Benefit overlap on moving house

scarletthollie7

We recently moved , liable for rent at old property till 17th but had to take over new property on 4th . We have been advised that an overlapping payment can be made but need a letter from landlord confirming liability and that the property was not re let during this time. Our previous landlord is being difficult is there any way around this ? Thank you

HappyMJ

Your tenancy agreements. The notice you gave, the statutory time limits on giving notice which is at least 1 month. What you did to delay signing the tenancy and moving in? 2 weeks overlap shouldn't be too hard to prove. You are still a tenant at the old property and would have already paid the rent until the 17th. The council tax and utility bills showing the last day that you were responsible for the bills and the first day you are responsible which will also overlap. You might have 2 different councils paying your housing and council tax benefits.

If the property was re-let then the final day on the bills will be the day before the new tenants took over. They can't double bill you and the new tenant.

You'll also have overlap with standing charges on the gas, electricity and water accounts which you'll have to find the money for yourself.

The TV licence can be moved on the day you move the TV so you don't have an overlap on that one.

scarletthollie7

Thank you HappyMJ. Seems obvious when someone else looks at it clearly, been trying to work out what to do for hours! Thank you much appreciated

Housing_Benefit_Officer

scarletthollie7 wrote: »

We recently moved , liable for rent at old property till 17th but had to take over new property on 4th . We have been advised that an overlapping payment can be made but need a letter from landlord confirming liability and that the property was not re let during this time. Our previous landlord is being difficult is there any way around this ? Thank you

We can pay HB on previous property for upto 28 days where there is an unavoidable overlap.

If your landlord moved a tenant in the day after you left then the overlap wouldn't be paid. Hence needing confirmation from landlord.

scarletthollie7

Thank you Housing Benefit Officer - I understand the need for confirmation my difficulty is our previous landlord - is not being forthcoming with accurate information he has told us he sent it direct to council. He has not returned our deposit telling us conflicting information, as we have asked twice for the deposit and it is not as far as l can ascertain in a TDS so things may start to become more difficult l was wondering what if any alternative there was to him confirming our liability.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

scarletthollie7 wrote: »

Thank you Housing Benefit Officer - I understand the need for confirmation my difficulty is our previous landlord - is not being forthcoming with accurate information he has told us he sent it direct to council. He has not returned our deposit telling us conflicting information, as we have asked twice for the deposit and it is not as far as l can ascertain in a TDS so things may start to become more difficult l was wondering what if any alternative there was to him confirming our liability.

Did your Council Tax liability end on the date you vacated or the date your tenancy ended?

scarletthollie7

The council tax at our previous address is still "current" although they know we have moved so currently we are being billed for two addresses

specialboy

If the landlord failed to place your deposit into one of the schemes then you could claim for upto 3 times the deposit from him.