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Overpaid Rent for 3 years!!
MissMummy
Posts: 6 Forumite
Help or advice very welcome-I'm new here so hope I've posted in the right place.
Currently in private rented accomodation, and have been for over a year following the breakdown of my marriage. Before the breakdown my daughter developed severe health issues and as such, I left my beloved job to care for her full time. I've therefore been 'unemployed' for 2 years now.
I moved in and claimed housing benefit to make ends meet.
The rent was £495 pcm and the landlord stated he was receiving £369.24 from the Local Authority. I therefore made up the shortfall of £125.76 by standing order, every month, before the due date. At the time, in a hectic mess of separation, caring, moving and for the first time in years, thinking about having money to pay for things, i didnt even question it. I was so conscious about getting in debt and having to upheave my daughter again, I simply paid it.
Its now over a year on, the rent hasnt changed. He approved installation of a hoist and stairlift etc providing i guaranteed I would restore property if I ever left. He has gas checked every year and there's been no issues. He seems like a genuine, decent landlord and I am still grateful he took a chance on a single mum, on benefits with no references!
However, I've recently had a change in income which triggered a new HB award notice being sent... I must admit its the only one I've ever actually read as its the only time i worried their contribution had changed. going to put some figures in now, hope it doesnt get confusing!
Housing allowance increased slightly in April i believe and it says they are paying him £93.23 a week (£4847.06 pa - £403.97 PCM - even if it isnt paid pcm!)
So my rent at £495, less HB at 403.97 PCM leaves me a shortfall of £91 pcm, not the £125+ I have been paying.
He says he is now getting £372.92 but that is actually 4 weekly payments of £93.23 .
So, if that is 4 weekly, he should be getting 13 payments a year from HB and 12 monthly payments from me.
I should therefore be paying him the shortfall monthly, but not the 4-weekly shortfall paid as a PCM payment. Does that make sense?
annual rent (£5940) less annual HB(£4847.06) = £1092.74 divided by 12 for my monthly payments, leaves me with £91.06 pcm rent shortfall to pay... yet I have been paying £125, clearly too much, nearly £30 pcm too much.
Anyway, what I am wanting to know, after all that waffle and explanation is - are my calculations and logic right, give or take pennies. Can I ask landlord for it back? Is there a limit how far back it can go? Is it my fault for not paying attention from the outset. If i can ask for it how do I go about it, just a basic letter explaining the facts (more succinctly that I have here perhaps!). If he refuses, what do I do next?
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thank you so much
Currently in private rented accomodation, and have been for over a year following the breakdown of my marriage. Before the breakdown my daughter developed severe health issues and as such, I left my beloved job to care for her full time. I've therefore been 'unemployed' for 2 years now.
I moved in and claimed housing benefit to make ends meet.
The rent was £495 pcm and the landlord stated he was receiving £369.24 from the Local Authority. I therefore made up the shortfall of £125.76 by standing order, every month, before the due date. At the time, in a hectic mess of separation, caring, moving and for the first time in years, thinking about having money to pay for things, i didnt even question it. I was so conscious about getting in debt and having to upheave my daughter again, I simply paid it.
Its now over a year on, the rent hasnt changed. He approved installation of a hoist and stairlift etc providing i guaranteed I would restore property if I ever left. He has gas checked every year and there's been no issues. He seems like a genuine, decent landlord and I am still grateful he took a chance on a single mum, on benefits with no references!
However, I've recently had a change in income which triggered a new HB award notice being sent... I must admit its the only one I've ever actually read as its the only time i worried their contribution had changed. going to put some figures in now, hope it doesnt get confusing!
Housing allowance increased slightly in April i believe and it says they are paying him £93.23 a week (£4847.06 pa - £403.97 PCM - even if it isnt paid pcm!)
So my rent at £495, less HB at 403.97 PCM leaves me a shortfall of £91 pcm, not the £125+ I have been paying.
He says he is now getting £372.92 but that is actually 4 weekly payments of £93.23 .
So, if that is 4 weekly, he should be getting 13 payments a year from HB and 12 monthly payments from me.
I should therefore be paying him the shortfall monthly, but not the 4-weekly shortfall paid as a PCM payment. Does that make sense?
annual rent (£5940) less annual HB(£4847.06) = £1092.74 divided by 12 for my monthly payments, leaves me with £91.06 pcm rent shortfall to pay... yet I have been paying £125, clearly too much, nearly £30 pcm too much.
Anyway, what I am wanting to know, after all that waffle and explanation is - are my calculations and logic right, give or take pennies. Can I ask landlord for it back? Is there a limit how far back it can go? Is it my fault for not paying attention from the outset. If i can ask for it how do I go about it, just a basic letter explaining the facts (more succinctly that I have here perhaps!). If he refuses, what do I do next?
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thank you so much
0
Comments
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HB is paid in arrears and rent is due in advance maybe you still owe rent but aren't enough behind for the LL to worry about.
You would need to get a statement from your landlord.
How about you get the HB paid direct to yourself and you pay the LL?:footie:
Regular savers earn 6% interest (HSBC, First Direct, M&S) Loans cost 2.9% per year (Nationwide) = FREE money. 0 -
You clan say that again0
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