Receiving Housing Benefit and have Greedy Landlord

JasonBat

HappyMJ wrote: »

That would be fair.

If he decides to evict you to get more rent then you will jump up the housing list and instead of waiting 20 years for a property as you initially stated you might only have to wait 5 years maybe less. In the meantime you will however be homeless living in emergency accommodation which you will need to pay for which is quite stressful.

Err, thanks but being homeless is not an option.

HappyMJ

JasonBat wrote: »

Err, thanks but being homeless is not an option.

You won't be living on the street and it bumps you up the list quite significantly. If you're housed already then you will be waiting 20 years for a social housing property if not more.

JasonBat

HappyMJ wrote: »

You won't be living on the street and it bumps you up the list quite significantly. If you're housed already then you will be waiting 20 years for a social housing property if not more.

Who would pay for the emergency accommodation though? Would I still get housing benefit?

HappyMJ

JasonBat wrote: »

Who would pay for the emergency accommodation though? Would I still get housing benefit?

You will still get housing benefit. You'll get housed in B&B style accommodation. You can opt out of the breakfast and buy your own which will make it cheaper. It will be all bills inclusive so you should expect to pay a little from your income...it should be the same as if you were for paying council tax, gas, electricity and water yourself in a rental property.

JasonBat

HappyMJ wrote: »

You will still get housing benefit. You'll get housed in B&B style accommodation. You can opt out of the breakfast and buy your own which will make it cheaper. It will be all bills inclusive so you should expect to pay a little from your income...it should be the same as if you were for paying council tax, gas, electricity and water yourself in a rental property.

I have lived like that before and, I have to say, it was not pleasant. You have no privacy and they can give you the boot at the drop of a hat which leaves you with no sense of security.

HappyMJ

JasonBat wrote: »

I have lived like that before and, I have to say, it was not pleasant. You have no privacy and they can give you the boot at the drop of a hat which leaves you with no sense of security.

Problem with Bracknell though is social housing is in extremely high demand. If you want any chance of getting one you really have to be considered homeless.

JasonBat

HappyMJ wrote: »

Problem with Bracknell though is social housing is in extremely high demand. If you want any chance of getting one you really have to be considered homeless.

Oh great.

theartfullodger

Jason: Which, if any, party did you vote for in the last election??

Best regards, hope it works out.

JasonBat

theartfullodger wrote: »

Jason: Which, if any, party did you vote for in the last election??

Best regards, hope it works out.

The Green Party would you believe.

Thanks.

[Deleted User]

What this means is that you need to apply to go on the Housing List. Then you will be given a priority band and if your council holds a bidding list, you will be given a bidding number. You can then bid on properties that become available. However your priority band will depend on your housing need and its likely with the information given, you will be of no priority.

I am in emergency accommodation already and am only C band (although my council is a bit unusual in how they apply priority banding).

To get a higher priority, you need to be homeless (have been evicted for something that's not your 'fault' ie not rent arrears.., LL wants to sell etc you will be ok). And/or you need to prove you are a vulnerable household i.e. have mental or physical health needs - some councils further specify that these needs apply if they are not met by your current housing.

Have a look at your council's housing website, their housing policies are usually outlined on there.

Be aware that Social Housing is in such short supply, many housing departments 'Gatekeep' i.e. will tell you you won't qualify for housing when in fact you can. Its hard to distinguish between what's really true and what's gatekeeping.

But what has already been said on here is true.., if you were evicted, and not for rent arrears, your priority would be higher and access to housing easier. A lot of councils do put single people in B&B, which means you will have to store or get rid of furniture.., some councils put people in hostels - and they aren't necessarily going to be the best accommodation. If you have disabilities, you might be able to argue successfully that this type of accommodation will not meet your needs (I did this, successfully). But you aren't even close to this as you aren't being evicted.

It does sound to me as if your rent is not uncommonly high for your area. I am sorry but it might be best if you go on the debt part of this forum, see if you can make any changes to your budget so you can save a new deposit. Or see if you are getting all the benefits you should be (try the CAB). You could also see the CAB about whether your housing needs are being met.

When I had a look around various areas in the country for private rental properties, I found most were more than LHA in those areas. Some a lot more (where I live its £200 more, I live in Kent, just outside London).