Is a person able to claim housing benefit if not renting currently?

Got2Save

Hi, so I am currently unemployed but am actively looking for work. My parents are moving out of the area and I am planning to stay, but the issue is accommodation and finding a place to rent when they move. Would I be able to claim housing benefit even though I am currently not renting, but plan to be in the very near future?

My only other option right now, which is what I am hoping for, is finding work and renting without help of benefits. I have a couple interviews in the next week or so, which I am hoping to get a job from. I have been applying for plenty jobs and just crossing my fingers something comes up. I am quite positive I could get a personal loan from family for a deposit on a place. I am not looking at much, just maybe a room or something.

Would you be able to advise what I could do?

Toomuchdebt

You can't get housing benefit until you are actually renting.

missapril75

No. You only get HB if you have rent to pay - subject to other rules but the rent has to exist first.
How much you might get would be on the website for your local HB department so you can at least get an idea.

Good luck with the interviews.

pmlindyloo

You have lots of threads about this so I am not sure what other advice you are looking for?

Find somewhere to live and then apply for HB - they will need to see a tenancy agreement or a letter from your landlord specifying the rent.

You have some savings so you are in a position to offer a deposit. If you are claiming JSA then you may find it a tad more difficult to rent (but not impossible).

Get onto it now or you are going to be homeless when your parents move house.

Have you asked friends if they want to house share or if they have a spare room?

You have to be proactive about this!

Poppie68

Obviously you can't claim HB if you aren't paying rent .....Have you checked your Local Authorities website to see how much rent you maybe able to claim if you do become liable for rent?

Got2Save

Poppie68 wrote: »

Obviously you can't claim HB if you aren't paying rent .....Have you checked your Local Authorities website to see how much rent you maybe able to claim if you do become liable for rent?

Yes, I believe I would be entitled to £290 per month. That is based on a single person in shared accommodation. For a one bedroom property it would be around £500 per month.

Got2Save

pmlindyloo wrote: »

You have lots of threads about this so I am not sure what other advice you are looking for?

Find somewhere to live and then apply for HB - they will need to see a tenancy agreement or a letter from your landlord specifying the rent.

You have some savings so you are in a position to offer a deposit. If you are claiming JSA then you may find it a tad more difficult to rent (but not impossible).

Get onto it now or you are going to be homeless when your parents move house.

Have you asked friends if they want to house share or if they have a spare room?

You have to be proactive about this!

Yes, sorry. The reason being I didn't notice the benefits section here. I thought this question would be more applicable in this section.

Thanks for offering advice anyway. So would it be better for me apply for HB now while I find a place, then once I have found a place I can continue with the application fully? Obviously solley relying on JSA I am not going to be able to afford accommodation. I do have a little savings for a deposit though, yes.

Poppie68

Got2Save wrote: »

Yes, I believe I would be entitled to £290 per month. That is based on a single person in shared accommodation. For a one bedroom property it would be around £500 per month.

Then you need to look for accommodation within whichever of the above applies!to you otherwise you will topping up the rent from your JSA. When and only when you have a signed tenancy agreement in place will you be able to apply for HB.

HappyMJ

Got2Save wrote: »

Yes, I believe I would be entitled to £290 per month. That is based on a single person in shared accommodation. For a one bedroom property it would be around £500 per month.

Are you 35 or over?

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/what_is_housing_benefit/housing_benefit_if_you_are_under_35

Got2Save

Poppie68 wrote: »

Then you need to look for accommodation within whichever of the above applies!to you otherwise you will topping up the rent from your JSA. When and only when you have a signed tenancy agreement in place will you be able to apply for HB.

Would a landlord allow me to put down 2-3 months in advance? I don't have a job at the moment, but I am furiously looking for one. I am just worried the landlord will worry if I am unemployed I can't pay rent, so if I paid a couple months upfront, then I can at least guarantee my tenancy for that duration of time. I do know some landlords don't like DSS tenants, so I don't know what to do. I am hoping to find work within the next month or so. If I cannot find a private landlord to rent from, could the council or someone else provide accommodation?

Got2Save

HappyMJ wrote: »

Are you 35 or over?

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/what_is_housing_benefit/housing_benefit_if_you_are_under_35

Thanks, I am under 35. Are Shelter the best people to contact regarding accommodation? I may have to contact them to find out some info.