think we are being picky..

Thanks .

A_Couple_In_Love

HappyMJ wrote:

You can claim LHA for two properties at once but you've got to do everything possible to reduce the overlapping period as possible.

This seems a different opinion than the poster above you, can I really claim LHA for both properties? Providing I try my best to move out as closest to the 29th as possible?

Saying that, even if they do pay, I would still have to "top up" the rest of my rent.

HappyMJ

A_Couple_In_Love wrote: »

So if I went to view a house tomorrow, and put down a deposit the same day. What are the chances for the landlord to wait 7.5 Weeks for us to move in and start paying the rent?

Is this common for tenants to do this?

Thanks .

Can you not hand in your notice on your current property then look for a property which you can move into soon? You can reduce the overlapping period down to a week with good timing. However, you've got to ask yourself would a landlord rent to a tenant on benefits. Benefits are being cut they might not be able or want to take that risk.

HappyMJ

A_Couple_In_Love wrote: »

This seems a different opinion than the poster above you, can I really claim LHA for both properties? Providing I try my best to move out as closest to the 29th as possible?

Saying that, even if they do pay, I would still have to "top up" the rest of my rent.

You need to check with council as to the conditions of payment. They usually don't mind paying for an extra week in both. It can be paid for up to 4 weeks.

just a quick google brings up http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/reporting_family_and_income_changes/housing_benefit_for_two_homes

Housing benefit is usually only paid for one home, but in some circumstances it can be paid on two properties for a limited time.

You can't avoid paying rent for two homes
If you have moved, it may be possible to get housing benefit paid for both your old and new home for up to four weeks.

You have to show that you could not avoid an overlap between the end of your old tenancy and the start of your new tenancy. For example, if you had to accept the tenancy at your new home immediately, but still had to give notice to end the tenancy at your old place. And so for a period you have to pay rent on the two properties.

elmer

You also HAVE to move in to the new property for an overlap to be paid, it won't be paid on an empty property even if you have signed the tenancy

elmer